Please help me capture the golden hour at beach

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

09/24/2006 06:27:24 PM · #1

We will be on vacation for three more weeks in St Augustine Florida, on the east coast. I am using the time to learn more about outside photography. I would really like to get better each day and found out I know absolutley nothing about how to capture great shots during the golden hour when the sun is going down. I cannot figure out where to place the kids and where to stand myself. The sun goes down here on land directly perpidicular to the water. I have tried a few and am so far unhappy with the results. I would really appreciate if a few of you could take a peek and tell me what I am doing wrong. The problems I am having now are color and lighting. I am not sure what setting will work best and cannot seem to get their faces to look ok without them staring into the sun, which they cannot do. Any help would be greatly appreciated since I have three more weeks here and want to go home with a couple shots I can really be happy with. Here are four example of what I have ben getting and am disappointed with.

//www.dpchallenge.com/portfolio.php?USER_ID=63830&collection_id=17827

dwterry

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

09/24/2006 06:54:49 PM · #2

Web Hannah is a little bit harsh on the lighting. I'd just wait a little bit longer for the sun to go lower. It'll get softer as it goes. Or, go out on a day when the clouds help soften the sun a little bit more. The alternative is to use a diffuser to soften the light (many reflectors come with a diffuser too). Or turn them around against the sun and use the reflector to shine the golden light towards them.

As for the other two golden hour images (IMG_6004 and Avery on the Beach) they both look great to me! Do it just like that. :-)

rox_rox

Canon EOS-20D

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

09/24/2006 07:03:46 PM · #3

Take the Vilano Bridge to Vilano beach. Drive through the neighborhood on the south and go out to the point at the inlet. You can park your vehicle and walk, or drive out there if you have 4WD.

This is a great place to capture the afternoon thunderstorms and/or sunsets over the water of the Intracoastal Waterway. You can get just about any angle with water in the BG and the sun hitting afternoon clouds over the ocean is also nice.

Don't forget to pick up a few sharks teeth while you are there!

PM me if you have further questions.

PS...forgive me if you have already done this:) It's just my favorite place in SA to get afternoon shots.

Message edited by author 2006-09-24 19:08:02.

violinist123

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

09/24/2006 07:44:42 PM · #4

In one of your photo descriptions you mention you don't like the orangeness of the photos. To some degree, that warm light is the whole point of that last hour of the day. If you think it is too drastic, shoot in RAW and tweak the white balance afterwards. That sand looks like nature's gray card to me.

As already mentioned, I'd wait for the sun to drop a bit lower yet.

You could also consider positioning them so their shadows fall behind them or more behind them rather than stretching straight out to their side. Again, it's all in what you are trying to do.

MadMan2k

Sony Alpha a6400

Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VXD

09/24/2006 09:13:48 PM · #5

IMO, the best way to use afternoon light for portraits/etc (well, for landscapes too come to think of it) is backlighting. In this case, get higher than the subject and use a long lens so you don't see any of the sky, since if the sun is in the frame it'll make a bunch of flare and change the dynamic range of the scene. It helps if they're standing on/in front of something relatively '3D', so the shadows in the background will be interesting. You might want some fill flash too, or a reflector, depending on how shiny the foreground is.

I know cats are a lot smaller than kids, but here's an example:

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

09/24/2006 09:50:31 PM · #6

Thanks for the tips everyone. I will try them all. And I will definatly check out that inlet this week for sure!

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

09/24/2006 10:22:36 PM · #7

Jewelly - I live 30 minutes from St. Augustine! Where have you shot and what are your shooting goals while you're there? You must shoot at the Aligator Farm - birds are better there than 'gators! Also hit the lesser used beaches down Anastasia Island. There is so much to shoot around there. PM me if I can help!

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

09/25/2006 05:41:51 PM · #8

We are staying in Crescent beach, so my photos so far have just been right outside our door. I have been enjoying the beach so much I haven't been able to leave. But I am planning on going out to that inlet she mentioned to check that out.
Jewelly

PS-we probably will do the farm before we leave, the kids will love it.

rox_rox

Canon EOS-20D

09/25/2006 06:16:47 PM · #9

Originally posted by Jewelly:

You'll be driving right past the Alligator Farm and you ought to check out the lighthouse (if you haven't already). It's right by the Alligator Farm. Anastasia State Park is right there, too. That's another beautiful beach and with a long walk you'll be on the south side of the inlet. All beautiful and natural.

Vilano Beach is a bit of a drive for you, and the point isn't the most beautiful beach, just that you can get water in the BG for afternoon shots. The shark's teeth are abundant north of the jetties.

Message edited by author 2006-09-25 18:18:13.

Photologist

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

09/25/2006 07:29:25 PM · #10

Some tips:

1) Make sure that when the sun gets lower, the tripod gets sturdier.
2) When changing lenses on the beach, turn your back to the wind, slightly lean forward, and for heaven's sake, keep the camera opening pointed downward!
3) When not shooting, always hold the camera pointed downward. Better yet, if possible, keep the lens cap on until you are ready to shoot.
4) When done at the beach, take a few moments to wipe down the exterior of the camera and lens barrel.
5) Repeat.
7) Enjoy.

09/26/2006 01:39:13 PM · #11

Thanks for all the tips. I have been very concerned about my camera with the sand, so I have just taken it out when the only purpose was for photos, then took it back in. I read that sand is really BAD for cameras.
Jewel

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

09/26/2006 01:46:33 PM · #12

By the way, I did get this one. Not perfect but I thought her expression just made it for me.

BrennanOB

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

09/26/2006 01:57:08 PM · #13

When at the beach, if you have a uv filter to protect your front element, use it. Sand and salt spray are your enemies. On really windy dats I have put the whole camera in a 13 gallon trash bag and taped out openings at the lens and viewport.
I noticed that you are shooting at 1/4000 of a second, and at fairly small apatures and at 800 asa.These settings are fine for fast sports action, but for the evening light you want, you might want to try shooting at 1/60th, 200 asa, and between 8 and 11 apature. Your colours will get richer, and while you may get some blurring, the tones will be richer and the contrast will be stronger, the focus deeper and the details less blurred.
Two of the three posted shots seem to be of the kids, but ignoring the suroundings. The beach is half of the story of "Kids at the beach". Get lower, bring a blanket to lie on if you have to, and put the horizon line on a third line, treat the backround as if it were a landscape shot, and then once you have framed the scene, wait for the shot of your subject to happen.

Photologist

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

09/26/2006 02:12:33 PM · #14

Originally posted by Jewelly:

Not only sand, but the wind can carry salt spray with it. Many times, you don't realize the salt in the air. Have you ever parked your car close to the beach and when you returned, the windshield (or windscreen, for our international guests [LOL!]) had a thin film of residue on it?

Beach_mel

Nikon D70s

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

09/26/2006 02:52:10 PM · #15

Excellent info from everyone... for me, the day before a shoot I really pay close attention to the light as it goes down and keep track of what time it is when it looks best. Also pay attention to shadows from either buildings or the dunes or trees you will want to find a place that prolongs as much light as possible.

I'm at the beach shooting a ton and it's always just a little different so I really pay attention the day before. Don't forget the same hour happens in the morning too LOL but I hate those shoots!

gold reflector on this

later with fill

earlier not so golden

Message edited by author 2006-09-26 14:53:11.

09/26/2006 08:51:07 PM · #16

(Brennan) Thanks so much for those settings. That is exactly what I needed was ideas on where to start. I will try those out tommorow. Today I tried using the sand to do custom white balance. It worked! I had trouble keeping my girl still enough so I just followed her around and got a few. I'll post them here for more tips. Tommorow, I will try your settings and see what happens.
Also, I tried today to capture more of the beach. See what you think.

(lesgainus) I never thought about it just being in the air. That makes me want to be extra careful. I have not had my camera for long, and destoying it would be terrible! I have a polarizing filter I can add, would that mess up my photos?

(Beach Mel) Thanks for the lesson in what differant times of the day can do. If I had to pick, I realy like the clarity and color in the last two. And your story board one is so cool. I need to try that.

Now let me go upload the few I got today.
Jewel