MAKE IT MINIMALIST
Forget trying to cram everything you see into the frame – search for a simpler composition instead
In many landscapes, especially the classic wideangle scene shot at f/16 to maximise depth of field, there are lots of details from the foreground to the far distance. However, turn this idea around by removing unnecessary distractions and you move into the area of minimalist landscapes.
In a minimalist composition, simplicity is the key to creating a sense of balance, harmony and calm. Here, the emphasis is on shapes and the interplay of light and shade – and coastal scenes are ideal for this. Whether you opt for a limited colour palette and high-key approach to enhance the sense of serenity or want to be bolder and low-key to offer something more dramatic, the guidelines for capturing your shot are the same. Allow space within the frame and seek out a single strong focal point for your photo.
In a coastal environment, this could be a sailing boat on a vast area of sea, or as here, the setting sun dipping below a stormy sky with the sea below. Look for lines and clean shapes and resist the urge to clutter the frame. One of the best ways to do this is to shoot with a telephoto lens, so you can zoom in to 300mm or 400mm and see how narrowing your field of view simplifies the scene you are looking at.
Be braver still, and avoid having a focal point at all – use the shapes of the sea and sky to compose an arty-looking photo. Embracing minimalism will give you an eye-catching photo that has instant appeal and delivers visual simplicity.