Seascape photography can be both rewarding and intimidating. The ocean can deliver beautiful photographs, but it also has the power to ruin your gear. Check out this in-depth video from Nick Page for several pro-tips that will help to both keep your gear safe and to come away with beautiful photographs.
One of the biggest challenges is managing how your gear interacts with the salt water and sand that are inevitable while shooting. In this video, Nick discusses some critical tips that anyone should know before they venture out into the water. The first step is knowing the weather-sealing status of your camera and lens. Many cameras these days are designed with a moderate level of dust and splash protection, which is important due to the unpredictability of the ocean. When in doubt, it is probably best to keep your camera on your tripod around chest level in ankle-to-calf deep water.
As you familiarize yourself with the process and with the movement of the tides, you can slowly venture into deeper water or lower your tripod. Personally, I rarely find a reason to have my camera below waist level, which means minor splashes and water droplets are typically the worst you have to deal with.
Seascape can be one of the most exciting and rewarding forms of landscape photography once you learn how to keep yourself and your gear safe. I'd encourage anyone who lives near the ocean (or large lakes with a significant tide) to start exploring and interacting with the water, and in doing so, you'll discover another enriching form of photography, as well as a fun new way to interact with nature.
