5 Tips to Capture Great Photos at the Beach with your Digital Camera

1. Time of Day: If possible, plan your photo session either 1 hour after the sun rises or 1 hour before the sun sets. I prefer the evening since you can capture some fabulous sunset skies as your background. Most important, try to avoid photographing at high-noon to minimize harsh shadows and squinting eyes!

2. Select Your Setting: Your setting is comprised of the immediate and distant area in which to plan your family photo. You may think that the ocean as a background is perfect; and it may be, but first consider other settings. A stone jetty can serve as a great seating platform and provide interesting patterns and angles. Another consideration is a pier either on or in the background. Closer to the beach entrance, you may find rolling sand-hills for seating and a patch of tall grass as an pleasing background. Lastly, consider whether there is any distracting objects such as trash cans, beach umbrellas or people walking by.

3. Posing: Just a few basic and common-sense rules to follow. Most important, don't blind anyone by posing them towards the sun. Not only is this dangerous, but it will cause them to start squinting. Position your family so that the sun is facing their side or backs. Note: if the sun is harsh, you may need to adjust exposure (see item 4). Arrange your family so that everyone can be seen while varying heights by sitting, kneeling and standing. If you wish to get creative, try arranging them to form an "A" pattern where the tallest are the center.
Last, make them smile; not by telling them to smile but rather by saying something silly! 

4. Exposure: Most consumer digital cameras do an adequate job of setting proper exposure but as I suggested under Posing, if you position your family with the sun behind them, you may find that their faces are dark. This is because the camera senses the sun and automatically closes the iris (the camera squints itself). Don't panic though, most digital cameras have a built-in preset for what is typically termed "backlight" or "beach" that will correct this conditions.

4. Selfi - Getting in the Picture: Its fun to be the photographer BUT it can't be a "family" portrait without you!  So, to get in the picture you could either ask a passer-by to take the picture, but ask "Clark Griswald" about that. A better option is to take the photo yourself using a sturdy tripod and your camera's built-in countdown timer. Just be sure to take a few take photos first, set your timer and "run". Don't forget to smile!

Want to know more?  Jim is teaching a 3 hour class at Boscov on September 15th. 
Here's the details....
Jim O'Keefe's Class: Understanding Your Digital Camera 101
Boscov's in Woodbridge Center Mall | September 15th, 2015 at 7:00 PM
This class will take the mystery out of your digital camera so you will be able to capture better quality photos and video.
You can register at 732-643-0003 ext. 1278.  The cost is just $5