Category Archives: July

Landscape Photography Review 2025

2025 Photography Year in Review

2025 was a year of working closer to home and learning to respond to conditions rather than chase them. From misty dawns on the South Downs to woodland waterfalls in the High Weald and long exposures on Romney Marsh, this review brings together one standout image from each month — moments that best reflect how and where I photographed across the year.

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August 2025 Landscape Photography Review

What follows is a collection of my best photos taken during August 2025. Including trips to Ashdown forest on the high weald and walks over the south downs all within the boundaries of east Sussex.

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Camber Castle – The Lost Fortress of the Camber Inlet

Introduction

Hidden in the low-lying fields between Rye and Winchelsea stands Camber Castle, a strange and striking ruin that seems oddly out of place — a fortress marooned in farmland, far from the sea it once defended.

This is the story of how a powerful Tudor stronghold built by Henry VIII became a forgotten relic of a vanished coastline.

Watch the video short below to see it from the air:

What you’re seeing here is more than just a ruined castle — it’s a monument to lost landscapes and shifting tides.

➡️ View Camber Castle on Google Maps
➡️ See all my mapped locations


A Sea Fortress with No Sea

Built between 1539 and 1544 on the orders of Henry VIII, Camber Castle (originally called Winchelsea Castle) was part of a chain of artillery forts designed to defend England’s southern coastline against threats from France and Spain. At the time of construction, the Camber was a wide tidal inlet of the sea, and the castle sat in a prime position to guard shipping lanes and protect the nearby ports of Rye and Winchelsea.

Its unique cloverleaf design — with four rounded bastions and a central keep — was built to house heavy guns and withstand siege warfare, reflecting Henry’s obsession with new, gunpowder-based fortifications.

But the sea had other plans.


Shifting Shores

Over the centuries, the Camber inlet gradually silted up due to longshore drift, storm surges, and natural sedimentation. The coastline pushed steadily seaward, leaving Camber Castle increasingly stranded inland. By the late 1500s, the once-coastal fortress was now over a mile from navigable waters.

Its military usefulness declined just as England’s naval strategy evolved. By the 1630s, it was abandoned.

Today, it sits in open countryside, its thick stone walls a ghost of the sea that once lapped at its base.


A Castle Reclaimed

Though long out of use, Camber Castle wasn’t entirely forgotten. It was visited by antiquarians in the 18th century, drawn by its unusual layout and melancholic setting. In recent decades, it’s become a managed heritage site under English Heritage and the Sussex Wildlife Trust.

Inside, Tudor-era graffiti still survives, scratched into the stone by long-forgotten hands. And around the site, nature thrives: skylarks, sheep, and sweeping views of Romney Marsh.

camber castle ruins rye east sussex
camber castle ruins rye east sussex

A drone flight over the castle reveals its layout clearly — and helps us imagine how it might have looked in the days when it stood watch over a busy inlet. We’ve even included an AI reconstruction in the video to bring that forgotten coastline back to life.


Practical Info

Location: Between Rye and Winchelsea, East Sussex, England
Access: On foot via public paths from Rye Harbour Nature Reserve or Winchelsea
Best Time to Visit: Early morning or golden hour for photography and wildlife
Nearby: Rye, Winchelsea, Camber Sands, Pett Level, Mary Stanford Boathouse


Final Thoughts

Camber Castle isn’t just a ruin — it’s a lesson in how landscapes change, how coastlines move, and how the ambitions of kings can be undone by mud and tide.

If you find yourself near Rye, it’s worth the walk. There’s something strangely powerful about standing in a field where the sea once crashed, and where the past still echoes off every stone.

Landscape Photography Review 2024

Introduction for the Year in Review – 2024

2024 has been a year full of challenges, surprises, and unforgettable moments behind the lens. From stormy seascapes and misty woodlands to vivid sunsets and vibrant wildflower fields, every month brought its own unique story and photographic opportunities. Whether it was embracing the unpredictable weather of the South Downs, exploring new locations in Thailand, or capturing the fleeting magic of fog and light, each scene was a reminder of why I love landscape photography.

This review brings together my favorite shots and stories from the year, offering a glimpse into the diverse beauty of the natural world and the joy of capturing it. As I reflect on the experiences and lessons learned, I’m reminded that photography is not just about the images, but the journeys and emotions behind them. Let’s take a look back at 2024, one frame at a time.

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July 2024 Landscape Photography Review

July 2024 was a month of exploration and discovery as I ventured through the picturesque landscapes of East Sussex, the South Downs, and embarked on a road trip to the rugged coastlines of Devon. My journey began with evening hikes across Butts Brow and continued through iconic locations such as High and Over, Glynde, and Seaford, where I experimented with various lighting conditions, compositions, and technical techniques to capture the dynamic beauty of wheat fields and coastal vistas. Each location presented unique challenges and opportunities, from the strong winds creating motion blur in the wheat fields to the dramatic sunsets and moonrises that illuminated the rolling hills and fields of Phacelia.

Despite the unpredictable weather and the physical demands of navigating remote terrains, my passion for landscape photography drove me to capture the essence of these stunning locations. Through careful planning and spontaneous exploration, I discovered new compositions and honed my skills in capturing wide-angle shots that highlight the harmony between foreground elements and distant horizons. This month reinforced the importance of persistence, preparation, and the continual pursuit of perfecting the craft of landscape photography.

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Hartland Devon Photography

Embarking on a photography road trip to the Hartland Peninsula on the northwest coast of Devon, I set out with a plan to capture the rugged beauty of this remote region. My journey began on a cloudy July morning at Hartland Quay, where dramatic rock formations and the promise of stunning seascapes beckoned. The goal was to scout the best locations and compositions, returning later in the week under more favorable conditions to truly capture the essence of this spectacular coastline.

Throughout the trip, I explored a variety of awe-inspiring sites, from the cascading waterfalls of Speke’s Mill Mouth to the striking landmark of Blackchurch Rock. Each location offered unique challenges and rewards, from navigating single-lane roads and remote trails to finding the perfect timing with tides and weather. This adventure not only tested my photographic skills but also my endurance and creativity, ultimately providing a rich tapestry of images and experiences along the stunning Devon and Cornwall coastlines.

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Best Landscape Photography 2023

As the wheel of time turned through 2023, my journey with the camera has been a testament to the timeless dance of light and landscape. From the crisp, dramatic skies of January to the ethereal cloud inversions of December, each month brought its own canvas of colours, moments, and stories. This collection is more than a series of images; it’s a narrative of persistence, patience, and the spontaneous joy of discovering beauty in the expected and unexpected alike. Join me as I retrace my steps through the seasons, sharing the scenes that stopped me in my tracks and the tales behind them. May these photographs inspire you to find your own adventures in the world’s vast gallery.

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July 2023 Landscape Photos

Welcome to the world of July 2023, where rain and cool temperatures set the stage for captivating landscape photography. As I embarked on my journey through various locations, I was met with a stark contrast to the scorching heat that dominated the preceding month of June. Instead, July welcomed me with refreshing showers and a soothing chill, providing the perfect opportunity to explore the great outdoors.

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Lavender Fields Castle Farm Kent

Capturing the Essence of Summer: A Photographic Adventure in Castle Farm’s Lavender Fields

During July 2023 made a couple of summer trips to the Lavender fields at Castle Farm nestled within the tranquil beauty of the Kent Downs. What follows is my experience photographing the Lavender fields culminating in a sunset shoot from the roadside.

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Firle Beacon Sunset South Downs

Bo Peep to Firle Beacon: A Captivating Summer Sunset Journey

Recently, I embarked on a picturesque evening adventure, capturing the mesmerizing July summer sunset from the stunning Firle Beacon. Join me as I recount my experience, filled with scenic compositions and unexpected moments of beauty.

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South Downs Falmer Road Sunset

First photography walk of July 2023 was a scout over a section of the south downs from Falmer road near Brighton. The intention was to photograph golden hour and sunset.

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Landscape Photography 2022 Review

What follows is a compilation of the best landscape photo for each month during the year 2022.

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