Capturing Storm Bert at Newhaven Lighthouse: A Dawn Adventure

Storm Bert brought chaos to the East Sussex coastline, with crashing waves and fierce winds transforming the familiar landscape into a dramatic seascape. For photographers, such conditions offer a rare opportunity to capture the raw power of nature in action. When the forecast hinted at a potential sunrise breaking through the storm clouds, I knew I had to head to Newhaven lighthouse—an iconic subject that stands resilient against the elements.

In this blog, I’ll take you through my journey of photographing Storm Bert. From a dark pre-dawn drive to experimenting with long exposures in relentless winds, witnessing a fleeting sunrise, and trekking along the dramatic Newhaven cliffs, every moment was a lesson in adapting to the forces of nature. Along the way, I’ll share the challenges, techniques, and creative decisions that shaped each composition—and reflect on what I’ll do differently when the next storm rolls in.

So, join me as I relive this stormy dawn adventure, a reminder of why we photographers embrace the unpredictable beauty of the natural world.

Storm Bert Dawn Rising

As Storm Bert raged across the East Sussex coast, I knew the conditions would make Newhaven lighthouse a striking subject. With winds howling and the waves surging, the scene promised drama. My weather research suggested that the storm might coincide with sunrise, offering the possibility of capturing a golden glow behind the iconic lighthouse. It was an opportunity too good to miss, so I set my alarm for 5:30 AM.

Driving from Hastings to Newhaven in the early morning darkness, the atmosphere was electric. Thick clouds blanketed the sky, punctuated by the occasional gap. Weather apps optimistically forecast sunshine about an hour after dawn, but I was counting on fleeting openings in the cloud cover to reveal the rising sun. My vision was clear: a composition showcasing the lighthouse standing steadfast against crashing waves, bathed in dramatic light.

Storm Bert Long Exposures

I arrived at the west beach car park in Newhaven with plenty of time before sunrise. The waves were ferociously battering the seawall, amplified by the lingering effects of high tide, which had passed just over an hour earlier. Fortunately, the rain held off, allowing me to focus on the scene. Oddly, I had expected to see other photographers braving the storm, but to my surprise, I had the place entirely to myself.

Setting up my tripod behind a large rock for shelter from the relentless wind, I scanned the dark, cloud-filled sky. The odds of a dramatic sunrise seemed slim, but I decided to make the most of the conditions and began experimenting with long exposures.

Experimenting with Shutter Speeds

The low light created by the stormy dawn made long exposures straightforward—no need for filters. Using my 100–400mm lens, I played with shutter speeds ranging from 10 seconds to 1/4 second, keeping my ISO at 100 for optimal image quality and experimenting with apertures up to f/16. I found f/22 produced images that were too soft for my liking.

Creating Movement in the Chaos

The strong winds were a constant challenge, but the rock provided enough stability to make the exposures possible. I particularly liked the results from shorter long exposures, around 1/4 second, which captured the energy of the waves while retaining some texture and detail. The combination of soft, mist-like water and the looming lighthouse in the distance perfectly reflected the mood of Storm Bert’s dawn.

Storm Bert Sunrise

Every second felt like a new opportunity as the storm’s energy created a constantly shifting scene. Waves relentlessly crashed against the seawall of Newhaven lighthouse, providing endless dynamism. To ensure sharp images in the challenging conditions, I relied on back-button focus, a 2-second timer, and the touch screen to trigger the shutter—essential precautions given the strong winds and the weight of my large lens on the tripod.

As dawn broke, gaps began to form in the low cloud bank on the horizon. Slowly, the sky transformed, shifting from soft pinks and blues to vibrant yellows and oranges. Finally, the sun emerged through the clouds, delivering the moment I had envisioned when planning this shoot. My early start and patient wait had paid off.

Sunrise is always fleeting, and as the golden light painted the scene, I found myself quickly adjusting camera settings to keep up with the changing light. In hindsight, I wish I had experimented more with exposures under one second to capture a softer, more ethereal feel. The sun rose slightly to the left of the lighthouse, requiring me to zoom out to comfortably frame both in the shot. With more storms forecast next month—and the sun expected to rise further to the right—I’m already looking forward to refining this composition in future shoots.

The White Balance Challenge

One of the key challenges during and after this shoot was balancing the white balance. With the sunrise behind the lighthouse, the warm tones in the sky contrasted starkly with the cooler, blue tones of the waves, which weren’t being directly illuminated. In post-processing, I worked to bring these elements into harmony, but in hindsight, adjusting the white balance in-camera might have simplified the process.

Adding to the scene were the soaring seagulls around the lighthouse, a classic coastal touch. Capturing them clearly in the low light required a faster shutter speed, which was tricky to balance with the stormy conditions. Blending exposures in post-processing could be a useful technique for integrating these elements more effectively in future attempts.

Newhaven Cliff top walk

With the sunrise fading, I decided to take a walk along the cliffs of Newhaven to explore compositions from a higher vantage point. The wind was ferocious on top of the cliffs, but it was blowing south to north, keeping me safely inland. By now, dozens of photographers had gathered along Newhaven’s west beach, all aiming their lenses at the dramatic waves crashing against the seawall.

From the cliff tops, the morning sun added a new dimension to the scene. The bright white light illuminated the sea spray, highlighting the sheer force of the waves as they engulfed the Newhaven seawall and occasionally submerged the lighthouse entirely from view. The elevated perspective provided a unique high-angle view of the chaos below, which contrasted with the steadier, more grounded compositions I’d captured earlier.

Shooting Challenges in Strong Winds

Handholding the camera in such strong winds was a challenge, especially with gusts amplified by the cliff’s height. However, this vantage point allowed for a more dynamic focus on the lighthouse and the distant horizon. Shooting wide open with the focus set to infinity and a minimum shutter speed of 1/1000 second helped ensure sharp images despite the conditions.

Capturing a shot with the lighthouse beacon illuminated while a wave exploded nearby required patience and precision. Timing was everything. I found that continuous shooting worked best in these conditions to increase the odds of getting the perfect frame, but this approach inevitably leads to sorting through hundreds—if not thousands—of images later in post-processing.

Seaford Head Backdrop

Continuing further west along the Newhaven cliff tops, I turned back to look east, and the iconic Seaford Head began to dominate the backdrop of my compositions. The dramatic cliffs rising above the stormy seas added a striking element to the scene.

Using my 400mm lens, I was able to compress the perspective, bringing the towering cliff closer to the seawall and lighthouse. This created a layered, cinematic feel that emphasized the scale and power of the storm. In hindsight, I think this composition would work even better during the evening golden hour, with the warm light illuminating the cliff face and enhancing the textures of the waves crashing below.

A Surprise Element: Newhaven Lifeboat

As I made my way back along the cliffs, the appearance of a Newhaven lifeboat braving the rough seas added a new dynamic to the compositions. The bright orange of the lifeboat stood out vividly against the muted, stormy tones of the sea and sky, creating a focal point that told a story of resilience and courage.

Capturing the lifeboat in action required a steady hand despite the powerful winds. The key here was finding some shelter to stabilize my position, framing the composition carefully, and waiting patiently for the right moment. The dynamic nature of the storm meant every second brought something new—a cresting wave, a dramatic splash, or the lifeboat cutting through the rough waters.

Looking Ahead

This session on the Newhaven cliff tops has given me ideas for future shoots. I’m looking forward to returning for the next storm, refining these compositions, and experimenting with different light and conditions. There’s always room to improve, and storms like Bert offer endless opportunities for creative storytelling.