Sailing photography tips

Simple as it may sound, the better you are at sailing the better you will be at taking a sailing photo. 

If you’re taking photos while on board, make sure you know how to handle the boat comfortably before you reach for the camera. Whether dinghy or yacht, it’s probably best to leave the helm to do their job and get the crew to take photos!

The better you know how to handle the boat, the more you’ll be able to think ahead, predict wind shifts and gusts, and spot great moments to capture. In short, wanting to spread your photographer wings is the perfect opportunity to get out on the water more often.

Having the right kit can really take your photos to the next level. The camera, the lens, and all the additional bits from tripods to lens hoods can make or break your sailing pictures. That said, you don’t need a professional camera to get a great photo. 

Taking photos on a yacht: 
You can get some stunning pictures from common digital cameras, whether DSLR or Point-and-Shoot. Both cameras have their benefits depending on your goals. DSLR cameras are better equipped to use sophisticated photographic techniques. They have a wide range of controls and interchangeable lenses, helping the photographer adjust to lighting, environment and different types of shot. DSLR cameras can also capture wider angles than a point-and-shoot. 

However, the point-and-shoot is far less cumbersome and easier to handle while on a moving boat. For candid shots of your family and friends in action, the portability of the point-and-shoot is perfect, although it doesn’t have the lens capabilities to capture wider shots. Both cameras shoot on digital media (a memory card), making them easy to access, share, and print. 

Taking photos on a dinghy: 
The one big key thing to note here, if you’re on a yacht, any of the above applies. But if you’re on a dinghy, you need to choose a small, waterproof camera that you can attach to the boat. If you capsize, you don’t want to be worrying about whether you’re about to lose your camera overboard.  

Generally, when it comes to getting shots on a dinghy, sailors tend to opt for a waterproof video camera, to record their entire sail or race, then cut it down to show just the best, or most dramatic (pitchpole!) scenes. 

Taking photos from the shore: 
If you’re planning on taking shots from the shore while your kids are out on the water (particularly great if they’re in dinghies), you may want to invest in a tripod for added stability. Buying (or making) waterproof covers is a good idea in case it begins to rain, or if you’re taking photos from a rib, while lens hoods are great for minimising picture flaws due to light.

Whichever type of camera you choose, a fast shutter speed (minimum 1/400th of a second) is essential to combat the motion of being on the water. Different types of shot may also require different types of lens. Wide-angle and standard lenses are great for sailing shots as they’re quick and versatile. Wide-angle lenses are particularly multi-purpose, letting you capture the boat, scenery and your kids, all in one shot.

To adapt to the constantly changing light out on the water, you are going to want to concentrate on the camera’s aperture, white balance and ISO. Remember that when adjusting the aperture, the higher the aperture the darker the image, whereas higher white balance yields a lighter image.

Generally speaking, the brighter the light the better, so for clear pictures get the camera out on sunny days and when rays are shining. Brighter light lets you get photos with a higher aperture, but to avoid glare you should use a lens hood and a polarised lens filter. The filter acts like a pair of sunglasses for your camera, softening any incoming light and letting you snap the perfect sunny shot. 

Sunrise and sunsets are often the best times for dramatic lighting, as well being a beautiful and peaceful moment to catch the perfect family shot. If you’re planning on taking sunset pictures of your family sailing, use a lens hood to prevent the low angle of the sun shining directly into your camera lens and blotching the image. Lens hoods are also useful when taking photos from a boat, protecting your pictures from the sun’s rays reflecting off the surface of the water. Finally, cloudy or overcast days can also result in moody but well-lit shots.

If you are taking an action shot of the boat and its sailors, you’ll need to use a particular combination of camera settings. Kit like tripods won’t be able to overcome the wave motion, so using a high shutter speed and high ISO is critical. Hang tight it’s about to get technical.

Set your cameras mode dial to S (Shutter Priority) or AV (Aperture Priority) mode and select a shutter speed of about 1/400th of a second initially. To achieve a greater depth of field (DOF) set a small aperture, between f/11 to f/32 is fine but you’ll have to find the balance between available light and aperture to avoid dark photos. Alternatively, you can allow the camera to select the aperture. 

Set the lens to autofocus and select continuous focusing mode. These settings help the camera constantly readjust the lens’s focus, reacting to the movement of the boat, sail and surroundings. Start with an ISO of about 200 but if your images are still coming out blurry, pushing the ISO up can improve the sharpness. Don’t increase it by too much or you’ll start introducing more noise such as pixilation to the photos. 

If you’re trying to capture the entire boat or take a scenic shot, like a sunrise or a whole group of boats out on the water, use a high-quality wide-angle lens (approximately 10-42mm). Taking scenic shots from a rib can be tricky, so you may want to take a break on the shore for half an hour and use a tripod for stability. 

Don’t forget to practice with your camera before you get out on the water, and take plenty of shots when you are out there. Getting to know your equipment will make you more confident when you’re out on the water, freeing you up to experiment with settings, take better pictures and enjoy the experience. 

Try different types of photo, from scenic shots to selfies and everything in between. Try to think ahead and constantly change position to find unique angles. For a good range of family photos to choose from, alternate between poised smiles and candid shots of your loved ones immersing themselves in life on the waves. 

Once you’ve grasped the basics it’s time for you to let out your inner artist. Every photographer, however skilled, has a unique take, a unique style, a unique lens through which they view the world. The best way to really take a great sailing photo is to trust your instincts, experiment, and let your family’s personality shine through.