Stunning seaside skies

Caine Hammond uses long exposures by the sea

My interest in photography began while I was serving in the Royal Navy, where I completed a short course in intelligence photography. Since leaving, I have shown an interest in landscape photography, chasing sunsets to capture vibrant colours and the beauty of our surroundings. I love to spend time capturing scenes on the coast of Suffolk. My passion for landscape photography grew when I learned there were many beautiful locations around my local area to capture – and when Covid restrictions ease, I will be excited to travel to new locations. The thrill of exploring new locations to capture a photo, getting outside and being part of nature is why I love landscapes.

Creating stunning long-exposure landscape images takes time and understanding, but it’s a simple technique once mastered, using basic settings that most cameras have available. Instagram: @ cainehammondphotography

Settings and gear

A tripod, an ND filter (a 10-stop type is recommended) and a remote shutter are essential for shooting long exposures during the day or the golden hour. Keep the ISO low at 100 and the aperture around f/11 to f/13. Depending on the effect you want and the light, try shutter speeds of 30 and 180 seconds.

Golden ratios

Composition is one of the most important parts of landscape and long-exposure photography. I use the rule of thirds and the golden spiral. However, the natural world might not always act how you want! Be creative with landscape photography, and use a subject of interest. Keep your horizons straight!

Vibrant colours

Nothing makes the sky pop in a photograph like a sunset can. While lighting up the sky, the sun reflects off your subjects in the foreground to create an orange glow, and can double the impact of water in your shots. Research and planning is crucial to make sure you end up in the right place at the right time.

Secure your tripod

I secure my tripod by making sure all the clips are tightened and it is in a stable, level position. When I use my tripod on sand, I always ensure that the legs are deep enough in the sand to prevent movement and subsequent camera shake. Some tripods have a hook so you can use a backpack or weights to weigh it down.

Creating movement

To achieve ghostly-feeling water and the blurred clouds in this photo, you have to keep your shutter open for as long as you can without over-exposing the shot – this may require some trial and error. The movement in the water and clouds during the exposure creates the effect and adds movement into your photo.