A question I field regularly is whether I prefer incoming (push) or outgoing (pull) waves.  The only way to answer that question is, it depends!  Without situational context, I would tell you outgoing waves.

Shooting with water in the frame generally means wet feet, for me.  That’s to say, for the water to fill the bottom and corners of the photograph, your tripod (and you!) must be within the direct path of the water.  I find the physical behavior of incoming (push) waves harder to predict.  The speed and the height of the incoming wave often surprise me.  Consequently, I’m forced to lift my tripod over head and high step backwards in awkward retreat at times!  On the other hand, if the incoming wave comes in around my tripod without incident, I know that I can safely concentrate on timing the pull back into the ocean without much worry.  Thus, I’m a calmer and more thoughtful photographer when using outgoing, or pull, waves.

With that said, here comes the “it depends.”  Trying to photograph this little Moon Snail Shell with a wave required the use of an incoming (push) wave.  The relative strength and size of an outgoing (pull) wave always grabbed and tossed the shell before I could execute an exposure.  To capture the motion in this photo, I had to, instead, time the very leading edge of the incoming wave before the mass of the water knocked the shell off my spot and down the coast.  This was not a one-take experiment.  This frame was the result of luck and serendipity and chance.  And I’m okay with all of that!

Camera:  Nikon D810
Lens:  Nikkor 60mm micro f2.8 @ 60mm
Tripod:  Really Right Stuff TVC-33

Date taken:  January 09, 2019
Settings:  f14, 1/4 second, iso-31