KIT REQUIRED

Critical kit for shooting seascapes

1 Handy apps

Use tide tables, maps and apps to plan and research before a shoot. It’s important that you can predict the tides and weather conditions when out in the elements.

2 Wide lens

For an exaggerated perspective, or to incorporate more of the coastline, shoot with a wide-angle focal length. The wide end of a standard zoom will usually do the trick.

3 The right rig-out

Even during spring and summer, the coast can be wet and windy. Wear plenty of layers, and bring a waterproof coat, should the weather take a turn for the worse.

4 Tripod

A sturdy base is a must, not only to ensure shake-free long exposures, but for honing the composition of your scene. With your camera locked onto the tripod, you can spend time considering what to include, or exclude, from the composition.

5 DSLR with Live View

Live View enables you to see what you’ll capture before you take the shot, as well as superimposing an electronic level, which is a great compositional aid. Many viewfinders don’t show the full image, so unwanted elements can creep into the frame.

6 Filters

A variety of filters is useful for seascapes. An ND filter will enable you to lengthen exposures and blur water movement, a graduated ND will balance brighter skies, while a polarizer helps to add contrast to the sky and give punch to wispy clouds.