paddling with a camera

Top 5 from a photo kayaker?

I am a fan of compact waterproof digital cameras like Pentax Optio W-series (WP, WPi, W10, W20, W30) or Olympus SW-series (720, 770) which are popular among paddlers. They may not offer the highest image quality among point-and-shoot cameras, but they still produce decent pictures. Most importantly, you can photograph in conditions where other cameras are better kept in a dry case or box. However, shooting on water from a kayak or canoe requires some extra efforts and practice from a paddling photographer.

1. Take a camera with you

Being on or around water offers great photographic opportunities. Do not miss them!

Pentax Optio W10 works for me and my paddling style. It's small enough to carry everywhere. I am ready to sacrifice one or two power bars to take this camera for Texas Water Safari or another race or training It goes with me to all paddling, biking or in-line skating workouts and provides most of the pictures for this blog. The camera is weather and waterproof. Remember that a bad weather is often providing interesting photographic opportunities.

Of course, there are other options for kayak photography. You can can carry your camera in a dry box or protect it with a transparent waterproof case. For many camera models you can buy special waterproof cases allowing you a full camera control. Keep in mind that even waterproof cameras usually do not float. I have my Pentax always on a tether when paddling.

2. Be ready

A photographer is shooting pictures, not a camera, but you should have your camera ready. "Ready" means not only accessible. You should be familiar with your camera settings and operations. Learn what camera settings are working for your paddling photography even it means browsing the camera manual. It may be difficult to figure out the camera features when sitting in a kayak or canoe and waves are splashing.

I do not have any special settings for my Pentax Optio W10. On water I rely almost exclusively on the P (program) mode. I also use a "green button" for quick adjustments of exposure correction and white balance.

3. Keep your camera steady

A tippy kayak is not the best photography platform, especially, when water is not calm. In addition, it is quite easy to shake the light and small camera just by pressing a shutter button. Ideally, you should hold the camera in both hands, but it may not be possible. Use a paddle shaft to stabilize the camera as shown in my video clip. This way you also stabilize kayak at the same time and have your paddle ready for bracing.

The 2 second selftimer available in Pentax Optio is very useful to avoid shaking the camera when pressing the shutter button (great, when you are holding the camera with one hand).

Do not limit yourself to a single picture for a given scene. Shoot multiple frames to increase your chances for that great shot. Digital memory is cheap. You can always erase unsuccessful pictures later.

4. Be creative

Avoid shooting the same and the same pictures including a kayak bow. Try some new angles, both horizontal and vertical formats. Free yourself from a viewfinder. Well, you will have not one in many compact digital cameras. Do not be afraid to submerge your camera if it is waterproof. Come closer to your subject. Shoot self portraits. Use a mini tripod or a suction cup to mount your camera on a kayak deck and shoot some pictures with self timer or in the interval mode. Look for abstracts and water reflections.

Do not forget that many digital cameras have some decent video capabilities. What about a helmet cam? And, have fun!

5. After paddling ...

Downloading pictures from the camera to your computer is not the end of your work as a photographer. Have you remembered to shoot multiple frames of every scene? Now, you need to review and sort your images. Use Photoshop or other image editing software to post process your pictures. Most often, I rotate my pictures to make a horizon horizontal, adjust the exposure with levels, crop and resize them to make the composition stronger, and, finally, apply some sharpening. It is a good idea to record your images at highest possible resolution available in your camera.

Related posts:

• 7 Ways to Improve Your Photography from the Problogger Top 5 Project
• 10 Tips How to Avoid Blurry Pictures when Shooting on Water
• Pentax Optio W20 Waterproof Camera Review, Tips, and Sample Photos
• Kayak Photography: Using Your Paddle to Stabilize the Camera - Video Clip
• 7 Tips on Kayak Photography: How Did You Shoot It?
• No Viewfinder? 10 Tips on Shooting Pictures without Viewfinder
• Is Pentax Optio W10/W20 the Paddler's Camera? Many Boats, Many Cameras ...
• Kayak Photography Links - Tips and Hints for Paddling Photographers