Managed to get out quite a bit during December 2021 and got a few good seascape photographs along the East Sussex coastline revisiting some iconic locations. What follows is a compilation of locations visited and some seascape and landscape photographs taken during December 2021.
December Photography
Come December and switched more to seascape photography and the coast of East Sussex. There is some dramatic and iconic locations between Seaford Head and Beachy Head. Another good thing about December is the days are at their shortest with sunrise around 8AM.
Cuckmere Haven Sunrise
The subject of this first sunrise seascape shoot of December was the coastguard cottages at Cuckmere Haven Seaford Head with the cliffs of the seven sisters in the background.
I learned that the best composition at Cuckmere haven of the coastguard cottages is further up the path with a telephoto lens to compress the distance between the cliffs and the cottages.
December Sunrise Cuckmere Valley
The second landscape shoot of December was another sunrise but from the escarpment of High and over with a view over the Cuckmere valley and river.
There had been some brilliant colourful sunrises during the early part of December 2021. Was hoping to catch one this morning with reflections in the Cuckmere river. But the sunrise not happen, just a glow below the cliffs of the seven sisters. I had scouted out this composition a few days before and remained in the same spot to even catch the dawn glow. This was a first for me, a bit of a revelation, realising the importance of patience in landscape photography.
Warren Hill Sunrise
A serious study of various weather apps the night before suggested high clouds around sunrise. High clouds catch the colour and low clouds block the colour. With that rose for another December sunrise, this time the chosen location was Warren Hill near Eastbourne on the south downs.
Wow and what a colourful sunrise it was. Glad I dragged myself out of bed for this one. The cattle pool on top of Warren Hill caught the colourful reflections of the sky, doubling the impact. The low angle capturing the silhouette of park bench adds a strong focal point. Best landscape shot of December and maybe 2021.
Seven Sisters Country Park
Since the Warren hill sunrise the week before had not seen the sun all week, just lots of dull grey gloom. One December morning there was a break in the clouds, decided to take a walk through the seven sisters country park along the Cuckmere river down to Cuckmere Haven.
Was more testing some new gear, the Canon 24-105 lens and a DJI mini 2 drone. On top of Exceat Hill was perfect for this which runs alongside the Cuckmere river and valley and provides some good compositions. Interesting there is a memorial on top of Exceat hill for a church and village that used to be here and was wiped out during the plague and black death.
Beachy Head spotlight
The December gloom soon returned a few hours later and stayed with us all weekend. Usually clouds are not so thick on the coast where there is more wind and you can get some sunshine breaking through. Decided to take a walk along the cliffs of Beachy Head.
Its always windy up on the cliff edges of Beachy Head and consequently there was some spots of sunshine. Again was more testing the 24-105 mm lens, want to use this on outings in conjunction with 100-400mm when need more focal range. As opposed to carrying the 24-70mm and 70-200mm.
Birling Gap Fog
Another iconic location along the east Sussex coast is Birling Gap. Another gloomy December day this time with thick fog. Thought another trip to the coast at Birling Gap and again may experience some breaks in the clouds and get some directed sunshine on the beach and the cliffs of the seven sisters.
I shot some compositions from up on the viewing balcony at Birling Gap rather than down on the beach. You need to get to Birling Gap early to shoot from the viewing balcony else will shake too much with all the visitors. Switched to the 100-400mm lens to zoom into the most interesting part of the seven sisters cliffs where the sunshine was breaking through the thick fog. A seagull makes an interesting addition and adds some scale and contrast. It can be hard to shoot seagulls or any moving object against a landscape backdrop and not get motion blur.
Hastings Seafront Sunrise
Studied the weather apps the night before for this seascape sunrise, the morning after the winter solstice. Both Clear Outside and Windy apps said 100% high cloud. BBC weather app report light cloud cover, so could be interesting. Rose early for a sunrise walk along Hastings seafront during low tide.
Well down on Hastings beach there was very little cloud at all, just some to catch the colour as the sun rose over the horizon. Was a chilly December morning, coldest so far. A person walked into my frame and then stopped to admire the sunrise themselves. The silhouette of the person really adds to the composition, glad they passed by and stopped.
Bexhill Sunrise
Christmas day and the forecast predicted a small break in the constant December gloom along the coast at East Sussex. So got up before dawn, not too early with sunrise at 8AM and headed down to Bexhill beach close to low tide.
The silhouette of the running dog really adds to the composition. What makes these compositions difficult is a low light scene that includes moving objects, dogs, birds, people etc. You need a lower aperture and higher ISO to get a faster shutter speed without affecting depth of field or increasing noise. You also have to be patient and wait for the right moment.
Salisbury Road Trip Wiltshire
Last week of December and time off work. Decided on a road trip to Salisbury in Wiltshire. Used a city center hotel as my base to more explore Cranbourne Chase AONB and the west Wiltshire Downs.
Was a nice break, the weather though was predominantly dull and wet. Had to use the weather apps and choose my time slots carefully to visit nearby locations. The mornings were generally wet and overcast with the afternoons brightening up.
End of December
That is it for December, despite the many gloomy days managed to steal some good seascape photos. Using weather apps and having previously scouted the locations got some good compositions and lighting. Roll on January 2022..