How to Photograph the Sea with an iPhone: 7 Insider Tips

1. Only shoot in the best light conditions

We’ve probably said it a thousand times already, but one more certainly won’t hurt. Without light, there would be no photography: it is your greatest ally! Think about the golden hour — the time just after sunrise and before sunset — which gives you a warm, soft light that makes the colours of the sea look even more vibrant. So why not use it to your advantage?

If you absolutely have to shoot during the day, at least avoid the middle hours, when the sun is too high, or you’ll end up dealing with harsh shadows.

As always, though, there’s the exception that proves the rule, as in the magical technique of backlit photography.

2. Use HDR mode

The HDR feature — High Dynamic Range — on your iPhone is perfect for capturing seascapes, and it is already available in your device settings. This mode balances the bright and dark areas of your photo, making sure that both the sky and the sea remain visible and well defined. So make sure HDR is turned on if you want to get the most out of your shots.

3. Composition and perspective at your service

Everyone wants their sea photos to look interesting, so you really need to experiment with different compositions and let your creativity shine. Start with the basics and use the rule of thirds: imagine your screen divided into nine equal parts and place your main subject along those lines or at the points where they meet.

Then change your perspective by shooting from different angles — perhaps from low down to include more of the sky, or from above to focus on the waves. Easy!

4. Get familiar with manual settings

If you want to get the most detail out of your photos — and recreate a little of that classic DSLR experience — try setting the focus and exposure manually on your iPhone.

How do you do it? Simple. Tap the screen where you want the camera to focus, then drag up or down to adjust the exposure. In no time, you’ll have full control over the final result.

5. Reflections on the water? Absolutely!

How many photos have you seen playing with this effect that never, ever gets old? It’s no surprise: reflections on the water can create surprising shades and effects in your images.

Look for calm stretches of water to capture sharp reflections of the sky, clouds, or even boats. Even puddles on the beach can offer interesting photographic opportunities, not to mention the ripples that can add a unique sense of movement to your shots.

6. It’s not all about landscapes

Think about walks along the shoreline and everything that catches your eye and stirs your emotions. This time, don’t limit yourself to wide landscapes — focus instead on the details.

Shells on the shore, the foam of the waves, or grains of sand: anything can become a fascinating subject with the right shooting mode. Just turn on your iPhone’s macro feature to discover the wonderful world of close-up photography.

7. Everything looks better with your creativity

One final heartfelt piece of advice — and perhaps the most important quality of all: don’t be afraid to use your creativity. Seascape photography has no limits other than the ones we place on it ourselves! Try shooting through transparent objects such as sunglasses, or use accessories like drones if you want to capture unique perspectives over the beach.
If you think about it, being by the sea feels relaxing, doesn’t it? Well then, photographing the sea with your iPhone should be a rewarding and enjoyable experience too. And once you see the final result of your images, you’ll be eager to turn them into a fantastic personalised sticker album using one of our available templates!