Beginner going to beach....

Congrats on your new Canon t3

Congrats on your new Canon t3

I am a newbie. I understand, respect, and am so appreciative of your effort put into photography.
I have fallen in love with photos. I lost memory, it changes you.
Did research, best I knew how, and decided to by a Canon Rebel T3.
I am going to the beach, could you help me prepare? Must have accessories?
The camera came with one lens 18-55. Should I get something more?

Thanks so much for your blog. Very cool.
Christine

Thank for your question about beach photography and the Canon EOS t3.

Congratulations on buying a Canon t3 camera! A very affordable way to enter into the world of DSLR photography.

Having never met you, nor knowing what experience you already have with your photography, it's tough for me to narrow down to just a few tips. Also, don't know what kind of budget you have for accessories.

I did write an article on good Canon t3i accessories and it might be good for you to read that since the t3 and t3i are very similar in many ways: Canon T3i Accessories

Most of my beach photography involves posed family portraits with some candids, often of the children.
My biggest tip on that subject is to only shoot within the half hour before and the half hour after sunset for the best lighting. This brings in the need for higher ISO settings-you need to watch out for digital noise.

Secondly, as a portrait photographer, I only ever shoot with aperture priority settings. On the beach, because of all of the predominantly lighter tones I purposely set my camera to about 2/3 of an f-stop toward overexposure.
Sometimes I read articles from this site to get some fresh ideas: Beach Photography Tips



If you might be trying to photograph seagulls or other wildlife, a longer zoom would be helpful. You can pick up a lot of ideas on lenses like this one on Amazon Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Macro Zoom Lens for Canon T3




Have a blast with your new Canon t3 camera.
Canon Geek

Comments for Beginner going to beach....

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Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Shooting at The Beach
by: RT

i agree with the other comments...
if u consider yourself a novice. you can get to a higher plane of knowledge after reading one or both of these
Read this if you want to take great photographs by Carroll
and/or
Stunning digital photography by Northrup
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Good Luck
by: BRUCE

Hi Christine,

Great to hear you have made such progress.
Keep the learning a fun experience and have a blast with your digital photography!
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Dreamer
by: Christine

Awesome.
Thank you for the advice and links!

I am before beginner. I Googled ««what comes before beginner»» and found, **"dreamer"!**
I have absolutely no photography experience at all. I am just learning to hold camera. Focusing and fighting which hands to get comfortable. My left arm was taken off in auto accident, reattached, limited movement. I am right handed.

A coworker is taking classes. She advised me to purchase this kit: 58MM Vivitar Filter Kit (Ultraviolet UV, Circular Polarizer CPL, Fluorescent FLD) + 58MM ND Neutral Density Set (ND2, ND4, ND8) + Carry Pouch + 58MM Tulip Flower Lens Hood + 58MM Collapsible Rubber Lens Hood + 58MM Snap-On Lens Cap + Cap Keeper Leash + MagicFiber Microfiber Lens Cleaning Cloth. I bought for 25$ from Amazon. She attached polarizer lens and the rubber lens hood.
I have been practicing holding camera and focusing with it set on auto green box. (face turning bright red).
I just purchased camera and have begun reading online, found you, downloaded beginner magazines, watching videos, etc.
I have experience in Computer Hardware, Software, Maintenance and Support so am trying to be confident I can learn this camera. We shall see!

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Author Bruce Lovelace
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Bruce Lovelace is the publisher of Canon Camera Geek. Read more about him on the About Page. He also publishes how to articles and camera gear reviews at the Photography Tips website.

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