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.

Bo Peep to Firle Beacon

My journey began at Bo Peep, a charming starting point nestled in the South Downs. With a plan to walk westward towards Firle Beacon, I eagerly explored potential sunset compositions along the scenic escarpment. While I had previously visited these locations on numerous occasions, this time, I aimed to not only capture the beauty that presented itself but also envision future compositions that would truly shine under different lighting conditions, such as the enchanting hues of sunset.

At Bo Peep, I discovered that the eastward views towards Wilmington Hill held great potential for captivating sunrise compositions. I couldn’t help but imagine the magic that would unfold during autumn, with the added allure of morning mist. The composition also worked beautifully during late morning, especially with the dramatic backdrop of a July storm passing through. The road leading into the frame added a strong element of visual interest. As for Firle Beacon, I knew that the westward views held promise and vowed to return for a potentially magnificent sunset.

Firle Beacon Sunset

After meticulously studying various weather apps, I decided to take a gamble and venture to Firle Beacon on a July evening. The forecast predicted some low cloud cover on the distant horizon, approximately 30 miles away from where the sun would set, at an elevation of around 200 meters. Instead of sitting on the fence, I knew that venturing outdoors was the best choice. After all, the sun only needed to peek through the low clouds for a few seconds to create a remarkable landscape photograph.

Please note that there is now a parking fee at Firle Beacon car park, costing £2.50 for three hours. Alternatively, Bo Peep still offers free parking, but it tends to be frequented by a group of semi-permanent campervans.

Upon arrival, my focus shifted to meticulously scouting the South Downs escarpment from Firle Beacon towards Beddingham and Itford Hill. I envisioned compositions that would incorporate captivating layers in the foreground, and I found the augmented reality feature in Photopills incredibly helpful for plotting the setting sun behind Mount Harry, located on the outskirts of Lewes.

As the evening golden hour unfolded, I was delighted to witness some exquisite lighting, with the sun intermittently peeking through the broken cloud cover above. Often, the best lighting for landscapes like these occurs when the sun casts its rays from the side during golden hour. However, I had to be mindful of the potential pitfalls of this type of composition—too much dead space or an imbalance within the frame. I made conscious efforts to avoid these issues and ensure a harmonious composition.

Handholding 24-105mm lens IS

Throughout my initial exploration, I opted for handheld shooting, using aperture priority mode, auto ISO, and a minimum shutter speed. I relied on the 24-105mm F4 lens with image stabilization (IS). However, it’s worth noting that in terms of sharpness, I find the 24-70mm F2.8 lens to be my go-to choice, along with the 70-200mm lens, during scouting sessions.

While walking westward from the car park, I discovered several promising compositions near Firle Beacon. I attempted to incorporate the Firle Bostal road into one of my shots, but its prominence within the frame, due to shooting from the road level rather than from a higher vantage point like at Bo Peep, created visual weight that overwhelmed the rest of the composition. I realized the need to exclude distracting elements and maintain a balanced visual composition.

Sunburst Moments

There was a moment during my sunset experience at Firle Beacon when I became highly optimistic about capturing a dramatic sky, as clouds were drifting south to northwest, revealing a more fragmented cloud cover towards the southeast.

Regrettably, a thick blanket of low cloud on the horizon dashed my hopes of witnessing a truly breathtaking sunset. It seems this kind of outcome is quite common. However, there were fleeting moments when the sun burst through the clouds, creating a stunning sunburst effect when captured with a low aperture setting.

In the above composition, the bottom right of the frame featured a vast wheat field, where a diligent farmer continued his harvest. This element balanced well with the expansive greenery on the left, creating visual harmony. In the distance, Kingston Ridge basked in the evening sun’s warm glow, adding to the allure of the scene.

Firle Blue Hour

Undeterred by the subdued sunset, I lingered on Firle Beacon well into the blue hour, hoping for the clouds to ignite with vibrant hues.

While the thick low cloud cover prevented any extraordinary light displays in the sky, I was treated to a small, captivating light show, as the land below was cast in shadows. It was a delightful summer evening on Firle Beacon, and though my plans didn’t unfold as expected, I departed with enchanting sunset photographs and a deeper understanding of the land’s unique character.

If you’re interested in exploring more of my landscape photography, I invite you to visit the best landscape photography gallery of 2023.