1. Use the Light Luke!
A dull coastal scene can turn into a gorgeous photograph if nature provides a light show. To get beautiful light you need to shoot around sunset and sunrise times. Start at least 1 hour before the sunrise/sunset and keep shooting once the sun has already set or risen the best moments are when the clouds get lit by the sun still below the horizon.
2. Timing is Important
Waves are a form of high-speed photography, if you want to enhance your composition with a splash you need to trigger the shutter at exactly the right time, the best way to do this is to study the scene carefully learning how to predict the interval between the waves crashing and the best display in the scene. Waves usually have cycles, study them and use that to get the perfect moment.
3. How to use your Tripod
The tripod is an essential tool for coastal work but it’s not easy to use. The first big problem is that as the waves come and go the sand will be unstable and your tripod will move, that’s very bad as you will get blurred photos. To avoid this problem you need to bury your tripod a few inches into the sand and shoot as the waves are receding once the sand has stopped its movement. It takes time to practice and both you and the tripod will get wet. To avoid corrosion damage rinse the tripod with tap water once you are back at home. If you are careful a normal aluminum tripod will last years shooting coastal scenes before showing any signs of damage.
