By Raghav | | August 2, 2026

What I Learned from 30 Portraits at Chennai’s Marina Beach in August

On August 1, 2026, I found myself standing on the sandy shores of Marina Beach, equipped with my trusty Nikon D850 and a 85mm f/1.4 lens. The early morning sun peeked through the horizon, casting a golden hue across the calm waters. I had a simple goal: to shoot 30 portraits of people enjoying their morning routine along the beach. Little did I know, this day would teach me more about portrait photography than I anticipated.

Setting the Scene: The Vibrancy of Marina Beach

Marina Beach is not just a landmark in Chennai; it’s the heart of the city, brimming with life, stories, and characters. On this particular day, I was greeted by the familiar sounds of waves crashing against the shore, the laughter of children building sandcastles, and the faint aroma of street food wafting through the air. I had decided to focus on candid portraits, capturing the essence of people in their natural environment.

As I set up my gear, I was reminded of a previous shoot in January 2025, when I captured a beautiful family portrait session for a couple named Ravi and Meera. We used the same location, but this time, I wanted to focus more on individual expressions rather than group dynamics. I found that working with natural light during the early hours allowed me to highlight the unique features of each subject.

Engaging with Subjects

One of the most important aspects of portrait photography is building rapport with your subjects, especially when you’re shooting candidly. I approached my first subject, an elderly man named Arjun, who was sitting on a bench feeding pigeons. I introduced myself and asked if I could take his portrait. To my surprise, he eagerly agreed and even shared stories about his childhood in Chennai, which made for some heartfelt shots. I chose an aperture of f/2.8 to create a soft background blur while keeping his face sharp.

As I continued, I encountered a group of college students having a picnic. Their laughter was infectious, and I took the opportunity to capture their joy. Using a shutter speed of 1/500s, I was able to freeze their playful moments, ensuring that the energy of the scene was preserved. This spontaneity turned out to be the highlight of my morning.

The Importance of Location

When planning a shoot at Marina Beach, there are several factors to consider. First, the best time to arrive is before sunrise, as you’ll have the softest light, fewer crowds, and a more intimate setting. In addition, parking can be a challenge during peak hours, so I recommend arriving early and securing a spot near the entrance of the beach.

Securing Permissions

Another important aspect is permissions. While candid photography is usually accepted, it’s courteous to ask for permission, especially if you’re using a professional camera. I learned this the hard way during a festival shoot in December 2025, where a local vendor was initially hesitant to let me photograph his stall. After a brief conversation, he warmed up to the idea, and I managed to capture some fantastic images. Always have a model release form in your bag, just in case.

Gear Breakdown

For this shoot, I carried my Nikon D850, which has proven to be an excellent choice for portrait photography due to its high resolution and dynamic range. I paired it with the 85mm f/1.4 lens, allowing me to achieve a beautiful bokeh and isolate my subjects effectively. Additionally, I brought along a circular polarizer to reduce glare from the sun reflecting off the water, which worked wonders during the golden hour.

The settings I used varied depending on the lighting conditions. For portraits taken in the shade, I adjusted my ISO to 200 and set the aperture to f/2.8. When I moved into the sunlight, I quickly changed the ISO to 400 and set my shutter speed to 1/1000s to prevent overexposure. Keeping my settings flexible was crucial to adapting to the constantly changing light throughout the morning.

Mistakes I Made

Looking back on my experience, there are a couple of mistakes I made that taught me valuable lessons. One of the biggest blunders occurred during the shoot when I didn’t double-check my camera settings after switching from shooting in shade to bright sunlight. I accidentally left my aperture on f/1.4 while bumping up the ISO to 800, resulting in overexposed shots of a lovely family I had captured playing by the water. The lesson here: always review your settings when transitioning between lighting conditions.

Another misstep was underestimating the importance of a background check. While I was focused on my subjects, I didn’t pay enough attention to what was behind them. In one instance, I captured a beautiful shot of a child running toward the water, only to realize later that a trash bin was glaringly visible in the background. Lesson learned: scout your backgrounds just as thoroughly as you scout your subjects.

Editing for Impact

Post-processing is where the magic happens, and I always spend time fine-tuning my images to enhance their emotional impact. I usually work with Adobe Lightroom for my edits. For one portrait of a young woman named Kavya, who was lost in thought while watching the sunrise, I adjusted the exposure slightly and increased the contrast. I used a graduated filter to enhance the sky’s colors, turning a simple shot into something much more striking.

Before editing, the image had a flat look, but after tweaking the shadows and highlights, it transformed into a vibrant portrait that conveyed the serenity of the moment. This reminded me that while capturing the shot is important, the editing process is equally crucial in bringing out the best in your images.

Final Thoughts

By the end of the morning, I had successfully captured 30 portraits, each telling its own unique story. The experience reinforced my belief in the power of connection and engagement in photography. Every person I met brought a different energy and narrative, enriching my portfolio while allowing me to appreciate the diverse tapestry of Chennai’s culture.

Marina Beach will always hold a special place in my heart as a photographer. The lessons I learned on this day will undoubtedly shape my approach to future portrait sessions. If you’re planning a similar shoot, remember: engage with your subjects, be adaptable with your settings, and don’t forget to keep an eye on those backgrounds!

As a professional photographer based in Chennai, I specialize in wedding, portrait, and travel photography. With over 8 years of experience, I love capturing the essence of the Tamil Nadu region and its vibrant culture.