Embarking on January’s photographic journey, I found myself weaving through the muted tapestry of winter, from the rolling South Downs to the rugged coastlines of East Sussex. This month was a testament to the quiet majesty of dawn and the raw beauty of the natural world in its most introspective season. Each frame captured tells a story of early morning stillness, the challenge of capturing light’s elusive dance, and the serene solitude of the English countryside. Join me as I recount the adventures behind the lens, the lessons learned, and the moments of tranquillity found in the pursuit of the perfect shot.
Birling Gap Cottages Dawn
January 1st 2024 new years days and one of those mornings wanted to get outdoors but no clear idea of what location to visit. Wherever I ended up wanted to arrive pre dawn to capture any good light. Being winter, seascapes are timeless and don’t rely on the seasons except for the angle of sunrise and sunset. As I drove towards Birling Gap out of the corner of my eye and through the rear view mirror could see something was happening in the dawn sky.
As I arrived at Birling Gap there was no time to spare. In front of me was a strong subject the Birling Gap cottages precariously hanging on to the cliff edge and a colourful red dawn sky spreading out behind. Using the platform to get down to the beach gave me a good angle to include the Birling gap cottages, the cliff edge and the red dawn sky behind. Handholding the camera with the 24-70mm lens wide open at F2.8, auto ISO all I could do was shoot. A flock of seagulls made a flying visit over the roofs of the cottages and lucky the shutter speed was fast enough to freeze them in flight. Had to remove a car using the Remove tool in Photoshop during post processing. Not a bad first image for January 2024.
Birling Gap Seven Sisters Sunset
The following January weekend made another return to Birling Gap this time the vision was to capture the seven sisters cliffs with a dark brooding sky behind and the sunset poking through a gap on the horizon. On the beach not quite work out that way. Decided on a long exposure next to the incoming high tide.
With the right conditions a long exposure always adds an interesting element to an exposure given there is motion within the frame. When there is colour too they tend to blend together well.
Using a 6 stop ND filter, a polariser and F16 ensure a shutter speed under 30 seconds. This composition was nearly ruined when drops from a splashing wave landed on the filter. But in post processing the Photoshop remove tool made easy work of them. Really happy with the result although would have liked some direct light on those cliffs, maybe some seagulls flying in the top left quadrant of the frame would have really set it apart., maybe a longer exposure.
Eastbourne from Beachy Head
On my repeated journeys between Birling Gap and Beachy Head, the vista stretching down to the Eastbourne coast often caught my eye. Crafting the perfect composition from such a lofty perch, however, has always been a tantalizing challenge. This particular cold January morning brought with it a sky quilted with light clouds, and with it, the resolve to explore new perspectives towards ‘the sunshine coast.’
Armed with my 70-200mm lens, I found the most commanding views at the easternmost edge of Beachy Head, along the path running parallel with Warren Hill. One tricky aspect was rising above the treetops that edged into the frame, determined to play a more prominent role than I had envisioned. My goal was to frame the headland in the distance, leading the eye towards Hastings and Rock A Nore.
The defining moment came with patience—the sun’s rays piercing through the cloud cover, casting a golden glow that transformed the townscape. This light was the touch that elevated the composition, highlighting the coastline and infusing the scene with warmth. There’s more to be done with this composition, more mornings to chase and more light to catch. But for a January day, it was a start—a glimpse of the potential that comes with the sunrise and the beauty of the Eastbourne coast as seen from above.
Cuckmere Haven Seven Sisters
Another January weekend beckoned, and the weather apps weren’t promising—low cloud cover as far as the digital eye could see. It’s easy to be discouraged by such forecasts, but the lure of the outdoors is a powerful one. After all, a gloomy day with nature’s drama beats the brightest office cubicle.
March 2016 marked the beginning of my journey with landscape photography, a venture motivated by the simple need to be outside, to prioritize health for both personal fulfilment and societal contribution. It was an image of Haven Brow, shared across social media, that caught my attention. Its majesty, amplified through a telephoto lens, drew me back to Cuckmere Haven, a familiar yet ever-changing canvas.
Timed with the retreating tide, I positioned myself to capture the Seven Sisters’ chalky facade and the distant Belle Tout lighthouse. The day’s calm allowed for a portrait-oriented panorama, best executed with a 10-second timer to avoid any shake as the lens panned across the scene.
Further exploration led me up the beach, where I set my sights on framing Haven Brow in a portrait shot. It’s the most imposing of the Seven Sisters, and I sought to recreate the inspiring composition that had brought me here. In contrast to the social media image, my scene was missing the hiker that offers scale, sunlight and the dark, moody clouds. Still I had my composition nailed, now just needed to return with more favourable conditions.
The walk back to the car park at Seaford was interrupted by a breakthrough in the clouds. I quickly switched to the 70-200mm lens, capturing the entirety of the cliffs from an elevated perspective. It’s a reminder that while the coastguard cottages are often the stars for many photographers at Cuckmere Haven, the cliffs themselves command their own awe-inspiring narrative.
Crowlink South Downs
An overcast January sky blanketed the South Downs as I embarked on a new route from Crowlink, threading the path towards Birling Gap, along the seven sister cliff tops and back. It was a day for exploration, for uncovering potential through the lens—a fresh canvas for composition despite the subdued light. The walk was uncharted territory for me, each step a chance to scout the rolling hills for future visits. As photographers, we often seek the clarity of golden hours, but there’s a unique charm in the quietude of grey skies that January so frequently drapes over the landscape.
Near the journey’s end, a composition revealed itself, one that captured the essence of Crowlink. The road, a ribbon curving through the scene, led the eye past a solitary tree standing guard, down to the hamlet nestled in the valley. Such images, with their strong leading lines and narrative, resonate with the viewer and often find a surprising home on stock sites, where the search for authentic English countryside vistas never ceases.
Seaford Splash Point
What inspired a return trip to Splash Point at Seaford Head was the fact that Seaford Museum contacted me about using one of my photos in an article they are publishing. That article is going to be about the type of people who are up on the south downs before sunrise, which includes landscape photographers.
Arrived at Splash Point Seaford head about an hour or so after sunrise. There are lots of different compositions to choose from. The sea stack for me was the main subject and I think the only sea stack along the east Sussex coast here. The plan was to return before sunrise high tide.
Seaford Downs Bishopstone
I had set out that morning pre dawn with no set location in mind. When this happens I tend to head towards Eastbourne, Beachy Head and the south downs. Stopped at Warren Hill, then Birling Gap that’s when I decided to continue to Seaford Head and check out Splash Point. After Seaford I got some breakfast and petrol then Bishopstone church and the nearby hills of the south downs caught my eye.
Parked up in a residential area of Denton then had a good hike over the south down hills here, which I have not explored before. Found a good composition of Bishopstone church with Seaford Head looming in the background. Shall return to this location for a big hike towards Bo Peep, File Beacon and back.
Seaford Head West Dawn
After revisiting Seaford head west and scouting out some compositions the next January morning looked almost perfect for another return visit. Stormy high tide seas at dawn with some cloud break. It was an exhilarating morning photographing the drama from the viewpoints at Seaford Head west.
By the time I returned home the cloud was getting thicker as storm Isha approached. There was still some sunlight breaking through the clouds and I should have taken a hike to nearby Cuckmere Haven to capture the visualisation I have in mind there, dark moody clouds behind the seven sisters cliffs and low winter sunlight hitting the white chalk cliff face.
Ashdown Forest Waterfalls
The inspiration for this outing again was photos shared on social media. I learnt of a new waterfall hidden in Ashdown Forest I had not visited before. The waterfall being called the garden of Eden waterfall. I have scouted out this stretch of ancient woodland before but obviously not close to the stream missing the waterfalls. I have photographed another waterfall before in Ashdown Forest not far away from this new discovery. There are a few small waterfalls dotted around the East Sussex countryside and woodland.
It took me about an hour to find the garden of Eden waterfall in Ashdown Forest. Its best to park at Friends clump and follow the footpaths down. The garden of Eden waterfall would work a lot better after heavy prolonged rain. I found it difficult to line up a good composition. Some walkers remarked on my commitment to standing in the water and told me there was another waterfall downstream about 15 minutes walking. It was my intention to get in a good hike.
True to their word found the second waterfall and it was a lot more photogenic. Its a lovely stretch of ancient woodland here, shall return in autumn and springtime some huge ancient beech trees line the stream with no name.
Beachy Head Lighthouse Dawn
Aiming to capture the serene early hours, I trekked from Eastbourne to Cows Gap to revisit the Beachy Head Lighthouse. The goal was to scout a sunset shot similar to one I had taken of Newhaven Lighthouse but with the added joy of capturing the sunrise colours here .
Upon arrival, the dawn was breaking with the setting moon hanging over the cliffs. Initially, I shot handheld with a wide aperture of f/2.8 and a shutter speed of 1/60, but without image stabilization on my 24-70mm lens, some shots at 70mm weren’t as sharp as I’d hoped.
The low tide offered a chance to walk onto the rock ledges and compose a shot with the sea in the foreground, which helped to simplify and focus the scene. Switching to a tripod and employing a 6-stop ND filter, I captured the scene with motion blur, adding to the morning’s tranquillity. The result was a peaceful, blended image of Beachy Head Lighthouse, marking a beautiful start to the day.
End of January
Reflecting on the month of January, it’s clear that the pursuit of landscape photography is as much about embracing the elements as it is about capturing them. From the first light of dawn at Birling Gap to the unexpected discoveries in Ashdown Forest, each outing was a lesson in the art of observation and the importance of being present in the moment.
The crisp January mornings, often begun without a set destination, led to a wealth of scenic opportunities. Whether it was navigating the tricky lighting conditions at the Garden of Eden waterfall or aligning the perfect composition at Beachy Head Lighthouse, the experiences this month have sharpened both my skills and my appreciation for the serene beauty of the English countryside.
As the month closes, I’m left with a portfolio of diverse landscapes, a deeper understanding of my craft, and a reinforced conviction in the value of spontaneity and perseverance. These January days were not just about the images produced but about the growth as a photographer, ready to take on the rest of the year with a keen eye and an adventurous spirit.