Photography from a kayak? - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

06/04/2006 12:14:54 PM · #1

I attended a picnic yesterday, a company function, at a house on the Rappahannock. I decided to be a daredevil and put my camera in a hefty bag and borrowed a kayak to get some closeups of Ospreys nesting (maiden voyage for me, I have never used one). Amazingly, I did not capsize. But I am now hooked on the concept of getting a kayak.

A few photos of the Ospreys are here, //richieland.blogspot.com/ , did not hear or see any chicks but they may have had eggs. Blogger does a mediocre job of resizing the photos, but if you click on them you can see a better sized version.

I had to get out of the kayak to get decent handheld shots due to the bobbing in the water - I am wondering if on a calm lake it is better? Any experienced kayak photographers out there?

Hope everyone had a great weekend,
Rich.

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

06/04/2006 12:15:55 PM · #2

*shudders at the thought* I would be too afraid of water getting on camera equipment.

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6

06/04/2006 12:23:45 PM · #3

Yeah, I am not sure I should have done it - my enthusiasm gets the better of me sometimes. I had a great moment where I got out of the kayak to get better stabilized and when I looked up the kayak was peacefully floating away toward deeper water :-) Luckily I got it back and anchored it better before continuing.

I have had this camera for 18 months. Every month I have it the risk-taking reaches a new tolerance level. And I still have the D60 which is so old I am willing to set it on fire for the right shot. But I try not to be deliberately careless of course.

Message edited by author 2006-06-04 12:29:40.

kteach

Nikon D50

06/04/2006 12:47:14 PM · #4

I'm not so sure about the kayak ride with the camera in a plastic bag being a great idea, but the results are certainly wonderful! Glad it all turned out well for you!

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

06/04/2006 12:48:27 PM · #5

Shooting from a kayak is a lot easier if you're in a tandem kayak, with someone else to stabilize it while you shoot. Also, many of the kayaks you see these days are "sit on" models, as opposed to the "sit in" traditional kayak. The "sit on" models are much less stable than the "sit in" models, in general. Finally, the bigger and wider your kayak, the more stable it will be (and the harder it will be paddle around, although the longer ones take much less effort to keep moving fast).

Decent kayaks come with waterproof compartments for stowing gear, which is a help when you have a camera on board. Keeping the camera and each lens in its own, extra-heavy ziplock bag is a good idea.

I don't mind taking my camera in a kayak on fresh water, though I'm very reluctant to do so on salt water unless it's a short journey in absolute calm; I hate the idea of salt spray on the camera...

R.

rox_rox

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

06/04/2006 12:52:32 PM · #6

I take my camera in the kayak with no problems (yet). Haven't gotten anything as great as your osprey shots.

This February, my husband and I kayaked in the Ten Thousand Islands of the Everglades. We paddled nine miles through choppy water, wind and strong current to one of the outermost islands (Pavillion Key), where we wilderness camped. The next day we paddled along the oceanfront through extreme conditions to Rabbit Key; where we watched the sunset from our next campsite.

Didn't get a chance to take photos from the kayak, because it was so rough and my camera was stowed in a waterproof bag. Here are some pictures of where we stayed, though. What an amazing adventure!

We enjoy kayaking the beautiful waterways where we live, as well.

Kaying is a great way to commune with nature. I highly recommend it.

Message edited by author 2006-06-04 12:57:25.

mcmurma

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Nikon MF 180mm f/2.8 ED AIS

06/04/2006 12:54:44 PM · #7

You may be taking risks with your gear, but thats the only way to get great shots like those ospreys!

I used to handle everything so carefully that I was afraid to take my gear out of the bag sometimes (high places, wet places, etc...) but then you never get the shots and the camera and lenses you paid so much for go to waste in your bag.

I understand now why pros keep their gear insured. It pretty much comes with the territory.

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

06/05/2006 06:56:45 AM · #8

Thanks for all the feedback. The kayak I borrowed was a relatively inexpensive one, about $250 when on sale, which appeals to me since I want this strictly for calm water. It would be useless in even mild chop for photography I think.

This was an Otter model by Old Town I think - a sit-in kayak. The only issues I had with water came from the paddles as I switched back and forth - inevitibly some water splashes in your lap. However, this type of kayak allows to be sealed with something called a spray skirt, which would take care of that issue I think.

I also like the idea of being able to get to some areas that are inaccessible by land; certain islands in the river system. Very good opportunities there for birding and photography.

scrum8

Canon EOS-50D

06/05/2006 07:14:24 AM · #9

Rich, thanks for asking the question. I was thinking about going to Cabelas today for their Canoe sale. I wanted to get a canoe to explore and photograph the backwaters of Maumee Bay. Still have to decide between the canoe and the 100mm Canon macro lens.

Telehubbie

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

06/05/2006 08:35:31 AM · #10

If you are the creative/engineering type, why not try to build some outriggers? I have no clue if it's even possible and the end result might look goofy, but thought that would stabilize the kayak a bit more or at least help keep it from capsizing and losing your gear.

kahtava

Pentax *ist DL

Tamron AF 100-300mm f/5-6.3 for Pentax

06/05/2006 08:53:49 AM · #11

I just bought a kayak in May and I am still a little chicken to bring my camera out with me when I go. I have had some great opportunities to get some very close up pictures of some wildlife but I didn't bring my camera :(

I tried to bring out a small minolta camera and it got wet and I almost lost my paddle when I was trying to take a picture . . that was my test to see if I should bring my pentax.

And until I can figure out a way to make sure my camera doesn't get wet . . or I won't lose my paddle when I take a picture I think I will leave the camera at home.

OdysseyF22

Panasonic DC-G9

Olympus 12-45mm f/4.0 Pro

06/05/2006 08:58:28 AM · #12

I shoot from my kayak all the time. Granted, I'm wary of bringing my Rebel out in it, but I carry my little Canon P&S every time I go out. I've got a simple sit-in kayak, relativly cheap, but it works great. I'd recommend getting one, it's just plain fun, and it lets you get into areas that you couldn't other wise access, without creating a lot of noise and disturbing the wildlife. I've gotten in close to moose, birds, and fish before.

Holding stable is a challenge sometimes, but the suggestion of an outrigger is actually something I've thought about making, too. I think it could be done with some PVC pipe and would work well, on ponds/lakes.

At any outdoors store, like Eastern Mountain Sports, etc, you can get DryBags, which are made of heavy plastic and fold and buckle shut, to keep the contents dry. They have the added bonus of floating if you drop them while they're sealed. I keep my camera and cell phone and car keys in one while I'm paddling, and only keep the camera out when I'm shooting. The bags work great for keeping stuff dry, and are well worth the money.

kahtava

Pentax *ist DL

Tamron AF 100-300mm f/5-6.3 for Pentax

06/05/2006 09:11:26 AM · #13

The DryBag sounds like a great idea, I'll have to look for one. Kayaking is lots of fun and you can get really close to wildlife. I got with in a couple of meters of a Bald Eagle eating a fish on shore . . I was really kicking myself for not brining my camera.

Message edited by author 2006-06-05 09:12:24.

rox_rox

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

06/05/2006 09:17:22 AM · #14

I strongly reccomend going to a kayak "Demo day" before buying. Kayak stores often bring a bunch of models to the water and let you try them out. We were certain we knew what we wanted, until we got into a few of them.

There are a lot of factors to take into account. A cheap kayak may be so cumbersome and uncomfortable that you don't want to use it.

Also, you can rent a dry bag anywhere you find kayak rentals. If you rent the kayak, they will usually throw one in.

yakatme knows a lot about kayaking. He'd probaly be happy to give you some pointers.

kahtava

Pentax *ist DL

Tamron AF 100-300mm f/5-6.3 for Pentax

06/05/2006 09:45:13 AM · #15

They wouldn't let me purchase a kayak without first trying some out.

I also got a bit of a lesson when I tried them out. Which was great.

Kayaking is fun and if you can figure out a way to protect your camera you could probably get a lot of great shots.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

06/05/2006 09:58:19 AM · #16

I read an article some months ago by a photographer who went on assignment to photograph some areas that were only acessible by water. He went by kayak on a several day excursion with a guide and a group of other travelers. He used a Pelican case that was lashed to the top of his kayak. He only had one DSLR and 2 or 3 lenses. He took most of his photos on land, but he did take some from the water.

Found the article!

Message edited by author 2006-06-05 11:33:59.

LoudDog

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

06/05/2006 11:22:02 AM · #17

The recreational kayaks today are very stable. On a calm lake I'd have no fear of tipping. On a river with some swift water or on a rough lake and if you didn't know what you were doing you might tip.
If you are looking for one, the Oldtown Otter is really nice. It was originally designed as a kids kayak, but because it's so stable a lot of people started buying them and putting footpegs in them for adult use (my wife uses one of these). The Oldtown Loon is another option and comes in many different lengths (longer is faster) and is regarded as one of the best all around kayaks. Not quite as stable as the Otter, but it's much faster in the water, has a lot more storage space for multi day trips and a huge cockpit for comfort (I have one of these).
The Perception Swifty is probably the most popular rec kayak. Mainstream is the same company as Perception and makes a kayak identical to the Swifty and it's usually a little cheaper (don't ask me why?). I had a swifty and loved it. Very stable and bullet proof but I sold it to buy a whitewater play boat.
Another option is an older Swifty2. It's a 2 person Swifty but on the older ones the seats are adjustable so you can make it a one person kayak with a huge cockpit. This would make a great photo platform.

Note that once you get into kayaking you will become addicted and you will buy multiple boats (much like photography). I'm now down to four boats.

Prism

Pentax K-30

Pentax SMC DA 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR

06/05/2006 02:49:11 PM · #18

I have taken shots from a kayak using my HP R707. I am looking forward to getting out in the kayak with the dSLR this year. As LoudDog said, most lake and ocean recreational kayaks are actually very stable, relatively speaking (depends on the weather of course). As for paddle splash, you can get splash guards on the paddles that help not get water into the boat if you are paddling properly. A spray skirt is good for rough water but if it is hot, you cook under it and it makes your gear hard to get at. I have a hardsided Pelican 1010 micro series case to put my HP into to stay dry and it works great but you can't shoot through it. I am looking at getting an
aquapak drybag specifically for dSLR size cameras.

I would recommend also that you devise a method of attaching your gear to the boat somehow, just in case you do tip. That way it doesn't sink or drift away. :)

Cutter

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

06/05/2006 03:09:02 PM · #19

kayak + camera = lunacy.

But that is just me. Have fun.