With its stunning beaches, tropical vibes and vibrant marine ecosystems, the Maldives is the perfect destination for some great holiday photography. But even in a setting as beautiful as this, you still need to manoeuvre your lens with careful consideration. Here are a few tips for some excellent photography in the Maldives.
Understand Lighting
The archipelago’s sunny weather can be your friend if you use it well. A good rule to follow is to keep the sun behind you when taking photos, so that your subject will be lit evenly. It’s a little different when you’re underwater – try to use as much natural light if you’re in shallow waters. But if you’re down in the depths, you’ll need to adjust camera settings like manual white balance and flash lighting.
Choose the Best Time of Day
Knowing when to start clicking is just as important, but this depends on what you want to capture. Shooting at midday is best for underwater photography, and if you want to capture the vibrant colours of your natural surroundings. Sunrise and sunset times are great if you’re taking portrait photos, as the lighting at these times creates a flattering effect on skin tones, and the backdrops are nothing short of spectacular.
Think About Backgrounds
Yes, backdrops and backgrounds factor heavily into your photography. Luckily, the Maldives has plenty of options. But you’ll need to choose the right backdrop that’s interesting but not too busy. Beach palm trees, your own water villa patio if you’re at resorts like Furaveri Maldives, or even the ocean with the distant horizon are all great choices – just make sure that your background contrasts well with your subject.
Practice Underwater Techniques
Photography during underwater excursions in Maldives requires a whole other set of considerations. But it’s not impossible even for beginners. Here are a few things you’ll need to master:
- Buoyancy and flexibility – It’s important to stay steady but also know how to move around, especially in marine environments
- Camera settings – get used to adjusting settings like aperture, ISO and shutter speed
- Composition – using the Rule of Thirds is a good practice to get balanced shots.
