Sailing Photography Tips. Try to avoid putting too much flash into your subject unless you want something really punchy. If you have an amazing background, some stunning cliffs for example, use a telephoto lens if you can to emphasise the scale of that background. You must feel quite smart. ** Click the show more button below for more info and links**Sponsored by LexarJoin renowned sailing and nautical photographer and Canon Explorer of Light, O. Credit: Richard Langdon. It was another yacht racing day. So what type of camera should you opt for to take boat photos? 3. To show off a boat well, shooting from the leeward side will show more of the boats lines and less of the dirty underwater hull. I later met his brother, who kept up the business started by their fater - Morris Rosenfeld. Unfortunately I never knew (or appreciated) the nautical side of his story until way after I graduated. There is also a setting called high dynamic range (HDR) on most phones, which takes three identical images but with different exposures, then merges them together so that the highlights, the shadows and the mid range are all properly exposed. Yachting Monthly photographer Richard Langdon shares his pro tips, Using a long lens to bring an interesting background into the shot will help when taking amazing boat photos. You are never going to find a boat that is completely bone drymy RHIB is pretty damn goodbut whether it is from the heavens or from the ocean, youre gonna get spray, says the long-time sailor. Early morning and late day sunlight illuminate the deeper recesses of the boats hull. That series of S&S designs reportedly have only a single digit number of surviving hulls, and are distinguished by most having a screened forward cockpit for owners or guests. Credit: Alamy Stock Photo. 2. The latter technique is easier toward sunrise and sunset, when light levels are lower. Nice article as a sailor and retired TV producer. But break the rules if you like. As a professional, most of my work is done using a DSLR. Ive never broken one yet, a testament to their quality. Richard Langdon is a professional marine photographer and runs Ocean Images, capturing the worlds most famous boats and events. This experience allows him to work seamlessly with sailing crews and boat owners to get the best shot possible. Good point, Chuck! The drone will allow you to include the backdrop of the bay from an elevated angle. If they are backlit and you are using a DSLR, expose the picture for the sky behind not their faces or rotate the exposure compensation down one stop for the same result. The best focal length to use when photographing a given boat is greatly determined by the camera-to-boat distance. After a day on the water, he takes one of those washcloths, wets it substantially and, without ringing it out too much, wipes down all his geardrying it with a fresh and dry cloth from the towel rack and leaving the gear out of the cases to dry. If you do select Jpeg, your camera may have options as to which size file to save. Starboard is on your right facing forward. If a client needs photos immediately for social media, he uses Photo Mechanic to export a few files and then he backs up all the photos on an external hard drive so that he has two copies. You should also take care not to overexpose the picture, especially when shooting your subject from directly above. I learned in Alaska that it's an acronym for Break Out Another Thousand. In the summer many people choose this relaxing pastime because they love to be on the sea. When taking boat photos, a long lens avoids distortion and can bring an interesting background into the picture.
Sailing Photography Tips Resolution. Each can give great results in different settings. However, capturing that perfect shot takes more than just a camera and a lucky chance.
31 Sailing Tips For Beginners - The Adventure Junkies He either jumps into the water with the camera in an Aquatech UW housing or carries a large monopod in his RHIB so that he can attach a camera and get this shot without getting in the water. I will probably also have a GoPro in my pocket during a shoot mainly for those moments on board when its too wet to get the expensive one out, or for video. Shooting a portrait while sailing gives an interesting angle as the ship and sky will also feature in the image. Learn the basics with some handy sailing tips and instructions for beginners. Turn the mode dial to AV (Aperture Priority) mode and use a small aperture (between f/11-f/32) for a greater DOF (depth of field). For a small cost you can buy a dome for your GoPro for an overwater/underwater image in clear water youll be able to see the keel below the water and the topsides and rig above. As an active marine photographer for 65 years, I would only disagree with Rule #1 - the best time to photograph boats is "early morning and late afternoon." My niche (one of them anyway) is boat photography, a specialty I innocently and unintentionally stumbled into many years ago. If youve got time, think about lens choice. Are unsightly bumpers dragging along the waterline? White and blue go well together but, if you want to liven up your photos, try introducing a splash of red or yellow into the scene. This problem gets worse in mid summer or close to the equator. Start with 1/3 sea and 2/3rds sky.
6 Tips for Smarter Smartphone Photography - Sail Magazine Choose RAW format for the best quality stills and this will also give you more scope in post production. Only a non boater would ever say bumper! We all enjoy a wonderful sport and we all know that its not always sunny and bright. Many people enjoy this peaceful pastime in the summer because they love the ocean. And while theres a limit to how much you can control light, composing photographs is something over which you have a complete say. You almost want to exaggerate the reds, oranges and purples (something you can enhance during post processing).
Boat photos: how to take an amazing shot of your yacht - Yachting Monthly Conversely a wide-angled lens of 18mm or below, is also useful, as long as you get close in on the action. Ideal for portraits. The action camera is great if you plan to do a lot of close-up, on-board shots. Credit: Richard Langdon TAGS: Boats Cameras gear knowledge photo gallery yacht Then switch on the flash and set on manual, set the flash power to suit your distance from your subject. Some aspects over which you have control include cameras, lenses, shooting platforms, accessorizing, and the ability to choose when and where you make pictures.
At Work With a Professional Sailing Photographer On a one-day event, he will choose the RHIB unless it is super windy and choppy, in which case he will go aloft in a helo to stay a bit drier. Try some vertical (portrait) shots with full rig. Sunrise and sunset offer the best lighting for boat photography.
Home - Go For Fun: Travel, Sailing, Photography - Inspiration, Tips What Kit Should I Choose? Turn the mode dial to TV or S (Shutter Priority) mode and choose a shutter speed of around 1/400th of a second to begin with. Equally important is the composition. Let the camera select the correct aperture. Superb use of perspective. Obviously, you need to have a good vehicle to get out there, says van der Wal. Then once the camera and flash are set you can pretty much shoot anything happening aboard, as long as the light or distance from the subject stay more or less the same. Youll want to capture the natural light, so a tripod or still surface is a must. The cheapest that I know you can get a [Robinson] R44 [helicopter] for is $650 an hour but you can get a hell of a lot done in that hour because you can zip from one part of the course to the other. He also wants helo pilots who arent afraid to go low and slowat least 50 feet.
Tips on How to Improve Your Sailing Photography Too much flash? 1. Be careful with using the digital zoom, however, as this can reduce image quality massively. "Bumpers" are in the nautical vocabulary, however.
Sailing Photography Tips The portholes don't match though, while Ragtime's do, though after her Maine yard overhaul she had a white hull, twin 420 HP Yanmars, and was Documented to a Maine port of call. Understanding Your Subject Familiarize yourself with the different types of boats, yachts, and their unique features. This often ends up in pictures with shadows completely blacked out, or the highlights blown out (all white). Yachting Monthly photographer Richard Langdon shares his pro tips Using a long lens to bring an interesting background into the shot will help when taking amazing boat photos. The language is an important part of the art. Sailing photography tips Practice sailing. For taking great boat photos, get the boat sailing well, then choose your angle. That might not fit Allan's theme of "Classic Wooden Boats", a more extreme version of those nautical dictionaries adopting the "hole in the ocean into which one throws money" definition re: yard bills and professional crews. You can also use a separate flash, so you can control the lighting, even on bright days, to fill in the shadows. The meaning and use come through depending on the circumstance, Now the real point is the top notch article with the excellent descriptions on how to correctly photograph boats -- is the topic here --, Really don't think one of the all time great boat photographers Stan Rosenfield would give a toot whether you called an object whos' purpose is to protect a fender or a bumper -- --. Credit: Richard Langdon. A towel for the camera is also a good idea. Its a nice perspectiveyou can catch the start, and two boats, one boat, get far away, etc. Although it has been done by some photographers, van der Wal chooses not to drive the RHIB and shootfor his own safety and that of the racing boats. Period. Another adjustment I find myself using a lot is the graduated filter. For 10 years, until 1987, van der Wal raced ocean-going sailboats, logging the Whitbread, 10 trans-Atlantic crossings, and more than 150,000 miles on the sea before moving ashore to be a photographer full time. Sorry folks, but using the correct terminology not only makes communication more efficient, it can be critical to the safety of the crew and property when bringing a heavy boat into a slip, or dock, in less than desireable conditions (strong winds and/or currents, etc.). Here are our sailing tips for beginners to help you be well-equipped for the high seas. June 15, 2021 0 shares Getting a decent boat photo or a shot of action on board can be tricky. and Kevin - Take a pill. https://www.flickr.com/photos/johnlincourtphotography/37005012815/in/al. So the below combinations will give the same exposure but differing depths of focus: Aperture f4 Shutter speed 1/500th of a second, Aperture f5.6 Shutter speed 1/250th of a second, Aperture f8 Shutter speed 1/125th of a second, Aperture f11 Shutter speed 1/60th of a second, Aperture f16 Shutter speed 1/30th of a second, Aperture f22 Shutter speed 1/15th of a second. So keeping the camera steady is key. Sailing is a popular sport in coastal towns and areas that are located on large bodies of water. Close up details taken during your sailing adventure always look great in a gallery of shots. Next time please add information about your photo f/stop and shutter speed. The best way to obtain high quality close-ups is by using special macro lenses, normally 50mm to 200mm. If you own a boat and hire a deck hand or helmsman and do not designate them as the vessel's master while you are on board, you are responsible for the operation of the vessel. Using the wind and current to get from one place to another is a liberating experience. The secret to taking a remarkable sunset silhouette photograph is to use a solid backdrop with dazzling colors with an equally strong shape in your foreground. Initially a RAW image perhaps wont look as good as a cameras Jpeg but in post production you can get more out of your shot. Let the camera select the correct aperture. As you are working close to water, dont forget to protect your gear; water housing is ideal and will protect the camera should you drop it into water, but you can also use plastic covers. Funny you should mention Stan Rosenfeld - he was one of my instructors at the High School of Art & Design. Many are now splash or waterproof, many have RAW format, some sort of visual zoom and various levels of automatic or manual settings to control your image. As somebody who has shouted at countless boaters to haul them aboard and stow them away when I'm shooting, I am truly amiss. B&H Photo Video chatted with van der Wal before one of his recent on-water workshops, to get some tips on photographing sailboat racing from one of the masters of the genre. Onne van der Wal sums it up pretty accurately as he describes what it is like to be a sailing photographer in the short clip you see below. For best results, prior to switching the flash on, switch the camera to Manual (M) and set the shutter speed as fast as possible when using flash (usually 1/160-1/250) and the aperture to a setting that will give a slightly underexposed shot (take a quick frame to test). Head To A Harbour Harbours conjure up picturesque scenes with colourful boats offset against beautiful blue skies,. Where is that bilge rat that called me fenders bumpers? I would substitute, "Anytime you see something interesting." It looks a bit like the 1929 66' CCY "Mohican", but that had a white hull, and a rigid upper helm cover. And dont be frightened to keep your finger on the shutter, as multiple shots will increase your chance of achieving a good result. Boat photos taken from windward show more of the hull and less detail on deck. Very nice article and superb shots! Excellent article! Stay ahead of your subject in order to capture great facial expressions, and if they are doing something active, keep their hands in shot so that the viewer can see exactly what is happening. Agreed,wonderful shots. . My perfect boat driver is an experienced dinghy sailor they know racing inside and out. The second-best driver to get, he adds, is a sport fishing boat with a sport fisherman who knows nothing about sailing and you tell him exactly where you want to be. The worst is to get a sailor who isnt really a sailor who thinks he is a sailor who drives a motorboat which he does half badly and then he says, We cant get any closer, because he thinks he is affecting things.
Capturing the Perfect Shot: Photography Tips for Sailing Festival To minimize distortions when using wider-angle lenses, its always wise to avoid getting too close to the boats bow and stern. Postproduction is nothing new and manipulating an image to emphasise certain things was going on in the dark room well before the digital era. Its nearly always possible to get a rewarding image though it might not be the one you set out to achieve. June 14, 2022. wind, etc.. Was a real challenge, have another coming up, thanks for sharing your insight. He never said he was a mariner, just a photographer. When most of us think of sailing, we think about sunny afternoons spent casually on the water with drinks in our hands as we enjoy pods of dolphins playfully splashing on the side of the . However, with the dome, which measures about 15cm in diameter, you can submerge half way with ease. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Just make sure you consider the following factors. The higher the ISO, the grainier and flatter the image, but it will help avoid blur in low-light conditions.
A wide-angle can capture the scenery, the ship and the people in one image. 6 Top Tips On How To Photograph Boats 1. Sort of. Sailing Photography Tips - Sailing is a unique activity that presents various photographic images only available on the water. It's clearly not the newer (1937), 64' CCY "Pheonix", with a much different cabin structure. Actually, the proper term is "fender". Last but by no means least, using a drone can open up a whole new angle for you (subject to local rules and regulations). Details of life on board can be just as impressive as wide action shots. Not just posed shots looking into the camera but while they are actively sailing. He does a great job of providing 1 on 1 instruction to everyone on board at one point or another too, and I have to tell you, though I never saw him giving instructions to the driver, he put that boat right where we needed to be to get GREAT shots all day. Credit: Alamy Stock Photo. Youll need to make sure they have the sailing in control so you can focus on getting some shots. Wait For The . The port side is on your left facing forward. Sunset will give you strong reds and oranges. :). van der Wal always gets a press pass for the events he shoots and, he says that sometimes, airlines will cut you a break on luggage weight if you are traveling media.
Climbing The Yacht Mast For The First Time - Inspiration, Tips, Adventures 12 Things to Consider When Photographing Boats, Mamiya Normal 80mm f/2.8 Autofocus "D" Lens for 645AF, Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM Ultra-Wide Zoom Lens for Sony/Minolta Digital SLR, Helder MT-1758 58mm HD 1.7x Telephoto Conversion Lens, Magnus PV-7451M Tripod/Monopod with 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head, DJI Phantom 3 Professional Quadcopter with 4K Camera and 3-Axis Gimbal. RHIB: van der Wal says, My number one thing to do is RHIB, because you can really run around and do a lot. This is why history is littered with the names and wrecked reputations of vessel masters who have suffered collisions or groundings since the begging of time and not the names of the quartermasters of those vessels. When photographing a boat, be it under way or at rest, always be on the lookout for loose lines and hardware thats not in place or stowed out of sight. All those options, minus the swimming, have costs involved. The sky and ship will also be featured in the photo. From your tender you can get a lovely low-level shot with the coast in the background, especially if the afternoon (or morning) sun is giving you some warm light.
Boat and Yacht Photography: A Comprehensive Guide for Aspiring Marine If you leave the object avoidance on its possible the drone will want to escape your hand when you try to grab it. So how can you capture great sailing images, perhaps of a boat nearby or your own boat? Guys, If you can shoot marine objects like Allan, you can call a fender a bumper in my book ! if you were photographing flowers You wouldn'tcall a Bee that Thing with wings or a Fly If you were taking photos of Dogs You wouldn'tcall them mutts on and on The sea and the different vesselson them are Important and the terminology is all important to those who find the Sea a Life. If your camera doesnt have a flash, you could try shining a torch for a similar effect to fill in shadows. Photography is about light, and boat photography is no exception. According to the internet and Onne's website, the J Class World Championship was hosted by the New York Yacht Club and the races happened in Newport, Rhode Island from August 21 - August 26, 2017. And last but by no means least, a camera that most of us have in our pockets is a smartphone. Thanks to Michael Vanarey for helping out here!Michael Vanarey:http://www.michaelvanarey.com/Roam Travel PR:https://www.roamtravelpr.com/Music cred:Sydji - B. Start at, say. The idea is that you do not want to change lenses while underway where you could easily get spray and water inside the camera and on the sensor. This works best on flat water so as to avoid camera shake. When photographing a moving sail boat, you need to use a fast shutter speed. I'll stop now. Sail in convoy and snap away, or see if your sailing club could send a RIB out for half an hour. Getting that killer shot can be exhilarating though, and photography is an enjoyable addition to a cruise, but just how do you get stunning images that truly capture the fun, action and beauty of being at sea without having to be a pro? If you overexpose the image, these colors will be more dramatic (only to a full stop of overexposure is necessary; try bracketing to get the most varied results). These days its much more acceptable to heavily process an image, especially for social media where filters are often used to give it more punch. Try horizontal too. I have to tell you he is a master and freely parts with lots of great advice. Credit: Alamy Stock Photo. You must work quickly place your camera on a tripod, turn the flash off and set the mode dial to AV (Aperture Priority) mode. If you would like to use the images in both areas you can often choose an option to capture both simultaneously, so that you can back up the RAWs for when you are back at your computer, and use the Jpeg instantly. A DSLR is the pro choice when taking boat photos and offers the most control over the images you take, resulting in the best quality photographs. There are many schools of thought as to how much one should process an image. The more you use your camera the more you learn what it can and cant do. Attila got his first DSLR camera, a Canon 10D, back in 2003 and he has been hooked on photography ever since. If the crew knows that you know what is going on during the race and while maneuvering, they wont worry about you getting in the way or being in the wrong place at the wrong time. He also likes that the SKB cases are a bit less conspicuous than other brands of hard cases and camera bags. It could be a shirt, sweater, life vests, flags; anything that jolts the eye can prove visually powerful. It's usually wide. Inside the July 2023 issue of Yachting Monthlywe bring you, UK Coastal walks for cruisers: 10 of the best, Family sailing: The secrets of cruising with kids, Round the Island Race 2022: The course in detail, are available through Magazines Direct where you, Yachting Monthly July 2023 On sale 25 May.
First Sailing Trip: 7 Tips to Make the Most of It - Ecobnb A short focal length will help isolate the boat from the background, but be careful of autofocusing on the waves ahead of the boat. It reminded me of some points and taught me a few things. No keen sports snapper worth their salt would be without an action camera. They do still offer high-quality still images in a small package.
Pro Tips For Improving Your Cruise Photography | Carnival Cruise Line But also shooting straight into the light works, as youll be rewarded by a sea speckled with sparkling highlights. Its also worth thinking about what youre taking pictures for. 1/4 power and try a shot.
How to Start Sailing: 15 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow A subscription to Yachting Monthly magazine costs around 40% less than the cover price. Being a sailor for as long as I can remember I understood exactly what he meant.