Introduction
The ocean is a beautiful thing to photograph, but it can also be intimidating. If you’re new at taking pictures of the sea, these tips will help make your shots more interesting and dynamic.
Look for colors
Look for colors: Contrast, patterns, and reflections are some of the most important elements in a good shot. The contrast between light and dark areas is what gives a photo its visual interest. Patterns can be found on almost any object. Check out wood grains, water ripples, or leaves. Reflections will help you show off what lies beneath the surface of the water by making it look as though your subject is floating in midair at times when this isn’t actually possible with its actual placement in relation to you. Shadows are also useful because they create depth within an image and give viewers something solid to examine from different angles… Once they’re done staring at their own reflection! Silhouettes prove useful because they allow us to focus solely on shape without being distracted by coloration or other elements that may distract us from seeing exactly how we want others to see us (i..e., silhouettes work best if there’s nothing else worth looking at).
Watch the light
Watch the light. When you’re out on a photo shoot, it’s easy to get distracted by all of the colors and textures in front of you. But if the lighting is off, no amount of editing can fix it. The best time to shoot any type of photo is either sunrise or sunset (or both). Look at your phone’s clock app and see if there are any golden hours near where you’ll be shooting. This will let you know when to aim for those luminous golden rays that make every image look better.
Don’t worry about bad weather. If it looks like rain may pass through while you’re taking pictures, don’t panic! Most cameras these days have water-resistant cases and protective covers around them so they won’t get damaged by a little rain or misty atmosphere — and even if they do get wetter than usual, most modern smartphones have waterproof cases now too! Just keep an eye out for lightning strikes before taking photos outside during storms. Otherwise, just enjoy nature’s beauty around itself as best as possible without worrying about anything else getting wet except maybe yourself (in which case just take off those extra layers).
Capture a moment
- Capture a moment that is unique.
- Capture a moment that is beautiful.
- Capture a moment that is interesting.
- Capture a moment that is surprising or mysterious, like the hulk emerging from the water in this image
Go wide
- Zoom out to get a wide shot.
- Zoom in to get a closeup.
- Use a wide-angle lens for landscapes, or a telephoto lens for wildlife and nature shots.
- Use macro lenses for closeups of flowers and other small objects, such as marine life in the water.
Make the most of bad weather
If you’re planning on taking photos of sea life and scenery, it’s likely that you will also encounter bad weather. Whether it’s fog, rain, or snow, these are all great opportunities to capture some unique shots.
Don’t be discouraged! The weather can often create a dramatic backdrop for your photos and is an easy way to add interest in post-processing when the conditions aren’t ideal for shooting on location.
The key is to find something about the scene that inspires you. For example: if there’s a dramatic contrast between dark clouds and bright whites, try playing around with contrast in post-processing; alternatively, if there’s misty fog coming off the water make sure you get as close as possible so that its texture becomes more prominent in your photo (see tip no 2)
Get great shots by making colors and moving your focus.
The sea is an ever-changing landscape. A dash of color can make all the difference in a photo, and the way you capture it is just as important.
To capture a moment, keep your eyes peeled for colors and motion. The ocean can be particularly colorful when there’s fog, low tide, or stormy weather — all of which offer unique opportunities to get creative with your shots. If you’re looking for something more structured (and colorful), try capturing some of nature’s many amazing animals. Dolphins, whales, fish…the list goes on!
As always, remember to look for colors and motion before making your shot. What’s great about photographing at sea is that everything moves so quickly that even if you miss an opportunity by a few seconds (or minutes), chances are there’ll be another one coming up soon enough!
Conclusion
We hope you’ve found this article helpful and that it will encourage you to go out and capture more beautiful sea photos. Remember, there is no right or wrong way to take a photo — it all depends on what you want to say with your image. As long as you have fun doing it, we think it will turn out great!