Tips in this article:
Location
Boats and ships are often suitable as the centre of the picture - like this fishing trawler chased by seagulls in the morning light off IJmuiden. However, the picture also shows how much the location of the photographer (or rather his angle of view) determines how atmospheric a motif can appear. The first picture was taken from standing height on the stern of the ship, while the second, more exciting one was taken kneeling from the bathing platform over the stern water. The quick change of location on board was well worth it!
- Focal length: 200 mm
- ISO: 100
- Aperture: 11.0
- Exposure time:1/1000
Tripod
Using a tripod with manual adjustment of the aperture, ISO number and exposure time is particularly useful when using lenses that are not so fast and there is little ambient light (e.g. in the evening). The advantage: the image becomes sharper and more contrasty, as the pictures below show. The first picture of Amsterdam's Sixhaven was taken freehand with a two-second exposure, the second from a tripod with a five-second exposure (both ISO 200). Keyword ISO automatic: the lower the light, the higher the ISO value selected by the camera. This leads to a brighter image, but also to corresponding image noise.
- Focal length:20 mm
- ISO:200
- Aperture:4.0
- Exposure time:5
Exposure
If the wind and waves allow it (and a good location can be found), you can achieve beautiful effects with the tripod and a longer exposure time even while travelling on board. While the first picture looks tidy but relatively static (exposure time: 1/60), in the second picture the Trader 42 seems to glide over the seemingly painted water of the North Sea (even at a speed of "only" seven knots).
- Focal length:23 mm
- ISO:100
- Aperture:5.6
- Exposure time:0,6
Focal length
Individual objects, such as the Paard lighthouse from Marken in Markermeer in this pair of images, can appear quite lost in empty surroundings against a horizon without contours. As you can see below, a wide-angle lens with a short focal length intensifies this effect. If, on the other hand, a telephoto lens (or zoom) with a longer focal length is used (second image), not only do more details become recognisable in the enlarged object, but the subject also appears condensed in the distance. Even small waves create a structure that is missing with a wide-angle lens.
- Focal length:200 mm
- ISO:100
- Aperture:5.6
- Exposure time:1/800
Creativity
Sunsets over the sea are a special experience on any cruise. However, they have the disadvantage that they often look the same in photos and the dynamics of the colour changes in the sky and on the water are easily lost. If you still want to capture the moment, you can use a little creativity to find a new "perspective" on what is happening - for example by using the glass dome of the compass to make the image appear upside down.
- Focal length:135 mm
- ISO:100
- Aperture:5
- Exposure time:1/250
Foreground
Of course, there are pictures that are best not taken at all - except to show how bleak the Nieuwe Waterweg (from Rotterdam to the North Sea) looks in cloudy weather. But even such a flat wide-angle panorama can be made a little more interesting by filling the foreground and creating more three-dimensionality. For example, with the bow pulpit of your own boat, which in this case also provides more colour and contrast thanks to the white GRP, the red gosling and the light reflections.
- Focal length:25 mm
- ISO:200
- Aperture:20.0
- Exposure time:1/200
Perspective
When taking photos of people below deck or in the "cake stand", you have to bear in mind that it is almost always brighter outside and the automatic exposure has its problems with this. Without a flash, the result is a shadow section that is not very expressive (first image). With a well-positioned flash (or direct sunlight), the result is much better (second image). However, the third picture shows that sometimes you only have to walk a few steps around the subject to get a more interesting overall picture with additional effects (here: reflections and light reflexes).
- Focal length:18 mm
- ISO:100
- Aperture:10.0
- Exposure time:1/125
