Top Tips for Great Beach Photography
By Geoff Harris •
Protecting your camera from the elements
Summer is here, and many people will be heading off to a beach at some point or other over the next couple of months. And if you’re going to a beautiful beach, the chances are you’ll want to take your camera with you. But sand and salt water are definitely not good for your photographic gear – so here are a few tips on keeping everything safe!
1. Try to avoid changing lenses when you’re on the beach. This is almost asking for sand to get inside your camera! If you really need to do so, make sure your hands are completely dry and sand-free, and shelter the camera from any wind with your body.
2. Start the day with a new memory card so that you won’t have to change that either.
3. Keep a UV filter on your lens – if anything is going to get scratched by sand, better it’s a filter than the front element of your lens!
4. When you’re not using it, keep the camera inside a proper bag with zip closures, not just loose inside a beach bag.
5. Keep the camera bag in the shade if possible to avoid the camera getting too hot.
6. After swimming or applying sunblock, wipe your hands on a clean dry towel before handling your camera.
7. After a trip to the beach clean your camera carefully to make sure all traces of sand and salt are removed. Make sure the outside of the camera is clean before you open the camera or take off the lens.
8. If you’ve used a tripod on the beach, make sure that is properly cleaned and dried afterwards too. Sand in the leg joints is not good!
Beaches can provide some fabulous images – especially early and late in the day when the light is good and the crowds aren’t there – just remember to take that little bit of extra care with your camera, and enjoy!
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