The beach provides a naturally beautiful canvas, and by simply using a variety of perspectives, you can
create extraordinary pictures of your days by the sea. For example, snap a candid shot of someone unaware
and enjoying the beach.
Use your camera's macro shooting mode to shoot small details such as a footprint in the sand or a coconut
washed to shore. Learn more about
close-up photography.
Kids and adults alike can't help but frolic on the beach-be sure to catch all the action when it happens.
Two shooting modes on your HP digital camera are especially helpful when taking photos of action.
Action shooting mode uses a fast shutter speed to stop action, so you get clear photos without blur.
Burst mode lets you take multiple pictures with one click of the shutter button, perfect for catching
a sequence of moves.
Notice how the horizon line in this photo is in the bottom third of the image - providing more visual interest
Rather than cut your image in half, give your photo more interest, by positioning the horizon in the top or
bottom half the frame. Learn more about
composing terrific photos.
You can also create great portraits by placing a person to one side and filling the rest of the frame with
the horizon.
When at the beach, avoid harsh shadows by shooting on cloudy days, in shade, or around sunrise or sunset.
You can also use your camera's flash when shooting in direct sun to get rid of strong shadows on faces or
other objects in your shot.
Sweeping beach pictures are the perfect use for panoramic photography. You can capture all the beauty
in one long shot. Here's how:
Landscape mode: This pre-set adjusts
aperture
so that objects near and at great distances are sharp and clear.
Manual settings: To achieve the same effect manually, set your aperture to a high f-number, like f6.3.
This will provide a wide range of focus and ensure that everything near and far is in focus.
Panorama: Some cameras let you create breathtaking vertical or horizontal panoramic shots by
stitching together up to five images in a sequence—all right in the camera.
The colors of the sea and sky can be marvelous, but don't forget that the contrast of black and white
accentuates lines, textures, and edges, making it a good choice for capturing beach scenes and coastlines.
Learn more about
black-and-white photography.
Take a free online class
in digital photography! Explore the many features of your digital camera, find tips for cropping and editing your
images, and discover new ideas for sharing your photos in creative ways.