One day you're going to be asked to take photographs of an RPYC event or cruise. You have never done more than point and click at a children's birthday party, but peer pressure was too much and you agree. You're now the official photographer for what I will call the cruise to "El Dorado," the city of gold.



Before you pack your camera outline in your mind, or better yet on paper, the story you are going to tell. Outline the story and consider the departure, the voyage, the fun, the destination, and the return. Don't pack your camera because you're going to need it from beginning to end. Focus on the adventure we sometimes lose our focus; it is not the destination it is the voyage, if we want to get to El Dorado we would take a car or an airplane both methods are faster and usually cheaper. Sailing is a challenge, finding the next mark, analyzing the radar, checking the GPS are all part of the adventure. The hour-long wait for fuel, the sleepy bridge tender, the slimy walls of the lock are all part of the adventure. Sun shining on the boats behind, monstrous waves, torrential rain, and a rainbow are all part of the adventure. Some elements do not photograph well; boat pictures always look twice as far away as they are, waves never look as frightening as they were, rain seldom looks like the torrential downpour it was. Sometimes you can convey the message with an alternate photo for example a picture of rain drops in a puddle or a wave crashing over the bow, or the water running down the captain's brow.

To tell a story some latitude is allowed, if the Captain isn't wet a bucket of water over his head will do. Of course that may be hazardous to your health, but no risk no gain. I once had the opportunity to voyage with a famous sports writer covering the Olympic sailing events. During the excitement of the racers crossing the finish line I found the writer in the main salon drinking. I was flabbergasted, why wasn't he covering the finish? He told me he took a photo of every boat rounding the first mark, it didn't matter who won he had their photo and would get the details from the Olympic press release. So much for that writer, but there is a lesson there. If you forgot to take a photo on the way in, take it leaving.
 

Be the first boat in so that you can document the fleet's arrival. Photograph the boats arriving and being secured. Look for the vessel that gets sideways, or the dock lines are too short, or someone misses the line, sometimes the disaster can be lots of fun to talk about later. As you arrived you took photographs of the scene, certainly a panoramic shot of the area, maybe a sign advertising the location. Distinctive landmarks; for example a photograph of the lighthouse at Faro Blanco would instantly clue many as to your destination. Frame your photographs, a piling, a palm tree, an archway; a shot thru a porthole can be very descriptive.

After arrival document the area, stores, restaurant, tennis courts, golf, picnic area. Some shots may not be used but some can help fill in your story. Think action; take action photographs, members doing stuff, sports, boarding the bus, spending money, etc. Static photos are boring; members sitting and smiling at dinner or lunch are boring, very boring. It is tempting to photo everyone at dinner, it is easy and you don't offend a member by not taking his or her picture. Fine dining is a large part of many of our events and it can be difficult not to take photos of members sitting and eating. Catch them dancing, or being escorted to their table, or being served. Photos of the table setting, a close up the meal can be very helpful telling your story. The party was fun so take some shots of the aftermath, the empty wine glasses, dirty napkins, empty beer bottles, and the hangover if someone will volunteer.

Departure photos can look like arrival photographs so a couple shots leaving the dock and maybe some members waving goodbye will help. If a boat is disabled and unable to leave get some shots of the mechanics arriving or working or member "mechanics" helping.

Award winning photos are taken under duress. Problems or difficulties think photograph.

In conclusion think Hollywood. Set the stage, a tropical island, a glimmer of gold, our adventurers and the dangers of the jungle passage, a glimpse of the destination and then the City of Gold, El Dorado!