The month of October finds me back in Hastings and east Sussex at the weekends.  So far October has been a wash out regarding the weather. I decide on a sunrise seascape photography walk along the coast from Rock A Nore.

Research

I had  done my research. The weather was going to be a mixed bag, including some showers. Waterproofs would be required.  Hoping to catch a sunrise along the coast with lots of foreground interest in the form of rocks and boulders on the beach out of Rock A Nore.  Low tide was around 9:30 AM so would have plenty of time before the next high tide.  Knowing the tide times when walking along the coast here is essential, I use Tide Times which can be installed on your mobile.

The plan was to walk as far as the Fire Hills before Fairlight and then cut back over Hastings country park back to Rock A Nore.

Parking

Parking up at Rock A Nore at the Stade cost me just shy of £8 but gave me until 5PM to return.  There is nothing worse when on a big walk keep worring about pay and display expiring.  You can pay by card along the Stade.

Rock A Nore Beach No Access

It was still dark when I arrived at Rock A Nore.  Surprised to find there was no footpath or steps here down to the beach.  I had to slide down some wet rocks to gain access to the beach.  The coast is dangerous here, falling rocks and high tides with little to no access back up through the cliffs on to high ground.

Not far along the rocky beach compositions were opening up.  no handholding the camera here, due to low light a tripod was essential.  It was wet and windy and not look like the sun was going to make an appearance behind through the breaks in the rain clouds.

Still in its own way it was still beautiful and thrilling to be here.  This is wild Hastings.  And to think those who never go out for walks would rather a marina be built along here, with restaurants, bars and shopping.  🙁

Exposure

As far a exposure was concerned I would bracket if required and focus stack.  With the broken horizon due to the cliffs rising to the left graduated ND filters were ruled out.  With the reflections from the wet rocks the compositions might benefit from a polarizer.  With the wind and rain had to keep wiping and checking the lens.

Further along near Covehurst Bay I noticed a waterfall from the cliffs, more due to the heavy rain of October.  To get a longer exposure, used a polarizer and smaller aperture to get motion blur in the water.  Although bracketing the shots, if the dynamic range of the highlights and shadows can be contained within a single exposure then no need to complicate things.

The histogram can always be used to determine the dynamic range of the current exposure.  Previewing the shot afterwards with the blinkies switched on will reveal if you have blown any highlights or not.  Using an F11 F stop was keeping everything in focus from foreground to background so no need to focus stack.

High Tide and No Access off the beach

You know your having a great time when time flies.  Suddenly 4 hours had passed and I still had a lot of beach to cover.

I not see a single sole on the beach, with low tide there was pristine sand unspoilt by footprints, had to be careful to keep my own out of the seascape compositions.

The Tide is Turning

In the back of my mind I was now needing to make getting off the beach a priority due to high tide. I assumed pass the naturalist beach at Fairlight Glen there would be access up into the Fire Hills.  There was none.  I had not done this walk before so just had to keep going.  Pass fairlight glen you have to keep going all the way to Cliff End before you can exit the beach.  Phew what a relief.  Now I had to walk all the way back to Rock A nore through Fairlight, the Fire Hills, through Hastings Country Park and down east Hill.  An epic walk!

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