Capture a water streak image
2
Timing is everything
I find the best time to press my shutter is right
when the water starts to recede back down the
beach. Use a cable release and set your camera
to Burst mode. When the wave breaks, hold
down the shutter and fire off as many shots
as you can. We have no control of the streaks,
of course, so there is an element of luck
involved with each shot.1
Shutter speed
To get an effective ‘water streak’ image, you
need to get your shutter speed just right. This
can vary depending on the sea. When there is
a big swell and the waves are breaking hard, a
faster shutter speed is required; usually around
0.6 seconds. When the waves are gentle and
receding at a slower pace, sometimes you may
need to push it to two seconds. It can be difficult
to judge, so experiment with each wave.3
Gear selection
Because shutter speed is so critical with this
type of photography, it is important that you
are able to control it fully. You will need a tripod
to ensure your camera is perfectly still. A cable
release will help a lot with camera shake and
timing. ND filters will allow you to manipulate
your shutter speed and bring it down if the
ambient light is too bright. Wellies will help
keep your feet dry as the waves envelop
your tripod and ankles.4
When to shoot
I find the best time for seascape photography
is at sunset or sunrise. This is when the magic
tends to happen, although the middle of the day
works perfectly in stormy conditions. To get an
effective image, you don’t need much in your
frame; dynamic water streaks leading you
to a colourful sky can be very effective. The
low ambient light also makes it easier to get
slower shutter speeds. Look for objects on
the beach that the water has to flow around.5
Be safe
Be cautious when photographing seascapes, as
the ocean can be quite unpredictable. Always
check the tide tables to make sure you won’t get
cut off. Observe the breaking waves for a few
minutes before jumping in with your camera.
Never leave your tripod unattended: the waves
will wash away the sand beneath, making it
unstable. Watch the sea, not your camera’s LCD
screen: a rogue wave can be quite expensive.sun can be nice, but most of us look for
a little more than that. Perhaps you live
close to a beach, but it has never really
excited you due to a lack of geological
features and washed-up driftwood?
I have learned to look a little closer at
what is going on by my feet. A beach may
seem empty at first glance, but watch
what the waves are doing as they break
over the shoreline. See how they interact
with the smooth, marble-like pebbles.
This could be the very thing to bring
an empty expanse of shoreline to life.
http://www.thomasheaton.co.uk
Thomas^HeatonPhoto Active
http://www.digitalcameraworld.com AUGUST 2019 DIGITAL CAMERA^33