During September I had been busy settling into my new job and my new home in Bexhill east Sussex. It was only in October I started to explore this new part of south east England I found myself in. What follows is a compilation of some of my favourite landscape photographs and walks during October.
Bexhill Moon
For the first few weeks of October I was more exploring my immediate area. It was quite a novelty living directly on the coast with seaviews in Bexhill. In the evening after work I would go for a walk with my canon compact camera and was lucky enough to catch the full moon rising over the horizon.
Capturing the moon rising over the coast inspired me more to study the behaviour of the moon and when I could include it in my landscape photography compositions.
Bexhill sunrise
October was a good time to go for a walk in the morning too with the sun rising on the horizon not too early. Being right on the seafront in Bexhill, it was convenient for me to take a walk low tide along the beach and catch a sunrise.
These early morning and late evening walks along the coast also inspired me to study low and high tides as well as when and where the sun and moon would rise and set. Its always a good focal point to include the sun and moon low on the horizon in any landscape photo. This particular sunrise I heavily underexposed to get the colors right. So that the cameras white balance does not attempt to counterbalance the orange hues its best to set the whitebalance on cloudy.
Bike Ride from Hastings to Pevensey
Due to my new location in Bexhill and on the south east coast, I got my mountain bike out of storage. I could ride along the promenade car free all the way to Hastings and Rock A Nore via Saint Leonards. And going west the other way I could ride to Pevensey. Along the way I could snap some nice photos with my canon compact camera.
Still not really ventured out yet with my DLSR and tripod just exploring the surrounding area close to home that I could reach on foot or on my bike. I could always return with my DLSR at same later point in time.
Battle East Sussex
My first real walk out with my DLSR was to Battle in east Sussex not far from Hastings. I was keen to see the ground on which the the infamous 1066 ‘battle’ took place and where the course of English and the world history took a turn.
I took the walk out of the AA’s 50 walks in Sussex and the South downs. Was a little disappointed in what it included, the above being the only good composition I managed to get. I like the cartwheel in the bottom left hand corner, the morning dew on the grass, the trees changing colour as autumn is in full swing. I really dont think the local tourist board play up the battle of Hastings enough and its history.
Hastings East Sussex
During October I did the Hastings walk that I also based on the AA’s guide. This walk was very good with Hastings being very photogenic.
The country park is right next to Hastings old town and extends all the way to the Fire Hills and Fairlight. But its like you are in two different parts of the country.
Pett Level
Scouting one afternoon in my car and just with my canon compact, heading east from Hastings not far along the coastline is the village of Pett and the Pett level.
Pett has an interesting coastline, near the cliffs and at low tide you can see the remains of an ancient forest. This would be a good position to return to at low tide with the DLSR and with a sunrise or moonrise in the background.
The road along Pett level runs close to the coast looking inland is Pett level proper. There is a handy food van parked in one of the laybys where they do a great hot sausage in a roll known as the Pett Leveller.
Winchelsea Canal
My final walk in the month of October was along the Winchelsea royal military canal in east Sussex. I do enjoy a walk along the coast or by the riverside or canal. Its usually lush with vibrant vegetation and even wildlife.
I was back out with my DLSR and tripod for Winchelsea and just as I was crossing the footbridge the lighting was just right, time to press that shutter button on a 2 second timer of course. Switching back to handheld settings to then catch these pair of swans a little further along the canal.
October is a great month to get out walking with your camera and to capture some striking landscape photographs around east Sussex or anywhere else on the British Isle. The days are not too long, sunrise not too early and sunset not too late. Being mid autumn the trees are changing colour and the air is cool and crisp but not too cold.