Photography News Issue 54

Photography News | Issue 54 | photographynews.co.uk

Technique 16

Seaside scenics Go Coastal Almost all landscape photography is dependent on planning. There are lots of apps and websites out there to help you do it, such as PhotoPills andThePhotographer’sEphemeris, and these will help plot the position of the sun and moon, what time the golden and blue hours begin, what elevation and views you can expect, plus lots more. But at the seaside, there’s another very important factor – the tide. Words and pictures by Kingsley Singleton The UK has over seven thousand miles of coastline to enjoy with your camera; find out how to make the most of the coast this spring which these simple technique tips… 1. Planning pays off Accessories for seaside shooting Regular landscape gear works just as well at the seaside, though there are a few pointers you can follow when filling your bag. For instance, whether to take hard or soft graduated NDs? The former can be better suited to the unbroken horizon of the sea, although it depends on the amount of reflected light coming off the water; it’s best to pack both. Regular ‘full’ NDs, such as 1-,

2- or 3-stop versions, are vital if you want proper control over the movement of the water, but if your desire is to blur moving water in full daylight, or create exposures of many minutes, you’ll also need to pack a much stronger 10-stop ND. In that case, a cable release is also a good idea. As for your choice of tripod, stability can be compromised at the coast due to wet rocks and sinking sands; if your model has the option of spiked feet, install those and drive them into the sand. If you’re working on slippery rocks, regular rubber feet can be fine. When done, wash the sand off with seawater, but also hose down the tripod when you get home. Finally, if you have an all- weather cover, make sure to pack it in case you’re caught in sea spray or sudden storms.

The rising and falling waterline changes the landscape hour by hour, meaning that at one time of day you might have a very different scene to another. When the tide is out you’re more likely to get interesting rock formations, and sea stacks will seem taller. A receding tide can also leave behind acres of wet sand, adding lots of reflections. Tide times and levels vary enormously fromone part of theUK to another, so make sure you check them carefully before your seaside

Above This low tide shot looks very different from the scene at high tide.

shoot, using a site like tidetimes. org.uk as much for your own safety as for how photogenic they make the location. If you’re lucky enough to be able to revisit a coastal spot often you’ll

see the benefit in getting to know the tides and what they reveal there. With experience you’ll be able to plot when the best water level and the best light coincide, and make a point of visiting then.

Above Apps help you plan a shoot.

2. Find some Balance

Shooting at the seaside you’ll find there’s a lot of empty space about; water, sand and sky. This is part of the attraction, but also a problem for photographers. If you use the space incorrectly the picture can feel extremely unbalanced, with, for example, craggy cliffs running up one side and nothing on the other to counterbalance it. Try to frame up so that there’s something balancing the composition; for instance, shooting from one side of a bay to the other should allow you to get some clifftop foreground into the mix, too. Or try to get low enough to the beach so that you pick out detail in rocks or sand to anchor the composition. Ideally, youmight find an island or a large rock out in the water to use as a subject, but you can also use the rising or setting sun. If you include it in the composition,

Above The sheer amount of open space provided by the sea can lead to problems in composition, mainly a lack of balance in the image. Above, the picture on the right is dominated by detail on the right hand side of the frame; but in the pic on the left there’s a better balance between the foreground and the cliffs and sun in the distance.

it will create a focal point towards the top of the frame, drawing the eye and balancing the foreground. You’ll need to use graduated ND filters to counteract its brightness.

Above A tripod with spiked feet is helpful on sand, and ND filters help you blur water.