How I photograph the sea without photographing the sea

I often go on photo walks to the beach and come back without a single picture of the sea. In fact, it happens more often than you would expect from a seascape photographer.

Seascape photography for me isn't just about postcard-like images of well composed key elements like water, sand and a sun setting on a beautiful sky.

Below is a list of my very favourite subjects, which I photograph most often during my explorations of the Dutch coast.

ARCHITECTURE

Almost every stretch of coastline has its own architectural landmarks. The buildings placed on the beach or nearby have their unique character typical for the region. I love exploring local beach houses and beach clubs. White or raw wood cabins, sea containers - these elements are for me inseparably connected with the Dutch coast.

PEOPLE

Water sports enthusiasts, lifeguards, strange passersby - basically, everyone you meet on the beach has their own story. I try not to show faces unless with permission. I often photograph people from a distance. These small figures drawn against vast, open spaces only emphasize the power of the sea and the smallness of humans.

BEACH OBJECTS

From the most obvious ones like a beach ball, surfboard, or windscreen, to rather unusual objects like trash bins, information boards, tractors, or boats on wheels. The stranger and more uncommon, the better. Photographing traces left by humans in nature is probably my “little thing”.

Why and what for

Sometimes it’s worth doing something unusual or unexpected, like photographing an object without actually photographing it.
Even if it doesn’t come naturally to you or has nothing to do with the type of photography you practice, it’s still worth doing such an exercise. 

Not only to train your photographic eye.

By doing so, you can show the complexity of a phenomenon or a subject, approach it from aside and behind, treat it and describe it as a whole complex thing and document its character with all its aspects.

It works great not only in long-term projects, like The North Sea.

Go to the city center and photograph nothing but nature. Make a series of portraits without showing humans faces. Edit a colorful scene in black and white. Play.

Sometimes those moments happen when these aspects come together in a single scene, complemented by perfect light or atmosphere. You can be sure that by staying alert (and keeping your finger on the shutter), you'll capture a portfolio worthy shot.

For more tips how to improve your photography in the most simple and effective ways, without having a bunch of gear, or taking a trip around the world check this blog.

Houdoe and see you in the next one!

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