Taking The Perfect Photo in a Kayak, Canoe or on a SUP - 7 Top Tips

Of course, you will want to take some photographs when you are out kayaking, canoeing or on your stand up paddle board.

You cannot miss great scenery and definitely your family and friends will want to see it too.

Your craft can be a great platform from which to take a photograph.

Photo taken from a kayak. Note the rain drops on the camera lens which blurs the image (see bottom right).

It's stable, spacious and easy to manoeuvre to the ideal spot.

Here are 7 top tips to capture the perfect photo when kayaking, canoeing or out on your stand up paddle board.

1) Composition - There are two types of photo - candid and composed.

A candid photo just happens - it is not staged and it creates a special type of photo that captures that particular moment.

A candid photo taken as we paddled by some rocks

A composed photo is one that is set up/arranged to make the photo more interesting to the viewer.

You will need to think about composing your photo. As you are paddling, look around for interesting views, patterns, water features, wildlife etc that might make a visually interesting photo.

Perhaps a fallen tree. A protruding rock. A pattern of trees or flowers.

A composed photo of kayaks in front of a sea view

Check the potential for a photograph by looking through the viewfinder of your camera. Does it look good?

2) Fill The Frame - You will want your photo to show as much of your view as possible. Get close enough to fill the frame with the view, but not too close that it isn't obvious what the view is.

3) Great Lighting - Think about where the sun is a how it casts light (or shadows) on the view. Perhaps you want these to form part of your photo. Mostly, you should aim for the maximum amount of light on your view. Look at the colours through the viewfinder and check they match what you see with your eyes.

4) Natural Zoom/Focus - Take the photo with a natural focus on your camera. Don't zoom in (move your camera closer!). No flares, digital effects or stickers! Keep the resulting image as standard as possible.

You can edit the photograph later with any filters, effects etc.

5) Stabilise The Camera - Always make sure the camera is stable when the photo is taken. This maximises the focus and ensures a crisp clear image. Use a tripod or camera grip attached to your craft - if it is safe to do so.

Camera on a tripod for stability

Even better, use the self timer count down to take the photo so your finger movement/vibration does not affect the image.

6) Take More Than One Photo - For every photo, take at least two photos. There may be subtle changes in lighting etc between each photo and one might be better for you to use.

7) Check The Photo - As soon as you have taken the photo, check it. Does it show what you expected? Is it clear? Is everything in the photo that you wanted? For better results, view the photo on a large screen eg. laptop so you can see the photo fully.

PS. Paddlesports can be dangerous.
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