#boatsofinstagram. How to take the perfect boat picture
Whether you've just purchased a shiny new boat or you're still getting a lot of joy out of the faithful vessel you've had for years, you probably want to capture your boat on camera. These days, it's easy to share these moments with your friends and family by posting on Facebook or Instagram. You want your shots to shine, though, so everyone knows how much fun you're having!
Here are our top tips for taking fantastic photos of your boat.
1. Get the lighting right
Top photographers usually recommend shooting in early morning or late afternoon light, for the best effect. With bigger boats, the bow can be thrown into shadow when the sun is high in the sky, so it can make the shape harder to distinguish and generally look unflattering.
The colour balance can also come out better in the morning or evening, as bright light can create colder tones and more contrast.
2. Remember the rule of thirds
The rule of two thirds is a great one for beginner photographers to know. It's a simple composition technique that can make your craft look worthy of any glossy boating magazine!
To put it simply, the rule means framing your photo as if it were split by three horizontal and three vertical lines, giving you a grid of nine parts. Lining up points of interest with the intersections or lines can help your image look more balanced and visually pleasing. People's eyes aren't naturally drawn to the centre of a photo, so placing your boat dead centre doesn't look good. Positioning your camera so that it only takes up two thirds though, or lining up the water with the lower third, can draw the viewer's eye more naturally.
3. Play with the angles
At shoulder level, front on shots aren't very inspiring. Play around with more creative angles to showcase the best features of your boat.
For example, crouch down and get a low-angle shot, or get up a bit higher and take the photo with your camera angling down. A stern shot taken from a high angle is one of the most flattering choices.
You'll find it easier to get a good angle and fit your whole boat in the frame from a little further away, so don't make the mistake of getting in too close. This can be great for detailed photos of the interior, but to show off the whole boat, it looks better when you take a few steps back.
4. Beware of your background
Getting a good photo can often depend on timing. You want to snap the shutter before another boat zooms into the frame or someone in a bright orange life jackets gets in the way. The details matter, so paying attention to your surroundings can help you to get a good image, as can tidying up your boat.
Whenever you're taking a photo of your boat, whether out on the water or in your driveway, you should make sure that things like ropes, lines or other hardware are safely stowed out of sight. This is especially important if you ever need to use your photos to sell your boat.
Of course, before you start snapping and sharing, you need a boat as your subject! If the perfect boat is missing from your life, come on down to Hunts Marine and we'll help find the one for you.
