The weather forecast looked good for the afternoon and maybe a sunset shoot. The chosen location was to re visit Kingston ridge near Lewes on the South Downs in East Sussex.
Kingston Ridge Return
I had scouted the Kingston Ridge a few years earlier. Back then we were in a drought and the landscape was dry! A few months later I intended a sunset shoot along the ridge heading out from Southease on the South Downs but not make it that far.
The best views on the South Downs
Had recently read online that the views from Kingston Ridge are perhaps the best on the South Downs. I visualised maybe the light would be best during the evening golden hour with the sun setting behind me, before the whole valley got thrown into shade. Sunrise would be good also, especially with mist in the valley.
Arriving in the village of Kingston at the foot of the south downs there is free parking along the street near St Pancras church. On this same road there is a nice pub called The Juggs.
Ascending the escarpment of the Kingston Ridge is hard work. But the best views east are about half way up. The views are breathtaking at first site. The best composition seemed to be including the village of Kingston with St Pancras church being the central focal point. In the background you have the Lewes Downs and Mount Caburn. To the left was Ashcombe windmill which I wanted to scout.
What adds to this landscape composition are the autumn colours of the woodland, the white cumulus clouds and blue sky creating patchy sunlight on the ground below.
Scouting Kingston Ridge
I had only just arrived at Kingston Ridge any maybe already found the best composition. Perhaps now just needed to wait and watch the light change the landscape, but I could not keep still, wanted to fully scout the area.
Ascending Kingston Ridge and was really spoilt for choice on landscape compositions. Late afternoon and the sun was dropping in the sky. Another good composition framing the valley below was capturing the distinctive brows of Mount Caburn and Bo Peep to the right. Further up though the compositions became unbalanced due to the height looking down, so around half way up the hill was more level and balanced.
The last time I was up on Kingston Ridge it was more exploratory with the intention of heading over towards Newmarket hill and scouting out the Castle Hill Nature Reserve. This visit was much more about landscape photography. Still up on top, I was still scouting around for more good compositions.
There was a composition looking north that include a lone stunted windswept tree with Blackcap in the background. Blackcap is another area I want to revisit. I love big blue sky compositions with white cumulus clouds floating by.
Ashcombe Windmill Sunset
Golden hour was approaching and not sure what way to head. Towards Newmarket hill and the sunset on the horizon? Back down the ridge for the last light over the village and the valley? Or to take a risk as really wanted to scout out possible composition around Ashcombe Windmill.
The land around Ashcombe windmill is private but public footpaths run closeby. With no time to spare managed to set up a composition of the windmill and setting sun. Included the fence to break up the scrub dead space in the foreground. Required multiple exposures due to the dynamic range of light.
Bo Peep Moon Rise
Unfortunately the setting sun was immediately blocked out by some low cloud on the horizon and the sky did not light up due to lack of high clouds. From studying Photopills moon calendar knew that there was a moonrise to the east a little before sunset, the land was now in complete shadow.
Moon shots are always challenging if you want to include the landscape. Had shot this composition before further back from Ditchling. Without careful consideration, the moon will be just a small dot of bright light, it should include detail. While shooting various long exposures of the moon rise over Bo Peep a ‘murder’ of crows flew in front of the moon but due to the low light and long exposure their motion is blurred.
Landscape Therapy
A great evening out around Kingston ridge near Lewes and over the south downs in east Sussex. Many landscape photographers suggest that you need to return to a given location around 10 times on average to get the best shots. This includes different times of day, different weather systems and different times of the year and seasons.
Its just great to get out in the fresh air and sunshine. While trying to capture compositions your mind just lets go of everything else.