How To Take Better Pictures On Your Boating Trip
When you go boating, you’ll enjoy stunning vistas. The gentle waters, the trees on the horizon, and the backdrop of the open sky all combine for a picturesque view. You want to capture these moments, but taking pictures on a boat presents some unique challenges. Waves make your boat (and, in turn, you) jolt about. One slip of the hand and your camera plummets into the murky depths below and enters a watery grave.
Fortunately, it is possible to capture photos while boating—just use these strategies below, provided to you by Active Water Sports of Beaverton and Oregon City! We also proudly serve those in Portland, Salem, and Eugene, Oregon.
Dealing With Water
Your biggest obstacle with boat photography is the water surrounding you. First, it poses a threat to your camera. More and more cell phones are now waterproof. If yours isn’t, you’ll need to take the proper precautions. One approach is to place your phone in a Ziploc bag. You should still be able to click the shutter button through the plastic. Sure, it may slightly compromise the quality of the photo, but it will give you more peace of mind.
Another strategy is to take photos while standing on land, overlooking the water. If your phone falls, it will land safely on dirt or grass. You can also stand in the middle of your boat rather than at the edge. If you drop your camera, it’ll be less likely to go overboard.
The other main challenge is the motion of the water. Even a small wave can move your body enough to move the camera and make the photo slightly blurry. When you can, shoot while sitting down or while on land. If you stand up, lower your center of gravity by positioning your legs further apart. If you can lean against something stable, take advantage of it.
Determine Your Subject
One common problem for amateur photographers is competing subjects. There are too many people spread out in the shot, the vista and person both seem to have priority, and so on. Think about what you want the focus to be. Is it your boat majestically resting in your dock? Is it your kids giggling over snacks in the back of the boat? Is it your fishing rod ready to snag the big one? Pinpoint the focus and build the photo around that.
Find Good Lighting
When you go boating in good weather, you’ll have plenty of light in the form of sunlight beating down on you. Too much light or light in the wrong position can mess up the colors or add unnecessary shadows. To fight this, try to position yourself so that the sun is behind you. Another approach is to use side lighting.
A great time to snap a photo is during the “golden hour.” This occurs right after sunrise or right before sunset. The lighting is redder and casts a great glow on your scene.
Construct Your Photo
Think about where you want to put your subject. Don’t simply center them in every photo, that’s boring! Instead, use the rule of thirds. Imagine there are three horizontal and three vertical columns. Try to position your subject on a side, upper, or bottom column instead of the center.
Consider how you position your camera as well. Don’t always shoot straight on. Try squatting and shooting from below. Or hold your camera up high and snap an aerial view. Play around with angles to add new dimensions to your images.
Finally, take into account the background. You’ll want to avoid unnecessary clutter that will detract from your shot, making it hard for your viewer to know where to look. For example, if you are taking a photo on your boat, clear away towels and cups scattered about. Try to keep your photo minimalistic so the subject easily takes the focus.
Things To Photograph
When you go boating, there is no shortage of vistas and memories to capture. These include:
- The harbor with the vibrant colors of the boats and the city backdrop
- A boat passing through a bridge. The bridge will frame it and draw attention to it
- A no-wake zone (such as right near a restaurant as boats are docking). Boats will be moving slowly by default, which makes it easier to capture them
- Passengers enjoying themselves on your boat
- Small details, such as an anchor or a buoy
We hope you found this guide helpful! If you’re still seeking the perfect boat for your summertime cruising with all its scenic photography opportunities, visit Active Water Sports. We have marine dealerships in Beaverton and Oregon City. Active Water Sports proudly serves the cities of Portland, Salem and Eugene, Oregon.