Since USC had their spring break last week, I thought it might be a bright idea to think about the issue of protecting your camera at the beach. “Fortunately” I didn’t have to deal with this problem during my spring break. Working in Columbia isn’t exactly putting your camera in great danger. Still, so many people setting off to Panama Beach, Miami, Cancun, etc, I couldn’t help but think how many great pictures can be taken at the beach, and in how many ways your camera can get ruined by sand, water, salt…
Turns out there are some steps you can take to protect your camera at a day on the beach. The most obvious is to keep it out of the water. (Unless you have a waterproof camera). Sand, however, is a little trickier. Many sites rave about the plain plastic zip lock bag. Always keep your camera in a clean plastic bag unless you’re taking photos. By always making sure the bag is tightly closed, your chances of getting sand in there are greatly reduced. Some people even double bag their camera, making it even less likely to get in.
Some other useful tips:
1. Never change a lens on the beach. If you plan on staying at the beach all day, pick the most practical lens and stick with it. If you change the lens, you expose the inside of the camera to the elements, and sand WILL get in.
2. Keep your camera -in a plastic bag- in soft cooler (like those little lunch boxes) while you’re not using it. And keep it out of the direct sunlight to prevent it from getting too hot.
3. Keep a clean towel inside your bag so you can dry off your hands and face before handling your camera.
4. Get someone else to put on your sunscreen. Try to avoid getting greased up hands since you’ll be handling your camera, and you don’t want that stuff on there.
5. Research if the company that made your camera makes underwater housing for your model. They’re bulky and expensive, but they protect your camera and you can actually take underwater pictures.
6. Don’t keep your camera in it’s little zip-lock bag all day. Yes, your camera will be relatively safe in there, but what’s the use of bringing it if you’re not going to take pictures. Have some fun playing around with different images you can shoot at the beach. (Some suggestions).
Aloha!
