Whether it’s daytime or nighttime, the pool is THE place to be come summertime. Take advantage of the blue-hued water, play with the light that reflects off it, take pictures of people diving, or even snap some underwater shots —you’re sure to end up with frame-worthy photos!
Playing with light
- With the sun beating down, the reverberation is likely to create unsightly reflections. Avoid this by using a polarizing filter. Among other things, it will also bring out the blue of the sky and the water.
- If you’re taking poolside portraits, use a light reflector, such as a white towel, to minimize the lighting differences between your subject’s face and their surroundings.
Framing and composition ideas
There are multiple ways for you to capture all those poolside adventures:
1
Subjects in the water
Crouch down so that the water doesn’t make your subject look squashed. Position yourself so that the sun lights your subject’s face from the side. Follow the rule of thirds when it comes to composition and focus on your subject’s eyes so as to blur out the background, which can be less interesting to look at.
2
Get in the water!
If you have a waterproof camera or watertight case, take pictures from different angles while standing in the water. You’ll be able to get closer to your subjects, or even take a few shots underwater. For example, you could capture the expression on your youngest’s face as he or she dives into the water.
3
Above water
If you have small children, it’s an option to consider, especially if your camera is waterproof. Position the camera at the water’s surface to capture your subject’s face as well as their little feet moving underwater.
4
Action shots!
To capture someone diving into the water, set your camera to "shutter priority" (S or Tv) and choose a high speed (higher than 1/150) and set it to full-time auto-focus (AF-C). The diver will appear frozen in mid-air, without being blurry.
5
Be creative!
- Got a smartphone? Use apps like Instagram to give your pool photos a vintage feel.
- Place your camera near a puddle of water that’s shimmering under the sun, focus it on one particular element and have fun with it. The effect is sure to be astounding!
Precautions you should take
Water is your camera’s worst enemy. Before you start taking pictures, slip the wrist strap around your hand. If your camera gets splashed, wipe it down with care. Remove the memory card and battery and let them air dry.