Photo: Abby Ferguson Summertime heat makes many of us seek out the nearest body of water for a bit of relief. The beach can also be a place for stunning photographs. Whether you're looking to capture dramatic sunrises or sunsets, moody portraits, epic surfing or simply document your family on vacation, the beach holds a lot of photographic potential.
But it also has the potential to wreak havoc on your camera gear thanks to the salt water and sand.
Just because the salt and sand can be hard on your camera doesn't mean you have to leave it at home, though. As long as you take some precautions and know the dangers, you can keep your camera safe while still getting beautiful photos at the beach.
The dangers of the beach for your camera
The beach is a fun place to bring your camera, but the salt water and sand are hard on gear. Here's what you need to watch out for when taking photos at the beach.
Sand is especially prone to getting everywhere when you have kids or pets at the beach with you.
Photo: Abby Ferguson
Sand is the enemy
Sand is a lot like glitter; it gets everywhere, and once it's there, it can be hard to get rid of. When it comes to sand on camera gear, it's far more than just an annoyance; it's also dangerous since sand is extremely abrasive. There's a reason it's used for smoothing and polishing things, after all.
Sand can cause numerous problems with your camera gear. It can scratch the glass on your lenses, clog up zoom or focus rings and jam buttons and dials. If it manages to get inside your camera, it can also damage your sensor. Because of that, it's important to do your best to keep sand away from your camera and lenses.
Waves can be unpredictable, and the resulting salt spray is hard on gear.
Photo: Abby Ferguson
Salt water is also problematic
Ocean-goers have another element to contend with: salt water. At freshwater beaches, it's relatively easy to simply keep your camera away from the lake itself. And if some water does get on it (provided it's not a full bath), your camera likely won't be any worse for wear. Salt water is another story.
Salt water is highly corrosive. It accelerates the degradation of both metal parts and electronic components, potentially causing short circuits. Damage isn't just limited to when it gets wet, either. If unaddressed and left on the camera, salt water can continue to corrode your camera, causing further damage over time.
How to keep your camera safe at the beach
While the sand and salt water pose significant risks for your camera, there are ways to protect your gear. You don't have to skip those beach photos, as long as you take some precautions.
Don't set your camera down
First and foremost, don't ever set your camera down in the sand. Even placing it on a towel spread on the ground is extremely risky. It's a surefire way to get sand where it shouldn't be. If you need to put your camera down, place it inside a sealed bag or container (such as a ziplock, dry bag, or zipped camera bag). You could set it on a raised chair or high cooler if it's only for a brief (supervised) moment, but the key is to keep it away from any place that could get sand kicked or blown onto it.
If you're trying to take extremely low-angle long exposures or other situations when handholding the camera won't work, don't just set your camera on the sand. Instead, use a ground pod or a tripod that allows for low angles. Don't forget to watch your camera closely in such situations, though. You don't want someone to walk by and accidentally kick sand on your camera, or for the tide to come up and splash corrosive salt water all over your gear.
Changing lenses on the beach is risky because of sand and salt spray.
Photo: Mitchell Clark
Don't change lenses on the beach
Changing lenses outside in general can result in debris on your sensor, but you should absolutely avoid changing lenses at the beach. That's especially important if there's any amount of wind that could blow sand or salt spray into your camera. If you absolutely must swap mid-shoot, it's best to do so in your car, a beach changing room or any other sheltered place that can keep sand and salt out of the picture (literally and figuratively).
Choose the right lens
Lens selection is also important. Many zoom lenses have telescoping components, and some lenses extend or retract when focusing. If sand gets trapped in those areas, it can damage or block the gear units. At best, it might result in some crunching when turning the zoom or focusing rings; at worst, it could jam up those parts completely. As a result, it is safer to choose a prime lens with internal focusing or a zoom lens with internal zoom.
Keep your hands clean
Make sure you use clean hands to handle your gear. That can be tough to do, but if you have been playing in the sand or water and then pick up your camera, all that sand will transfer to your gear. Ideally, you should rinse your hands with fresh water so you aren't transferring salt to your camera, but at least make sure your hands are completely sand-free before handling your gear.
Photo: Abby Ferguson
Stay away from waves
The most obvious thing to avoid is waves crashing onto your camera. While it can be tempting to put the camera close to waves coming in for dramatic photos, a saltwater bath is not a good idea for your camera. Waves can be unpredictable, and you don't want to get caught by a rogue wave. If you want to get right in the action, an underwater housing would be best.
Likewise, make sure you pay close attention to tide data while at the beach so that you don't accidentally leave your gear in a spot that will eventually be underwater.
A thorough cleaning after the beach is necessary to keep your camera in good condition over time.
Photo: Abby Ferguson
Take time to clean your gear afterwards
Salt water can cause damage even if a wave doesn't wash over your gear. After all, salt spray can travel a few miles from the beach. Even if you keep your camera well away from the waves, it will need some cleaning after a trip to the beach to prevent corrosion and rust.
To clean your camera after your beach trip, start by using a bulb blower to gently remove sand. If there's sand on your lens, do not wipe it off, as that could scratch the glass. Then, dampen a towel with fresh water and wipe down your camera. You may also need to use a lens cleaning solution and a microfiber cloth to clean salt spray off the front element. Finally, as with any moisture, make sure that your camera is fully dry and free of salt residue before storing it.
. dpreview.com2025-7-25 16:00
