So you'd like a good picture of your boat, one to send to family or friends, or maybe just to put up in your office as a reminder of a pleasant day on the water. It's not that hard to get a decent photo, but there are a few things to consider.

1) Start by giving your boat a good cleaning. This isn't absolutely necessary, of course, but it's a good excuse to do what needs to be done anyway. Stow as much extraneous gear as possible – fenders, oars, life jackets, and that rumpled sack from McDonald's. Clutter detracts from the attractiveness of your picture.

2) The best time to take your pictures is when there is low-angle sunlight. That means you want to shoot either early or late in the day, with prime time being just before sunset or just after sunrise. The worst time is at high noon, when glare is at its greatest and the softening effect of shadows is virtually eliminated. Overcast days, too, detract from your picture, creating a darker, drearier image.

3) Check out your background in the viewfinder. A simple background works well, as does one that is scenic. What you don't want is an unattractive backdrop or one that is too busy, which takes the focus off your boat. Be sure also that the horizon is level and that the odd extraneous object – a tree, a smokestack or perhaps a passing boat – doesn't look as if it's appended to your vessel. If it does, try taking the shoot from a slightly different angle.

4) If you're shooting with a digital camera, shoot at the highest resolution you can. Size matters, too, and bigger is definitely better. If you have to enlarge your image later, you'll lose some of the clarity. It's also easier to manipulate an image that starts out in a larger format, something you may want to do to get that "perfect" composition.

- Linda Hoff