Into June 2021, which to me is Summer proper. The days are long and get hot. Its a time to switch from sunrise to sunset photography if want to capture the landscape in the best light without getting up at 3AM. The first half of June was very hot, so much so finally invested in an air conditioner. The second half turned a lot cooler, overcast and wet. What follows is a compilation of some of the best landscape photography during the month of June 2021.
June Sunset Wilmington Hill
Early June and the daylight hours are long. Headed out in the evening for a hike over Wilmington Hill and hopefully capture a dramatic sunset. The sun should be setting between Bo Peep and Mount Caburn in the distance from the top of Wilmington Hill.
Found the lonely tree and setup ready to capture the setting sun. Took a few test exposures as the bright sun sank lower in the sky. Due to the high dynamic range of light took multiple exposures auto bracketed 3 stops apart. I thought things would only get better, but unfortunately the sun disappeared behind low clouds. But got a keeper for the first shoot of June.
June Fog Firle Beacon
Into June and one evening was in the area so decided to head up to Firle beacon to hopefully catch a sunset over mount caburn and the Lewes downs opposite. The weather was changing every minute so not know what to expect. Up on Firle beacon it was cold and thick fog coming in from the coast, could not see a thing.
My gut feeling this was not going to clear so felt wasting my time if wanted a photo. So drove back down Firle Bostal and there was a vivid clearing to the west beside mount Caburn. So pulled over and took a few handheld shots with the telephoto.
Ditchling Beacon Sunset
Being June, the original plan was to head to Falmer near Brighton and check out the poppies that the area is well known for. Found the spot near Bevendean and the field that runs down to the Amex stadium, but no poppies in sight. Scouted the area though if the poppies return. Later decided to head to Ditchling beacon as a backup plan and try for a sunset shoot. Always good to have a plan B where landscape photography locations are concerned.
Ditchling beacon is the highest point in East Sussex and the carpark gets busy. Initially took a walk and found what would be a nice spot with some foreground flora and the distinctive brow of Wolstonbury hill in the distance. Took a lot of multiple exposures with the intention of blending via HDR, the only image that really worked though was when the sun dropped below the horizon. The setting sun adds balance and visual weight to the right of the frame.
The Trundle Poppies
Being June, really wanted a landscape photo with a field of Poppies. Falmer was not going to be delivering 2021. Being a member of many online photography and walking groups you get a good idea of what is happening and where. Through the members of Hidden Sussex facebook group, lots of photos of poppies on the Trundle on the south downs in West Sussex were being posted. The Trundle is close to manorfarm where I camped the year previous and is a beautiful spot on the south downs.
Inspired, decided to book a nearby hotel for one night and drove to the the Trundle early Saturday morning. This would allow 3 attempts during the best light being sunrise and sunset. But need not bother, the weather forecast was not accurate and was wet, foggy and overcast. Still had a great morning within the poppies on the Trundle. Problem with the water was it was weighing the flowers down, but made the best out of the conditions. Lucky there was light wind, still the depth of the poppies required focus stacking to get a sharp image back to front.
Kingley Vale Woodland Mist
The overcast wet weather continued during my stay near the Trundle. Not make a return to capture more of the poppies, after 9am gets busy with visitors and decided to visit a few different locations nearby. That evening did the Halnaker tunnel and windmill, but the light was just not happening and not get my DLSR out but scouted the location.
When it is overcast and cloudy you not have to worry about getting up too early to capture the best light. The light stays much the same throughout the day. So enjoyed a cooked breakfast at the hotel then made my way to Kingley Vale. Kingley vale is ancient woodland on the hills of the South Downs. I thought it would more be a scout and good hike but higher up there was mist moving through the woodland. One minute it was there, the next gone.
End of June
The end of June, was a wash out. Lots of rain, all day, but at least the temperature dropped. Did manage a scout of Stamner park near Brighton hunting for poppies, but not really capture anything worth sharing. Role on July.