Take advantage of compositional devices to add visual balance and a sense of dynamism to your seascape shots
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The way you organise the elements in a scene is incredibly important for images that exhibit visual balance and draw the viewer into the image. Simply lifting the camera to your eye and shooting without care or attention is definitely out of the question.
Try composing handheld with the camera at different heights, and move around the subject to find the best angle before attaching the camera to the tripod. Next, start thinking about composition and how the different elements within the scene balance with each other.
Foreground interest 3
Foreground interest is simply an interesting object, positioned in the bottom third of the image, that relates to the scene and provides a visual stepping stone into the scene to avoid empty space in the foreground. Paired with the rule of thirds, this is a powerful but simple device for seascapes.
Rule of thirds 5
Imagine the frame is divided equally by two horizontal and two vertical lines. For visual balance, the focal point is placed at one of the four points where these lines intersect, and the horizon is positioned along a dividing line. This can be used in all genres of photography where there is a standout subject in your image.
Leading lines 4
Leading lines are linear elements within the scene, such as groynes, lines in the sand or even a row of rocks, that create a line leading from the front of the image to the middle or background. Successful leading lines are never horizontal. This is a great technique to really draw the viewer into the subject.
Centrally composed 1
It’s often said that you should never compose a seascape or landscape with the horizon or subject in the centre of the frame – but with some seascapes, it provides more balance than the rule of thirds. The reflection of the sunset on the sand helps balance the image.
2 Negative space
Less is often more. Lots of empty space with a distinctive focal point can create exceptionally strong images. The two boats here are the lynchpins of the composition, while the sky and water work together in harmony and create lots of negative space.