Seascape Photography Tutorial – Professional Techniques for Stunning Coastal Images
In this seascape photography tutorial, I’ll share my professional techniques for capturing stunning seascape images in challenging coastal conditions. You’ll learn the best camera settings for seascape photography, the equipment I use, composition tips, and how to control exposure to create impactful results.
During this shoot, I demonstrate how to create a long-exposure seascape by combining a hard graduated ND filter with a 10-stop ND filter, and explain exactly why this approach is essential when dealing with extreme contrast between sky and sea.
We’re shooting on the beautiful island of Tenerife, where dramatic black volcanic rocks meet a bright, dynamic sky—an ideal but demanding environment for seascape photography. Follow the entire process from initial setup through to the final image and see how each decision affects the finished photograph.
You can also download a free ND filter guide below to help you confidently use neutral density filters in your own seascape photography.
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How to Take Long Exposure Seascape Photos
How to Compose a Seascape Photography Shot
As with all landscape and seascape photography, strong composition is essential. Once you arrive at your location, take time to carefully compose your shot, secure your tripod, set your focus, and prepare for the scene to come together. Thoughtful composition is what transforms a good seascape into a powerful image.
For a deeper dive into seascape photography composition visit our beginners photography course.
Do You Need a Graduated Filter for Seascape Photography?
If the sky is significantly brighter than the foreground, you may need to use a graduated ND filter to balance the exposure. Start by assessing the horizon line and the transition between sky and land to decide whether a hard or soft graduated filter is best suited to the scene.
For a more detailed explanation of graduated filters for photography, visit our tutorial on ND Filters.
A hard graduated ND filter fitted to the lens to balance exposure between the bright sky and darker foreground in seascape photography.
Hard vs Soft Graduated Filters for Seascape Photography
A hard graduated ND filter is ideal when the horizon line is clear and well defined, which is often the case in seascape photography.
A soft graduated ND filter works better when the transition between the sky and foreground is uneven or irregular, such as with cliffs, rocks, or distant objects breaking the horizon.
What Is the Difference in Exposure Stops Between the Sky and Water?
Determine the difference in exposure stops between the sky and the water, as this will dictate the strength of graduated ND filter you need to use. Accurately measuring this exposure difference is key to achieving a balanced seascape image.
For a more in-depth guide on how to measure exposure for photography, give our course on long exposure photography a go.
Seascape Photography Tutorial: What Visual Effect Do You Want to Achieve?
The final look of your image will determine the camera settings you choose. For example, using ISO 100 helps minimise noise and maintain image quality, while selecting a smaller aperture such as f/16 increases depth of field, keeping more of the scene in focus.
For more in-depth guidance on camera settings for photography, visit our beginners course.
Camera settings displayed in Bulb mode, f/16, and ISO 100—ideal for controlling exposure when shooting long exposure seascape photography with ND filters.
Camera Settings for Seascape Photography: How to Work Out Your Exposure
When you’re set up with the right grad filter, f stop and ISO you can take a meter reading to give you your shutter speed. It’s best to do this in fully manual mode.
Using an Exposure Calculator for ND Filters
Once you’ve selected the correct graduated ND filter, aperture (f-stop), and ISO, you can take a light meter reading to determine the appropriate shutter speed. For full control over exposure, it’s best to shoot in fully manual mode.
Add the ND filter and Take the Shot
Once all your camera settings are correctly dialled in, carefully attach the ND filter and take the shot. When shooting long-exposure seascapes, you’ll often need to use Bulb mode along with a cable release or remote trigger to maintain sharpness and control during extended shutter times.
For more in-depth guidance on long exposure photography, visit our long exposure course.
Seascape Photography Tutorial - Example Images
Setting up the tripod and composition for a seascape photograph during sunset, before adjusting exposure and camera settings.
Final long exposure seascape photograph showing smooth water around volcanic rocks, shot at 18mm, 17 seconds, f/11, ISO 100.
Like this? - Learn More Seascape & Landscape Photography
If you enjoyed this seascape photography tutorial, check out these related guides:
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Thanks for watching and remember – Learn more at The School of Photography.
Marc Newton