Jump to content United States-English
HP.com Home Products and Services Support and Drivers Solutions How to Buy
» Contact HP Phone orders 1-877-801-7183
HP.com home
HP Digital Photography  >  Take better photos

Taking photos at the beach

Simple techniques and tips for great beach photos.
» 

Home & Home Office

» Digital Photography
» Buying guides
» See this month's focus
» Take better photos
» Print better photos
» Edit & restore photos
» Organize & archive photos
» Share photos & get creative
» Photo scanning tips
» Everyday Printing
» PC Learning Center
» Digital Entertainment
» Activity Center
» Free online classes

Browse & Buy

» Home & Home Office Store
» Find a Retailer
» Rebate Center

Product Support

» Support & troubleshooting
» Software & drivers
» HP Total Care
» Register your product
Content starts here
» Create unique beach pictures
» See the small details
» Capture beach play
» Position the horizon
» Adjust to the light
» Beach panoramas
» Black and white shots
» Learn more


Create unique beach pictures



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.

» Back to top

See the small details



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.

» Back to top

Capture beach play



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.


» Back to top

Position the horizon



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.

» Back to top

Adjust to the light



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.

» Back to top

Beach panoramas




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.

  • Many HP printers, like the HP A626 compact photo printer, let you print your panoramic photos quickly and easily. Get the best results when paired with 4” x 12” HP Premium Photo Paper.

  • Learn more about panoramic photography.

» Back to top

Black and white shots



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.

» Back to top

Learn more


» See more articles on taking better photos
» See more articles on printing better photos

» Back to top
» See all articles and glossaries



Free online classes


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.

Award-winning support


A lady at a help desk » Get easy access to support 24/7 – toll free phone or email responses in about an hour.

Related links


»  FREE creative photo projects
»  Digital Photography buying guides

Printable version
Privacy statement Using this site means you accept its terms Feedback to Home & Home Office
© 2008 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.