MINIMALISM
Winner of the Minimalist Photography Awards 2023, Martin Annand talks to Tracy Calder about the challenges and rewards of shooting long-exposure seascapes
Despite growing up fairly close to the coast in Scotland, a trip to the seaside still felt like an event for Martin Annand. ‘It was so exciting and different,’ he recalls. ‘It didn’t matter what the weather was like – more often than not the sky was grey – it was always lovely to take in the sounds and smells. It was invigorating.’ This attraction to the sea has never left Martin and even though he now lives in landlocked Buckinghamshire he’s still drawn to the coast when it comes to shooting long-exposure seascapes. ‘It’s a bit of a mission because I’ve got a full-time job and a family, but I try to be a zen about it,’ he smiles. ‘I might not be close to any one coastline, but I’m about two hours away from plenty in the east, west and south of England.’
Making plans
Having limited time, these trips to the coast are precious and, as such, Martin plans them meticulously. ‘The first thing I do is check the tides,’ he explains. ‘Generally speaking, high tides are better for me, depending on the subject.’ Next, he uses a weather app to see if the conditions are likely to suit his style. ‘I don’t like sunshine,’ he smiles. ‘I pray for overcast conditions!’ There are several reasons why Martin favours a bright but overcast day. ‘I can’t always be there for glorious sunrises and sunsets, so I try to make my work feel timeless,’ he says. ‘You can’t tell what time of day these pictures were taken, and I think that adds a bit of mystery.’ In fact, a muted colour palette has become part of Martin’s unique style. ‘Maybe it’s the Scottish in me: I’m comfortable with the dreich!’ he laughs. ‘Muted, subtle tones just seem to suit me better.’
In the beginning
Before he even thinks about leaving the house, Martin spends a fair amount of time using Google Maps to scour the coastline for interesting features such as jetties, piers, huts and lighthouses. ‘If it looks like there’s something interesting in the water then I’ll zoom in and take
