Create unique beach pictures

The beach provides a naturally beautiful canvas, and by simply using a variety of perspectives, you can create extraordinary pictures of your days by the sea. For example, snap a candid shot of someone unaware and enjoying the beach.

See the small details

Use your camera's macro shooting mode to shoot small details such as a footprint in the sand or a coconut washed to shore.

Capture beach play

Kids and adults alike can't help but frolic on the beach-be sure to catch all the action when it happens.

Two shooting modes on your HP digital camera are especially helpful when taking photos of action.

• 1. Action shooting mode uses a fast shutter speed to stop action, so you get clear photos without blur.
  
  
• 2. Burst mode lets you take multiple pictures with one click of the shutter button, perfect for catching a sequence of moves.
  

Position the horizon

Rather than cut your image in half, give your photo more interest, by positioning the horizon in the top or bottom half the frame.

You can also create great portraits by placing a person to one side and filling the rest of the frame with the horizon.

Adjust to the light

When at the beach, avoid harsh shadows by shooting on cloudy days, in shade, or around sunrise or sunset. You can also use your camera's flash when shooting in direct sun to get rid of strong shadows on faces or other objects in your shot.

Beach panoramas

Sweeping beach pictures are the perfect use for panoramic photography. You can capture all the beauty in one long shot. Here's how:

• 1. Landscape mode: This pre-set adjusts aperture so that objects near and at great distances are sharp and clear.
  
  
• 2. Manual settings: To achieve the same effect manually, set your aperture to a high f-number, like f6.3. This will provide a wide range of focus and ensure that everything near and far is in focus.
  
  

Black and white shots

The colors of the sea and sky can be marvelous, but don't forget that the contrast of black and white accentuates lines, textures, and edges, making it a good choice for capturing beach scenes and coastlines.