The Coast on Film........
The coast, due to its dramatic scenery and constantly changing moods has always been popular with photographers. However, photographing the coast may appear easy but quite often the results are disappointing. To help you improve the quality of your photographs we have compiled a list of tips:
1. Equipment
Any camera, film or digital, can take great landscape and portrait photographs. If you are disappointed with your results try a couple of cheap simple things first before considering changing your camera;
- Firstly try using a tripod. This simple device may well transform your photographs; it will make you think about your shots and will steady the image. On a digital camera, use the lowest ISO number and a landscape or high aperture setting along with a tripod. With a film camera try a slow speed film; and
- Secondly clean your lens! If you like taking photographs close to the sea you camera lens may well become covered in salt from the sea spray.
2. When to go?
Timing is everything.....often the middle of a sunny day is not the ideal time for great photographs. The image may look flat and have a slight blue tinge. Wait until the late evening or get up early, the long shadows will combine with the softer light to give everything a warm, interesting look.
3. Don’t be a fair weather photographer
For truly dramatic photographs, bad weather rules! Waves breaking on the rocks and sunshine on the landscape whilst a black thunderstorm approaches make for fantastic images. But beware, your own safety is most important so do not get too close to the waves or become cut off by the incoming tides.
4. Portraits
Photographing people at the beach can give some great results but remember to ask for the person’s permission first. This is especially true of children which, unless they are your own, are best avoided. If you intend to sell or exhibit your portraits, you will need a model consent form signed by the subjects
5. Wildlife
Getting good photographs of wildlife can be very challenging, but is possible with patience and luck. A long lens is very useful. Three points to bear in mind are:
- keep disturbance to a minimum;
- try to put the animal in its natural environment; many very close-up shots end up looking like they were taken at a zoo; and
- remember to spend time just watching. If you do go on any boat trips to see the marine wildlife in the area it is very easy to spend the whole time looking through a viewfinder and not actually enjoying the experience.
6. What to photograph?
This one is entirely up to you.
If you do get some great photographs and would like to see them on the cover of future newsletters and on the website, please get in touch. Images should be in portrait format and remember to leave some space for writing, headlines etc.
Local Clubs
Bon- Accord Camera Club (Aberdeen)
Mearns Camera Club (Stonehaven)