Photography tips and tricks for your canal boat adventure

You’ve booked your trip, your itinerary is planned, and you can’t wait to share what you get up to on your socials. If you really want to make your friends and family jealous, your pictures should be crystal clear, framed well, and have balanced light. Read our guide if you want to achieve a high-quality camera roll.  

How to avoid blurry photos on a moving narrowboat

Even though you’ll only be travelling at walking pace on the waterways, your camerawork can still end up blurry. This can be a great shame, as canal boat trips offer a unique opportunity to capture angles and compositions that aren’t possible during holidays on land, such as reflections on calm canals, shots framed by overhanging trees, or views of lock systems in action. 

To avoid blur: 

• use a fast shutter speed: A shutter speed of at least 1/250 seconds will help freeze motion 

• stabilise your camera: Lean against the boat’s railing or use a tripod  

• turn on image stabilisation: Most modern smartphones and cameras have this feature 

• shoot in burst mode: Capture multiple shots at once and select the sharpest one later 

Grab your gear 

While you don’t need a professional camera to get amazing pictures, having the right gear can make all the difference.  

• Tripod: Helps with smoother shots and stable video footage. You can get a tall three-legged tripod or a gimbal-style setup for your mobile. 

• Wide-angle or telephoto lens: A wide-angle lens will capture sweeping landscapes, while a telephoto lens is great for zooming in on wildlife or details from a distance. 

• Wrist or neck strap: A must-have when shooting on a boat to avoid dropping your devices overboard. 

• Polarising filter: Not an essential, but it can help reduce the glare from the water and enhance reflections. 

• Waterproof bag or case: A crucial tool to keep your gear safe in unpredictable weather. 

How to maximise your camera settings travelling on a canal boat

How to deal with low light conditions at dusk and dawn 

Some of the best moments on a canal boat holiday happen early in the morning or as the sun sets. But shooting in low light can be tricky. 

• Lighting challenges: The intense shadows from trees can cause exposure issues. If you’re in bright daylight, reduce your ISO as low as possible to avoid grainy photos. As the sun starts to set, you can increase your ISO slightly. 

• Use a quick shutter speed: Minimise exposure time to avoid blur from movement and capture light faster. 

• Shoot with a wider aperture: A lower f-stop (like f/2.8 or lower) will allow more light in while keeping your main subject sharp. 

• Use manual focus: Autofocus may struggle in low light. Switching to manual gives you full control for sharper images. 

How to frame the perfect shot 

Composition is key when it comes to creating visually interesting photography. 

• Choose a subject: Whether it’s narrowboat art, wildlife along the canal banks, or a portion of historic architecture, having a clear focal point will make your photos stronger.  

• Use the rule of thirds: Turn on your camera’s gridlines and position subjects at the intersections for a balanced shot. 

• Find leading lines: Canal towpaths, the edges of canal boats, and reflections on the water can all draw attention to the scene. 

• Try different perspectives: Shoot from other angles that you don’t often use, such as getting low near the water, turning your phone upside down, or take pictures from the hip instead of using the viewfinder. 

• Adjust your aspect ratio: A wider ratio, like 16:9, emphasises space and peace, while a square frame (1:1) could work well for social media posts. 

• Capture candid moments: If you enjoy people-watching, take a snap of the slower lifestyle to add storytelling to your shots.   

Best apps for editing on the go 

ABC Boat Hire’s packages come with free WiFi so you can snap and post wherever you are on the waterways. Some of the best-rated software to edit your pictures include:

• Adobe Express 

• Adobe Lightroom 

• Instagram 

• Canva 

• Affinity Photo 2 

• GIMP 

• Snapseed 

• VSCO 

Check your smartphone’s app store for the latest and other popular editing software. And don’t forget to tag us in any pictures you post on your social media!  

Ready to fill your camera roll with your next adventure?  

Whether you’re capturing golden-hour reflections with your smartphone, candid moments with your crew on film, or recording canalside villages for a vlog, you’ve got the best tips in your pocket for memories to remember forever. Book your next holiday with ABC Boat Hire, today!