Durdle Door Dorset

Durdle Door Dorset

It was another beautiful July summers Sunday here in Dorset.  I would leave late again hoping to catch a sunset but heading back to Lulworth but this time walking in the opposite direction from the cove, over the hill and to perhaps Dorset’s most iconic coastal landscape that of Durdle Door.

My last two trips along the Dorset coast to Kimmeridge and Lulworth cove I had screwed up.  Its not just the landscape photography I enjoy but also the long walks in the sunshine which are my source of exercise and vitamin D.

Doing Durdle Door

Arriving early evening Sunday there were more parking spaces, no queue at the pay and display but still alot more people around than I was hoping for.  Still I made my way up over the hill with all the other visitors like ants crawling over a dropped sweet and to the breathtaking views of Durdle Door.

Durdle Door Dorset
Durdle Door 24mm, 1/20sec, F/11, ISO 100 1/23 EV

Photographing Durdle Door is what they call a photo cliche, its been photographed so many times.  You would have to capture something exceptional here, sunset, sunrise or the milky way to sell on a micro stock site like Shutterstock.  Still you not done Dorset unless you done Durdle Door.

Towards Swyre Head

Sunset was some time off,  I would continue my walk to the peak of Swyre Head.  I estimated I would make it back to this point just as the sun was setting.  On top of Swyre head I was alone again far from the madding crowd, the casual visitors dont venture this far.

swyre head durdle door
swyre head 28mm, 1/40 sec, F/11, ISO 100, 1 EV

That rock in the sea down there is called the bull.  Just more great views of the cliff edge above Bats Hole.  Would seem the vistors dont venture that far along the beach either.

Bats head durdle door
Bats Head 32mm, 1/13 sec, f/16, ISO 100, 2/3 EV

As the late afternoon turned into early evening a few clouds were moving in from the south over the sea.  Not a soul up here except mine alone and I was in my element, although I am sure like Beachy Head in the south downs this route is popular with walkers.

sunset corn field
west bottom 20mm, 1/8 sec, F/11, ISO 100, 1 EV

As I looped back towards Durdle Door at West Bottom the sun was setting over a corn field and made a good subject for some landscape photography.

Durdle Door Lulworth cove
Lulworth Cove 28mm, 0.4 sec, F/11, ISO 100, 0EV

By the time I made it back to Durdle Door there was still people around and the sun was setting behind me and clouds had moved in.  I was tired and really just wanted a pint in the pub down in Lulworth cove.

Please check out my Dorset portfolio of landscape photography as hosted on Shutterstock.

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