In the previous article (part one), we discussed five types of landscape photography and then focused on traditional landscapes such as mountains, lakes, and wetlands. In this “Midjourney” masterclass mini-series on landscape photography, part two will focus on seascapes.
Seascape Photography
Seascape photography is a subgenre of landscape photography that focuses on capturing the beauty and movement of coastal areas, including oceans, shorelines, beaches, cliffs, and other elements related to the sea. Here is an overview of the history of seascape photography:
1. Early Exploration (19th Century) In the early days of photography, when this medium was still in its infancy, some pioneering photographers ventured to the coast to capture images of the sea. However, due to the limitations of early photography equipment, these early seascapes often appeared static and lacked detail.
In the late 19th century, advancements in photography led to an increased interest in capturing and documenting coastal regions. Photographers began to explore and record the coast more extensively, with a particular focus on the unique atmosphere, lighting, and textures of the beach landscape. Coastal photography quickly became a popular subject among photographers and the general public alike.
3. Aestheticism and Romanticism (late 19th to early 20th century) In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Aestheticism movement, aimed at elevating photography to an art form, also influenced seascape photography. Photographers used soft focus techniques, manipulated printing processes, and employed color grading methods to create dreamlike and romantic seascape images that evoke strong emotions.
4. Modernism and Straight Photography (Mid-20th Century)The modernist movement advocated for a more direct and objective approach to photography and also influenced seascape photography. Photographers like Edward Weston and Ansel Adams, who made contributions to landscape photography, focused on capturing the coastal environment with attention to clear details, tonal range, and precise composition.
5. Contemporary Methods (Late 20th Century to Present) In recent decades, seascape photography has continued to evolve, incorporating various styles and techniques. With the advancement of technology and the emergence of digital photography, photographers have greater flexibility in capturing the dynamic nature of coastal areas. Long exposures, panoramic compositions, and the use of filters to control light and motion are often employed to create dramatic and visually stunning seascapes. Contemporary seascape photographers, such as Michael Kenna, Hiroshi Sugimoto, and Chris Burkard, showcase this genre with their unique perspectives, highlighting the power and tranquility of the ocean while emphasizing the impact of environmental issues and human activity on coastal ecosystems. Seascape photography remains popular, offering diverse artistic expressions that capture the changing moods and beauty of the ocean and its surroundings.
Let’s see what we can do on the way!
Quick Introduction to Filters
Some commonly used filters for seascape photography include:
Polarizing Filter: A polarizing filter can be very useful when taking photos of seascapes. It can reduce glare and reflections, enhance color saturation and contrast. It is particularly useful when capturing water surfaces and wet surfaces.
2. Neutral Density (ND) Filter: An ND filter can be used to reduce the amount of light entering the camera, allowing for slower shutter speeds and larger apertures. This can create a sense of movement and blur when shooting water in motion, such as waves and waterfalls.
3. Graduated Neutral Density (GND) filter: When there is a significant difference in brightness between the sky and foreground, the GND filter is very useful. Essentially, it is a transparent filter with a darkened top that helps balance the exposure between the bright sky and darker foreground.
4. Color-enhancing filter: The color-enhancing filter can be used to enhance the natural colors in a seascape. It can enhance the blues and greens of the water surface and sky, making the entire image look more vibrant.
5. UV filter: A UV filter can be used to reduce the amount of UV light entering the camera, which helps to reduce haze and increase contrast.
Note: I have chosen the following ecosystems as representative of sufficient diversity to convey the concept: beaches, cliffs, coral reefs, mangroves, and estuaries.
Example image.
“Midjourney” prompt
Returning to basics, let us create a guide centered on the four key aspects I previously discussed: shooting time, composition, shutter speed, and filters. We will slightly modify the tips we used in the first section.
<subject><composition>, landscape photography, expansive, awe-inspiring, breathtaking, vivid colors, dramatic lighting, <shot type>, <shutter speed>, <filter>, <time of day>, <weather conditions/season> — ar 3:2
<Topic> – For example, beaches, cliffs, coral reefs, mangroves, and river estuaries.
<subject> — For example, Beach, Cliffs, Coral Reefs, Mangroves, and Estuaries.
<shot-type> — wide-angle, panoramic, narrow angle (feel free to add to this).
<Shutter Speed> – Long Exposures, Short Exposures.
<shutter speed> — long exposure, short exposure
<filter> — polarising filter, neutral density filter, graduated neutral density filter, color enhancing filter, uv filter
“The Time of the Day” – Golden hour, sunset, night, noon.
<time of day> — golden hour, sunset, night, midday.
<weather conditions/season> — sunny, raining, stormy, hurricane (eek!), etc.
Here are the instructions for the image above. From top to bottom, we have:
Beaches, waves crashing on rocks, landscape photography, vastness, awe-inspiring, stunning, vibrant colors, dramatic lighting, wide-angle shots, incredibly fast shutter speeds, color enhancing filters, golden hour, stormy weather – aspect ratio 3:2.
A beach, waves crashing on rocks, landscape photography, expansive, awe-inspiring, breathtaking, vivid colors, dramatic lighting, wide-angle shot, very fast shutter speed, Color-enhancing filter, golden hour, stormy — ar 3:2
High cliffs, waves below, vast skies, landscape photography, breathtaking, stunning, vivid colors, dramatic lighting, high angle shooting, very fast shutter speed, gradient neutral density filter.
Tall cliffs, waves crashing below, big sky, landscape photography, expansive, awe-inspiring, breathtaking, vivid colors, dramatic lighting, high-angle shot, very fast shutter speed, Graduated Neutral Density
Coral reefs, landscape photography, vastness, awe-inspiring, stunning, vivid colors, dramatic lighting, low-angle shots, fast shutter speed, polarizing filters, sunsets – aspect ratio 3:2.
Coral Reef, landscape photography, expansive, awe-inspiring, breathtaking, vivid colors, dramatic lighting, low-angle shot, fast shutter speed, polarising filter, sunset — ar 3:2
Mangroves, landscape photography, vast, awe-inspiring, stunning, vivid colors, dramatic lighting, low angle shots, very slow shutter speeds, neutral density filters, sunset – ar 3:2.
Mangrove, landscape photography, expansive, awe-inspiring, breathtaking, vivid colors, dramatic lighting, low-angle shot, very slow shutter speed, Neutral Density Filter, sunset — ar 3:2
River mouth, thin mist, landscape photography, vast, awe-inspiring, breathtaking, vivid colors, dramatic lighting, low angle shots, slow shutter speed, nighttime – ar 3:2.
Estuary, misty, landscape photography, expansive, awe-inspiring, breathtaking, vivid colors, dramatic lighting, low-angle shot, slow shutter speed, night — ar 3:2
That concludes the second part of the “Midjourney” masterclass mini-series! We hope you enjoyed it and found inspiration to create your own seascape photography. In the next lesson, we will explore the third type of landscape photography: urban landscapes!
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