Belle Tout Lighthouse Sunrise: Capturing a December Dawn at Birling Gap

When the weather forecast predicted a beautiful late-December sunrise, I knew I had to get out with my camera. Familiar with the stunning vistas of the East Sussex coast, I started planning a shoot featuring Belle Tout Lighthouse, one of my favourite subjects. This time, my focus was on a thoughtfully composed sunrise shot rather than scouting a new location.

Using PhotoPills, I discovered that the sunrise would align beautifully with the lighthouse if I positioned myself on Went Hill, just across from Birling Gap. Armed with this knowledge, I set out early in the morning, hoping for clear skies and that magical alignment.

Preparing for the Shot

One of the perks of a December sunrise is that it happens later in the morning—around 8 AM—giving me a bit more sleep than usual. Still, I had to be up by 6 AM to get ready, drive to the location, and set up my gear. On arrival, the hike to the top of Went Hill was mercifully short, as this shoot was about execution rather than exploration.

With my Canon 100-400mm lens mounted on a tripod, I was ready to use compression to add visual impact to the scene. By isolating Belle Tout Lighthouse against the vastness of the sunrise, I aimed to create a clean, powerful composition.

Clouds on the Horizon

The forecast promised clear skies, but a stubborn bank of clouds hovered on the horizon, threatening to obscure the sunrise. I decided to stick with my plan and hope for a break in the clouds. This is where patience often pays off in photography.

Break in the Clouds

Finally, as the sun began to rise, a small gap in the clouds appeared. I captured the sun just peeking above the horizon, with the lighthouse silhouetted against the glowing sky. Using the 170mm range of my lens, I framed the lighthouse as the key subject while keeping the composition minimal.

The Beauty of Silhouettes

For this shoot, I chose to expose for the sky, deliberately throwing the lighthouse and cliffs into silhouette. Including shadow detail would have distracted from the simplicity of the composition. By keeping the darker elements graphic and clean, the vibrant tones of the sky took center stage.

Experimenting with Focal Lengths

As the sun climbed higher, the light and composition evolved. I experimented with different focal lengths to emphasize the cliff edge, the rising sun, and the lighthouse in new ways.

Around 400mm, I was able to use compression to pull the elements closer together, creating a dramatic effect. This was particularly rewarding when I managed to include hikers silhouetted against the skyline and a flock of gulls soaring above.

A Morning to Remember

As the sun moved higher into the sky, it became increasingly bright, requiring frequent adjustments to exposure. At one point, I stopped down to f/16, hoping for a sunburst effect, but the atmospheric conditions didn’t quite cooperate. Despite this, the scene was stunning, and I captured a variety of compositions to revisit and refine later.

This outing reminded me why I love landscape photography—it’s not just about capturing a single great shot but about the process of learning and improving with each visit. I’m already looking forward to returning to Went Hill for another attempt. The best photos often come after many repeat visits to the same location under varying conditions and experience.

Photography Tips for Belle Tout Lighthouse and Birling Gap

• Use tools like PhotoPills to plan your compositions in advance. Knowing the sun’s trajectory is key for alignments like these.
• Consider using a telephoto lens (e.g., 100-400mm) to compress the scene and emphasize your subject.
• Expose for the sky when working with silhouettes. This approach keeps the composition clean and emphasizes graphic shapes.
• Be patient! Weather conditions can surprise you, and persistence often pays off.

Final Thoughts

Shooting the December sunrise at Belle Tout Lighthouse was a rewarding experience that reinforced the value of preparation and patience. It’s incredible how the interplay of light, clouds, and the iconic lighthouse can create such dramatic and varied compositions. I look forward to returning and continuing to explore the photographic potential of this iconic East Sussex landmark.