The Aspect Ratio Mistake Killing Your Coastal Shots

Are your beach photos not turning out as stunning as you hoped? You might be overlooking one of the most powerful – and misunderstood – camera settings: aspect ratio! In this video, I take you right out on the sand and rocks to test different aspect ratios side-by-side, revealing which ones make your coastal shots pop and which could be holding you back.

What’s Inside:

The most common aspect ratio mistake (and how to dodge it)
Real-world comparisons: 3:2, 4:3, 1:1, and 16:9 on the same breathtaking beaches
How aspect ratio affects your composition, drama, and mood
My personal recommendations for seascapes, sunsets, and shoreline scenes
Tips on when to switch aspect ratios and why your camera’s default might not be your friend

Whether you’re capturing gentle waves or dramatic cliffs, mastering aspect ratios will help you turn “meh” shots into absolute stunners. After years of experimenting on the UK’s most beautiful coastlines, I’m sharing what really works—no jargon, just honest results and easy-to-follow advice.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction
00:53 No need to crop
01:58 Same composition, different aspect ratios
03:00 TIP!
04:00 Which aspect ratio
05:08 You will have considered this
07:33 Aspect ratio choice in action
09:10 Final thoughts and next steps

Gear I Use:
Sony Alpha 7R IV
Sony FE 24-105 f/4 G OSS
Kase CPL filter

All camera settings and lens details shown in the video. Plus, my go-to tripod for sandy and rocky conditions for consistent shots during the test.

Join the Conversation:

What’s your biggest struggle with beach photography? Drop your thoughts below – I read every comment and love turning your questions into future videos.

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#BeachPhotography #AspectRatio #CoastalPhotography #CameraSettings #PhotographyTips