Photographing the interior of a yacht or boat is similar to photographing the interior of a well-appointed, luxurious hotel or home. However, with yachts there are some notable exceptions that are noted by a certain San Diego digital photographer who works as a San Diego commercial photographer.

First of all, space on a boat is usually minimal, except of course on mega yachts, which require the use of a wide angle lens in many cases. This can present a limitation due to the resulting perspective distortions. This can present a limitation due to the resulting perspective distortions. Fortunately, some of the less desirable effects caused by wide-angle lenses can be corrected in digital post-processing. In other cases and for exterior shots, more normal lenses can be used. A normal lens is one that gives a proper perspective to the photo; often the most normal lens is one with a focal length of about 50mm on a full frame camera.

An additional consideration to take into account when photographing the interior of a yacht is the style. Is the goal to create photos with a romantic, nocturnal, lit feel as if the shot was created in a studio? Or is it the desire to show the yacht lit by the sun, during daylight on the water, preparing for an activity, indeed a course, or the owner to return to the helm? They both have a purpose and require a certain technique or style.

Daytime shots of yacht interiors can be hampered by bright sunlight if care is not taken with camera and lighting properties. Strobes can be used here accompanied by natural light so that the two are in balance, producing a very pleasing photograph. Adding to the effort of controlling multiple light sources, some photographers will shoot after dark and use only strobes. By the way, strobe is just a fancy term for flash.

To achieve a different style that is totally different from photography at dusk, other photographers successfully shoot during the day by balancing strobe and immediate light sources. Either method is fine and uses techniques that are also appropriate for other aspects of photography, indeed even a subject as different as wedding photography; the correlation, of lighting sources in this case, is also carefully crafted by a San Diego wedding photographer.

Whether shooting yachts, boats, buildings, resorts, real estate, or even weddings and events, the photographer must be aware of all light sources and lens and camera settings to ensure the best photograph is taken, with style and quality.