Dialing in Your Landscape Photos: How to Capture Seascapes
Summer is here and this is the best time to get outside and photograph everything this season has to offer. There’s nothing better than being able to go out on a shoot in a t-shirt and pair of shorts. While I’m in no position to offer wardrobe advice, I can confidently say that having a set of quality filters on hand is absolutely crucial if you are looking to get the most out of your images this season.
From the Top
Circular Polarizers
A foundational piece of gear is the CPL, or circular polarizing filter. To put it bluntly, you need to have one! (Well, you really should.) These will instantly enhance the appearance of your photographs as they improve color saturation while reducing unwanted glare and reflection.
Put a CPL on your lens, give it a rotation and you will instantly see the results. Depending on the subject and light direction the results can be quite dramatic. The results can easily be seen when shooting on or near the water. Given that the ocean is a gigantic reflector, having one on hand will help to combat these reflections and make for a more pleasing final result.
An added benefit of the HGX Prime CPLs is that they double as excellent lens protection. Things just happen when you're out shooting and I am no exception to this. Whether you set your camera down on a questionable surface or maybe you let your buddy borrow it, accidents are part of the game. When your CPL isn’t cutting unwanted glare, it is acting as a shield for your front element. Really, this is a win-win. Better images, safer lenses.
Variable ND Filters
Just as important as CPLs, the good ol’ VND is another must have. These things pretty much live on my lenses…even when they’re in my camera bag (I like to tell myself I’m always ready). These really come into play in landscape photography when you are looking to shoot a long exposure image. In order to accomplish the long exposure effect, you need to be able to properly dial in your camera settings.
Check out this breakdown from Chris on how he executed an awesome long exposure image:
Let’s say you're out shooting some images but you want to capture some video as well. Great news, variable ND filters are arguably one of the most important accessories to have for video work.
When you are looking to get the best and most realistic image possible while shooting video, camera settings are very important to consider. Generally, you want to shoot at your camera's base or native ISO depending on the profile in which you are shooting. You’ll want to have your shutter speed set to double that of your frame rate for the most realistic motion blur. This really just leaves aperture as the remaining piece of the puzzle. Since stopping down will have an effect on your depth of field this is an important element to consider when envisioning your final image. Utilizing a variable ND will allow you to take some control when getting your video settings and exposure properly managed.
I cannot stress enough how important it is to have ND filters on hand when shooting video. They quite literally do not come off of my lenses while I'm out on location. When I need to reduce reflections I will screw a matching size CPL onto the VND and boom, I've got exposure and glare reduction.
Oh, and similarly to the CPL, a VND filter will protect your front element. All HGX Prime Filters are made with ultra-hardened glass meaning you can have peace of mind knowing your investment will be protected.
Protection
If you are looking for dedicated protection filters, however, that offer the same level of defense then I’d recommend checking out our HGX Prime Protection filters. Like the name suggests these were designed for protecting your lenses while allowing the maximum amount of light transmission.
What else do you need?
Let’s not glance over the importance of a tripod when shooting landscape images. I love shooting things handheld but there are times when you absolutely need a tripod. Shooting long exposure - you need a tripod. Trying to get an image of yourself on a solo trip - you need a tripod. Fending off a bear you may have encountered - you need a tripod (joking, please do not do that).
The Chronicle is my personal favorite for its functionality. Having the Flexor, Chronicle’s integrated mini tripod, as an option makes getting ground-level photography very quick and easy. It's probably my favorite feature and is super helpful for shooting long exposures as I often find I want to get low to the ground to better showcase the environment I am shooting.
Not a piece of photography equipment per se, but a sun tracking app can be very helpful in determining your composition and the time of day to photograph the subject or location you are after. There are a number of options to choose from. These will help provide you a more accurate view into how a sunset or sunrise will affect your location.
If your shoot takes you to the shoreline, you’ll also want to keep an eye on the tides. Tracking tides is crucial for getting that perfect shot of a wave crashing over the lighthouse at high tide or close ups of tide pools at low. The right tide can make all the difference. I’d highly recommend looking into one of these softwares before you embark on your next adventure.
Make the Most of Summer Landscapes
Every landscape photographer knows how their composition changes with the season, from stark white snowy fields in the winter to late coastal sunsets in the summer. With the right filters and toll in hand, you’re ready to take on everything summer landscapes have to offer.
All in all having a good set of filters is paramount no matter what kind of creator you are. They are a crucial element of the image making process. CPL and VND filters are the foundations of a filter kit. Check out our full range of filters or find a dealer near you.
Posted June 5, 2024.
