Capturing Storm Darragh at Sunrise: A Morning at Newhaven Lighthouse

December 2024 was marked by a series of storms, and following Storm Bert, Storm Darragh was next in line. According to weather apps, there was a promising chance of a perfectly aligned sunrise behind Newhaven Lighthouse, with breaks in the clouds creating ideal photographic conditions. I decided to take the opportunity to capture this unique combination of weather and light.

How Storm Darragh’s Unusual Winds Shaped the Scene

For Storm Darragh, the winds were stronger than during Storm Bert but were coming from the west-northwest rather than the prevailing southwest. This less common wind direction meant the waves weren’t crashing dramatically into the Newhaven breakwater as they had before. With the tide low, I knew the best approach would be to observe and adapt to the changing conditions.

Adapting to Cloudy Skies at Sunrise

Initially, I set up in the same spot as I had for Storm Bert, hoping for a repeat of the dramatic wave action. However, as I suspected, the north-westerly winds resulted in calmer waters at the breakwater. This shifted my focus to the sky and sunrise. Frustratingly, the sun rose behind a thick bank of clouds, its light muted and hidden. After some deliberation, I decided to change locations and head to Newhaven West Beach, hoping for better compositions as the sun climbed higher.

Newhaven West Beach: A Change in Perspective

At West Beach, my patience was rewarded. The clouds began to part, revealing rays of light that danced across the turbulent sky. While I initially regretted leaving my original position, the dramatic interplay between light and shadow against the backdrop of the lighthouse proved to be worth the move. With the 100-400mm lens still attached, I worked primarily at the 100mm focal length to capture the broader scene, zooming out with my feet. This allowed me to frame the lighthouse as a strong focal point, surrounded by the vast, moody sky.

Challenging Conditions and Creative Choices

The gale-force winds were relentless, making every shot a test of steadiness. Walking was difficult, let alone holding a camera. To ensure sharp images, I used a shutter speed of at least 1/1000 second and relied on handholding techniques. Exposing for the highlights created dramatic contrasts, with the lighthouse and breakwater silhouetted against the illuminated clouds. While I attempted some exposure bracketing for potential HDR merges, the constant motion of the scene made blending impractical. Manual blending in Photoshop was an option, but I preferred to keep the process simple.

The Power of Simplicity in Post-Processing

Underexposing the shadows allowed the lighthouse and breakwater to fade into a subtle silhouette, creating a moody, atmospheric image. While HDR could have revealed more detail, the dynamic interplay of light and shadow felt truer to the scene’s raw energy. I look forward to advancements in AI blending, which could streamline the process of balancing such complex exposures in the future.

Final Thoughts: Storm Darragh’s Lessons for Landscape Photography

Storm Darragh offered a unique opportunity to explore the interplay between light, wind, and coastal landscapes. While conditions didn’t align perfectly for dramatic wave action, the sunrise sky provided a striking subject. The key takeaway? Flexibility and adaptability are essential when shooting in unpredictable weather. Sometimes, moving locations or reimagining your composition can lead to unexpected and rewarding results.