Monday 29th November:
Another grey day but at least it was dry and not too windy. Mid morning I drove down to the Hayle Estuary and parked on the Lelant side at Dynamite Quay. It was just about high tide as I walked along the estuary out to the corner where Porthkidney Beach comes in to view. The channel of the river is marked by a wonky line of poles that guide the fishing boats in and out. From here you get distant views of Godrevy Lighthouse across the bay. After spending over an hour here I made my way back up to the car and after a cup of tea spent some time walking the opposite way up river towards Lelant Station.
Another grey day but at least it was dry and not too windy. Mid morning I drove down to the Hayle Estuary and parked on the Lelant side at Dynamite Quay. It was just about high tide as I walked along the estuary out to the corner where Porthkidney Beach comes in to view. The channel of the river is marked by a wonky line of poles that guide the fishing boats in and out. From here you get distant views of Godrevy Lighthouse across the bay. After spending over an hour here I made my way back up to the car and after a cup of tea spent some time walking the opposite way up river towards Lelant Station.
Sunday 28th November:
With the wind gradually easing through the day, by mid afternoon it was quite calm but very grey. We drove down to Lands End and spent some time on the cliffs above the Armed Knight (the island to the left and below the hotel). Very few people about now as winter sets in such a change from a few weeks ago. All black and white today- not that colour would have looked much different.
With the wind gradually easing through the day, by mid afternoon it was quite calm but very grey. We drove down to Lands End and spent some time on the cliffs above the Armed Knight (the island to the left and below the hotel). Very few people about now as winter sets in such a change from a few weeks ago. All black and white today- not that colour would have looked much different.
Friday 26th November:
With Storm Arwen approaching the north west wind was getting stronger and stronger as the day wore on. In the afternoon the rainfall radar was showing a spell clear of the heavy showers. We made our way down to Porthcurno, parked in the main car park (now free for the winter) and went for a walk up the hill to the Minack Theatre. We spent some time taking images around the theatre car park area and then walked along the coast path to Wireless Point as far as the top of Porthchapel Beach. The sea in the bay was relatively calm and the sun was casting some lovely light on Pedn and Logan Rock. Over at Pedn three nude ladies were doing gymnastics on the sandbar after a swim-not a sight you see every day. Luckily for them I didn't have a really long lens with me. Everything today handheld and a few taken with the little infrared camera for a bit of variety.
With Storm Arwen approaching the north west wind was getting stronger and stronger as the day wore on. In the afternoon the rainfall radar was showing a spell clear of the heavy showers. We made our way down to Porthcurno, parked in the main car park (now free for the winter) and went for a walk up the hill to the Minack Theatre. We spent some time taking images around the theatre car park area and then walked along the coast path to Wireless Point as far as the top of Porthchapel Beach. The sea in the bay was relatively calm and the sun was casting some lovely light on Pedn and Logan Rock. Over at Pedn three nude ladies were doing gymnastics on the sandbar after a swim-not a sight you see every day. Luckily for them I didn't have a really long lens with me. Everything today handheld and a few taken with the little infrared camera for a bit of variety.
Thursday 25th November:
An early morning trip over to Marazion where at least it would be sheltered from the chilly northerly wind. It was approaching high tide when I arrived and still over half an hour to sunrise. I went down to the Orange landing stage but then made my way along the pebble beach to my left and out on to some rocks that just being gently washed over by the very small waves. Before sunrise I shot in black & white, switching to colour as the sun rose at right angles to the Mount.
An early morning trip over to Marazion where at least it would be sheltered from the chilly northerly wind. It was approaching high tide when I arrived and still over half an hour to sunrise. I went down to the Orange landing stage but then made my way along the pebble beach to my left and out on to some rocks that just being gently washed over by the very small waves. Before sunrise I shot in black & white, switching to colour as the sun rose at right angles to the Mount.
Tuesday 23rd November:
I went for a late afternoon walk on the coastal footpath east of Lands End today. Just my little Panasonic GX9 and one lens. As sunset approached the north east wind died away and some interesting high clouds began to light up. Out in the bay huge tuna were jumping and gannets diving around them.
I went for a late afternoon walk on the coastal footpath east of Lands End today. Just my little Panasonic GX9 and one lens. As sunset approached the north east wind died away and some interesting high clouds began to light up. Out in the bay huge tuna were jumping and gannets diving around them.
Monday Afternoon:
Parking at Treen, I walked across the fields to Logan Rock. Once there I scrambled down onto the rocks and then onto the little beach under the saddle of the headland. The conditions at the moment are not at all conducive to good photography-the sea is more or less flat calm, there's not a cloud in the sky and that makes the light very harsh. You can see where I was on yesterday's images- beautiful views and good exercise but no great images.
Parking at Treen, I walked across the fields to Logan Rock. Once there I scrambled down onto the rocks and then onto the little beach under the saddle of the headland. The conditions at the moment are not at all conducive to good photography-the sea is more or less flat calm, there's not a cloud in the sky and that makes the light very harsh. You can see where I was on yesterday's images- beautiful views and good exercise but no great images.
Monday 22nd November:
Up and out well before sunrise on the chilliest day of the autumn so far. A fresh north easterly wind blowing with hardly a cloud in the sky. I went over to Newlyn but instead of going around to the harbour I went up amongst the streets and houses on the hill to look for some different views over the harbour and across to Penzance. No spectacular sunrise because the sky was so clear.
Up and out well before sunrise on the chilliest day of the autumn so far. A fresh north easterly wind blowing with hardly a cloud in the sky. I went over to Newlyn but instead of going around to the harbour I went up amongst the streets and houses on the hill to look for some different views over the harbour and across to Penzance. No spectacular sunrise because the sky was so clear.
Sunday 21st November:
A change in the weather this weekend. If it wasn't for the cold, brisk northerly wind the scene at Porthcurno this afternoon was just like summer. The water was calm and gin clear with a tropical turquoise colour.
A change in the weather this weekend. If it wasn't for the cold, brisk northerly wind the scene at Porthcurno this afternoon was just like summer. The water was calm and gin clear with a tropical turquoise colour.
Friday 19th November:
A few hours at Godrevy today, an hour on the beach at low tide, lunch overlooking the sea and the final hour on the cliffs to the east of the lighthouse. A very grey day but over a hundred surfers in the water and a similar number of dog walkers and families on the beach.The seal cove beach covered in pregnant females on the verge of giving birth and a steady flow of visitors going up the path for a view.
A few hours at Godrevy today, an hour on the beach at low tide, lunch overlooking the sea and the final hour on the cliffs to the east of the lighthouse. A very grey day but over a hundred surfers in the water and a similar number of dog walkers and families on the beach.The seal cove beach covered in pregnant females on the verge of giving birth and a steady flow of visitors going up the path for a view.
Thursday November 18th:
Set off mid morning heading towards Hayle and found myself eventually on Gwithian Towans and then down on to the beach. It was grey with drizzle in the air as I wandered through the dunes and along the shoreline. Lots and lots of dog walkers as the spring tide had revealed miles of sand. No sun at all but the light did keep changing as the mist and clouds came and went.
Set off mid morning heading towards Hayle and found myself eventually on Gwithian Towans and then down on to the beach. It was grey with drizzle in the air as I wandered through the dunes and along the shoreline. Lots and lots of dog walkers as the spring tide had revealed miles of sand. No sun at all but the light did keep changing as the mist and clouds came and went.
Wednesday 17th November:
There was the promise of a sunrise this morning and so I went off down to Long Rock Beach as at the moment the sun is rising above the Mount from there. I was there 40 minutes before sunrise and the sky was already showing pink but actually this was almost as good as it got. As the sun started to peak above the horizon the clouds appeared like a curtain and within minutes all was grey. Using my Lumix G9 today as I haven't got the filter rings I need for the Fuji.
There was the promise of a sunrise this morning and so I went off down to Long Rock Beach as at the moment the sun is rising above the Mount from there. I was there 40 minutes before sunrise and the sky was already showing pink but actually this was almost as good as it got. As the sun started to peak above the horizon the clouds appeared like a curtain and within minutes all was grey. Using my Lumix G9 today as I haven't got the filter rings I need for the Fuji.
Tuesday Afternoon:
Another quick trip up to Levant mostly to play with the Fuji camera before they collect it again on Thursday. I wasn't so keen this time on the jpegs using Fuji's film simulations so the images below are from the raw files. Not sure they work so well with seascapes and cliffs but then I would need to experiment a lot more if ever I bought one. The two minute exposure was made by holding the filter in front of the camera with my hand as I don't have the right adapters for this camera.
Another quick trip up to Levant mostly to play with the Fuji camera before they collect it again on Thursday. I wasn't so keen this time on the jpegs using Fuji's film simulations so the images below are from the raw files. Not sure they work so well with seascapes and cliffs but then I would need to experiment a lot more if ever I bought one. The two minute exposure was made by holding the filter in front of the camera with my hand as I don't have the right adapters for this camera.
Tuesday 16th November:
Walking around Newlyn in the dark this morning, no wind but very grey. The reflections were good in the harbour and lots of small boats off out mackereling. Had a new toy to try out. Came across an advert from Fuji offering to lend out cameras to people thinking of buying one so applied for a loan and they sent me a Fuji X-S10 with 16-80mm f/4 lens. Took it with me this morning and had a go at using their film simulations. All the colour images below are shot using the Fuji Velvia simulation and the B&W using the Acros simulation. In the dark I was using ISO 1600 and handholding down to half a second and I must admit was very impressed with the camera and it's colours. Although the images never look great on this site, due to having to load low resolution versions, on my computer screen there is impressive amount of detail and little noise in the film simulation jpegs. No sunrise but just a hint of red in the sky as daylight took over.
Walking around Newlyn in the dark this morning, no wind but very grey. The reflections were good in the harbour and lots of small boats off out mackereling. Had a new toy to try out. Came across an advert from Fuji offering to lend out cameras to people thinking of buying one so applied for a loan and they sent me a Fuji X-S10 with 16-80mm f/4 lens. Took it with me this morning and had a go at using their film simulations. All the colour images below are shot using the Fuji Velvia simulation and the B&W using the Acros simulation. In the dark I was using ISO 1600 and handholding down to half a second and I must admit was very impressed with the camera and it's colours. Although the images never look great on this site, due to having to load low resolution versions, on my computer screen there is impressive amount of detail and little noise in the film simulation jpegs. No sunrise but just a hint of red in the sky as daylight took over.
Monday Afternoon:
I had no plans to go out in the afternoon but made a last minute decision to go up to Levant. All the way up the mist was getting thicker and I thought I might well be turning around and coming straight home. As I arrived, suddenly, a patch of light lit up Pendeen Lighthouse. I jumped out of the car and took a few images as I knew it wasn't going to last long. Thinking that was it I made my way down through the mine workings and my luck was in because as I arrived the sun popped out again and just lit up the lighthouse in the distance, nothing else just the lighthouse. Quite strange really and there was even a faint rainbow-so glad I made the effort. The sun soon disappeared and the mist started to roll in which actually made for some real atmosphere above the big waves hitting the cliffs.
I had no plans to go out in the afternoon but made a last minute decision to go up to Levant. All the way up the mist was getting thicker and I thought I might well be turning around and coming straight home. As I arrived, suddenly, a patch of light lit up Pendeen Lighthouse. I jumped out of the car and took a few images as I knew it wasn't going to last long. Thinking that was it I made my way down through the mine workings and my luck was in because as I arrived the sun popped out again and just lit up the lighthouse in the distance, nothing else just the lighthouse. Quite strange really and there was even a faint rainbow-so glad I made the effort. The sun soon disappeared and the mist started to roll in which actually made for some real atmosphere above the big waves hitting the cliffs.
Monday 15th November:
Another grey still morning but this time at Penzance Harbour. The inner harbour was mirror like giving some good reflections. Plenty of activity as the Co-op lorries queued up to fill the Gry Maritha with loo rolls and baked beans for the Isles of Scilly. Meanwhile on the adjacent wall the Scillonian is moored up for it's winter M.O.T and spruce up. For the next few months if you want to get to the Isles it's fly only. The outer harbour is now nearly empty as all the pleasure boats have been lifted out before the worst of the weather arrives.
Another grey still morning but this time at Penzance Harbour. The inner harbour was mirror like giving some good reflections. Plenty of activity as the Co-op lorries queued up to fill the Gry Maritha with loo rolls and baked beans for the Isles of Scilly. Meanwhile on the adjacent wall the Scillonian is moored up for it's winter M.O.T and spruce up. For the next few months if you want to get to the Isles it's fly only. The outer harbour is now nearly empty as all the pleasure boats have been lifted out before the worst of the weather arrives.
Sunday 14th November:
An early morning walk to Newlyn Harbour on a grey misty morning. Started on Larigan Beach with some vintage black and white images before heading around the fish market and out onto one of the piers. Fishing boats unloading and gig rowers heading out for some training. Very still this morning, so although there was no hint of sun there were still some pleasing reflections. Some lovely paintings by Henrietta Graham have appeared on the fish market wall, you can see three of them below. I have taken an image of the code so that you can look up her work-really lovely.
An early morning walk to Newlyn Harbour on a grey misty morning. Started on Larigan Beach with some vintage black and white images before heading around the fish market and out onto one of the piers. Fishing boats unloading and gig rowers heading out for some training. Very still this morning, so although there was no hint of sun there were still some pleasing reflections. Some lovely paintings by Henrietta Graham have appeared on the fish market wall, you can see three of them below. I have taken an image of the code so that you can look up her work-really lovely.
Saturday 13th November:
No trip out today but below is another image from yesterday. On the way home from Sennen we popped down to Porth Nanven. It was all a bit messy as by now the tide was getting low and the water was full of weed but the Brisons had a burst of sunlight on them. Just managed to get an image before the sun disappeared again.
No trip out today but below is another image from yesterday. On the way home from Sennen we popped down to Porth Nanven. It was all a bit messy as by now the tide was getting low and the water was full of weed but the Brisons had a burst of sunlight on them. Just managed to get an image before the sun disappeared again.
Friday 12th November:
A trip down to Sennen to see the big waves today. Some lovely sea conditions, could have done with some light but then you can't have everything. Lots of people around with that phones at arms length pose, not sure why it never occured to me to take a few people images as well. Spent some time by the breakwater and some time up on the cliffs, in the wind. Just a burst of sunshine would have made all the difference.
A trip down to Sennen to see the big waves today. Some lovely sea conditions, could have done with some light but then you can't have everything. Lots of people around with that phones at arms length pose, not sure why it never occured to me to take a few people images as well. Spent some time by the breakwater and some time up on the cliffs, in the wind. Just a burst of sunshine would have made all the difference.
Thursday 11th November:
A very grey day with a brisk southerly wind. The sea had gone down since yesterday but due to be really big tomorrow. We went down to the mouth of Kenidjack Valley looking across to Cape Cornwall. Quite a lot of water coming down the stream and causing some new waterfalls over the rocks and down to the sea. The huge boulders littering the shoreline between Kenidjack and the Cape are fascinating and I'm sure have an interesting geological explanation presumably to do with changing sea levels over millions of years. Just before sunset the wild horses began to play on the back ridge of Cape Cornwall giving some interesting silhouettes.
A very grey day with a brisk southerly wind. The sea had gone down since yesterday but due to be really big tomorrow. We went down to the mouth of Kenidjack Valley looking across to Cape Cornwall. Quite a lot of water coming down the stream and causing some new waterfalls over the rocks and down to the sea. The huge boulders littering the shoreline between Kenidjack and the Cape are fascinating and I'm sure have an interesting geological explanation presumably to do with changing sea levels over millions of years. Just before sunset the wild horses began to play on the back ridge of Cape Cornwall giving some interesting silhouettes.
Wednesday 10th November:
Mid afternoon we went down to Sennen Beach to do a bit of people and wave watching, just wandering along the beach with camera in hand. The tide was out and that always means, if the weather is reasonable, the beach will be busy with dog walkers, surfers and lots of other folk out for a stroll. It was mainly grey but the sun did keep popping through now and again. A good swell running and due to be really big by the end of the week.
Mid afternoon we went down to Sennen Beach to do a bit of people and wave watching, just wandering along the beach with camera in hand. The tide was out and that always means, if the weather is reasonable, the beach will be busy with dog walkers, surfers and lots of other folk out for a stroll. It was mainly grey but the sun did keep popping through now and again. A good swell running and due to be really big by the end of the week.
Tuesday 9th November:
A peaceful pre-dawn walk along the seafront and around the harbour. The sky was looking promising for a sunrise and in fact the blue hour light was subdued and in many ways made for better images.
A peaceful pre-dawn walk along the seafront and around the harbour. The sky was looking promising for a sunrise and in fact the blue hour light was subdued and in many ways made for better images.
Monday 8th November:
After lunch I drove down to Sennen Beach to have another wander along the low tide line to the rocks at the far end. The tide was just starting to make and so I played around amongst the weed and rocks as the waves began to run up the beach. It was very grey to start with and so I composed everything as black and whites images but after an hour we had some sunshine come through. As I walked back I made a detour into the sand dunes which I have been meaning to explore to try and emulate some of the sand dune photography I have seen online. The sun had more or less disappeared by now and I think light on the marram grass is a must.
After lunch I drove down to Sennen Beach to have another wander along the low tide line to the rocks at the far end. The tide was just starting to make and so I played around amongst the weed and rocks as the waves began to run up the beach. It was very grey to start with and so I composed everything as black and whites images but after an hour we had some sunshine come through. As I walked back I made a detour into the sand dunes which I have been meaning to explore to try and emulate some of the sand dune photography I have seen online. The sun had more or less disappeared by now and I think light on the marram grass is a must.
Sunday 7th November:
A peaceful dawn walk around Penzance Harbour. Only a brief glimpse of the sun on the horizon before it rose behind the clouds. It is so much quieter in West Cornwall now that we are in to November.
A peaceful dawn walk around Penzance Harbour. Only a brief glimpse of the sun on the horizon before it rose behind the clouds. It is so much quieter in West Cornwall now that we are in to November.
Saturday 6th November:
Blowing a westerly gale today with sunshine and showers. We drove down to Lands End at lunchtime just for something to do really and have a picnic! In the wind it was freezing-the picnic was in the car- but just offshore was a total outdoor feeding frenzy with thousands of gannets, gulls and a few tuna in amongst them.
Blowing a westerly gale today with sunshine and showers. We drove down to Lands End at lunchtime just for something to do really and have a picnic! In the wind it was freezing-the picnic was in the car- but just offshore was a total outdoor feeding frenzy with thousands of gannets, gulls and a few tuna in amongst them.
Thursday 4th November:
A day of heavy showers with some sunshine in between. In the afternoon we went up to Porth Nanven, where in the valley, it was partly out of the northerly wind. The sea was much calmer than yesterday and the light very harsh to start with. I went up onto the higher coast path to the west and from there you get views along the bracken covered cliffs to Cape Cornwall. I did go down on to the boulder beach for sunset but it was soon snuffed out by the cloud on the horizon. I also took a few images just to show the cliffs above which are famous for their geological formation, illustrating the differences in sea level over millions of years. Rockfalls are quite frequent at the moment and I never feel comfortable being too close to the cliffs here.
A day of heavy showers with some sunshine in between. In the afternoon we went up to Porth Nanven, where in the valley, it was partly out of the northerly wind. The sea was much calmer than yesterday and the light very harsh to start with. I went up onto the higher coast path to the west and from there you get views along the bracken covered cliffs to Cape Cornwall. I did go down on to the boulder beach for sunset but it was soon snuffed out by the cloud on the horizon. I also took a few images just to show the cliffs above which are famous for their geological formation, illustrating the differences in sea level over millions of years. Rockfalls are quite frequent at the moment and I never feel comfortable being too close to the cliffs here.
Not the beach beneath my feet but the cliffs above my head
Wednesday 3rd November:
A strong, cold, northerly blowing today with grey skies and rain in the morning. After lunch it did brighten up so we headed up to Cape Cornwall as I knew that down in Priests Cove we would be out of worst of the wind. At first sight it looked dramatic but was difficult to photograph as the sky was clear in some parts, cloudy in others and there was a narrow strip of cloud along the horizon that made images of the Brisons no good at all except for a few minutes when some sun rays tried to break through. For half an hour it was really warm but as soon as the sun was hidden it was decidedly chilly. Some big seas whipped up by the wind made some dramatic shapes as they hit the rocks but sunset was a complete washout as the cloud on the horizon snuffed out the light.
A strong, cold, northerly blowing today with grey skies and rain in the morning. After lunch it did brighten up so we headed up to Cape Cornwall as I knew that down in Priests Cove we would be out of worst of the wind. At first sight it looked dramatic but was difficult to photograph as the sky was clear in some parts, cloudy in others and there was a narrow strip of cloud along the horizon that made images of the Brisons no good at all except for a few minutes when some sun rays tried to break through. For half an hour it was really warm but as soon as the sun was hidden it was decidedly chilly. Some big seas whipped up by the wind made some dramatic shapes as they hit the rocks but sunset was a complete washout as the cloud on the horizon snuffed out the light.
Tuesday 2nd November:
With some lovely sunshine, in between the heavy showers, we spent five hours today at Godrevy. The tide was half in when we arrived with some lovely light on the lighthouse and enough swell to provide some interest. Lots of people around, mostly to see the seals, but quite a lot of photographers. Had a good chat with Gordon, one of them, down on the rocks. Gordon is going to send me one of his images taken with his Nikon Z7 so that I can judge if a full frame 47mp sensor is worth me upgrading. I think us pensioners need the Chancellor to give us a £5000 payment to see us through the winter!
With some lovely sunshine, in between the heavy showers, we spent five hours today at Godrevy. The tide was half in when we arrived with some lovely light on the lighthouse and enough swell to provide some interest. Lots of people around, mostly to see the seals, but quite a lot of photographers. Had a good chat with Gordon, one of them, down on the rocks. Gordon is going to send me one of his images taken with his Nikon Z7 so that I can judge if a full frame 47mp sensor is worth me upgrading. I think us pensioners need the Chancellor to give us a £5000 payment to see us through the winter!
Monday Afternoon:
Mid afternoon we drove up to St Just and then down Cot Valley to Porth Nanven. Some nice waves rolling in and dramatic clouds over the Brisons. No real sunlight and what promised to be a good sunset fizzled out as the cloud thickened. Half a dozen other photographers around all hoping for that killer sunset image.
Mid afternoon we drove up to St Just and then down Cot Valley to Porth Nanven. Some nice waves rolling in and dramatic clouds over the Brisons. No real sunlight and what promised to be a good sunset fizzled out as the cloud thickened. Half a dozen other photographers around all hoping for that killer sunset image.
Monday 1st November:
Another month begins with rain, clouds and sunshine, often all at the same time. The beach at Marazion is covered in weed after the rough weather over the weekend. Seems quieter now with half term over and only a few dog walkers around- not another photographer in sight. A very short glimpse of the sun ten minutes after sunrise but mostly cloudy.
Another month begins with rain, clouds and sunshine, often all at the same time. The beach at Marazion is covered in weed after the rough weather over the weekend. Seems quieter now with half term over and only a few dog walkers around- not another photographer in sight. A very short glimpse of the sun ten minutes after sunrise but mostly cloudy.