Sandy Beach Photography
Show Notes
Waiting for the storm to pass and lift the clouds from the mountains, I decided to spend the day at the coast. This is the first location that I went to, a large sandy beach, perfect for finding small detailed compositions in the sand.
Exploring the beach, I couldn’t help notice the human ‘interference’. Every possible subject for a photograph had a footprint or paw print adjacent to it, which completely ruined the composition. Getting frustrated that I wouldn’t find anything, I started to go back to the car.
The sunlight was streaking across the sand and the shadows formed by ripples in the sand stood out to me and I found a stone sitting among them. Great! I had a subject. After grabbing that image, I continued exploring.
As I wandered around the sandy beach, I decided to play a bit with my camera and I ended up taking an ICM image of the landscape. At the time, I didn’t think it was any good, but once I got back to the computer and I processed it, I actually really liked the tones and palette the ICM created.
As my frustration grew at this location I decided to go to another location and try my luck there. I knew of some great compositions that can be had if the light came. But as I pulled up the car park was covered in campervans, families, kites, dogs, children, and I knew I couldn’t film there or get any pictures. So, I left for a 3rd location.
When I was editing this video together, I realised that to combine the third location with this first location was mashing together 2 videos. At the third location I had different light, different compositions and styles, and it was a completely separate area. The only connecting factor was I filmed on the same day. So, once again I’ve split the day, and that 3rd location will be featured in Friday’s video.
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Onto the Images
This was the only stone and sand pattern that I was able to find on that whole beach!
There had been a lot of dog walkers enjoying the outside, and of course I’m not against them enjoying the outside, I’m just questioning how in the vast expanse of sand, every single individual stone had a paw/foot print close to it ruining the composition.
I knew while I was shooting it that I was going to crop it square and convert to black and white. The image was so simple, but the big draw was the contrast of the shadows and I knew that black and white would be the best option for accentuating the contrast.
When I took this image, I was just playing around. Having a go at ICM in case there was an image there. The large expanse opened itself up to an ICM that was horizontal.
I took this one and a couple others to see if there was anything. At the time I wasn’t a big fan of the result, so I didn’t bother recording a piece to camera about taking the image. I just carried on to the car with the intention of trying another location.
But as I was processing the images from the day, I fiddled with this one and I liked the result. I like the colours of the sand, sky and land beyond. The slight overexposure actually accentuates the palette a lot more than the underexposed or properly exposed versions of the image. And I like the ghosting effect of the hills in the background peaking through the whiteness.
But that’s my opinion!
As I explained in the film, I tried to go to a second location that is connected to this one but when I arrived there were so many people and things going on that I just could not film nor find any compositions. So before the light left completely I raced over to a third location and I managed to get some nice images.
The disparity between this location and the last one, the differences of light and compositions, it just felt wrong to mash them together into one video. The only connecting factor between this one and the other one is that I shot them on the same day. So, I have once again split the video into 2.
I could’ve released the 2 videos without referencing the fact they were filmed on the same day but I didn’t record the ‘second part’ with the separation in place. So, I’m just being honest about how things happened. As I was editing, it just would not work as one film, so there are two.
In the next instalment I photograph a setting sun in a minimalist style as well as a classic composition, fiddling with the different compositions until I got some good images!
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About the Film
Just a little information about the film and how I made it, as well as some links to equipment.
I edited the film using the Free Version of DaVinci Resolve. It’s an incredibly powerful piece of software that I am still trying to understand and will possibly write an article about in the future.
The tracks featured in today’s film were licensed via a subscription with Epidemic Sound. (By following that link, if you purchase a subscription then I will be gifted with a month free for referring you to their services)
Astral Roar by Lama House
The Touch by So Vea
A short Kit List
These are affiliate links, which means if you follow them and make a purchase I will earn a small commission for referring you to Amazon UK. You can find out more about affiliate links here.
Main Vlog Camera is a simple Panasonic G80 with the kit lens, its a great little mirrorless camera that I got for the sole purpose of creating YouTube videos. It’s capable of filming in 4k and seems to do everything that I want it to.
Rode Mic, I got this little microphone to boost the audio quality from the inbuilt microphone.
Action Camera, I use this to film myself when walking. It’s a simple DJI Pocket Osmo camera that has a motorised 3 axis gimbal head, which means that I stay in focus and static while the landscape around me moves. It’s also capable of filming in 4k and the audio quality is quite good.
Voice Recorder, to boost the audio quality when it’s windy or I’m using the action camera I use this handy little voice recorder with a lapellier microphone to record audio.
For a complete Landscape Photography Kit List you can read through what equipment I take with me when I go out here.
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Written by Daniel Long
Daniel Long created DRL Photography as a place to showcase his work as a photographer. Daniel has learnt a lot about photography and wishes to impart this knowledge with you, although the world is an ever changing place and he always says “you can never learn everything.” So as he makes his way, he continues to learn knew techniques, skills and information about photography. He focuses on Landscape and Wildlife photography and Daniel has a special focus on Scotland, his home away from home. As well as writing about photography and taking pictures out in the field, Daniel offers guided photography days so he can share his knowledge and locations in an effort to give his clients the best opportunities possible. Have a browse around this website to see his images, guided experiences and articles about photography. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to get in contact.
