High Tide & Long Exposures

Following on from previous shoots where I have captured wave motion via long exposures, I had the idea of trying both those parameters during a higher tide rather than the easier low tide conditions.

I opted to venture out ahead of sunset, with the hope that the setting sun would create some colour for me.

Setting up my tripod on the beach close to the incoming waves and fitting my reverse grad ND filter to my 17-40mm zoom, I composed my first photos where I could fill the frame with those waves and initially using the wooden groynes as lead-in lines.

After a while, the setting sun behind me started to create a little colour in the clouds opposite to it (i.e in front of me), so I turned my camera to look more to the East and along the line of those incoming waves. A change of composition that turned out to be quite pleasing.

I took a few photos in that direction and then chose to look to the West as there was similar colour there.

The setting sun was soon likely to dip behind a large band of dark cloud that had gathered low to the horizon, so the small amount of glow was likely to disappear before too long.

So, I caught the last of the light, as the waves were also washing further up the beach and my compositions were being compromised by the desire not to get wet feet.