There are a few rules that  every beach photographer should try to follow…

Using your digital camera to shoot picturesque scenes at a beach seems like a natural. All you have to do is point and click to get some wonderful photos, right?

Actually not quite. There’s one important rule you should remember when shooting beach photography: the rule of thirds.

Most amateur photographers make the same mistake when shooting at a beach. They put the beach’s horizon line in the very center of their photograph. This might seem to make sense when you’re snapping that photo.

But doing this actually results in some mediocre shots. And you are also missing the chance to turn these average photos into something a lot more impressive.

Take a look at your beach photography. If the horizon line is in the center of your photo, you’ll notice that it cuts your photo in half. This takes away any drama from your photos. It also draws the eyes of viewers away from the smaller details in your beach scene that give your shot its unique personality.

Instead of placing the horizon line in the middle of your beach shot, then, consider following the rule of thirds. This rule has guided amateur photographers to great shots for many years.

The rule of thirds calls for photographers to place the horizon line in either the bottom third or top third of your shots. This results in beach photography that is more pleasing to the eye. Viewers might not be able to figure out why your beach photos look so appealing. But you’ll know it’s because of the rule of thirds.

Before snapping your photo with your digital camera, survey the scene around. You’ll need to find something to frame your shot with, something to anchor your shot. If you’re shooting a beach scene, a natural frame might be towering sand dunes or groves of palm trees.

By framing your shot with these elements, you create a nice contrast between the beach and its horizon line. Again, it’s a way to create a photo that is visually stunning, and of professional quality.

Before snapping that shot, make sure there’s nothing in your digital camera’s line of vision that will be distracting or visually unappealing. Perhaps there’s a trash can on the beach that will be visible in your shot. Maybe there’s an unattended beach bag or a crumpled beach towel in the shot.

If you do find an unwanted object in your shot, either move it or change your shot. Either way, you don’t want the object to find its way in your finished photo.

By following the rule of thirds, you’ll soon be taking professional level beach shots.

Just remember: Don’t put that horizon line in the center of your shot!

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Filed under: Best Beach Photos

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