18 25 May 2019 I http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk I subscribe 0330 333 1113
Technique
Rachael Talibart
Rachael is a fine-art photographer. She is
known for her Sirens portfolio – critically
acclaimed photographs of stormy seas
named after mythical beings. She owns f
Workshops and leads tours for Ocean
Capture. Visit http://www.rachaeltalibart.com
and http://www.f11workshops.com.I thInk the ocean is one of the most exciting
subjects a photographer can choose. It has so many
moods and is very unpredictable. When making
photographs, my aim is to create limited-edition
prints for the international market so it’s important
to create pictures that transcend time and place.
Rather than represent a known location, I want
to engage the viewer’s imagination, so I usually
avoid landmarks in my compositions. the sea is the
perfect subject for this approach – you can be on
any bit of shore, surrounded by amusement arcades
and tourists, and still make interesting photos.
Stay safe
Photographing the sea on a stormy day is exhilarating but please stay safe.
Familiarity with your location and how the sea interacts with it will help, but it’s
wise never to underestimate the sea’s capacity to surprise. On stormy days, the
best advice is to make sure you don’t get too close. Use a longer lens or simply
reject the composition if you can’t do it safely. The sea is a monster – a very
beautiful monster ‑ but a monster nonetheless, and it’ll surely get you if you let it.Consider the little things
Coastal photography isn’t just about stormy waves. The
tide line reveals a wealth of tiny compositions well worth
considering. Shells, seaweed, flotsam and jetsam, rocks,
feathers and sand patterns can be really engaging
subjects, especially in interesting light. A steady tripod,
cable/remote shutter release or self‑timer, and careful
positioning of your camera are helpful to ensure
maximum sharpness when working close to your subject.
If you can capture the sea interacting with your object,
then you’ve made a tiny seascape!
‘The sea is in constant motion so your shutter speed
will have a profound effect on your photograph’All piCtuReS On pAgeS 18-19 © RAChAel tAlibARt