If you're planning to stay at a hotel near the ocean, it's worthwhile to spend a little extra (if necessary) to request one of the oceanfront rooms on the upper stories. The view out your windows or off your balcony will truly be a treat, and you'll get to enjoy either a sunrise or sunset each day over the water, as well as the relaxing sound of the waves. As you enjoy the view, you may wish to capture it in photos with your digital SLR camera — possibly to use as your computer background image once you return home. Here are some simple tips to improve your ability to skilfully photograph the ocean from your hotel.
Add A UV Filter
Before you travel to the hotel, make sure to visit a store that sells SLR equipment and buy a UV filter. These devices are inexpensive but play a valuable role in helping you shoot the ocean from your hotel room. When you screw the filter onto the end of your lens, it will filter out a significant amount of the UV rays that would otherwise wash out your photo and reduce its quality. You'll still get a true representation of the sight before you, but you'll be happier with the end result with a UV filter.
Slow Down The Speed
You can get a visually appealing effect when you shoot the ocean by slowing the shutter speed down on your camera — especially if the waves are high. Adjusting this setting means that the shutter will be open for longer than usual — and possibly even for several seconds, depending on the settings you use. This will often give the waves a smooth quality that makes your photo look like art. Remember, when you're slowing the shutter speed down, you'll need to mount the camera on a tripod or just a flexible clamp mounted to the hotel balcony railing to keep it still.
Try Different Tide Times
Even though you'll likely be out and about, rather than in your hotel room for hours on end, it can be advantageous to return to the room at various times throughout the day to shoot the scene at different tide times. You'll get a significantly different view whether it's high tide or low tide, and finding the right time to shoot can turn an otherwise generic image into something that really pops. Trial and error is a foolproof approach; shoot the scene every hour that you're in the room, for example, and then compare the results.
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