5 Tips For Seascape Photography f/68

The Stop Down Photography Podcast

I have been stepping out more with the camera of late. And, as you might have guessed, I made several visits to the San Diego coastline. Gotta get my fill of sand, surf, and sky! As summer approaches in the Northern hemisphere and the prospect of travel seems more possible than it did a couple of months ago, you might be thinking of a coastal visit in your near future.

In today’s podcast, I have 5 tips for seascape photography to share with you. Put these into practice on your next visit to the beach and you’ll create stronger photographs.

Know The Weather And Tides. Weather is important for all landscape photography, and seascapes are no exception. Don’t be deterred by “poor” weather, because photo opportunities can be found in all sorts of weather. Also, know your tides! Be safe and don’t get cut off from the mainland hidden away in a beautiful cove. Also, some beaches look better at lower tides, and others are more interesting at high tides.

Include Foreground. This isn’t just about having a foreground subject (which is important, especially at wide angles). Foreground is also about giving your viewer a place to “virtually stand” in the frame. A small patch of sand or a rock outcropping lets your viewer mentally step into the frame and take in the fullness of the scene.

Capture Motion And Change Mood. What mood do you want to convey with your photo? The power of the ocean? A relaxed day at the beach? A complete feeling of zen with smoky and smooth water? Choosing a shutter speed to capture the right type of motion will set the mood of your photo. Use fast shutter speeds to capture power. Dial in a moderately slow shutter speed for silky fingers of water. For a feeling of total zen, break out the big ND filters and take multi-minute photos.

Photograph The Ebb. Related to the previous tip, after a wave laps up on shore, photograph its retreat. The rush of water returning to sea creates wonderful leading lines that draw your viewer into the scene. A bonus tip - before setting up and taking your images, watch how the ocean behaves and the lines your eye follows. The ocean is giving you hints on how to compose - use them!

Get Wet. For a good seascape photo, sometimes you have to get wet. If getting a little wet is the difference between a good seascape and an outstanding seascape, I choose to get wet. It is only water. Of course, be smart and be safe. Don’t risk personal health or potential injury for a photograph. In colder climates, having waders or muck boots can keep your feet and calves dry. I’ll often pack an extra towel and a pair of dry socks in the car for after the shoot!

Listen to the episode for more in-depth thoughts on each of these tips.

Resources mentioned in this podcast:

Yr.no weather predictions

Windy app for ocean swells and direction

Tide Chart (iOS) for tide predictions

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