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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> Photography and beaches?
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 06/27/2006 05:01:03 PM · #1
Im about to take a trip down to the coast (durban) and was hoping to spend a few days shooting here and there. Im using my 300D with kit lens( no mockery please!!) Is there anything I should worry about ie sand or the salty mist etc?

Also how essential is the tripod for beach shooting?

Please give me answers, as no-one ever answers my Q's in the threads :(
06/27/2006 05:02:41 PM · #2
You should be fine if you aren't planning to take the lens off the camera while you are on the beach.

A tripod is essential for any kind of shooting unless you can't use one for some reason. Using a tripod forces you to think about composition when hand holding doesn't. You will have less compositional errors when you are taking your time and composing your shots carefully.
 06/27/2006 05:04:20 PM · #3
Depends on the weather and what you are shooting. Sunny days you want to use your lens hood, possibly a ND or gradual ND filter to block out some of the light from the skies.

Don't drop the camera in the water. Keep it around your neck or strapped to your hand.
 06/27/2006 05:05:10 PM · #4
I shoot at the beach almost every weekend and haven't had any problems with that environment. I do carry a small towel with me to cover the camera with if the wind is blowing a lot of mist and sand around.

The tripod - take it! John is correct about composition. Just be sure to rinse it off well when you get finished so the sand doesn't get stuck in the legs.
 06/27/2006 05:10:45 PM · #5
Originally posted by Gareth S.:
Im using my 300D with kit lens( no mockery please!!)


ah man, I wouldn't mock you, I actually really like the kit lens.

But, a tripod is a must, if you don't have one you might need to get one because if you stick with photography, you're going to need to use one sooner or later

And the described gradual filter would really help because IMO the 300D really likes to blow out the skies, and you got to underexpose to get it right and when you do that all your shadows are now overly dark, so the filter would really help.

And just be carful, use common sense, don't stick a $1000 (cheaper now) camera in the sand lol.
 06/27/2006 05:13:31 PM · #6
ye i have one...Ill check out prices of the filter tomorrow...i 19 so student budget :P next investment is def the 50mm 1.8
 06/27/2006 05:18:25 PM · #7
I'd definitely get a tripod just so you could take cool images with a slower shutter speed. Your hand won't be steady enough for that.

You also may want to get a lens hood to prevent lens glare.
 06/27/2006 05:38:00 PM · #8
OK, beach tips, extremely short version:

1) If you can spring a little money, you will go far with a circular polarizer.
2) Remember in composition you want a subject. Beach, waves and sky don't typically cut it all by themselves, you want something interesting on the sand (girl) or in the water (rocks) or in the sky (clouds).
3) Early morning or late evening. Best time by far.

Don't worry about that little kit lens. It took me far. She's the Corrola of lenses. Not much to look at, pretty cheap, but runs well and gets the job done.
 06/27/2006 05:41:50 PM · #9
I don't know about you folks that frequent the beaches, but when I was at the beach on vacation, I found the ocean spray that gets all over the lens and camera a bit aggrivating...I kept a UV filter on my lens at all times, and most of the time it would be completely covered with sticky sand like glued on...all in the crevices and cracks...and my camera bag needed vacuumed out when I got home.
 06/27/2006 05:50:31 PM · #10
Originally posted by deapee:
...and my camera bag needed vacuumed out when I got home...


That sentence is soooo Pittsburgh...
 06/27/2006 05:50:58 PM · #11
Thanks DOc and Deepee, u guys are 2 of my fav and the tips u give are aactually pearls to me, appreciate it! cant post pics when i get back, but there'll be a few on my msn space site....thanks again
 06/27/2006 05:52:30 PM · #12
1 more thing, Doc, ill make sure to get some nice pictures of girls on the beach...they love me on the beach so it'll be easy when i take the top off :P
 06/27/2006 06:19:01 PM · #13
I'd get a filter just to protect the front element of the lens from the sand which can easily scratch it. If budget allows, you should get a multi-coated or super multi-coated filter, if not, you'll get flares in you pictures. (I bought a cheap uncoated filter at first and ended up buying a more expensive super multi-coated one later on, the hoya super hmc). A hood would also be helpful when shooting during the day under the sun. I'd also take a cleaning kit and some pure methanol if possible, works well with the salt water and sand that stick to the camera and lens. A tripod sometimes helps get those amazing sunset/sunrise shots, but it's not necessary. Good luck and have fun.

edit: As others have said.. a polarizer would make your pictures look better also.

Message edited by author 2006-06-27 18:23:57.
 06/27/2006 06:21:47 PM · #14
Use a polarizer !

Originally posted by Gareth S.:
Im about to take a trip down to the coast (durban) and was hoping to spend a few days shooting here and there. Im using my 300D with kit lens( no mockery please!!) Is there anything I should worry about ie sand or the salty mist etc?

Also how essential is the tripod for beach shooting?

Please give me answers, as no-one ever answers my Q's in the threads :(
06/27/2006 06:34:06 PM · #15
Do brand names matter with filters? clearly hoya are the best but they run at like $40 or closer to 30 pounds each, not exactly a cheap accessory. worth it? wats more important a polarizer or ND filter?
 06/27/2006 06:36:03 PM · #16
Originally posted by Gareth S.:
Do brand names matter with filters? clearly hoya are the best but they run at like $40 or closer to 30 pounds each, not exactly a cheap accessory. worth it? wats more important a polarizer or ND filter?


As the saying goes "You get what you pay for".
 06/27/2006 06:38:27 PM · #17
Originally posted by Gareth S.:
wats more important a polarizer or ND filter?


A circular polarizer is something that you will most often used. A ND filter is used if you have a really bright day and you want to slow down the shutter speed. A gradual ND filter is a different type of filter used when the sky and the ground has too much contrast.
 06/27/2006 06:43:54 PM · #18
Originally posted by Gareth S.:
Do brand names matter with filters? clearly hoya are the best but they run at like $40 or closer to 30 pounds each, not exactly a cheap accessory. worth it? wats more important a polarizer or ND filter?


A polarizer IS a ND filter as well. It provides 2 stops of light blockage. That's not a ton, but it's a start and if you are looking for long exposures it will probably buy you 30 minutes extra time on each side of sunrise, sunset. In addition, a polarizer is very useful for the rest of the day while a ND filter (at only 2 stops) would be very unuseful at noon.) Make sure you are looking at prices for your lens diameter size, the bigger the more expensive.

I disagree that polarizer have a linear relationship to price. A typical middle of the road polarizer will function 99.9% as well as a super expensive one. I have a Hoya SMC polarizer that cost something like $45 for 77mm. That probably means the 52mm(I forget the kit lens size...) is probably 2/3rds to half that price.

Message edited by author 2006-06-27 18:45:41.
 06/27/2006 08:02:07 PM · #19
Why do people say you can't change lenses on the beach?

I've been in Destin for 4 days and taking pictures 3 out of 4...I've changed lenses on the beach I was just extremely careful. If there was wind I waited until it died down to change. If I was close to the water, I moved my gear a safe distance away and then changed the lens. The lens I was taking off was capped immediately and put in the bag and the new lens went straight on the camera without touching anything else. the camera sat in the bag during the transition.

I think as long as you are careful you can change lenses. Unless someone has a specific reason that goes against what I am saying...wouldn't this be the general case?
 06/27/2006 09:50:54 PM · #20
yes, in many ways sand is worse than water - it gets in all the same places but it never dries up. Personally I'd treat the camera as if I was shooting in the rain. There are some great covers you can get and I'd definately keep a UV filter or something on the front.
 06/27/2006 10:36:54 PM · #21
Here is one taken on a Durban beach



I suggest contacting goodman if you have any queries.
 06/27/2006 10:40:59 PM · #22
OK, here goes.

Exposure: GET A GREY CARD.

Your camera doesn't have a spot metering mode and beach scenes are difficult to meter in matrix (evaluative) metering. Get a decent exposure reading (fill the viewfinder) from the grey card and you should do well. This is especially true if you are trying to shoot a subject on the beach.
 06/27/2006 11:43:27 PM · #23
When I take photos at the beach I just take my camera with one lens w/cir pol; and keep the strap around my neck. Don't set the camera down on the sand, or on a blanket or towel. No changing lenses in the salt air, no sand in my bag, no tripod to lug about (you don't need it to steady the camera when there is bright sunlight), and no ill effects so far. The kit lens preforms better than it's reputation on the internet would lead you to believe, especially when stopped down to about f8 or more.
06/28/2006 01:57:25 AM · #24
i second the no tripod motion.. its more on the go..

keep in mind the way the wind is blowing so you dont shoot into the mist of the water and have to constantly be cleaning your lens. i always take a bottle of dust off even though it is rare that i get sand on my camera, but better safe than sorry. and for when i personally am not keeping an eye on it or using it i put it in its little pelican case... no sand and its water tight just in case..
-a polarizer is a must at the beach!
-also if its a model shoot take a bounce board.. much better than a reflector for me cause its waaaaay less flimsy in the windy beach conditions..
-take bread for the gulls, you can always use some birds in your shot..:P
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