By Raghav | | May 24, 2026

How I Shot 25 Portraits in May at Chennai’s Marina Beach

On a sweltering afternoon on May 15, 2026, I found myself at Marina Beach, surrounded by a lively crowd and the unmistakable scent of salt in the air. With my Nikon Z6 II slung over my shoulder and a mission to shoot 25 portraits in the next few hours, I was ready to face the challenge. The midday sun blazed overhead, and I knew the lighting conditions would be tricky, but Marina Beach is a place brimming with character, and I was determined to showcase that through my lens.

Understanding the Vibe at Marina Beach

Marina Beach is not just a picturesque location; it’s a hub of culture and life. The beach stretches for about 13 kilometers, and each section has its unique charm. From the fishermen’s boats at one end to the crowd of joggers and families at the other, the beach offers diverse backdrops for portrait photography. I arrived around 2 PM, which, while not ideal for most outdoor photography due to harsh shadows, was a prime time for capturing the vibrant life of Chennai.

Initial Approach: Finding Subjects

As I walked along the shoreline, I noticed a group of college students playing cricket. The candid laughter and excitement caught my eye, and I decided they would be my first subjects. I introduced myself to them, explaining my project. They were more than willing to pose for me, and I shot a series of images that showcased their playful camaraderie. Using my Nikon Z6 II with a 50mm f/1.8 lens, I set the aperture wide open to create a soft bokeh effect that isolated them against the busy background.

One of the students, Priya, had a vibrant pink shirt that contrasted beautifully with the blue of the ocean. I directed her to stand in the water, letting the waves lap around her ankles. The natural light illuminated her features perfectly, and I snapped a series of portraits, adjusting my settings to 1/500 sec at f/1.8, ISO 100. These settings allowed me to freeze the action while maintaining clarity on her expressions.

Capturing Diversity

After the cricket group, I wandered further down the beach and stumbled upon a family enjoying an evening picnic. The parents, Ravi and Anjali, were engaging with their two kids, and their joy was infectious. I approached them, and they welcomed me with open arms, eager to participate in my project.

For this shoot, I chose to work with natural light but also incorporated my Godox AD200 for some off-camera flash during a backlit shot. I set up the flash about 45 degrees behind them, creating a rim light that highlighted the edges of their silhouettes against the setting sun. The settings used were 1/200 sec at f/4.0 and ISO 200. The result was a vibrant portrait that beautifully captured the essence of family time at the beach.

Timing and Lighting Considerations

Having shot at Marina Beach multiple times, I’ve learned that timing is crucial. The beach is most crowded on weekends, and if you want to avoid distractions in your shots, it’s best to shoot either early in the morning or later in the evening when the sun casts a golden hue over everything. However, the challenge of shooting in harsh midday light can also be turned into a creative advantage.

Utilizing Harsh Light

Midday sun can create unflattering shadows under the eyes and harsh highlights on the skin. To combat this, I found a shaded area under a large palm tree on the beach. Here, I met a local artist named Manikandan who was painting portraits of tourists. His colorful palette and focused demeanor made for a striking subject. I shot with the same Nikon Z6 II and switched to a 24-70mm f/2.8 lens for versatility.

I positioned him so that the soft light filtered through the leaves, creating an ethereal glow. The settings for this shot were 1/250 sec at f/2.8, ISO 100. The softening effect of the shade, paired with his vibrant colors, resulted in a stunning portrait that brought out his passion for art.

Mistakes I Made

Despite my experience, I still made a few missteps that I learned from during this shoot. One major mistake was not accounting for the tide schedule. When I first arrived, I set up too close to the water’s edge, and within minutes, a wave caught me off guard, splashing water on my gear. Thankfully, I had my camera in a weather-sealed bag, but it was a reminder to always check the tide before starting a shoot.

Another mistake was underestimating the battery life of my Nikon Z6 II. I had a busy day planned, and in my excitement, I neglected to charge my spare batteries overnight. Midway through the shoot, I had to switch to my backup camera, a Nikon D750, which I hadn’t used in a while. Although I managed to capture more portraits, I felt flustered. Always have multiple charged batteries, especially for a full day of shooting!

Editing Process

Once I returned home, I loaded the images into Adobe Lightroom 2023. I focused on enhancing the colors and contrast to reflect the vibrancy of Marina Beach. For Priya’s portrait, I adjusted the exposure slightly and increased the vibrance to make her shirt pop even more. The before and after settings were:

• Before: Exposure +0.15, Contrast +10, Vibrance +20
• After: Exposure +0.25, Contrast +20, Vibrance +40

This editing adjustment brought out the details in her shirt while maintaining the natural look of the beach in the background. It’s crucial to find a balance that enhances the image without making it look overly processed.

Location Specific Tips

If you’re planning to shoot portraits at Marina Beach, here are a few insider tips based on my experience:

1. Parking

Finding parking can be a challenge, especially on weekends. There’s a large parking area near the Marina Beach entrance, but it fills up quickly. Arriving early or using public transport is a good idea. Alternatively, ride-hailing services like Ola and Uber are easily available and drop you right at the beach.

2. Permissions

For casual portraits, you typically don’t need any special permissions. However, if you plan to use props or setup lighting equipment, it’s best to get permission from local authorities, especially if your setup will take up considerable space.

3. Best Time to Shoot

As I mentioned earlier, consider shooting during the golden hours: early morning or late evening. The soft, warm light during these times is flattering for portraits. If you must shoot midday, seek out shaded areas to avoid harsh shadows.

Conclusion: The Joy of Portraits at Marina Beach

By the end of the day, I had captured 25 unique portraits, each telling its own story against the lively backdrop of Marina Beach. I left feeling fulfilled, not just because of the photographs I’d taken, but also due to the connections I’d made with the people of Chennai. Each subject brought their own energy, and I was just lucky enough to frame it through my lens. If you’re in Chennai, I highly recommend spending a day at Marina Beach with your camera. You never know what stories await you.

As a professional photographer based in Chennai with over 8 years of experience in wedding, portrait, and travel photography, I believe in the power of storytelling through images. Whether it’s at Marina Beach or any corner of Tamil Nadu, I strive to capture the essence of every moment.