goin to the beach!

[sau]

Hello everyone! First of all I am relatively new on DSLR photography. I just got my Sony a330 as a gift from my sister last Christmas. I think I already did my fair share of research and reading as i pretty much know what aperture, ISO and shutter speed means. I have taken probably around 1,000 shots with this camera and have seen my shots improving from day to day. Also, I have started to learn how to post process my shots last week.

Tomorrow, I'll be going to the beach with my buddies. I dont have any fancy lenses yet. I just have the 18-55mm and 55-200mm that came with the camera. I just need a few tips from you guys on how to get some good shots.

[ZannieGirl49]

I love, love, love shooting at the beach. Here's a link to a DPS article that has some great pointers.

Beach Photography Tips

I think that the lenses you have are fine for a beach outing. I'm not a pro but I've shot at the beach with both a point and shoot and an 18-55 kit lens. Hopefully you have a circular polarizing filter to get the sky nice and blue. I'm sure there are more experienced members who have more to say but maybe the article will get you off to a good start. Above all else...have fun!

[BCampbell]

The #1 thing that article does not point out:

Be very, very, extremely careful.

Sand is the worst possible thing you can expose your camera to. Worse than dust. Worse than water. Combine it with salt spray and you have a recipe for disaster.

Do. Not. Get. Sand. In. Your. Camera.

If you do happen to drop your camera in the sand, turn it off immedialety and don't turn it back on until you've had it thoroughly cleaned. All it takes is one or two grains of sand in your lens, and then to zoom or focus to start working that sand further in where it will abrade away. That's what sand likes to do , that's why we make sandpaper. It won't kill anything right away, but after weeks, months, eventually, someday, your gear will be trashed.

And changing lenses at the beach? Bad, bad idea.

So, before you worry about your camera settings or what lenses to bring, worry about properly protecting your camera from the elements.

[Photostudent]

If you can be on the beach during one of the "golden hours" - Soon after sunrise or just before sunset, you can take advantage of spectacular lighting if it is a sunny day. The family and I went for a professional photo portrait sitting on the beach a few months ago. We hung around after the shoot and took our own pics with a point and shoot. They turned out to be fantastic.

[Raoul Isidro]

Have a blower and brush in your bag.
Suntan lotion is kryptonite to the LCD screen and buttons.
If your not taking photos, put the camera back inside the case.
Salt spray is everywhere. It permeates up to 40 feet inland on a windy day.
Always check the front lens filter. Salt mist can build up unoticed.
Wipe the camera at home with a clean semi moist (not wet) fabric.
Cheers!

[ZannieGirl49]

I told you that more experienced people would have more to say. I'm always SUPER careful when at the beach and also don't change lenses there. I think that if you take some of the 'camera safety' tips here and some of the tips in the article you can get some great shots without sacrificing your expensive toy.

[sau]

Thank you all for the useful tips... Sadly, I cant find any camera shop that sells filter here. I actually ordered a UV and CPL 3 weeks ago from ebay but those havent arrived yet.. I might damage my camera if I didnt ask here, because i frequently change my lenses. Once again, thank you.