AMAZING SAILING PHOTOGRAPHS
Getting a decent shot of your boat or action on board can be tricky. YM photographer Richard Langdon shares his pro tips
Richard Langdon of Ocean Images reveals how to capture perfect shots of your boat, cruise and crew
Photography might not be a sailing skill per se, but the chances are you take pictures almost every time you head out on the water. Whether it’s capturing a picture to post on Facebook or Instagram, to create a photo album or yacht club presentation about your adventure, or even to immortalise your pride and joy for a framed picture at home, we’re all snapping away.
Getting a decent picture at sea is no mean feat, however. To get a good shot of your boat under sail, you can’t be on it, which is a significant hurdle. Shots of coastlines and headlands often end up as black lines sandwiched between a grey sea and a grey sky, and you’re invariably too busy to pick up a camera when there’s action on deck. Below decks can be dark, and flash photography captures surprised faces and red eyes. Getting that killer shot can be exhilarating though, and photography is an enjoyable addition to a cruise, but just how do you get stunning images that truly capture the fun, action and beauty of being at sea without having to be a pro?
Subject matter, timing, composition and lighting all play a part. Photography is about recording light, be it natural light from the sun or moon, or artificial light from a flash, deck lights or even a torch. It’s nearly always possible to get a rewarding image though it might not be the one you set out to achieve.
Then there’s the choice of camera, whether its your smartphone, compact camera, waterproof action camera, or digital single lens reflex (DSLR). Each can give great results in different settings.
It’s also worth thinking about what you’re taking pictures for. It’s easy to have lots of seascapes looking over the bow, but often it’s the people on board you’ll want to remember later.
Photos can be a great way of telling stories, so including the elements that make up a story (people, places and events) can really help. If it’s for a collection of images, a variety of subject matter, composition and lighting will help build up a visually appealing record that helps tell the story of your adventure.
Whether your aim is to get the ultimate sailing image, an archive for your grandchildren or social media images to make your friends green with envy, some photographic knowledge will hopefully improve your shots.