General Tips
The tips below might seem obvious but they are crucial to have a successful day out
- Make sure you have the proper equipment with you, camera bag, back up battery, cleaning material, memory cards
- Make sure you have something to eat and drink with you when you visit a port where there are no facilities nearby (e.g. Dunkirk)
- Make sure you are well rested and fit because shipspotting can be quite tiring especially a full day abroad
- Make sure you can always reach someone if there is an incident (accident, injury, ...)
- Make sure you can either speak and understand the language of the country you are visiting or that you can speak English
- Make sure you that when you do a first time visit you don't stray too far so not to get lost
- Make sure when travelling by car that all the paperwork and the car itself is in order
- Make sure wehn using public transport you take in mind possible delays or strikes
- Make sure you are prepare for changing weather conditions. In summer make sure you are well protected from the sun
- Make sure you never leave your camera/bag unattented, always take them with you
Photography Tips
The tips below are just some general tips I can give for a successful set of photos the first being the most important
- First focus your eyes on your subject and then focus your camera
- Patience. Take your time to correctly frame your picture if you can. If not think ahead
- Keep an eye out for possible photo opportunities that might arise (e.g. two ships crossing)
- Make use of different angles to give an extra dimension to your pictures (e.g. low to the ground)
- Take into account the possible change in lighting conditions. Avoid lens flare as much as possible
- Speed. Ships are moving objects so you only have a limited time in which to take the perfect shot
- It is better not to use a tripod because this will only encumber you
- Instead look for objects on which you can rest your camera (e.g. rocks, benches, fences, walls)
- You do not have to photograph the whole ship. Often the best pictures show only parts of the ship
- Often the weather conditions can give an extra dimensions to your pictures so make sure to use it (e.g. wind)
- Keep your camera level. This can be hard but it is important to make your picture look good
- Clean your lens regularly when exposed to sea salt or sand to avoid stains and spots in the picture
- Do not venture into restricted areas or areas where cargo is handled, safety first