WINTER AT THE BEACH

James Paterson braves the coast in wintry conditions to show you how to capture atmospheric seascapes

We tend to think of a beach as a place for sunshine and swimming, but when it’s cold and blustery it can be just as exciting for photography. You might be met with a brooding sky, delicate frost, thick fog, or even a full-on snowstorm, and all these things can add to the atmosphere of your photos. Conditions such as these can imbue your photos with a different kind of mood and substance, and it’s one of those things that sets us photographers apart from the happy snappers – everyone gets their cameras out on a fine day, but only a dedicated photographer would head to the beach in a snowstorm!

There are other benefits, too. You’re likely to be the only one there, even on popular beaches – at our location the only other people were a couple of fellow photographers. So the views are likely to be less cluttered, and the sand (or snow) more pristine. What’s more, in winter the sun stays lower in the sky for longer, which means more interesting, directional light throughout the day. Then there’s the later sunrise and earlier sunset – great if you want to capture golden hour shots but don’t fancy getting up too early or staying out too late. The early onset of twilight can be used to your advantage.

In this project we’ll explore the shooting opportunities you’re likely to find along the wintry coast. From brooding seascapes to snow-covered shorelines and long exposures at twilight, there are many delights to discover on your typical out-of-season beach – just remember to take your gloves and a woolly hat.