LANDSCAPEPHOTOGRAPHY ETC.

Minimalist Seascapes on the Belgian Coast

Beach scene featuring four colorful beach huts on a sandy shore with a calm ocean in the background.

The last year or so, my photography has slowly drifted towards a more minimalist style. I have had my phases of long exposure seascapes many times through the years, but this time the urge to simplify is more profound and not limited to seascapes. Instead of grand vistas in golden hour, I have tried to focus more on photographing single, or at least simple, subjects in it’s environment. Storytelling is as important as ever, but I am now focusing my attention for sense of place towards simpler subjects and simplified compositions. Other key elements are flat light, high-key exposures, minimal details in the sky and flattened water through long-exposures. Everything to make the subject stand on it’s own.

A long, stone jetty extending into a calm body of water, surrounded by foggy weather.

Even though I try not to limit myself to seascapes, what is easier to dive into (pun intended) than the simple landscapes of a coast with endless beaches and open horizons? When planning this summer’s photography trip with good friends, we decided to try our luck along the Belgian coast. This was due to several reasons, easy access being only one of them. Also, it’s no secret that I have been motivated by some excellent photographers, Julien Carcano being one of them. His photography is deeply inspiring and his YouTube videos are great. If you’re not familiar with his work, be sure to check him out! Anyway, one of his videos from the Belgian coast caught our attention and motivated us to explore this area. Other inspirations have been Luigi Ghirri, Martin Annand, and of course one of my all-time favorite photographers, Michael Kenna.

A tranquil beach scene at sunrise, featuring a wooden fence along the sandy shore and a calm ocean in the background, with soft pastel clouds in the sky.

We visited in late June, during the summer’s first heatwave over central Europe. I am fond of warmth, and have absolutely no problem with temperatures above 30 deg C. The lovely weather made for a welcome change from the cold and wet spring we have had in Norway. Warm weather often brings thunderstorms, and we were lucky enough to have a couple of them as well the week we spent there.

A rocky jetty extending into a calm sea, with a green lighthouse standing at the end under a soft pastel sky.

In my mind, working towards a minimalist style requires a minimalist approach also when it comes to gear. Although I brought my full Hasselblad Kit and also the Nikon Z7ii with a couple of zooms, most of the work was done with only my X2D with the 35-75. I mostly kept it simple and carried the X2D with the zoom, a couple of filters and a spare battery in my small shoulderbag, the Wotancraft Pilot 7. I also brought my favorite tripod for travel, the Leofoto LS 325 with my Arca Swisss P0 ballhead.

I had great fun creating these images, and I hope you like them as well. As always, prints are available on my website nordhaugphotography.com

Three white beach cabanas on a sandy shore under a pastel sky.
A serene beach scene featuring gentle waves lapping at the shore, with soft pastel colors in the sky during dawn or dusk. A wooden fence separates the sandy beach area from a dune, enhancing the tranquil atmosphere.
A long stone pier extends into the calm sea, leading to a green lighthouse against a soft pastel sky.
Three colorful beach huts on wheels situated on sandy terrain, with a rainbow visible in the background.
A serene beach scene at sunset featuring small beach huts surrounded by tall grass and soft sand, with calm waters and a colorful sky.
Modern architectural building with a uniquely shaped glass exterior, situated by the seaside along a paved walkway and grassy area.
A foggy view of a stone jetty extending into calm waters, blending with the misty horizon.
A serene beach scene with soft sand curving along the shore, meeting calm, reflective waters under a pale sky.
A row of colorful beach huts with blue and orange stripes on sandy beach, creating a scenic coastal view.
Four beach huts with red roofs and wheels on a sandy beach, with the ocean in the background and a clear sky.
A row of colorful beach huts with slanted roofs, located on a sandy beach near the ocean, under a light overcast sky.
Two blue and white striped beach huts on a sandy beach with calm waters in the background.
A stack of smooth stones balanced on top of each other, set against a calm ocean and soft pastel sky during sunset.
A row of beach huts with light blue roofs and white wooden walls, located on a sandy beach with the ocean in the background.
Beach scene featuring several wooden structures with fabric roofs against a cloudy sky and ocean in the background.

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Dag Ole Nordhaug

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