On board picture taking seems to have limitations. We had a few good shots during our last sailing trip, but I need a few tips. Last year we had better luck with a "camera crew" on shore.
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What camera are you using?
And what lenses and filters? Film speed? Equipment limitations can make all the difference sometimes. Years ago when I bought my first 35mm SLR system, I decided to spend a few more dollars for a class in how to use it...not that I wanted to become a pro, I just wanted to know how to take good pictures. One class led to another, and I have learned a few things that may help you. But I need to know what you're doing--or not doing--first.
And what lenses and filters? Film speed? Equipment limitations can make all the difference sometimes. Years ago when I bought my first 35mm SLR system, I decided to spend a few more dollars for a class in how to use it...not that I wanted to become a pro, I just wanted to know how to take good pictures. One class led to another, and I have learned a few things that may help you. But I need to know what you're doing--or not doing--first.
Digital 640 x 480 pixel resolution used....
We're just using a cheap digital camera now. Sometimes we use a 35 mm , but I'm sorry I don't know a thing about lenses/filters/exposure .... We just paid a photographer $500 for my daughter's senior pictures, and they were very professional. (Outdoor and indoor shots....) I sound like Sargent Shultz from Hogan's Heros when it comes to photography...."I know nothing...".
We're just using a cheap digital camera now. Sometimes we use a 35 mm , but I'm sorry I don't know a thing about lenses/filters/exposure .... We just paid a photographer $500 for my daughter's senior pictures, and they were very professional. (Outdoor and indoor shots....) I sound like Sargent Shultz from Hogan's Heros when it comes to photography...."I know nothing...".
Depends on the Picture you want
Have been to several Q&A sessions with professional photographers from Sail, Cruising World, etc. If your boat is racing, the best place for pictures is on the committee boat, or in a dinghy just past one of the buoys. If you aren’t racing or if it is just a practice day, get someone in a small, fast power boat. They should be able to get some good photos. Otherwise you need a helicopter to get truly memorable shots.
Have been to several Q&A sessions with professional photographers from Sail, Cruising World, etc. If your boat is racing, the best place for pictures is on the committee boat, or in a dinghy just past one of the buoys. If you aren’t racing or if it is just a practice day, get someone in a small, fast power boat. They should be able to get some good photos. Otherwise you need a helicopter to get truly memorable shots.
Find another boater who also wants pictures
Then you can take turns shooting (at) each others' boats. For boat-to-boat work, a camera with telephoto zoom lens e.g. 80-200, will get you in close. A wide-angle lens (28 mm or shorter) is good for pictures on your own boat. Instead of investing a ton of money on SLR lenses, try one of the small 35 mm cameras with a 28-80 zoom lens. They work well under most light conditions, are very easy to carry around and won't set you back too much if they get soaked or fall overboard. Digital cameras are now pretty cheap too. If you decide to go digital, spend the extra money for a camera with 1.5 to 2 mega-pixels. The less expensive cameras typically have a 1 mega-pixel sensor and their images are not very sharp (good enough for e-mailing only). By the same token, cameras with more than 2 mega-pixel are generally not worth the expense for amateur work. Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
Then you can take turns shooting (at) each others' boats. For boat-to-boat work, a camera with telephoto zoom lens e.g. 80-200, will get you in close. A wide-angle lens (28 mm or shorter) is good for pictures on your own boat. Instead of investing a ton of money on SLR lenses, try one of the small 35 mm cameras with a 28-80 zoom lens. They work well under most light conditions, are very easy to carry around and won't set you back too much if they get soaked or fall overboard. Digital cameras are now pretty cheap too. If you decide to go digital, spend the extra money for a camera with 1.5 to 2 mega-pixels. The less expensive cameras typically have a 1 mega-pixel sensor and their images are not very sharp (good enough for e-mailing only). By the same token, cameras with more than 2 mega-pixel are generally not worth the expense for amateur work. Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
3.3 Megapixels
Larry, We bought a Nikon Coolpix 880 this year. It's 3.34 megapixels and has a lot of features. It really takes photo quality pictures. Large format pictures in fine resolution get very large and can be hard to move around, somewhere around 9 megabytes. XGA size in high resolution (less than fine) are about 200K and easy to work with. Digital is the way to go because I shoot lots of pictures and only print out what we are happy with. Best of all the camera like most new ones is almost stupid proof! Even I can use it! Me and cameras have a love hate relationship. I love them, they hate me! Or so it would seem based on my picture quality, but this Nikon is a dream and I can take great shots. Best of luck, Chris
Larry, We bought a Nikon Coolpix 880 this year. It's 3.34 megapixels and has a lot of features. It really takes photo quality pictures. Large format pictures in fine resolution get very large and can be hard to move around, somewhere around 9 megabytes. XGA size in high resolution (less than fine) are about 200K and easy to work with. Digital is the way to go because I shoot lots of pictures and only print out what we are happy with. Best of all the camera like most new ones is almost stupid proof! Even I can use it! Me and cameras have a love hate relationship. I love them, they hate me! Or so it would seem based on my picture quality, but this Nikon is a dream and I can take great shots. Best of luck, Chris
Check the archives
As a professional Photographer I wrote about this subject here once before when the question dealt with digital cameras. And 3.4 megapixels should be the minimum anyone purchases now who hopes to make 8x10 and smaller prints from their computer. The bigger issue though is contrast. Digital cameras don't deal well with contrast. Very brightly lit scenes (sound familar sailors?) with harsh shadows drive even my $10,000 digital cameras nuts. It's a limitation of the breed so to speak and we learn ways around it. But contrast also is why your 35mm shots look bleak and often over exposed or under exposed. Think about your light meter and how it sees all the light around your boat. Bright skies, white hull, white deck, white sails etc. It tells you you need a faster shutter speed or to stop down your lens. But this makes the picture look lousy. If your an advanced enough shooter to know how to make your cameras light meter balance, then open up 1 to 1 1/2 stops and your pictures will come to life. Also use the showest speed film you can, and always use a UV filter to cut out some of the overly blue hues you always get, or better yet a polarizer filter and you'll be giving me a run for my money in 15 or 20 years
). Keep it up, photography, like sailing, is a disgustly expensive habit and worth every penny!!!!!! Smooth sailing and grain too! Bob Knott H380
As a professional Photographer I wrote about this subject here once before when the question dealt with digital cameras. And 3.4 megapixels should be the minimum anyone purchases now who hopes to make 8x10 and smaller prints from their computer. The bigger issue though is contrast. Digital cameras don't deal well with contrast. Very brightly lit scenes (sound familar sailors?) with harsh shadows drive even my $10,000 digital cameras nuts. It's a limitation of the breed so to speak and we learn ways around it. But contrast also is why your 35mm shots look bleak and often over exposed or under exposed. Think about your light meter and how it sees all the light around your boat. Bright skies, white hull, white deck, white sails etc. It tells you you need a faster shutter speed or to stop down your lens. But this makes the picture look lousy. If your an advanced enough shooter to know how to make your cameras light meter balance, then open up 1 to 1 1/2 stops and your pictures will come to life. Also use the showest speed film you can, and always use a UV filter to cut out some of the overly blue hues you always get, or better yet a polarizer filter and you'll be giving me a run for my money in 15 or 20 years
). Keep it up, photography, like sailing, is a disgustly expensive habit and worth every penny!!!!!! Smooth sailing and grain too! Bob Knott H380Water proof point & shoot for me
Larry-- I've been a serious amature photographer for many years, and often lug around a bagfull of equipment. What I found, though, was that on the boat, a small inexpensive waterproof camera works best for me. Unlike my expensive equipment, I'm not afraid to leave it in the cockpit coaming box for quick snapshots. I can stand on the bow and not worry about dropping is overboard, and I can even take it swimming. Though the image quality doesn't compare to good 35mm equipment, I now have many, many fun snapshots that I wouldn't have had if my good gear was stashed below to keep it safe. Canon makes one for about $129, Minolta makes the Vectis GX4 for about $99 (that's what I have) and there are several others. Randy
Larry-- I've been a serious amature photographer for many years, and often lug around a bagfull of equipment. What I found, though, was that on the boat, a small inexpensive waterproof camera works best for me. Unlike my expensive equipment, I'm not afraid to leave it in the cockpit coaming box for quick snapshots. I can stand on the bow and not worry about dropping is overboard, and I can even take it swimming. Though the image quality doesn't compare to good 35mm equipment, I now have many, many fun snapshots that I wouldn't have had if my good gear was stashed below to keep it safe. Canon makes one for about $129, Minolta makes the Vectis GX4 for about $99 (that's what I have) and there are several others. Randy
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