Oh we do like to be beside the seaside
To celebrate the opening of our new Brighton store, this week's blog is all about how to capture pictures of coastal delights! Whether you've got a compact, a mirrorless or a DSLR in your kitbag, read on to pick up inspiration and advice for your next seaside shooting sessions.
Try heading out early (or late)
If you're wanting to capture an iconic location or landmark on camera, try setting your alarm clock to get up early or linger longer than the masses: you'll be rewarded with a clearer view, unusual lighting conditions and a new perspective on a frequently-photographed subject - just like in this shot by Instagrammer @spectrumvisuals
Don't forget the rule of thirds
Rules are made to be broken, right? Well - most of the time we'd agree. But when there are such beautiful sea and sky images to be had, like this example by instagrammer @josephedjohn (www.joseph-edward.com), then we'd advise trying out a few essential photography truths. Divide your shot into thirds horizontally, and pop the horizon line on either the bottom or the top line, depending on what you want to be the main focus of your shot - you'll get a well-proportioned photo with plenty of space for a viewer's eyes to enjoy your image.
Slow it down
Playing with shutter speed isn't just for the professionals. Heading down to the water and adjusting your more advanced settings can result in stunning images like this by @ryanwinterbotham. You'll need a tripod to keep your camera steady, and use the timer mode to make sure you don't rock the camera when pressing the shutter button. A shutter speed of anything between a few seconds and a few minutes will blur out the water, but you'll need to use a narrow aperture and maybe even an ND filter to reduce the amount of light hitting the sensor and still come out with a perfectly-exposed shot. But that's the great thing about digital photography: you can try, try, try again!
Try a different point of view
Don't forget that the most creative shots might be beneath your feet: like in this classic capture by @si119. If you're not standing out from the crowd then chances are your photos won't either - so try lying down or jumping up on something (stay safe!) to get a unique perspective on a location. Using a lot of foreground interest, like these pebbles, can be a fantastic way to create an unusual shot.
Picture-perfect portraits
Chances are that if you've taken a trip to the seaside, you've brought someone else along for the ride. So why not challenge yourselves to capture holiday snaps that go beyond the usual? This capture by @spectrumvisuals is a great example of spotting a natural “frame” and using it - there's nothing wrong with a classic jump shot when it's executed so perfectly! Have a go yourself - and make sure you tag us in when you do share your best shots…
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