To get the "money shot," veteran marine and underwater photographer Robert Holland has been tied to the side of a boat, towed behind a ski rope and dragged through shark-infested waters.

Photog Pamela Jones routinely dangles out of helicopters – sometimes flying backwards – to photograph boats and exotic travel destinations, and she's been doing it for nearly 20 years.

Jim Raycroft, a highly experienced aerial photographer, survived a near-fatal miss in Florida's Biscayne Bay when the helicopter he was shooting from came inches shy of slamming tail-first into the boat being photographed below.

ROBERT HOLLANDLucky for us amateurs, we don't have to cheat death or act as chum to snap great photographs. Learning to take better pictures of boats and maritime scenery requires a general understanding of basic photography principals, such as lighting, composition and perspective. Knowing the best (and worst) times of day to take a photograph, what weather to shoot in, how to angle the camera and ways to experiment with depth of field will improve your technical skills and ultimately help you take good photos. And sure, having an adventurous spirit never hurts (check out Holland's Blog for more on how he got into this line of work).

To learn some of the tricks, Mad Mariner interviewed three of the top boating magazine and travel destination photographers to glean their best advice for taking good, quality pictures. You may not land the cover of nationally-circulated magazine, as these professionals routinely do, but an impressive shot for the family album or living room wall (not to mention bragging rights) isn't out of the question.

HOW MUCH TO SPEND

Good news: You don't need to break the bank to start taking high-quality photographs. "It's not the tool, it's what you do with the tool," explains Raycroft. "Any decent camera in the hands of someone who knows what they're doing will produce decent photographs. It's a marketing myth that you have to spend a lot of money to get good at taking photos."

Holland agrees. "People listen to advertising too much," he says. He suggests a non-cumbersome, compact digital camera that can fit in your pocket or purse. If it's a traditional point-and shoot model, make sure it has a wide-angle lens that's at least 28mm, if not wider. "A wide-angle lens is the single most important thing," Holland maintains.

If you're willing to spend a bit more, Jones recommends enthusiasts upgrade from a point-and-shoot to a digital SLR camera with one or two interchangeable lenses. There are several "prosumer" models (high-end consumer cameras that a professional might carry for back-up) on the market at affordable price points.

At a bare minimum, Raycroft suggests a digital camera with an optical zoom. He says it's important to learn how to manually set the camera, although many of today's digital models offer settings in between manual and automatic. "Everything doesn't work on automatic," he explains. "You need to shoot some photos overexposed and some underexposed; if you're just using "˜auto,' you'll be very limited."

Besides a camera, more serious amateurs will want a tripod. A tabletop or travel version is sufficient. Avoid tripods with cranks, as they have more moving parts, are less stable and are more expensive, Raycroft says. A cable release is another piece of equipment he recommends. A good one will set you back about $100.

JIM RAYCROFT

Some of the best gear can be picked up on Craigslist or eBay for a reasonable price. People who spent a lot of money on equipment but never used it often list on these Web sites, and Raycroft says you can wind up with top-of-the-line gear at a fraction of the original cost.

FIRST AND LAST LIGHT

Before you can learn to take great photos, you need proper access to your subjects. If you're passionate about boating, Raycroft recommends going down to your local marina and meeting people with boats. Introduce yourself to local water taxi drivers and see if they'll take you around to photograph vessels from the water. Ask about local sailing races, perhaps even volunteer – anything to help get you closer to the boats you want to shoot. "Without access, you'll be too far from your shots to get at what really moves you," he says.

As a general rule, the best times to shoot are early morning and late afternoon/early evening on sunny, clear days. At these hours, the light is soft and low, and there are no harsh overhead shadows cast by the midday sun.

But as is the case with nearly every rule, there are exceptions. For example, if you're photographing a boat in the Caribbean and really want to emphasize the turquoise-blue water, Jones says shooting midday is your best bet. "You need the sun high in the sky to be reflecting and [capture] that beautiful color," she explains.

There are even instances when a few clouds overhead can actually improve your chances of getting a great shot. "When I shoot the decks [of boats], I pray for a little bit of cloud cover," Jones says. A slightly overcast day can prevent the typically stark-white hull, deck cushions and exterior fabric from looking washed out, she explains.

The direction of light is also important. "If you find a scene you like, shoot it as you first see it, then move around it," Raycroft suggests. "Things are much more interesting side-lit as opposed to front-lit. Backlighting is dramatic, too."

WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO SAY?

It's important to determine what you're trying to "say" with your photo before you decide how to shoot. Are you going for a location shot, where you what to show the boat in its natural environment? Would you prefer a tighter, more intimate shot focusing on the boat itself? Or were you perhaps interested in highlighting the boat's most intricate details; a part of the bow, or a piece of the deck?

"In a photo, usually less is more," Raycroft explains. "Ask yourself: "˜What can I take away in the background and still have a good shot?'" Too much background can transform a wanna-be intimate portrait of a boat into a location shot, he maintains.

Playing around with depth of field can definitely help you emphasize what it is you're ultimately trying to capture, says Jones. The wider your aperture is set, the more you can blur the image background and place greater emphasis on your subject; a narrow aperture makes the background crisp and keeps the entire shot in focus.

PAMELA JONES

"Think about what it is [you] know and like about the places [you're] shooting," Holland recommends. Knowing the answers means realizing the best ways to capture the particular image on camera.

WORK AROUND YOUR SUBJECTS

If you want to take professional-quality photographs, you can't be afraid to walk around with the camera; don't just shoot everything from a stationary position.

When photographing a boat, for example, Raycroft stresses the importance of moving around the entire boat and taking pictures. Then, if it's possible to move the actual boat (assuming you're in the water), give that a try. "Even a slight change in light and angle can make a difference," Raycroft points out. "Shoot it every way you can think of."

In cases where you're photographing a fixed object that can't be moved – a sailboat anchored on a lake, for example – Raycroft recommends trying to locate a rowboat or tender to get in closer.

Holland's not a fan of using the camera's zoom function. He prefers to use what he calls the "human zoom." If you want to get closer to your subject and achieve a tighter shot, physically move yourself as opposed to zooming in with the camera lens.

ALL THE ANGLES

Most amateurs gravitate toward photographing a boat from the side. Holland cautions novice photographers to avoid what he refers to as the "Clorox bottle syndrome." Many boats have unflattering lines and appear relatively squat bobbing out on the water. "They can look like an ugly, floating piece of white plastic," he explains. Shooting a boat broadside, which Holland claims he frequently sees people doing, tends to make the image appear flat and boring. "It just looks like a Boat Trader ad to me," he explains.

Photographing a boat from different angles is a good way to add drama and interest. Before heading out to shoot, Holland recommends reviewing product catalogs and brochures to see how a particular boat looks best. Angling the camera so you have a three-quarter bow or three-quarter stern shot are often attractive positions. Halfway between full-side and full-front also tends to work nicely, he says.

ROBERT HOLLANDFor a more creative look, Jones enjoys taking shots from underneath the bow of a boat. She suggests riding up in a tender alongside a boat at anchor and shooting straight up. If it's possible, the experts also recommend photographing images from an aerial view to create unique perspective.

AVOID DEAD CENTER

With little exception, the experts agree positioning your subject in the middle of the frame is not recommended. "Just taking a picture of anything in the center of the frame is kind of sterile," Holland says. "It's more pleasing to the eye to shoot off center," echoes Raycroft.

With advanced programs like Photoshop, Raycroft says there's a tendency for photographers to shoot now, frame later. But he cautions amateurs from using the computer as a substitute for proper composition, maintaining it's important to learn to see the image in the camera as the finished product. "The more you can use the camera to frame, the better," Raycroft says. "Photoshop is a great tool, but it's not the answer to everything."

Holland recommends using a visual lead-in, like clouds or sand, to draw the eye inward. "It's most interesting to pick a scene first and decide how the boat fits in it," he says.

Often the smallest details in a shot say more about that scene or image that seeing everything in the frame. Instead of taking just one picture of a boat at anchor, Holland suggests trying to zero in on a few more intricate details on deck: A pair of children's shoes; a tightly coiled line; the subtle curve of the bowrail. "Sometimes a part of the picture tells just as much about the story," he explains.

EXIT THE COMFORT ZONE

If you really want to create some unique and exciting images, it's important to break out of your comfort zone. "Stop standing up with your camera," Raycroft says. Often the best shots will come from positioning your camera in the most unexpected places.

"Amateurs usually want to know where to stand when they take pictures; that's too easy," Raycroft explains. For a change, he suggests lying flat on the dock to photograph a boat.

Holland has made a career out of putting his camera in places where most people fail to go.

He's known for his willingness to experiment with camera placement, including getting in the water himself. If you're out fishing, for example, he recommends placing the camera almost directly on the rod or reel to create a different perspective. Affix a camera to an arm or boom of some sort and try shooting that way. "You can wind up taking a fantastic photo," he says.

And don't forget to change the camera's orientation and experiment with positioning. "People tend to forget about the vertical and just shoot horizontally," he explains. "You can't forget about vertical."

ROBERT HOLLANDPRACTICE MAKES PERFECT, REALLY

The old adage definitely applies to marine photography. "Shoot a lot; that will change the quality of your photos overnight," Raycroft says. "There's no substitute for shooting and learning and critiquing. Telling someone to go out and do it is the best thing."

"The more you train your eye to know what looks good, the better," echoes Jones. She recommends browsing consumer boating magazines to get ideas. Tear out the images you like and make a folder. Refer back to the photos before you head out on your next marine photography excursion and try to replicate the different angles and perspectives.

Raycroft suggests giving yourself homework assignments. "Make it a point to shoot rowboats for a while; maybe one month over the summer. Some [shots] will be a lot better than others. After a while, you'll start to learn why."

If you keep a camera with you at all times, you're most likely to find opportunities to take great photos. After all, Holland points out, "A photo you got that's not perfect is better than one you didn't get."

Photography workshops are also a good way for amateurs to hone their skills. This summer, Raycroft is offering several aboard his 43-foot Albin trawler, Dauntless. During the Boston-based workshops, he'll cover topics like how to improve your shooting skills, how to get the most out of available light, and how to shoot travel images and sailboat races. To learn more about his workshops, visit DauntlessYachtCharters.com and click on "Photography Workshops."

Googling resources online, reading books on basic photography and joining a local camera club are all good ways novices can learn more about the craft and fine tune their individual skills. Holland recommends Web sites like PhotoWorkshop.com and Cannon.com, which both offer online classes and tutorials.

More than anything, Raycroft says, people need to have a passion for photography if they're going to improve their techniques and take better photographs. "The camera won't jump out of the box and take great pictures," he says. "The secret is there is no secret. There's no substitute for practice."