ATMOSPHERIC SEASCAPES

Landscape photographer Mark Bauer shows you how to capture dramatic coastal scenes that convey a sense of nature in motion

As inhabitants of an island nation we're drawn to the sea, and landscape photographers are certainly no exception - seascapes are among our most popular subjects. Good coastal shots can be full of drama, showing the raw power of nature or, at the other extreme, they can be calming and tranquil, but they're always full of atmosphere. Successful seascapes usually contain a few key elements: a strong composition, dramatic or moody lighting, and a sense of motion. They often feature a strong foreground with a background focal point to help enhance perspective, as well as front-to-back sharpness, so accurate focusing and control of depth of field are vital. To capture motion in waves and clouds you need to be able to control your shutter speeds, so you'll need a set of neutral density filters.

1 RECCE YOUR LOCATION