TAKE YOUR BEST-EVER COASTAL CAPTURES

10 techniques for shooting dramatic shoreline scenics, by Jon Adams and Andrew James

- Jon Adams and Andrew James

Two-thirds of the Earth's surface is covered with water, and wherever it meets the land is a spot that's a dead cert for great photos. If you're UK-based, then no matter where you live, you're never more than around 70 miles from the nearest coastline and this accessibility is one of the reasons that makes coastal photography so enduring.

Another is the continually changing interaction between the sea and the land - when you consider that every single time a wave breaks, it is a truly unique moment that will never be repeated, it's easy to see how immortalising this isolated event in a single frame is so appealing. But despite the ease of access, seaside shooting requires a little more than just turning up with a camera - if, of course, the aim is to come back with a memory card full of great photos!

Weather conditions aside, the sheer popularity of coastal resorts means that everyone takes pictures there, so you will have to work a bit harder if you want your shots to stand out from the crowd. For landscapes in particular, you should set out either early or late in the day, when the sun is lower in the sky and the beaches are less crowded.

Over the next nine pages, we take a look at 10 great techniques you can apply to your coastal photography. Armed with these skills, you can be assured of great shots the next time you venture towards the sea!

1 TRY A LONG EXPOSURE

Record a scene over a longer period to capture the blurred movement of waves lapping on the shore

An easy way to add magic to a coastal shot is to turn the ebb and flow of the waves into a swirl of motion. This will make the light, shade and definition of the water's movement blend into a misty, indistinct form that immediately increases the artistic appeal.