Felt like a change from autumn woodlands, misty mornings so chose to return to the the coast and south downs. For a dawn shoot at low tide from Birling Gap heading east to Beachy Head lighthouse.

Birling Gap Blue Hour

Arrived at Birling Gap during blue hour. The tide was receding another two hours before low tide. This gives you maximum time to walk the beach at low tide before it starts heading back in. The plan was to walk east along the beach towards Beachy Head lighthouse.

Down on the beach, there was some very distinctive clouds moving over the seven sisters cliff face. Looked like a good photo so setup. Whenever coming to the coast shooting seascapes always bring the ND filters. But with the low light F/16 and ISO 100 24-70mm lens not need them to get some motion blur on the sea. Setting up missed the best of clouds.

Beachy Head East Approach

I have never walked very far from Birling Gap heading east towards Beachy Head lighthouse. Have walked west before from Birling Gap to Cuckmere Haven and nearly got caught out by the tide. Iv walked west from Eastbourne to Beachy Head lighthouse via Cows Gap a few times. Have photographed Beachy Head lighthouse facing east for a sunrise from the cliff tops. Walking east along the beach from Birling Gap is perilous. Dont like walking under the cliffs due to falls and very tiring walking in the shingle. Easier to walk on the rocks but slippery need vibram soles walking wellingtons would be ideal.

The better compositions are out on rocks close to the tide. Finally beachy head lighthouse came into view. Low clouds on the horizon were blocking the rising sun but some good light above and behind. The best compositions include the sea washing over the protruding dark rocks long exposure. The beach here is ugly, mass of dark rocks dead space so want to exclude but fill the frame. Inclusion of the white chalk cliffs adds interest. At this focal range the lighthouse is small.

Sense of Scale

Moving closer to the lighthouse could see some people on top of the cliffs admiring the views. Thought the inclusion of their silhouettes against the sky would create scale.

Changed lenses to the 70-200mm to fill the frame with the lighthouse and beachy head cliff and the clearly distinguishable people on top. In this context the ugly rocks in the bottom of the frame give a sense of the location and its danger.

Moody Skies

Moving any closer to beachy head lighthouse was getting increasing hard with the rocks getting more pronounced and jagged. The good morning light was beginning to fade too.

Decided to pack away my camera, call it a morning and head back to Birling Gap. Just then some real moody clouds moved over the cliffs with golden light behind Beachy head lighthouse. Dug the camera out again and took a few hand held shots.

Waiting for the Light

There are outcrops of rocks where you can walk out so as to fill the frame with seawater, safe to do when the tide is still going out. The sea hides all that dark ugly dead space, but now needed a long exposure. So had to pull out my ND filters adaptors etc from the bag and fit them on.

By the time I had fitted the ND filter reframed the composition the moody sky had cleared. The above composite needs a bit more blending between the exposure for the sky and that for the cliffs. The friction between the clarity and stillness of the cliffs and the motion blur of the sea and sky is noticeable. Again at this focal range the lighthouse is a bit small in the frame.

Photographic Style

Still, looking back think I am beginning to develop my own photographic style. That of a building or landmark within a distinctive landscape or seascape with dramatic light usually sunrise or sunset. Its this I get out of bed for. Although perilous this walk from Birling Gap towards Beachy head lighthouse has lots of potential. The best compositions are long exposure of the sea water covering the rocks. Dramatic light behind the lighthouse being east facing sunrise and the lighthouse not to small in the frame. Will need another couple of attempts to maximise its potential.

Patience

What I need to do is be more patient waiting for the light. I’m too keen to keep moving but when you don’t know the location that well need to spend some time scouting it out. Also taking photos at the time thinking looks good to totally reject them back home on the big screen. Need to review more the images in the field using a loupe or something, again linked to patience and taking the time to check. All part of the learning process. Great morning out down on the rocky beach between Birling Gap and Beachy Head lighthouse, Exhilarating!

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