STELLAFOTO

Ocean Vibes

Landscapes2023Coastal Photography

A photographic exploration of coastal landscapes, capturing the ever-changing moods of the ocean, the tranquility of beaches, and the dramatic interplay between water, light, and land. This series showcases the beauty and power of our oceans and coastlines.

Dramatic ocean waves at sunset

About This Project

"Ocean Vibes" is a visual journey through the world's most captivating coastal environments, exploring the unique character and mood of different seascapes. From the powerful drama of crashing waves against rocky shores to the serene beauty of pristine beaches at sunrise, this collection celebrates the ocean in all its magnificent forms.

The ocean has always been a source of inspiration for artists and photographers. Its constant motion, changing colors, and interplay with light create endless opportunities for compelling imagery. This project aims to capture these ephemeral moments and the emotional connection many of us feel with the sea.

Shot across various coastal locations, these photographs document both the grand vistas of dramatic seascapes and the intimate details of coastal environments—the textures of sand, the patterns of waves, and the interaction between water and shore. Each image invites the viewer to experience the restorative power and timeless beauty of our oceans.

Technical Approach

Coastal photography presents unique challenges, from rapidly changing light conditions to the unpredictable nature of water and weather. For this series, I primarily used a Sony Alpha a7R IV with weather sealing to protect against salt spray and sand, paired with a variety of lenses including a 16-35mm f/2.8 GM for dramatic wide seascapes and a 70-200mm f/2.8 GM for compressed perspectives and intimate wave details.

Many of these images required careful timing to capture the perfect wave formation or light conditions. For long exposure shots, I used neutral density filters to achieve smooth water effects and dramatic cloud movement. Graduated filters helped balance exposure between bright skies and darker foregrounds.

Post-processing focused on enhancing the natural colors and mood of each scene while maintaining authenticity. My approach varies from minimal adjustments that preserve the natural appearance of daytime scenes to more dramatic processing for sunrise and sunset images that emphasizes the emotional quality of the light.

Gallery

Dramatic ocean waves at sunset
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Dramatic ocean waves crashing against rocks at golden hour

Tropical beach with turquoise water
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Pristine tropical beach with crystal clear turquoise water

Aerial view of ocean waves
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Aerial perspective of ocean waves creating patterns on the surface

Long exposure of ocean at blue hour
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Long exposure seascape capturing the ethereal mood of blue hour

Dramatic stormy seascape
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Dramatic clouds and stormy conditions over a turbulent sea

Ocean waves at sunset
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Golden light illuminating ocean waves at sunset

Coastal rock formations
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Dramatic coastal rock formations shaped by centuries of ocean waves

Misty ocean sunrise
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Ethereal morning mist over calm ocean waters at sunrise

Ocean pier at sunset
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Wooden pier extending into the ocean at sunset