How to photograph Cruise Ship

This is the ultimate guide on how to photograph professionals and Cruise Ship. As always, when taking pictures of people there are things to think about and below you will also find both camera and lens recommendations.

When trying to capture certain professionals you want the picture and the surroundings to say something, showing the audience that this is a Cruise Ship and not something completely different. Perhaps the Cruise Ship has an enviroment that you can clearly connect to their profession. A baker has his bakery, a pilot his cockpit and so on.

A professional portrait does not have to be a direct portrait, and if you are photographing the Cruise Ship - just let him or her work as usual and you will try to capture them in their everyday life as Cruise Ship? Of course, you can combine the editorial pictures with more portrait like pictures to get a complete coverage of the Cruise Ship.

When taking editorial pictures it is really nice to have either a wide angle (such as 14-24 or 16-35mm) or a standard zoom lens (24-70mm etc). That will give you a lot of coverage in most situations and enviroments.

Moving on to the portraits it is really nice to use lenses with a maximum aperture value around f/1.2, f/1.4, f/1.8 or f/2. When using lenses like this you can really make the eyes or details to pop out and be sharp and crisp while the rest of the image can be a bit blurry. And this can both be standard prime lenses (as 35mm/f1.4, 50mm/f1.8 etc) as well as telephoto prime lenses (such as 85/f1.8, 105/f2.8 etc).

And remember, it is always worth getting a bit uncomfortable in order to get the best picture of the Cruise Ship. Ask the Cruise Ship if you can join them for a working day, no matter where and in what surroundings. Dare to get a bit dirty and your clients will definately appreciate the effort afterwards.

Best cameras for photographing Cruise Ship

Perhaps you already have a camera but here are some popular camera alternatives that might be suitable for photographing professionals and Cruise Ship.

Sony Alpha a7R V Sony Alpha a7R V
Lenses | Compatibility |  Specs | Compare
Released: 2022
Type: Mirrorless
Sensor: Full frame


Canon EOS 750D Canon EOS 750D
Lenses | Compatibility |  Specs | Compare
Released: 2015
Type: DSLR
Sensor: APS-C (1.6x)


Sony Alpha a7R II Sony Alpha a7R II
Lenses | Compatibility |  Specs | Compare
Released: 2015
Type: Mirrorless
Sensor: Full frame


Sony Alpha a6400 Sony Alpha a6400
Lenses | Compatibility |  Specs | Compare
Released: 2019
Type: Mirrorless
Sensor: APS-C (1.5x)


Sony Alpha a7R IVA Sony Alpha a7R IVA
Lenses | Compatibility |  Specs | Compare
Released: 2021
Type: Mirrorless
Sensor: Full frame


Best lenses for photographing Cruise Ship

Here are some popular lenses that might suit your needs when photographing professionals and Cruise Ship. You can also view all of our lenses or start by selecting your camera and then see which lenses that are compatible.

Nikon AF-S 50mm F1.8 G Nikon AF-S 50mm F1.8 G
Review  |  Compatibility  |  Specs  |  Compare
Released: 2011
Normal Lens, no zoom (prime)
Aperture: f/1,8
Focal Length: 50 mm


Canon EF 50mm F1.2 L USM Canon EF 50mm F1.2 L USM
Review  |  Compatibility  |  Specs  |  Compare
Released: 2007
Normal Lens, no zoom (prime)
Aperture: f/1,2
Focal Length: 50 mm


Fujifilm XF 35mm F1.4 R Fujifilm XF 35mm F1.4 R
Review  |  Compatibility  |  Specs  |  Compare
Released: 2012
Normal Lens, no zoom (prime)
Aperture: f/1,4
Focal Length: 35 mm


Nikon AF-S 35mm F1.4 G Nikon AF-S 35mm F1.4 G
Review  |  Compatibility  |  Specs  |  Compare
Released: 2010
Wide Angle Lens, no zoom (prime)
Aperture: f/1,4
Focal Length: 35 mm


Canon EF 35mm F1.4 L II USM Canon EF 35mm F1.4 L II USM
Review  |  Compatibility  |  Specs  |  Compare
Released: 2015
Wide Angle Lens, no zoom (prime)
Aperture: f/1,4
Focal Length: 35 mm


Images of other professionals

Here are a few images of professionals that might inspire you. Perhaps these can give you ideas on how to best photograph your Cruise Ship? Click on the image you want to know more about. Each image has information with which camera and lens they were shot and with which settings.

Pastor is reading the Bible See camera and lens details
1/400s  238mm  f/6,3

Portrait of a female CEO See camera and lens details
1/160s  105mm  f/9

A trader at a desk with three monitors and a laptop See camera and lens details
1/80s  35mm  f/4

Chef in his workspace - the restaurant kitchen See camera and lens details
1/20s  24mm  f/4

Architects are reviewing their project See camera and lens details
1/250s  24mm  f/2,8

Airline Pilot is approaching New York in his simulator See camera and lens details
1/60s  26mm  f/3,5

Painter is painting outside a store See camera and lens details
1/250s  50mm  f/7,1

Soldier is hiding behind some rubble See camera and lens details
1/1000s  85mm  f/2,8

Computer specialist at his repair studio See camera and lens details
1/160s  105mm  f/9

Carpenter is using a grinder to cut some metal See camera and lens details
1/100s  20mm  f/5,6

A fisherman is heading out in the morning and laying out his nets See camera and lens details
1/400s  220mm  f/11

A female model and brunette with curly hair See camera and lens details
1/80s  85mm  f/5,6

An asian teacher is educating her students in the forest See camera and lens details
1/200s  150mm  f/4,5

Canon photographer with his Canon EF 400mm f/2,8 IS USM telephoto lens See camera and lens details
1/320s  135mm  f/5,6

Surgeon and Surgery Nurses working together See camera and lens details
1/100s  15mm  f/5,6