So you and the family are headed to the beach. You throw your iphone and your point and shoot camera in your bag and toss it in the car with piles of beach toys, coolers stocked with food to feed the 5,000 and 3 kids already saying "are we there yet?"
You dream of lovely photographs to capture your adventures. The kids building sandcastles and racing in the waves. You want to have memories, not just photos.
Googling "photography tips" brings a mirage of technical terms that make no sense, so you resolve to take as many pictures as possible and hope a few turn out.
Thankfully, you are reading this article. You can thank me later :)
I'm going to give you the best basic photography tips I know. It doesn't matter what kind of camera you have. Did you hear that? It really doesn't matter. Use your iphone. Your point and shoot. Or your rockin' DSLR that you always keep on Auto because you have no idea how to use it.
The point is to change the way you view life through your lens. And allow your creativity to blossom.
1. The Lowdown. The number one photography tip to remember (at the beach or just about everywhere) is get down and dirty...er, uh, sandy. Some of the best photos happen because you change your angle. Get down low. Eye level with your little munchkin pouring a bucket of saltwater. Sand level with the rising surf. Lay it all out on the sand and throw caution to the wind as your race your husband in the water, camera in hand, allowing the splash and fun in every frame. Or get up high in a nearby lighthouse. There's no telling what you might find when you change your perspective.
2. The closeup. Never underestimate the power of getting close. Really close. Sand particles mixed with pb&j-crumb close. It might be the best thing you'll do all day. Those sweet round cheeks won't be cuddly forever. Capture them in all of their golden beach glory and get nice and cozy with your camera being a lot closer than usual.
3. The Crummy Weather. You might typically cringe at overcast clouds rolling in to ruin your sunny tan, but not any more. No sir. Gather your sweet family and their coordinating outfits (did you hear that? coordinating...NOT identically matching - see point #4) and hit the beach. The overcast skies will give you dozens of non-eye-squinting photos and near perfect white balance (whatever that is :). It's also a great time to take some landscape and open sand shots because there will be few people on the sand. Again, get down low and change your angle. You can take advantage of a cloudy walk with desolate sand to get some beautiful shots of your kids running wild in the open expanses. It might end up being one of your favorite days at the beach.
4. The Look. In my opinion, nothing is more impersonal than perfectly matchy-matchy outfits. Let your family's personality come out as you coordinate your colors and styles. Mix in pops of color with headbands, ties, scarves, jewelry, etc. You'll later love that your son insisted on his Star Wars T-shirt because it was his favorite and you'll smile remembering his boyhood imagination and sweet love of super heroes. Don't be afraid to step out of the classic kacki and white beach photo. Add some coordinating color or prints, creative props (chairs, stools, large picture frames, flowers, etc) and allow your kids to have some say in their outfits. Notice I said "some" say. Well coordinated outfits are as important as your background and angle. Creative details are important too, but use discretion and choose wisely. You can also take several prop options and see what works best. Do a goofy shot last or let the kids be in charge of the last few shots. They will be more cooperative if they know you value their ideas too. (Note: Use your self timer and camera propped on a suitcase or box if you don't have a camera stand.)
5. Do something new. For example, spend the day taking photos from a bird's eye view. Look straight down on everything. The change of perspective might give you a new found love for the way your daughter's pig tales look from above and the lovely composition of the spilled bucket of seashells on the sand. Another idea would be gathering friends and family and having them do some awesome simultaneous sand jumping, running in the surf or get some early morning or evening shots. Try shots with the sun behind you, or in front of you. Make your friends and family sit or lay in the sand or surf. Play around with reflections or throw water balloons at each other. Try something out of the ordinary to capture something new and beautiful.
6. Mini-Technical Tips. Watch your horizon line. Often beach photos look "cut in half" when the horizon line is placed in the center of the photo. Choose to highlight the area below or above the horizon, otherwise known as the rule of thirds. Place the horizon in the bottom or top third of your shot. Also be aware of odd or distracting elements such as power lines, trash, a nearby sunbather's rear end, etc. Do a quick check before you snap that perfect family photo.
There are lots of other tips I could recommend, but if you start with these, you are sure to come home with more than a memory card full of random photos of the beach. By trying some new techniques, you will begin to know your style and learn the angles and perspective that you like, allowing your personality and love of your family and friends to shine through.
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