If you enjoy going to the beach, it’s normal to want to share images of your adventures with friends or remember your favorite moments long after your trip is done. For photographers, the beach is an unending source of inspiration. There is dramatic lighting, fascinating textures, movement, and breathtaking landscape. However, capturing this breathtaking scenery isn’t always as straightforward as pointing and firing your camera. Even the most seasoned photographers sometimes struggle with the heat, sand, and water. Mohit Bansal Chandigarh, a professional photographer from the Tricity, describes himself as a mountain man. However, he is exceptionally adept at getting fantastic images of the land, air, ocean, or people at the beach; in short, he enjoys shooting at beaches as well. Here are a few beach photography strategies that can ensure your next picture shoot yields high-quality results.
What is Photography on The Beach
Photography on the beach can be both beautiful and challenging. Many people think of photography on the beach as taking pictures of the beautiful sunset or enjoying the sand between your toes. However, photography on the beach can be so much more. You can use photography on the beach to capture memories of a day spent at the beach or to document an event that took place there. By using proper lighting and composition, you can create striking images that will commemorate your time at the beach.
Circular Polarizer
A circular polarizer is a filter that helps to reduce the glare from sunlight. When used in photography, it can help to improve the quality of your photos by reducing the amount of light that is reflected off of objects. This makes it easier to see details in your photos and creates a more natural look.
You’re in for a huge treat if you’ve never used a circular polarizer on your camera. It is a must-have item while working near water. Nothing can help your beach photos more than this. A polarizer allows you to regulate which lightwaves enter your camera. Lightwaves bounce about randomly as they reflect off different surfaces. The polarizer allows you to choose which lightwaves to see, which means you can make reflections on water or sand more or less strong. A polarizer reduces reflections and allows you to shoot through the water like it’s an aquarium in a tropical location with crystal clear water. In other regions, you may intensify the reflection, which is very useful for sunsets. Polarizers provide additional advantages that you will appreciate regardless of where you are photographing. They function as an ND (neutral density) filter, reducing light by up to a stop. This allows slower shutter speeds to capture more detail. They also enhance the color and contrast of the sky and clouds.
Avoid Midday Portraits
If you’re going to the beach for portraits, avoid going during the day. When the sun is directly above, it is too intense, and the light bouncing off the sand exacerbates your situation. Shooting in these settings produces undesirable face shadows and blown highlights. When the sun is low and near to the horizon, this is the preferable option. The light will be of higher quality and more directed. If it’s late afternoon, you may try using a fill flash, or even better, a reflector, to balance out the light on your objects. However, midday photography does not have to be totally avoided. Many photographers take advantage of the harsh light. It works nicely when you want a scorching summer in the sun vibe with exactly the perfect composition. To illuminate your subject, you can utilize fill flashes, shades, or reflectors. Give it a go if the theme includes bikinis, sunbathing, or water activities. Midday is also a great time to experiment with black and white beach photography. When the contrast is great, black and whites are frequently better, and the noon light causes harsh contrasts.
Sunrise or Sunset
Beach photography is all about sunrises or sunsets, depending on your perspective. Nothing beats the sun setting over the horizon with just the right pink, yellow, and orange clouds. This is part of the charm of the late afternoon beach photograph. The shifting light is both dynamic and visible. The quality of the light varies every few minutes, and a competent photographer can learn to make use of it regardless of why they’re there.
The Golden and Blue Hours
The golden hour is the time of day when the light is soft, lovely, and pleasant, similar to a sunset. Because the light is indirect, no harsh shadows are cast on individuals. Simply said, the golden hour is the perfect time to concentrate on beach landscape photography. The sky is dramatic, as are the sea’s reflections, and the light is ideal for catching people and subjects in their finest light. But if you’ve been here this long, now isn’t the time to go. The blue hour follows the golden hour. As the sun sets lower in the sky, the light dims and gets bluer. Long-exposure photography is ideal at this time of day. The first stars will appear, but there will still be enough light bouncing around the atmosphere to take some wonderful landscape photographs.
Remember to Bring Your Lens Hood!
The light at the beach is very harsh. Whether the sun is directly overhead or its rays are reflecting off the white beach or water. It is sometimes hard to avoid the bright light. Unless it’s gloomy, most beaches have no open shelter, making it difficult to avoid the intense rays for at least twelve hours. As a result, photographers are frequently confronted with lens flares, which occur when a strong light source shines straight into the lens. When lens flares or harsh glares strike your lens, they effectively wipe out your image by lowering contrast and overall image quality. Using a lens hood is one of the most effective techniques to avoid lens flare. A lens hood functions as a visor, preventing direct sunlight from entering the lens.
Experiment with the shutter speed.
Your exposure time is determined by the shutter speed. A slow shutter speed indicates that the camera shutter remains open for a longer period of time, resulting in a longer exposure that helps you to capture motion blur while photographing objects such as crashing waves; extended exposure softens your photographs and suggests the passage of time. A quick shutter speed lets you capture sharp, immaculate photographs of moving things, such as soaring seagulls or surfers.
Photograph Reflections
Keep an eye out for reflections in tidal pools and moist sand. Reflections enhance your photos by adding symmetry and aesthetic appeal to your scene. Consider how the light is striking the surface and how you may make the reflection stand out more. For example, you should avoid shining direct light on the water since it generates glare. The best-case scenario involves a colorful item being projected indirect light and then reflected in a motionless body of water in the shade. The latter will result in a reflection with vivid colors and no glare.
Conclusion
This article discussed the beach photography strategies that Mohit Bansal Chandigarh, as a photographer, found most beneficial when he first started out. It’s not the simplest topic in the world, but the advice provided here should get you started in the correct direction. As always, if you have any questions or recommendations, please leave them in the comments area below. Have fun clicking!
Read this blog also- Candid Photography: Capturing the Moments Without Any Intention
