How to take pictures on a Ferry.
Discovering Light and Water
With the sun playing a masterful game of hide and seek behind me, landscapes stretching out 360 degrees become a waking dream for any photographer, offering a spectacular canvas to capture the grandeur of Western Vancouver.
My Tools of Choice: Hasselblad for Artistic Pleasure, Nikon for Ease of Use
On the ferry's deck, where the ebb and flow of the sea demand agility and speed, my Hasselblad 503cx loaded with Portra 400 film was a deliberate choice for its quickness to capture sharp images amidst constant movement. This film also renders the scene with a color richness that is just right for the vibrant maritime landscape. In tandem, my Nikon Z6 is a steadfast ally, ready at a moment's notice to document the fleeting interactions and the shifting moods of the sea, a perfect digital counterpart to the classic medium format.
The Photographer's Playground
Ferries serve as extraordinary playgrounds for photographers. They are in perpetual motion, just like the surrounding light, challenging both our creativity and technique. Gliding across the waters in September, with the cool breeze as a companion, the experience is invigorating.
Dancing with Colors and Shapes
Capturing moments on the ferry is to play with a vivid color palette - shapes in yellow and green punctuated by bursts of red and orange. Waiting for the silhouettes of passing passengers to emerge against this canvas captures the moment when the organic intersects with the geometric, spotlighting your subject. There are so many ways to frame your photographs!
Tips for Capturing Clarity
Plan Your Journey - Take the ferry at times scheduled for photography, like early in the morning or in the evening as the sunset approaches.
Shutter Speed - Ensure you have a shutter speed of around 1/250 to capture sharp subjects.
Creativity in Motion - Don't hesitate to go below 1/250 to capture movement and create interesting effects.
Composition and Color - Use the colorful lines of the ferry and silhouettes to add an organic element to your photos.
Discretion - Take advantage of people's attention turned towards the landscape to take photos discreetly.
Leverage Verticality - Use the stairs and different levels of the ferry to create dynamic compositions.
Right Equipment - A tiltable screen or a direct viewfinder on your device will make shooting much easier in an active environment to stay discret.
The Ferry's Verticality
The ferry's multiple levels offer fascinating opportunities for vertical exploration. A particular photo with characters distributed across several floors showcases how playing with levels can enrich visual storytelling.
The Art of the Unseen
Ferries, with their constant stream of passengers mesmerized by the landscape, offer a unique advantage - the ability to photograph discreetly. With my camera in hand, I captured intimate scenes unnoticed, an effortless way to incorporate portraits into the frame.
Conclusion
Every ferry journey is a narrative waiting to be told through the lens of a camera. The tips and tricks I share in my video are merely an introduction to this realm of endless possibilities. Now, it's your turn to grab the camera, rise early, and capture those fleeting yet eternal moments.
