42 DIGITAL CAMERA^ SEPTEMBER 2019
Take better coastal and water photos today, with
ǼƏȇƳɀƬƏȵƺژƏȇƳɎȸƏɮƺǼȵǝȒɎȒǕȸƏȵǝƺȸVerity Milligan
lthough the word ‘landscape’ might
imply otherwise, photographing
around bodies of water can be
very creatively satisfying for a
landscape photographer. Some
of my most fruitful photographic expeditions
have involved photographing dramatic seascapes,
or the lakes you find dotted around the UK.
Water provides a natural foreground, especially
if you’re photographing during the golden hour
at either end of the day, with the promise of
dramatic, colourful skies or the potential for
atmospheric, misty conditions. In addition,
depending on the conditions and the tide,
you can capture some impactful reflections
of the surrounding scenery. Here we’ll explore
some of the techniques I use to capture water,
whether I’m shooting inland or at the coast.A
SHOOT SUPER SEASCAPESSHOOT SUPER
SEASCAPES
1
Check the weather
Use a reliable app to check
up on the weather. One
of the most interesting
parts of this kind of
photography is its
unpredictability,
but arm yourself
with as much
knowledge of
the conditions
as possible.2
Check the tide times
Different tide times can bring
drastically different conditions.
Knowing if the tide is coming in
or going out means you’re better
able to navigate the coast safely.3
Take the right
equipment
Changeable weather,
especially during
the winter months,
can catch you
by surprise.
Make sure you’re
wearing suitable
footwear and
carrying some
waterproofs.(^4)
Take camera protection
Depending on the conditions,
some people might wish to shield
their camera in a protective skin,
but I get by with an umbrella
or plastic rain cover.
(^5)
The right lenses
There is no
sense in being
weighed down by
kit, so choose your
lenses carefully.
I recommend
a wide-angle
and a telephoto.
6
Tell someone and
take your phone
Safety first – always. Make sure
someone knows where you are
and when you’re due back. This
is even more pertinent when
you’re going somewhere
with a patchy phone signal.
6 WAYS TO BE ORGANISED
BEFORE YOU HIT THE COAST,
MAKE SURE YOU’RE PREPARED
ESSENTIAL TIPS AND TECHNIQUES
42 DIGITAL CAMERA^ DECEMBER 2019
DIVE RIGHT IN...
PAGE 44 ND grad filter
PAGE 46 ND filter
PAGE 48 Circular polariser
PAGE 50 Wide-angle composition
PAGE 52 Shooting modes