Bedruthan Steps

Keeping with landscape images for another post, we move to a set of pictures from our summer holiday in Cornwall. Having spent a number of years holidaying in my Auntie and Uncle's caravan near St Michael's Mount, I have lots of images from that area, many of which are found on this website. However, with the caravan no longer available, we took the opportunity to try somewhere new  - still in Cornwall  - and spent a lovely week near Padstow.

The main challenge of this holiday was the fact it was camping. Against Rachel's better judgement, we had recently invested in a family tent, But it took all my negotiating skills to get her camping for more than a weekend. I was therefore lucky to get just one opportunity for photography whilst we were there.

I love taking sunset images and there are plenty of opportunities in Cornwall. However, sunsets can be a bit hit and miss. Not only do you need the right light, but with a new location I had to do the best I could in terms of the best viewpoints and compositions.

I chose Bedruthan Steps - a famous and well photographed location. It is also a place where you need to take care and know what the tide is doing. Having cross referenced an outgoing high tide with the sunset I spent an enjoyable, if frustrating evening on the beach at Bedruthan Steps.

My first image is a traditional shot of the sanding rocks at Bedruthan Steps, taken from the cliff tops.

Bedruthan StepsBedruthan Steps, Cornwall, UK

At this point came my first frustration. I hadn't tightened the angle arm on my tripod properly. It came crashing down shattering my best  graduated grey filter!! A great start!! Still it could have been worse - and fortunately I had others.

As the tide went out I went down onto the beach and scouted around for images. I found I could access a couple of beaches by going through a narrow tunnel in the rocks - not easy with my tripod. And this presented my second frustration - as the sun set, the colours in the sky were best as I was struggling through this tunnel. This was even more frustrating when I got out and discovered that the tide had gone out sufficiently far that I could have walked around the outside.

Whilst it was tricky to find a composition I liked, I did manage one or two images as the sun set.

Bedruthan SunsetBedruthan Steps, Cornwall, UK

Bedruthan SunsetBedruthan Steps, Cornwall, UK

Bedruthan SunsetBedruthan Steps, Cornwall, UK

Bedruthan SunsetBedruthan Steps, Cornwall, UK

As the colour in the sky started to fade, I tried to pick out the shapes and patterns in the sand.

Bedruthan SunsetBedruthan Steps, Cornwall, UK

BedruthanBedruthan Steps, Cornwall, UK

Bedruthan SunsetBedruthan Steps, Cornwall, UK

Bedruthan TwilightBedruthan Steps, Cornwall, UK

I particularly like this channel in the sand that flowed out to the sea. I think the seaweed really adds to the images.

Bedruthan TwilightBedruthan Steps, Cornwall, UK Bedruthan TwilightBedruthan Steps, Cornwall, UK

I learned a long time ago to continue taking images well after the sun has set as the colours in the sky often pick up again. Twilight can often be as productive as sunset itself.

Bedruthan TwilightBedruthan Steps, Cornwall, UK

Bedruthan TwilightBedruthan Steps, Cornwall, UK

Bedruthan TwilightBedruthan Steps, Cornwall, UK

I don't often get chance to take sunset photos so I maximise any opportunities I get. Now I shoot digital I can up the ISO from 100 to 200, 400, 800 and even 1600. I usually leave the beach when even this is giving me a 30 second exposure at F5.6. Thankfully I take a head torch with me, particularly important when climbing back up the very steep and slippery steps back to the cliff top here.

Bedruthan TwilightBedruthan Steps, Cornwall, UK

Bedruthan TwilightBedruthan Steps, Cornwall, UK

Bedruthan TwilightBedruthan Steps, Cornwall, UK

For more images from this shoot please visit my Bedruthan Steps gallery here.