How to Photograph Beaches

Whether you are a professional photographer or you just like taking pictures, you should consider using a beach as your subject. Beaches are beautiful and offer many different types of pictures. There are sunsets, shadows, reflections and overviews. It's the perfect place to perfect your picture taking skills.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Digital camera
• Photoshop

1. Find a beach that you can photograph.
2. Observe first. Check out the beach and the way the sun is shining on it during different times of the day. Note the time you see the sunrise and the time you see the sunset. Note when you can see shadows and when the waves are at their highest point. Take note of anything that you see that might make a good picture and then write down the time that you see it. Create a plan for which pictures you want to take and at what time you want to take them, then go back the next day with your camera.
3. Perfect Horizon Shot Make sure the horizon is straight. No one wants to view a horizon that seems crooked. It is unpleasant to the eyes. There are programs like Photoshop that can help you straighten out the horizon if it is crooked, but try to get it right the first time. Below is a picture of a perfectly straight horizon.
4. Example Sunset Capture sunrises and sunsets. These are always gorgeous pictures because of the many colors that can be seen. Each beach will have a different time that the sun rises and sets based on its location so you should check observations from the day before.
5. Look for shadows. At different times of the day the sun can cast shadows. A beach with palm trees for example would have beautiful palm tree shadows in the sand that you could take a picture of. You could also look for a bird such as a seagull standing on the shore with it's shadow cast beside it. Almost anything on the beach that casts a clear shadow is a good shot.
6. Crashing Waves Capture the waves at their best. Visit the beach when the waves are at their roughest. Everyone loves a calm sunset, but there are times when a giant wave about to crash makes a great photograph. It gives an individual a sense of awe and respect for the ocean.
7. Footprints in the sand Create your own shots. Make a sand castle or a foot path to the water's edge. Try to make a snow angel or bury your friend. Be creative because the beach is a beautiful place. Put your creativity together with nature's beauty and you will have a winning photograph every time.
8. Take beach shots from an areal view. You can do this in a plane or helicopter or you can climb to the top of the rocks and look down. Shots from above give you a new perspective from the same beach. It allows you to get the overall feel for the beach so that you can appreciate the individual shots you have taken.

Tips & Warnings

• Take plenty of shots. This way when you get back home you will have several to choose from. Taking a lot of photos is a great way to make sure you don't have to return a second time to get a shot you missed, especially if the beach is far away from where you live.
• If you take a picture from the top of a rock make sure you are using all precautions. You don't want to trip and get hurt.