The image above was taken at sunrise on New Years Day 2024
Contact: [email protected] Instagram: #petermaddernphotos
Contact: [email protected] Instagram: #petermaddernphotos
Wednesday 31st January:
No sun forecast today so I made the decision to go over to Newlyn Harbour in the dark and take advantage of the lights on the boats and market. The harbour area was largely sheltered from the breeze and so the reflections added interest to the images but there was a light drizzle in the air.
These days many of the fishing boats are crewed by men from overseas and as I was walking out along the North Pier one was standing in the hatch that leads into the crew's quarters. In my experience these men nearly always have a smile on their faces despite working really hard. I asked if I could take his image and he just smiled and put his thumb up.
One skipper told me that the men want to spend as much time at sea as they can because they want to earn more money. Many of them live on board their boats as this saves them money and they have more to send home.
No sun forecast today so I made the decision to go over to Newlyn Harbour in the dark and take advantage of the lights on the boats and market. The harbour area was largely sheltered from the breeze and so the reflections added interest to the images but there was a light drizzle in the air.
These days many of the fishing boats are crewed by men from overseas and as I was walking out along the North Pier one was standing in the hatch that leads into the crew's quarters. In my experience these men nearly always have a smile on their faces despite working really hard. I asked if I could take his image and he just smiled and put his thumb up.
One skipper told me that the men want to spend as much time at sea as they can because they want to earn more money. Many of them live on board their boats as this saves them money and they have more to send home.
Tuesday 30th January:
Down on Long Rock Beach this morning it was like a scene from Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds. All around were thousands of gulls, some wheeling around in the sky, and others just sitting on the water or beach. This is normally a sign that one of the local pilchard netters has dumped a load of fish again and sure enough when I went to explore there were fish scattered along the beach. Most of the gulls were obviously full up as the fish were being ignored. Apparently there were a lot of fish on the beach yesterday and dog walkers were taking home bag fulls to cook up for their pets.
The number of birds made for some unusual photos as the sun was rising. There's about half an hour between the first and last image.
Down on Long Rock Beach this morning it was like a scene from Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds. All around were thousands of gulls, some wheeling around in the sky, and others just sitting on the water or beach. This is normally a sign that one of the local pilchard netters has dumped a load of fish again and sure enough when I went to explore there were fish scattered along the beach. Most of the gulls were obviously full up as the fish were being ignored. Apparently there were a lot of fish on the beach yesterday and dog walkers were taking home bag fulls to cook up for their pets.
The number of birds made for some unusual photos as the sun was rising. There's about half an hour between the first and last image.
Monday Afternoon:
An afternoon in the mist at Sennen Harbour where I was mostly sheltered from the fresh southerly breeze.
An angler successfully fishing for mullet, three local regular cold water swimmers and atmospheric foggy conditions gave enough interest to make the trip worthwhile. I had gone to Lands End first but it was just too wet and windy out on the exposed cliffs.
An afternoon in the mist at Sennen Harbour where I was mostly sheltered from the fresh southerly breeze.
An angler successfully fishing for mullet, three local regular cold water swimmers and atmospheric foggy conditions gave enough interest to make the trip worthwhile. I had gone to Lands End first but it was just too wet and windy out on the exposed cliffs.
Monday 29th January:
A beautiful Cornish sunrise to start the week!
A beautiful Cornish sunrise to start the week!
Sunday 28th January
A rough grey sunrise at St Michael's Mount, the wind in my face and drizzle in the air.
A rough grey sunrise at St Michael's Mount, the wind in my face and drizzle in the air.
Saturday 27th January:
My 72nd Birthday!
Just three images from Newlyn Harbour on a dark and grey morning, black and white but a splash of colour to finish.
My 72nd Birthday!
Just three images from Newlyn Harbour on a dark and grey morning, black and white but a splash of colour to finish.
Friday 26th January:
A full moon photowalk around Penzance Harbour with a fresh and chilly north west wind blowing but sunshine forecast for the rest of the day. The Gry Maritha loading supplies for the only supermarket on the islands and in the town the Market House and Town Clock all wrapped up with work on the refurbishment about to begin.
A full moon photowalk around Penzance Harbour with a fresh and chilly north west wind blowing but sunshine forecast for the rest of the day. The Gry Maritha loading supplies for the only supermarket on the islands and in the town the Market House and Town Clock all wrapped up with work on the refurbishment about to begin.
Friday Afternoon
A week or so ago I had walk down Nanquidno Valley and then Nanjulian Valley with my infrared camera. This afternoon the sun was bright and the sky largely clear so I took the infrared camera again and had a walk down Kenidjack Valley.
Kenidjack was the scene of much tin mining and tin streaming activity in years gone by and much of the devastation is still visible. So much of interest to explore and make images and as the seasons change you can visit time after time.
A week or so ago I had walk down Nanquidno Valley and then Nanjulian Valley with my infrared camera. This afternoon the sun was bright and the sky largely clear so I took the infrared camera again and had a walk down Kenidjack Valley.
Kenidjack was the scene of much tin mining and tin streaming activity in years gone by and much of the devastation is still visible. So much of interest to explore and make images and as the seasons change you can visit time after time.
Thursday 25th January
A wander around a grey Prussia Cove with the mist steadily rolling in and the light fading well before sunset.
Prussia Cove once the haunt of smugglers and a small fishing fleet is now privately owned and all the cottages are holiday lets. It's a lovely little spot with a small sheltered pebble beach and super rock pools for the children, although you have to clamber down some rocks which are slippery when wet.
One thing that always makes me smile is the sign in the car park which, since my last visit, has had a slight alteration in the title by someone visiting the cove and it wasn't me!
A wander around a grey Prussia Cove with the mist steadily rolling in and the light fading well before sunset.
Prussia Cove once the haunt of smugglers and a small fishing fleet is now privately owned and all the cottages are holiday lets. It's a lovely little spot with a small sheltered pebble beach and super rock pools for the children, although you have to clamber down some rocks which are slippery when wet.
One thing that always makes me smile is the sign in the car park which, since my last visit, has had a slight alteration in the title by someone visiting the cove and it wasn't me!
Wednesday 24th January-Afternoon:
An afternoon on the North Cliffs, an area of high crumbling coastline between Hells Mouth and Portreath.
Access to some of it is very easy with parking places at regular intervals along the north coast road. Today I parked at Bassetts Cove and walked for a mile eastward towards Portreath. This section is far from easy with the coast path very slippery and really steep in places. I made my way as near to the sea as possible but was unable to get onto a little hidden rocky beach as the slate cliff was just too slippery.
No sun this afternoon and the visibility getting worse as the afternoon wore on, even some light rain for a while.
An afternoon on the North Cliffs, an area of high crumbling coastline between Hells Mouth and Portreath.
Access to some of it is very easy with parking places at regular intervals along the north coast road. Today I parked at Bassetts Cove and walked for a mile eastward towards Portreath. This section is far from easy with the coast path very slippery and really steep in places. I made my way as near to the sea as possible but was unable to get onto a little hidden rocky beach as the slate cliff was just too slippery.
No sun this afternoon and the visibility getting worse as the afternoon wore on, even some light rain for a while.
Wednesday 24th January
A sunrise photowalk on a morning where the wind has dropped away and the cloud thin enough for the sun to make a brief appearance.
Down at the harbour I had a chat with one of the engineers about to start work on one of the fishing boats. He likes to get into work long before the others so that he can have a bit of peace and quiet before starting. In one hand he hand a pint glass full of porridge, runny enough to drink and in the other a mug of tea.
A sunrise photowalk on a morning where the wind has dropped away and the cloud thin enough for the sun to make a brief appearance.
Down at the harbour I had a chat with one of the engineers about to start work on one of the fishing boats. He likes to get into work long before the others so that he can have a bit of peace and quiet before starting. In one hand he hand a pint glass full of porridge, runny enough to drink and in the other a mug of tea.
Tuesday 23rd January:
A tale of wind, waves, two horses and a brave surfer.
Another day, another storm, this time the edge of Storm Jocelyn. Driving up over the high ground to St Just the clouds were down at ground level and the visibility was still poor down at Cape Cornwall.
No chance of getting the tripod out with the wind whipping up over the granite walls and making standing difficult.
A couple of hardy wild ponies ignoring the conditions and grazing away contentedly. Even one brave surfer arriving and paddling out into the waves albeit on the slightly more sheltered east side of the Cape.
A tale of wind, waves, two horses and a brave surfer.
Another day, another storm, this time the edge of Storm Jocelyn. Driving up over the high ground to St Just the clouds were down at ground level and the visibility was still poor down at Cape Cornwall.
No chance of getting the tripod out with the wind whipping up over the granite walls and making standing difficult.
A couple of hardy wild ponies ignoring the conditions and grazing away contentedly. Even one brave surfer arriving and paddling out into the waves albeit on the slightly more sheltered east side of the Cape.
Monday 22nd January -Storm Isha
After the stormy sunrise this morning it was then time to seek out some stormy seas. I bet all over the country photographers have been out doing the same, if they have access to the coast of course.
My wife and I drove up to the Gurnards Head Hotel and then walked down to the cliffs east of the headland.
We had a period of sunshine and a period of rain and so I've posted three images in colour made while the sun was out and three in b&w made while it was raining.
A lovely bit of exercise, despite the wind and rain, followed by a pint in the hotel as reward.
After the stormy sunrise this morning it was then time to seek out some stormy seas. I bet all over the country photographers have been out doing the same, if they have access to the coast of course.
My wife and I drove up to the Gurnards Head Hotel and then walked down to the cliffs east of the headland.
We had a period of sunshine and a period of rain and so I've posted three images in colour made while the sun was out and three in b&w made while it was raining.
A lovely bit of exercise, despite the wind and rain, followed by a pint in the hotel as reward.
Monday 22nd January
Down on Long Rock Beach this morning before sunrise. The rain was just passing but the wind still blowing as Storm Isha moved east. I was there hoping to catch one of those beautiful sunrises that can occur after a storm.
Long Rock is a kilometre or so west of Marazion and when sunrise coincides with low tide you can get some amazing reflections.
The first image posted here was made just as the sun was beginning to show and I thought this was as good as it was going to get. However over the next half hour strange things happened with the light.
Down on Long Rock Beach this morning before sunrise. The rain was just passing but the wind still blowing as Storm Isha moved east. I was there hoping to catch one of those beautiful sunrises that can occur after a storm.
Long Rock is a kilometre or so west of Marazion and when sunrise coincides with low tide you can get some amazing reflections.
The first image posted here was made just as the sun was beginning to show and I thought this was as good as it was going to get. However over the next half hour strange things happened with the light.
Sunday 21st January-Storm Isha
A photowalk along the beach and up in the town at Marazion. No sign of the sun this morning but all very grey and dark. The winds are due to get stronger through the day and the sea to build up to 20 feet by tomorrow in exposed parts of the coast.
The images are in reverse order going back into the semi-darkness.
A photowalk along the beach and up in the town at Marazion. No sign of the sun this morning but all very grey and dark. The winds are due to get stronger through the day and the sea to build up to 20 feet by tomorrow in exposed parts of the coast.
The images are in reverse order going back into the semi-darkness.
Saturday 20th January
After our 20 minute blizzard normal service has been resumed-mild, windy and the sea picking up. Winds up to 70mph forecast over the next few days so back to wet feet and cameras covered in salt spray.
After our 20 minute blizzard normal service has been resumed-mild, windy and the sea picking up. Winds up to 70mph forecast over the next few days so back to wet feet and cameras covered in salt spray.
Friday 19th January
A real change from yesterday as the snow had all but gone and the sky was clear apart from just a few dark clouds above St Michael's Mount. There had been a heavy frost overnight and clear air was freezing. Even with gloves on my fingers were numb and changing dials and pressing the shutter button was difficult.
Overnight a swell had picked up and over near Marazion there were some surfers taking advantage. With few clouds, once the sun rose, the light was very harsh but was backlighting the wave tops.
Because of the harsh light I've posted one image in b&w which seems to work well due to the high contrast in the scene.
A real change from yesterday as the snow had all but gone and the sky was clear apart from just a few dark clouds above St Michael's Mount. There had been a heavy frost overnight and clear air was freezing. Even with gloves on my fingers were numb and changing dials and pressing the shutter button was difficult.
Overnight a swell had picked up and over near Marazion there were some surfers taking advantage. With few clouds, once the sun rose, the light was very harsh but was backlighting the wave tops.
Because of the harsh light I've posted one image in b&w which seems to work well due to the high contrast in the scene.
Thursday 18th January:
Well what a surprise this morning-I opened the back door before daylight and it was snowing. We haven't seen a snowflake down here for years and down on the promenade there was excitement all around-children, dogs and adults!
The snow was heavy but not for long and as the sun rose over the Lizard we had stunning light, in fact almost unreal.
I presume that's it for another 10 years!
Well what a surprise this morning-I opened the back door before daylight and it was snowing. We haven't seen a snowflake down here for years and down on the promenade there was excitement all around-children, dogs and adults!
The snow was heavy but not for long and as the sun rose over the Lizard we had stunning light, in fact almost unreal.
I presume that's it for another 10 years!
Wednesday 17th January
A dull morning with an icy north easterly wind gave way to lovely winter sun in the afternoon. It was still really chilly down on Praa Sands Beach but it certainly felt more cheerful.
Plenty of walkers out and about, most with dogs, some without but all wrapped up against the cold.
Later a group of school children arrived, all donned up in wetsuits, an after school activity I assume. As they came across the beach with two instructors, they broke into a run and just couldn't wait to get into the sea.
One of the images shows a well known local tree leaning against the crumbling cliff. Once a proud garden eucalyptus but now a "beach" tree and a little less upright every year as it's support is eroded away.
A dull morning with an icy north easterly wind gave way to lovely winter sun in the afternoon. It was still really chilly down on Praa Sands Beach but it certainly felt more cheerful.
Plenty of walkers out and about, most with dogs, some without but all wrapped up against the cold.
Later a group of school children arrived, all donned up in wetsuits, an after school activity I assume. As they came across the beach with two instructors, they broke into a run and just couldn't wait to get into the sea.
One of the images shows a well known local tree leaning against the crumbling cliff. Once a proud garden eucalyptus but now a "beach" tree and a little less upright every year as it's support is eroded away.
Tuesday 16th January
A cold but beautiful early morning photowalk around Penzance Harbour and back along the promenade.
I was out on the end of the pier waiting for the sunrise when an angler came wandering along casting a lure and retrieving as he walked. The angler turned out to be a really lovely chap called Vlad who was more than happy to let me make images of him in action. Vlad lives here with his girlfriend and works as a driver for Amazon. I forgot to ask where he originates from, he's been here three years now and would love to stay permanently. Good luck Vlad and thank you.
When I'd arrived the dock gates were open and just after sunrise Pz 101 set off out to sea.
Walking back along the seafront I couldn't help but take a few more people images as the light behind them as they passed was beautiful.
The images are in the order they were taken, although, because the light was so different on either side of the pier, it may not look like it.
A cold but beautiful early morning photowalk around Penzance Harbour and back along the promenade.
I was out on the end of the pier waiting for the sunrise when an angler came wandering along casting a lure and retrieving as he walked. The angler turned out to be a really lovely chap called Vlad who was more than happy to let me make images of him in action. Vlad lives here with his girlfriend and works as a driver for Amazon. I forgot to ask where he originates from, he's been here three years now and would love to stay permanently. Good luck Vlad and thank you.
When I'd arrived the dock gates were open and just after sunrise Pz 101 set off out to sea.
Walking back along the seafront I couldn't help but take a few more people images as the light behind them as they passed was beautiful.
The images are in the order they were taken, although, because the light was so different on either side of the pier, it may not look like it.
Monday 15th January
An afternoon of ever changing light on Praa Sands Beach. It was another dull grey day and when I got out of the car it was drizzling and chilly. I put my waterproofs on and wandered down onto the sand thinking that perhaps I'd made a mistake.
As you can see in the images from a grey start I ended up with a scene more like a spring afternoon. The sun came out and it was positively warm, I had to take most of my winter clothes off. The images are in the order they were made and all from within a few metres of each other.
An afternoon of ever changing light on Praa Sands Beach. It was another dull grey day and when I got out of the car it was drizzling and chilly. I put my waterproofs on and wandered down onto the sand thinking that perhaps I'd made a mistake.
As you can see in the images from a grey start I ended up with a scene more like a spring afternoon. The sun came out and it was positively warm, I had to take most of my winter clothes off. The images are in the order they were made and all from within a few metres of each other.
Sunday 14th January:
I was down on the beach at Porthcurno about half an hour before sunrise. There was a lot of cloud cover at its thickest where the sun was due to appear. There was no sign of colour and so, like yesterday, I stuck to black and white. After official sunrise light did stream up from behind the thickest cloud to light up the sky above me but the sun never made an appearance while I was on the beach.
I was down on the beach at Porthcurno about half an hour before sunrise. There was a lot of cloud cover at its thickest where the sun was due to appear. There was no sign of colour and so, like yesterday, I stuck to black and white. After official sunrise light did stream up from behind the thickest cloud to light up the sky above me but the sun never made an appearance while I was on the beach.
Saturday 13th January:
What a dark, dreary grey world we're living in at the moment. No sign of the sun down here in West Cornwall, still chilly but at least the wind has dropped. It was up to the north coast this afternoon for a bit of black and white photography on the cliffs at Levant.
What a dark, dreary grey world we're living in at the moment. No sign of the sun down here in West Cornwall, still chilly but at least the wind has dropped. It was up to the north coast this afternoon for a bit of black and white photography on the cliffs at Levant.
Friday 12th January:
Chaos in Penzance as main seafront road is closed and delays of over two minutes expected during the rush hour! I expect it's on news channels all over the world.
This morning the Scillonian (Isles of Scilly Ferry) was put into the dry dock for it's MOT and winter spruce up.
The access to the dry dock is by opening the Ross Bridge which swings rather than go up. This was all done in the dark, to avoid holding up the traffic but once the ship was in the dock the bridge wouldn't close. Two men appeared with lots of tools to fix it meanwhile the dock workers left a sign for the traffic and went in the cafe for breakfast.
Unfortunately I missed the actual docking which would have made some good images with all the lights on.
Chaos in Penzance as main seafront road is closed and delays of over two minutes expected during the rush hour! I expect it's on news channels all over the world.
This morning the Scillonian (Isles of Scilly Ferry) was put into the dry dock for it's MOT and winter spruce up.
The access to the dry dock is by opening the Ross Bridge which swings rather than go up. This was all done in the dark, to avoid holding up the traffic but once the ship was in the dock the bridge wouldn't close. Two men appeared with lots of tools to fix it meanwhile the dock workers left a sign for the traffic and went in the cafe for breakfast.
Unfortunately I missed the actual docking which would have made some good images with all the lights on.
Thursday 11th January
Another bright, cold winters afternoon with hardly a cloud in the sky. Another West Cornwall valley and another photowalk with an infrared camera.
Today it was Nanquidno that leads eventually down to the sea at Nanjulian. Nan is Cornish for valley.
As you walk down towards the sea you pass Nanjulian Mill, now a private house but with waterwheel reattached.
Once past the cottages and houses you walk down through an area devastated in the past by tin streaming with piles of debris still visible. Nature has largely reclaimed the area but there are still small parts of buildings visible and a waterwheel pit clearly positioned west of the stream and right next to the path.
This is a beautiful valley and when you reach the sea you have views to Lands End one way and if you take a short walk east you can see along the red coloured cliffs to Cape Cornwall.
Another bright, cold winters afternoon with hardly a cloud in the sky. Another West Cornwall valley and another photowalk with an infrared camera.
Today it was Nanquidno that leads eventually down to the sea at Nanjulian. Nan is Cornish for valley.
As you walk down towards the sea you pass Nanjulian Mill, now a private house but with waterwheel reattached.
Once past the cottages and houses you walk down through an area devastated in the past by tin streaming with piles of debris still visible. Nature has largely reclaimed the area but there are still small parts of buildings visible and a waterwheel pit clearly positioned west of the stream and right next to the path.
This is a beautiful valley and when you reach the sea you have views to Lands End one way and if you take a short walk east you can see along the red coloured cliffs to Cape Cornwall.
Wednesday 10th January
Clear skies and bright sunshine saw me taking a chilly photowalk with my Fuji infrared camera. I parked at the top of Cot Valley and walked down the valley, following the stream, to Porthnanven and the sea.
Down at the famous boulder beach there was much evidence of recent cliff falls, presumably due the torrential rain we've experienced recently.
Clear skies and bright sunshine saw me taking a chilly photowalk with my Fuji infrared camera. I parked at the top of Cot Valley and walked down the valley, following the stream, to Porthnanven and the sea.
Down at the famous boulder beach there was much evidence of recent cliff falls, presumably due the torrential rain we've experienced recently.
Tuesday 9th January:
Us wimps down here in West Cornwall are not used to this. On the beach this morning, with a fresh easterly wind, it was freezing! Even with gloves on my fingers were numb. It was forecast to be cloudy but at sunrise a hole developed out on the horizon and we had some strange light. I was expecting a UFO to come through the hole at any moment.
Three ladies came down for a swim, thought about it for a while, and then decided to just drink their tea instead.
Further along the seafront the more hardy swimmers were out in force, a fire engine pulled up and the crew went in for their regular dip.
Us wimps down here in West Cornwall are not used to this. On the beach this morning, with a fresh easterly wind, it was freezing! Even with gloves on my fingers were numb. It was forecast to be cloudy but at sunrise a hole developed out on the horizon and we had some strange light. I was expecting a UFO to come through the hole at any moment.
Three ladies came down for a swim, thought about it for a while, and then decided to just drink their tea instead.
Further along the seafront the more hardy swimmers were out in force, a fire engine pulled up and the crew went in for their regular dip.
Monday 8th January:
With a change in the weather a bit of a different approach to my photography was needed. No big waves and so I went inland and up onto the higher ground over looking Mounts Bay.
I took my infrared converted Fuji X-T10 with me and just one lens. Bitterly cold in the north east wind and the light changing all the time. I began with cloud cover but some lovely light beams creeping through over Penzance. Later, as sunset approached, the sky partly cleared to give a final burst of beautiful winter light.
With a change in the weather a bit of a different approach to my photography was needed. No big waves and so I went inland and up onto the higher ground over looking Mounts Bay.
I took my infrared converted Fuji X-T10 with me and just one lens. Bitterly cold in the north east wind and the light changing all the time. I began with cloud cover but some lovely light beams creeping through over Penzance. Later, as sunset approached, the sky partly cleared to give a final burst of beautiful winter light.
Sunday 7th January:
A photowalk to Newlyn, beginning with the first signs of light and colour in the sky and finishing with a brief but beautiful sunrise. The fishermen were landing a big catch of hake.
A photowalk to Newlyn, beginning with the first signs of light and colour in the sky and finishing with a brief but beautiful sunrise. The fishermen were landing a big catch of hake.
Saturday 6th January:
St Michael's Mount Sunrise.
With a change in the weather and lighter winds I made an early morning visit to Marazion. The first image was made about 20 minutes before sunrise. Would have liked a few more clouds but after what we've had recently I shouldn't complain.
St Michael's Mount Sunrise.
With a change in the weather and lighter winds I made an early morning visit to Marazion. The first image was made about 20 minutes before sunrise. Would have liked a few more clouds but after what we've had recently I shouldn't complain.
Friday Part 2
After my sunrise photowalk midmorning my wife and I had a trip down to Porthleven for coffee and cake.
The winter light was lovely and because of the settled weather forecast for the next week they were taking up the wooden beams that protect the inner harbour during rough weather. No sooner were the beams up than the first fishing was off out to sea.
After my sunrise photowalk midmorning my wife and I had a trip down to Porthleven for coffee and cake.
The winter light was lovely and because of the settled weather forecast for the next week they were taking up the wooden beams that protect the inner harbour during rough weather. No sooner were the beams up than the first fishing was off out to sea.
Friday 5th January:
Sunrise Photowalk along Penzance Promenade.
The storms have passed, the rain has stopped and the forecast says we are in for a week of more settled weather.
This morning was lovely, the wind had dropped and the early morning swimmers were able to get back to the open sea instead of the harbour.
Sunrise Photowalk along Penzance Promenade.
The storms have passed, the rain has stopped and the forecast says we are in for a week of more settled weather.
This morning was lovely, the wind had dropped and the early morning swimmers were able to get back to the open sea instead of the harbour.
Thursday Afternoon
This isn't a photo walk it's a photo drive up to Cape Cornwall. Just as everywhere else it seems, we had non stop rain all day but not to be defeated I set off up to the north coast to capture something just a little bit different.
It was dark, wet and windy and on the first image you can see how dark by the light strip along the middle of the left wall which is actually my headlight beam. There was just a thin strip of lighter sky out on the horizon as the rain was predicted to end early in the evening.
This isn't a photo walk it's a photo drive up to Cape Cornwall. Just as everywhere else it seems, we had non stop rain all day but not to be defeated I set off up to the north coast to capture something just a little bit different.
It was dark, wet and windy and on the first image you can see how dark by the light strip along the middle of the left wall which is actually my headlight beam. There was just a thin strip of lighter sky out on the horizon as the rain was predicted to end early in the evening.
Thursday 4th January: Heavy rain all day!
All the colour images I posted yesterday were made looking towards Lands End from the high cliffs a kilometre west of Porthgwarra Cove.I also spent an hour on the east side of the cove looking towards Wireless Point where I was the day before.
The light yesterday was beautiful and because the sky was dark gave a really high contrast scene.
Today's images are edited in black and white which I think is really effective in these conditions.
Porthgwarra by the way is a beautiful spot but is now dominated by holiday homes and an expensive car park. Best avoided in high summer as the long access road is very narrow and you may well spend a lot of time reversing into passing places. Still very worth a visit and a great place to start a spectacular cliff walk towards Lands End.
All the colour images I posted yesterday were made looking towards Lands End from the high cliffs a kilometre west of Porthgwarra Cove.I also spent an hour on the east side of the cove looking towards Wireless Point where I was the day before.
The light yesterday was beautiful and because the sky was dark gave a really high contrast scene.
Today's images are edited in black and white which I think is really effective in these conditions.
Porthgwarra by the way is a beautiful spot but is now dominated by holiday homes and an expensive car park. Best avoided in high summer as the long access road is very narrow and you may well spend a lot of time reversing into passing places. Still very worth a visit and a great place to start a spectacular cliff walk towards Lands End.
Wednesday 3rd January:
This afternoon I set off from home with no real plan and the sky dark and foreboding but as I drove west, towards Lands End, the sun started to make an appearance.
In the end I found myself down at Porthgwarra and it was a good choice. The storm might have passed but the wind was ferocious and there were points along the cliffs west of the cove when you literally had to stop and hold onto something.
The light between the showers was gorgeous and I even had a couple of rainbows but neither in the perfect place. In the images you can see Lands End in the distance with the hotel standing out in the sunshine.
This afternoon I set off from home with no real plan and the sky dark and foreboding but as I drove west, towards Lands End, the sun started to make an appearance.
In the end I found myself down at Porthgwarra and it was a good choice. The storm might have passed but the wind was ferocious and there were points along the cliffs west of the cove when you literally had to stop and hold onto something.
The light between the showers was gorgeous and I even had a couple of rainbows but neither in the perfect place. In the images you can see Lands End in the distance with the hotel standing out in the sunshine.
A quick photowalk along the promenade on Wednesday morning
Tuesday 2nd January- Storm Henk
In the local press-"Storm Henk named by Met Office as 80mph wind and 'danger to life' warning issued."
Of course this meant I had to go out on the cliffs and document some of the action. With the westerly wind so strong I used my local angling knowledge to head to Wireless Point. This is a place I know I can find a little bit of shelter if I scramble and slither down the cliff on the leeward side, would fish here when nowhere else was possible.
Down there I have a different view Porthcurno Bay rather than the normal views you see all the time.
When I came up it was a real struggle battling the wind to get back to the car. I think it's nearly time to get some new slippers and take up pipe smoking.
In the local press-"Storm Henk named by Met Office as 80mph wind and 'danger to life' warning issued."
Of course this meant I had to go out on the cliffs and document some of the action. With the westerly wind so strong I used my local angling knowledge to head to Wireless Point. This is a place I know I can find a little bit of shelter if I scramble and slither down the cliff on the leeward side, would fish here when nowhere else was possible.
Down there I have a different view Porthcurno Bay rather than the normal views you see all the time.
When I came up it was a real struggle battling the wind to get back to the car. I think it's nearly time to get some new slippers and take up pipe smoking.
New Year's Day Sunrise - Happy New Year Everybody
The forecast for today wasn't very promising but when I looked out of the window an hour before sunrise I could already see red tints. By 8 o'clock the sky was on fire as I wandered along the promenade and then Larigan Beach towards Newlyn. Some early morning people images first and some beach photos later.
The forecast for today wasn't very promising but when I looked out of the window an hour before sunrise I could already see red tints. By 8 o'clock the sky was on fire as I wandered along the promenade and then Larigan Beach towards Newlyn. Some early morning people images first and some beach photos later.