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Andy Farrer
Andy is an award-winning landscape photographer, fine-art
printer and tutor. His compelling images from the UK and
abroad are inspiring and frequently published. See more
of his work on his website http://www.andyfarrer.co.uk and
@andyfarrerphoto (Instagram/Facebook/Twitter).All pIcTUreS on pAgeS 16-17 © Andy FArrer
Technique seascapes
The UK’s coastline offers stunning vistas. We
talk to three seascape professionals about how
they shoot the coast and what it means to them
Shutter speed
Creating streaks in receding water
is very effective at softening ‘busy’
expanses of water and creating
strong leading lines into a scene.
Look for fast white water, not
gentle lapping water. Visualise
something being washed out on
the receding water and count how
many seconds it takes to get from
a to b. Use that as a starting point
for setting a shutter speed. I find
1.3-2 seconds is usually the sweet
spot. Use ND filters to get your
shutter speed slow enough or
shoot early or late in lower light.
My go-to filter is a 1.2ND (4 stop).Shooting seascapes can be both challenging and rewarding. the variety of
scenes at the coast provides a wealth of opportunities for photographers, be they
the graceful receding waves on wild rugged shorelines or tranquil sandy beaches;
minimalist long exposures flattening out the sea; photographing man-made
jetties, posts and piers; or exploring the clifftop paths. the enjoyment of shooting
at the coast is tough to match. i thrive on the unpredictable nature of coastal
photography and the escapism that the sounds of the ocean provides.Composition
At the heart of a strong seascape is a
compelling composition. It’s good to aim
for some kind of coherence from the
foreground through the middle distance
and to the horizon. It’s worth paying
attention to the height of your tripod if you
are on a shoreline. The amount of space
the water occupies in the frame can be
increased by raising your viewpoint, or
narrowed by dropping closer to the ground.Bad weather
I will often favour a bad-weather
forecast for shooting seascapes,
especially for rugged coastlines.
High winds with rough seas crashing
onto rocks and cliffs shot with fast
shutter speeds show off the energy
in the oceans. Rainy days can be a
nuisance to keep the kit clean and
dry, but if you can shoot with the
breeze behind you it can be great. I
especially like shooting wooden piers
in wet conditions as the wet planks
can give some wonderful reflections.
Often the best moments of light are
in between showers.Safety first
Being responsible and keeping yourself out of harm’s
way is paramount above any creative endeavour. With
that in mind make sure you check the tides, even if
you’re local. It’s essential to know which way a tide is
turning and how fast and high it can rise, ensuring you
don’t get cut off. Some parts of the UK have extreme
tides and it’s very easy to get distracted when you’re
focused on making images. Buddy up for safety when
possible or let someone know where you are, and
check that you have phone reception.Coast
to coast