Nature photography tip: Play with shutter speed in the surf
Sunday 19 April 2026, 21:42 by Rob Dijkstra | 1,322 views | 0 commentsThis article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.
The sea attracts photographers, but an empty seascape can quickly look monotonous. A strong foreground adds depth and dynamism. Look for shells, washed-up jellyfish or footprints in the sand.
Rocks, buoys, wooden posts or foaming waves can also break up the emptiness and strengthen your image. Experiment with a low perspective for extra impact.
When photographing the surf, the shutter speed determines the effect. A fast shutter speed (1/1000s or faster) freezes splashing water, while a slower shutter speed (1/2s to several seconds) creates a dreamy effect. The ‘Light painting’ function in ProShot can be useful here.
Use a tripod for long exposures (don't forget your smartphone holder) and protect your equipment from salt water and sand. Keep an eye on the tides. Low tide creates patterns in the sand, while high tide offers more powerful waves.
About the author
Rob is fotograaf, filmer en natuurgids. Onder de naam WILDvanNATUUR organiseert hij een groot aantal excursies en workshops voor hobbyfotografen en natuurliefhebbers in het gebied tussen Zuid-Duitsland, Denemarken en de Franse noordkust, op maximaal een dag autorijden.
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