On taking pictures at sea

People who like to take pictures find that cruises provide them with no end of interesting subjects.

In addition to all the buildings, street scenes, people and other elements of "local color" that can be found in port calls, other interesting angles present themselves to a watchful eye. For example, the structural elements of a ship can make for striking photographic compositions, such as an orange smokestack shot against a deep blue sky or azure sea. But whether taking pictures of the ship, people or ports of call, cruise photography does entail some special problems.

The best times to shoot outdoors are the same whether at sea or on land, usually early morning and late afternoon. This is why serious photographers tend to get up early and are often late for dinner. They know that the half-hour on each side of sunrise and sunset is when the light is best for making pictures.

Wonderful optical magic takes place when the sun is low on the horizon. Low-angled light is more diffuse than midday glare. The light's oblique passage through the atmosphere filters the shorter rays of the color spectrum, letting the longer, warmer reds and oranges predominate. Golden hues create a feeling of well-being that makes for great portraits. The long shadows cast by a low sun can also give flat objects a three-dimensional feel.

Sunrises and sunsets at sea can be magnificent spectacles, but don't focus all your attention on the solar event itself. Often, the truly special photographs are of objects which are illuminated or profiled by the low sun. Just turn around, the photography adage goes, and you may find something even better to shoot.

Evening twilight, when the sky cycles from red back to deep blue, is also an excellent time for taking photos, especially those that include artificial light. In fact, many famous "night" pictures were actually shot at dusk, the one time of day when relatively weak artificial light can compete with the brightness of the sky. Windows and portholes take on a rich glow, passing cars cast ribbons of light, and ordinary scenes take on extraordinary auras. But remember that the duration of the magic hour varies with the latitude. The farther from the equator, the longer sunrises and sunsets last, while in the tropics, they disappear in a flash.

If you're going to be shooting during midday, especially in tropical climates, your primary challenge will be to tame the brightness of the sky, which will otherwise tend to wash the color from your photographs. Since there's likely to be plenty of sunlight, it's usually best to shoot with slow speed, color film, which lets you use wide apertures and focus selectively. Although not absolutely necessary, use a polarizing filter to both darken the skies and reduce the harsh glare off the water. Just remember to take it off when you move inside. Whenever possible, try to place yourself between the sun and your subject. A zoom lens will be handy for long shots from the deck. Also remember that cloudy days can produce excellent images.

Modern digital and automatic cameras make taking good photos easier than ever; getting a great shot is another matter. Even the best camera can't correct basic errors of composition. So before you depress the shutter, ask yourself three questions about what you see in the viewfinder. What's the subject? How can attention be focused on it? Can the image be simplified? These issues get to the heart of most common composition errors. Keep these guidelines in mind.

First, get as close as you can. Too often, the photo's primary subject is too small a part of the overall frame. Professionals say that when the image isn't right, move in. Using a zoom or telephoto lens can help, but more often, the solution is simply to get nearer to the subject.

Look for interesting angles that focus attention on your subject. Since stray background elements detract from many images, simplify your shot by eliminating clutter from the frame.

Generally, it's best not to put the subject in the dead center of the shot. Instead, follow what's called the "rule of thirds." Imagine that your view finder is divided into thirds both horizontally and vertically. The points where those lines cross tend to be good places to site the main elements of the photo.

Any composition that invites the eye to move is bound to be more interesting than one with a static view. Look for strong patterns or diagonal lines that will lead the viewer's eye through the photo. Finding an "S" curve in the frame also works the same way. Another way to add interest is to vary your point of view. Stand on a wall to take your picture from above, or get down on your knees to see the subject from below. For example, try to take pictures of children from their eye level. If your camera focuses automatically on the center of the view finder, try depressing the shutter halfway to lock in the focus, then shift the view before pushing the button completely.

One final rule of thumb: always check the edges of your frame before you shoot. Will extraneous objects in the background detract from the main focus? Often, just moving in for a closer shot will eliminate that problem.

And don't get your hopes up trying to capture really wide panoramas. Unless your equipment and timing are perfect, professionally shot images will almost always be better. Buy a postcard and focus your attention on the foreground.

Just as cruises present unique compositional problems, they also present unique equipment problems. For example, salt spray, which eats away at electronic circuits and metal gears, can be death to photographic and video equipment. The same warnings go for sand on the beach. You're generally safe if you use cameras on upper decks in calm seas, but even then, sea winds often carry minute quantities of salt that can leave an oily film. So carry equipment in waterproof cases. That failing, bring plenty of resealable plastic bags. It's also smart to bring along some denatured alcohol and periodically wipe all exposed camera surfaces clean.

One final photography tip. On larger ships, staff photographers can provide plenty of snapshots, but many cruise veterans bring a Polaroid camera for quick candid shots. It's a great way to make new friends both with fellow passengers and with locals you meet in various ports of call.