Heading to the beach with my camera for a week - tips anyone?

[TiffanyK]

We are heading to Gulf Shores, AL for a week and this is the first trip with my Nikon D40. I'm looking forward to it. I'm a little concerned about not getting sand or water in the camera. I'm guessing it's smartest to only take the camera down to the beach when I'm just wanting to take pics, not to just have it handy down there for the afternoon in case I want to shoot. Or can I just take it and leave it in the bag until I want to use (ie treat it like I would my p&s)

Also, any tips on shooting pics at the beach would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm at the beach right now, and would love everyone's suggestions too!

I have lucked into some decent sunrise/sunset shots over the years, but don't really know what I'm doing. Anyone with suggestions about camera settings for sunset/sunrise????

 

[chrisblank]

Just returned from the Disney and the beach. Take a 2 1/2 gallon ziploc to put your camera in when you leave the room to help prevent condensation. Be careful when changing lenses on the beach or only change them in the room. Take your tripod if you have one for the sunrise and family shots if you want them. I used the Zeiss lens clothes available at Wal-mart clean and remove spray from the lens. I kept my camera in my camera bag unless I was using it. I also took a damp wash cloth when back in the room and wiped off the outside of the camera, lens and any other item I used on the beach.


Because it was the end of my trip and I was confident in my insurance I even wandered out knee deep in the surf for shots of the kids playing in the water.

I have not got to PP yet but will post more when I get them done I will post more.

 

[jann1033]

all of the above but being the paranoid type i got some of these cheap protectors from optek..that way i didn't worry so much about the salt sprayhttp://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/469774-REG/Op_Tech_USA_9001132_18_RainSleeve_Set_of.html
i just put a hood or filter on the front. i do think salt water spray is what did my film slr in so i would be cautious about getting it wet

as far as sunset, take a tripod and wait till the sky turns dark blue( like maybe 10mins+ after the actual sunset)...i find i always quit to soon and miss some good stuff. last time i was in fl i used a graduated nd filter and like some of the results i got. but honestly i am pretty consistently disappointed with my sunset photos. i've read it's best to get some high clouds, and it depends on where you are, tropics have the best colors( ohio not so much) this is one from FL but the colors aren't great

lake erie sunrise from last winter

if someone else hasn't posted some already i'll see if i can find the settings when i get home

 

[Todd_H]

Beautiful shot, Chris !

to the boards!

 

[spinetnglr]

Be conscious of what the breeze is doing. If there is a pretty good breeze blowing I wouldnt get the camera out at all. One little grain of sand in the wrong place can be a disaster. Usually early morning and evening when you have the best light its pretty calm but I would still try to be aware of what the air is doing. Even a seemingly light breeze can carry sand from a neighboring umbrella, towel or a person standing nearby... it doesnt have to be blown up from the beach. Back in the day when I shot film I took my slr to the beach pretty regular but would only get it out for a few shots at a time then it would go back in the bag. Good luck and cant wait to see some of the shots you get.