St Michael's Mount
Ask 100 people to name a landmark in Cornwall and I reckon 99 of them would say St Michael's Mount. Living ten minutes away I have tended to ignore the place as it seems so familiar. Recently though I have started paying regular visits and have really found that enjoyable as conditions change all the time. I've also learned a lot by trying very different techniques. At this stage in my photography journey the point of trips is often more about improving my skills than getting great images.
The classic shot of the Mount uses the causeway as a leading line and I have never been there and not seen photographers lining up for this image. Strangely I have never taken that image as more often than not I love to clamber over the weed covered rocks to try and find something a bit different. Big tip-get studded boots if you are doing this kind of thing regularly-I use my fishing boots.
Either side of low tide is, in my view, the best time to be there as the retreating tide reveals more and more rocks, pools and sand patterns to use as foreground. The causeway shot tends to have more impact if the roadway is dry but with water each side.
Don't be afraid to walk towards Penzance along the beach for more than a mile as there are compositions to be found quite some distance from the Mount itself.
Update June 2022:
Since writing the above some time ago I have spent a lot of time at Marazion sometimes taking classic images of the Mount and others doing what I would call "Marazion Street Photography." I've got to enjoy wandering around the town just looking for things that spark an interest but also seeing how many different views of the Mount I can find. The views I'm talking about are ones you wouldn't see on a chocolate box or jigsaw puzzle. I love the views that include rooftops, chimneys, plants, signs or even bus shelters!
As the Mount is close to me I've taken to visiting regularly at sunrise. Sometimes I go to the beach, anywhere from Penzance to Marazion. On other occasions I'll go east of the Mount onto the rocks. Although the subject remains the same the conditions and composition constantly vary.
Ask 100 people to name a landmark in Cornwall and I reckon 99 of them would say St Michael's Mount. Living ten minutes away I have tended to ignore the place as it seems so familiar. Recently though I have started paying regular visits and have really found that enjoyable as conditions change all the time. I've also learned a lot by trying very different techniques. At this stage in my photography journey the point of trips is often more about improving my skills than getting great images.
The classic shot of the Mount uses the causeway as a leading line and I have never been there and not seen photographers lining up for this image. Strangely I have never taken that image as more often than not I love to clamber over the weed covered rocks to try and find something a bit different. Big tip-get studded boots if you are doing this kind of thing regularly-I use my fishing boots.
Either side of low tide is, in my view, the best time to be there as the retreating tide reveals more and more rocks, pools and sand patterns to use as foreground. The causeway shot tends to have more impact if the roadway is dry but with water each side.
Don't be afraid to walk towards Penzance along the beach for more than a mile as there are compositions to be found quite some distance from the Mount itself.
Update June 2022:
Since writing the above some time ago I have spent a lot of time at Marazion sometimes taking classic images of the Mount and others doing what I would call "Marazion Street Photography." I've got to enjoy wandering around the town just looking for things that spark an interest but also seeing how many different views of the Mount I can find. The views I'm talking about are ones you wouldn't see on a chocolate box or jigsaw puzzle. I love the views that include rooftops, chimneys, plants, signs or even bus shelters!
As the Mount is close to me I've taken to visiting regularly at sunrise. Sometimes I go to the beach, anywhere from Penzance to Marazion. On other occasions I'll go east of the Mount onto the rocks. Although the subject remains the same the conditions and composition constantly vary.
January 2024-a sunrise of surprising colour and light
Sunrise Light
Early morning fog at the Mount
An hour long transition early on May 2nd 2023-thick fog to a beautiful spring morning
Marazion Beach is a great place for people watching and documentary photography.
With a constant stream of visitors and locals engaged in all sorts of activities there's always something to photograph.
The set of images below was taken on an April Evening 2023
With a constant stream of visitors and locals engaged in all sorts of activities there's always something to photograph.
The set of images below was taken on an April Evening 2023
Another rough November dawn
November Dawn 2022
The kind of images you can get from the beach at Long Rock
Before and after a November sunrise
Two mornings at Marazion-one calm and still-the other rough and stormy.
A still sunrise
Horses and the Mount-September 2022
The first sunrise blow of Autumn 2022
Yet another August sunrise with no sun
The sunrise that never happened-August 2022
The 3 images above were taken from the beach at low tide in front of the three tunnels as you enter Penzance
The 4 images above were taken from the beach at Long Rock-there is a large car park- just drive over the railway line
The 4 images above were taken between Red River and the car park slipway in Marazion-free parking in winter.
Sometimes further away can be interesting-these were taken next to Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens