The image above was taken on November 1st Instagram: #petermaddernphotos Contact: [email protected]
Thursday 30th November:
We're not used to this weather down here! The snow didn't quite reach Penzance but there was some on the higher ground a few miles away. Having said that the wind chill made it feel a tad chilly. Down on Porthcurno Beach I couldn't feel my fingers.
The scene was dark but this made the white water stand out. On the righthand side of the beach a little stream trickles down but there must have been a lot of water coming down recently as a deep sand gorge has been cut leading down to the sea. You can see it in two of the images.
We're not used to this weather down here! The snow didn't quite reach Penzance but there was some on the higher ground a few miles away. Having said that the wind chill made it feel a tad chilly. Down on Porthcurno Beach I couldn't feel my fingers.
The scene was dark but this made the white water stand out. On the righthand side of the beach a little stream trickles down but there must have been a lot of water coming down recently as a deep sand gorge has been cut leading down to the sea. You can see it in two of the images.
Wednesday 29th November:
Heavy snow in West Cornwall today-well not really but you'll see what I mean. Today was dark and grey so, to ring the changes, I went for a photo walk at Botallack with my infrared camera.
For those who like the technical details my camera is an old Fuji X-T10 converted to 720nm. I used a Fuji 18-135mm lens which works well with infrared.
Heavy snow in West Cornwall today-well not really but you'll see what I mean. Today was dark and grey so, to ring the changes, I went for a photo walk at Botallack with my infrared camera.
For those who like the technical details my camera is an old Fuji X-T10 converted to 720nm. I used a Fuji 18-135mm lens which works well with infrared.
Tuesday Evening:
A beautiful sunrise this morning and hoping to end the day on another high note, I drove up to Castle Kenidjack, from where the views across to Cape Cornwall are superb.
When I arrived there were beautiful light rays creeping through gaps in the thick cloud layer. I then had a period of darker skies before the sun appeared through the narrowest of cracks on the horizon.
As soon as the sun dropped below the horizon it went dark as the clouds above where too thick to catch any light.
Twenty minutes after sunset the full moon was due to rise to my right but unfortunately the sky was just too cloudy.
The images are in the order they were taken, starting just over an hour before sunset.
A beautiful sunrise this morning and hoping to end the day on another high note, I drove up to Castle Kenidjack, from where the views across to Cape Cornwall are superb.
When I arrived there were beautiful light rays creeping through gaps in the thick cloud layer. I then had a period of darker skies before the sun appeared through the narrowest of cracks on the horizon.
As soon as the sun dropped below the horizon it went dark as the clouds above where too thick to catch any light.
Twenty minutes after sunset the full moon was due to rise to my right but unfortunately the sky was just too cloudy.
The images are in the order they were taken, starting just over an hour before sunset.
Tuesday 28th November:
A beautiful sunrise over Mounts Bay on a still quiet morning. Swimmers galore enjoying the "warm" conditions including the crew from the local fire station.
A beautiful sunrise over Mounts Bay on a still quiet morning. Swimmers galore enjoying the "warm" conditions including the crew from the local fire station.
Monday 27th November:
A blustery day with lots of heavy showers and a few rainbows popping up here and there. In the afternoon I drove out to Lands End and then along the coast path to the south west.
The wind was really strong as it whipped up over the cliffs and making images facing Lands end was near impossible-standing up was difficult enough. Out on Pordenack Point it was possible to get out of the wind behind the rocks and set up facing Gwennap Head. For most of the time I was there it was really uninspiring but then suddenly, out of the blue, the sun came through a small hole in the otherwise solid cloud.
First of all it lit up the rocks immediately in front of me and then spread across the bay and over the clifftop. It lasted barely a minute and then disappeared as quickly as it had arrived and that was it for the day.
A blustery day with lots of heavy showers and a few rainbows popping up here and there. In the afternoon I drove out to Lands End and then along the coast path to the south west.
The wind was really strong as it whipped up over the cliffs and making images facing Lands end was near impossible-standing up was difficult enough. Out on Pordenack Point it was possible to get out of the wind behind the rocks and set up facing Gwennap Head. For most of the time I was there it was really uninspiring but then suddenly, out of the blue, the sun came through a small hole in the otherwise solid cloud.
First of all it lit up the rocks immediately in front of me and then spread across the bay and over the clifftop. It lasted barely a minute and then disappeared as quickly as it had arrived and that was it for the day.
Sunday 26th November:
Up and out in the dark and over to Newlyn. It was raining on and off but the fishermen's statue was lit up and there are always plenty of lights around the harbour. On the way back I popped into Pickle for an early coffee at it's new winter headquarters behind Newlyn Art Gallery. Lovely and warm inside and mince pies as well as the usual delicious cake or bacon rolls for the meat eaters.
Up and out in the dark and over to Newlyn. It was raining on and off but the fishermen's statue was lit up and there are always plenty of lights around the harbour. On the way back I popped into Pickle for an early coffee at it's new winter headquarters behind Newlyn Art Gallery. Lovely and warm inside and mince pies as well as the usual delicious cake or bacon rolls for the meat eaters.
Saturday 25th November:
Some partly clear skies forecast for sunrise and so I made the effort to get up and drive out to Treen, then walk down the lane to the cliffs above the beach at Pedn Vounder. As the light level rose I could see that someone was down on the beach and it looked liked they'd slept there in the open. You can spot their "camp" up against the rocks. At this point, unbeknown to me, they were in the sea just out of sight to my right. A few minutes later a nude figure wandered up the beach!
There was just the narrowest of cracks on the horizon to let the sun rise into and as it did so a small area of the sky around it turned vivid red. The scene looked more like a volcano erupting on a distant island. The images are in the order they were taken starting 20 minutes before sunrise to 20 minutes after. The last image almost looks the darkest as the sun began to disappear behind the thick clouds.
Some partly clear skies forecast for sunrise and so I made the effort to get up and drive out to Treen, then walk down the lane to the cliffs above the beach at Pedn Vounder. As the light level rose I could see that someone was down on the beach and it looked liked they'd slept there in the open. You can spot their "camp" up against the rocks. At this point, unbeknown to me, they were in the sea just out of sight to my right. A few minutes later a nude figure wandered up the beach!
There was just the narrowest of cracks on the horizon to let the sun rise into and as it did so a small area of the sky around it turned vivid red. The scene looked more like a volcano erupting on a distant island. The images are in the order they were taken starting 20 minutes before sunrise to 20 minutes after. The last image almost looks the darkest as the sun began to disappear behind the thick clouds.
Friday 24th November:
With low tide at 7.30am and the Met Office forecast promising a hint of light at sunrise I went down onto the beach west of St Michael's Mount. There was a lot of heavy cloud scudding across the horizon but luckily enough gaps to allow some glimpses of sunlight and to spread some coloured reflections in front of me.
The first image was made half an hour before sunrise and all were made from exactly the same spot.
With low tide at 7.30am and the Met Office forecast promising a hint of light at sunrise I went down onto the beach west of St Michael's Mount. There was a lot of heavy cloud scudding across the horizon but luckily enough gaps to allow some glimpses of sunlight and to spread some coloured reflections in front of me.
The first image was made half an hour before sunrise and all were made from exactly the same spot.
Thursday 23rd November:
A grey and drizzly afternoon at Porthcurno Beach. No giant waves and no sun to turn the water tropical blue so it was all black and white today. Two images posted, one at 60 seconds and one at 1/320th of a second, giving you a totally different interpretation of the scene.
A grey and drizzly afternoon at Porthcurno Beach. No giant waves and no sun to turn the water tropical blue so it was all black and white today. Two images posted, one at 60 seconds and one at 1/320th of a second, giving you a totally different interpretation of the scene.
Wednesday 22nd November:
Today was forecast to be dull but when I drew back the curtains this morning and looked down the road towards the seafront the sky was all shades of red and orange. A quick camera grab and rush down to the seafront followed and there I was greeted by the most beautiful scene. Two sets of images, the first using a shelter window to frame the scene before the sun rose and the second after sunrise. Both sets document the people on the move as the town wakes up.
Today was forecast to be dull but when I drew back the curtains this morning and looked down the road towards the seafront the sky was all shades of red and orange. A quick camera grab and rush down to the seafront followed and there I was greeted by the most beautiful scene. Two sets of images, the first using a shelter window to frame the scene before the sun rose and the second after sunrise. Both sets document the people on the move as the town wakes up.
Tuesday 21st November:
A late afternoon photo walk.
There were a lot of clouds around but the low sun was finding a few gaps. With the sun setting behind the town I managed to find some interesting silhouettes but I've also included a couple of other random images that took my interest.
A late afternoon photo walk.
There were a lot of clouds around but the low sun was finding a few gaps. With the sun setting behind the town I managed to find some interesting silhouettes but I've also included a couple of other random images that took my interest.
Sunday 19th November:
If you bought a box of Cornish Clotted Cream Fudge on your holiday would you want one of these images on the box?
It was dark and drizzling with the wind so strong it blew the tripod and nearly me over. Surprise, surprise I was the only photographer out this morning.
If you bought a box of Cornish Clotted Cream Fudge on your holiday would you want one of these images on the box?
It was dark and drizzling with the wind so strong it blew the tripod and nearly me over. Surprise, surprise I was the only photographer out this morning.
Friday 17th November:
Wandering around the harbour this morning the light was quite bland and sunrise time came and went with little improvement as clouds blocked the sun.
I had a chat with #lucie_averill who was continuing her search for harbour reflections and after taking a few reflection images myself I wandered back towards the promenade. As I reached the swimming pool and looked over the wall the light suddenly kicked off as the sun found gaps in the cloud cover.
Only a few minutes but enough to make the early rise worthwhile.
Wandering around the harbour this morning the light was quite bland and sunrise time came and went with little improvement as clouds blocked the sun.
I had a chat with #lucie_averill who was continuing her search for harbour reflections and after taking a few reflection images myself I wandered back towards the promenade. As I reached the swimming pool and looked over the wall the light suddenly kicked off as the sun found gaps in the cloud cover.
Only a few minutes but enough to make the early rise worthwhile.
Thursday 16th November:
Today was what I would term an "ordinary day" -no giant waves, no spectacular clouds, no spectacular sunset forecast.
In the afternoon I drove up to Cape Cornwall with the intention of experimenting with some black and white long exposures. As luck (or bad luck) would have it the sun decided to make an appearance for a while and lit up the coloured boulders. I've posted two versions of the same image so you can make your own mind up whether colour or b&w works best.
As we got into the golden hour the sky started to colour up but it only lasted a few minutes before clouds spoilt the spectacle and greyness returned.
Today was what I would term an "ordinary day" -no giant waves, no spectacular clouds, no spectacular sunset forecast.
In the afternoon I drove up to Cape Cornwall with the intention of experimenting with some black and white long exposures. As luck (or bad luck) would have it the sun decided to make an appearance for a while and lit up the coloured boulders. I've posted two versions of the same image so you can make your own mind up whether colour or b&w works best.
As we got into the golden hour the sky started to colour up but it only lasted a few minutes before clouds spoilt the spectacle and greyness returned.
Wednesday 15th November:
Sunrise at Porthcurno Beach.
I arrived at the beach 40 minutes before the official sunrise and as the first image shows it all looked very promising. I had the beach to myself with beautiful pritine sand as the tide was falling. The sea in the first image looks quite calm -this was a 20 second exposure-but every few minutes a set of big swells would roll into the bay.
The light went very dull for a while around official sunrise time as a bank of cloud was hugging the horizon. Twenty minutes later the sun did appear over the cloud but was soon very harsh.
Several swimmers on the beach as the sun appeared, one lady I spoke to later, said she comes down most mornings and if too rough will sometimes drive around to Sennen Harbour.
Sunrise at Porthcurno Beach.
I arrived at the beach 40 minutes before the official sunrise and as the first image shows it all looked very promising. I had the beach to myself with beautiful pritine sand as the tide was falling. The sea in the first image looks quite calm -this was a 20 second exposure-but every few minutes a set of big swells would roll into the bay.
The light went very dull for a while around official sunrise time as a bank of cloud was hugging the horizon. Twenty minutes later the sun did appear over the cloud but was soon very harsh.
Several swimmers on the beach as the sun appeared, one lady I spoke to later, said she comes down most mornings and if too rough will sometimes drive around to Sennen Harbour.
Tuesday 14th November:
I spent more than an hour on the side of a cliff making images of the beautiful scene in front of me. I waited for the sun to light the cliffs but had to make do with about 2 minutes of it.
Having said that the images I've posted were taken on my way home while standing next to the car. As I drove a red ball appeared to my right and that meant a quick halt to capture the last light of the day.
I spent more than an hour on the side of a cliff making images of the beautiful scene in front of me. I waited for the sun to light the cliffs but had to make do with about 2 minutes of it.
Having said that the images I've posted were taken on my way home while standing next to the car. As I drove a red ball appeared to my right and that meant a quick halt to capture the last light of the day.
Monday 13th November:
A sunrise trip to Porthcurno Beach followed by an afternoon visit to capture some chaotic seas on the north coast of West Cornwall. The sunrise didn't quite go to plan although the waves were lovely and I did have a lovely orange glow a bit later. In the afternoon the light was beautiful, really bringing out the colour in the rocks and the white of the crashing seas.
A sunrise trip to Porthcurno Beach followed by an afternoon visit to capture some chaotic seas on the north coast of West Cornwall. The sunrise didn't quite go to plan although the waves were lovely and I did have a lovely orange glow a bit later. In the afternoon the light was beautiful, really bringing out the colour in the rocks and the white of the crashing seas.
Sunday 12th November:
The Met office forecast gave me hope of a spectacular sunrise but over at Marazion all I got was dark grey skies and drizzle. Hardly a soul to be seen and very unusually not another photographer in sight.
The Met office forecast gave me hope of a spectacular sunrise but over at Marazion all I got was dark grey skies and drizzle. Hardly a soul to be seen and very unusually not another photographer in sight.
Saturday 11th November:
After a week of rain, hail, wind and rough seas today dawned calm and still. There was a chill in the air but a perfect morning for a swim - definitely not for me though.
After a week of rain, hail, wind and rough seas today dawned calm and still. There was a chill in the air but a perfect morning for a swim - definitely not for me though.
Friday 10th November:
Another trip down to Porthleven with a storm force 9 blowing. The gale was in the north west so Porthleven was partly sheltered. Down onto the beach first where the waves were bing backlit and the tops being blown off by the offshore wind.
Later I went back to the harbour and made my way down onto some rocks next to the old lifeboat station where waves were swirling around the base of what was the the launching ramp.
Another trip down to Porthleven with a storm force 9 blowing. The gale was in the north west so Porthleven was partly sheltered. Down onto the beach first where the waves were bing backlit and the tops being blown off by the offshore wind.
Later I went back to the harbour and made my way down onto some rocks next to the old lifeboat station where waves were swirling around the base of what was the the launching ramp.
Thursday 9th November:
This afternoon I was battered by hailstones, soaked by rain and blown over by the wind all in the name of photography. I was out on the coast path halfway between Lands End and St. Ives for three hours and never saw another person.
Walking from my car down to the cliffs was approaching impossible with a gale and hailstones straight in my face but I wanted to be down there when the squall passed in case there was some fantastic light and rainbows.
It didn't quite work out as I hoped with only a few minutes of sun in the whole afternoon as in the first image. Violent rain squalls passed through at regular intervals but the sun was never strong enough to give me brilliant rainbows, just a couple of feint ones out over the sea.
This afternoon I was battered by hailstones, soaked by rain and blown over by the wind all in the name of photography. I was out on the coast path halfway between Lands End and St. Ives for three hours and never saw another person.
Walking from my car down to the cliffs was approaching impossible with a gale and hailstones straight in my face but I wanted to be down there when the squall passed in case there was some fantastic light and rainbows.
It didn't quite work out as I hoped with only a few minutes of sun in the whole afternoon as in the first image. Violent rain squalls passed through at regular intervals but the sun was never strong enough to give me brilliant rainbows, just a couple of feint ones out over the sea.
Wednesday 8th November:
Today's diary entry is from four hours spent at Porthleven with an angry sea and a brisk westerly wind. The pier was getting it's usual rough weather battering and in the outer harbour the waves being funnelled in meant a huge rise and fall of water. In the afternoon a hazy sun backlit the waves hitting the pier and made for dramatic wave images.
Today's diary entry is from four hours spent at Porthleven with an angry sea and a brisk westerly wind. The pier was getting it's usual rough weather battering and in the outer harbour the waves being funnelled in meant a huge rise and fall of water. In the afternoon a hazy sun backlit the waves hitting the pier and made for dramatic wave images.
Inside the harbour
Tuesday 7th November:
A quick morning visit to St Michael's Mount saw me sitting in the car while it poured down and then going down onto the beach as it stopped. For a few minutes some lovely clouds passed over the Mount but the rain soon swept across the bay and saw me dashing up to the car.
I went back to Porthcurno Bay this afternoon but this time parked at Treen and climbed (slithered) down onto Pedn Vounder Beach. This is about 400 metres closer to Logan Rock than I was yesterday. I wasn't quite alone as, even in November, there were half a dozen nudists enjoying the Autumn sun. I kept my camera pointing seaward!
The conditions weren't quite as good as yesterday with the waves smaller and a bit messy but it was still beautiful. The sun became hazy mid afternoon and the temperature dropped a few degrees prompting the nudists to cover up.
As a footnote, when I arrived in the car park at Treen, it was pouring down and the sky was black. As it passed a beautiful rainbow appeared. It wasn't in a position to make a great image but I've added it to the post to document the event.
A quick morning visit to St Michael's Mount saw me sitting in the car while it poured down and then going down onto the beach as it stopped. For a few minutes some lovely clouds passed over the Mount but the rain soon swept across the bay and saw me dashing up to the car.
I went back to Porthcurno Bay this afternoon but this time parked at Treen and climbed (slithered) down onto Pedn Vounder Beach. This is about 400 metres closer to Logan Rock than I was yesterday. I wasn't quite alone as, even in November, there were half a dozen nudists enjoying the Autumn sun. I kept my camera pointing seaward!
The conditions weren't quite as good as yesterday with the waves smaller and a bit messy but it was still beautiful. The sun became hazy mid afternoon and the temperature dropped a few degrees prompting the nudists to cover up.
As a footnote, when I arrived in the car park at Treen, it was pouring down and the sky was black. As it passed a beautiful rainbow appeared. It wasn't in a position to make a great image but I've added it to the post to document the event.
Monday 5th November:
Join me for three hours on Porthcurno Beach. A beautiful Autumn afternoon with just the odd brief shower but otherwise sunny and sheltered. Some beautiful clean waves coming into the bay, a pilchard boat scanning for a shoal, an almost empty beach and even a brief rainbow- altogether a lovely afternoon.
Join me for three hours on Porthcurno Beach. A beautiful Autumn afternoon with just the odd brief shower but otherwise sunny and sheltered. Some beautiful clean waves coming into the bay, a pilchard boat scanning for a shoal, an almost empty beach and even a brief rainbow- altogether a lovely afternoon.
Saturday 4th November:
Random images from two hours people watching at Lands End.
Grey skies and rain greeted the few visitors at Lands End this afternoon but there was just a little glimpse of the sun half an hour before sunset. Mobile phones in use all round us but hardly a "real" camera in sight. The bar in the hotel was quite busy and for the first time in a while Alison and I went in for a drink and a bowl of chips.
Random images from two hours people watching at Lands End.
Grey skies and rain greeted the few visitors at Lands End this afternoon but there was just a little glimpse of the sun half an hour before sunset. Mobile phones in use all round us but hardly a "real" camera in sight. The bar in the hotel was quite busy and for the first time in a while Alison and I went in for a drink and a bowl of chips.
Friday 3rd November:
Mostly sunny today with a strong north westerly and still some good waves. I drove out to Rinsey and with the sun to my left casting bright light on the cliffs and waves the contrast was lovely. I felt black and white suited today's scene.
On the way back home I had to stop the car and dash into Marazion Cemetery as the light became unreal when heavy rain began to speed across Mounts Bay.
Mostly sunny today with a strong north westerly and still some good waves. I drove out to Rinsey and with the sun to my left casting bright light on the cliffs and waves the contrast was lovely. I felt black and white suited today's scene.
On the way back home I had to stop the car and dash into Marazion Cemetery as the light became unreal when heavy rain began to speed across Mounts Bay.
Strange happenings over Mount's Bay
Thursday 2nd November:
Up at Cape Cornwall this afternoon the rain cleared and as sunset approached the light and waves were amazing. Out along the horizon thousands of gannets were in a feeding frenzy, you couldn't see them with the naked eye but zooming in with a long lens they were a beautiful sight. When you think how many have died from bird flu it's good to see them having a feast. Every now and then some would venture inside the Brisons and there they were silhouetted against the orange sky.
As the sun sank behind the brisons the colours were beautiful. No wind, no rain you wouldn't know there'd been a storm-well apart from the waves of course.
Up at Cape Cornwall this afternoon the rain cleared and as sunset approached the light and waves were amazing. Out along the horizon thousands of gannets were in a feeding frenzy, you couldn't see them with the naked eye but zooming in with a long lens they were a beautiful sight. When you think how many have died from bird flu it's good to see them having a feast. Every now and then some would venture inside the Brisons and there they were silhouetted against the orange sky.
As the sun sank behind the brisons the colours were beautiful. No wind, no rain you wouldn't know there'd been a storm-well apart from the waves of course.
Wednesday 1st November:
With the wind getting stronger as the day wore on and rain forecast by late afternoon I took a drive along the south coast to Porthleven. The sea was rough but all very messy and not really photogenic. I wandered around Porthleven where people were getting blown around but in the end didn't take an image. On the way back I resorted to the old favourite of St Michael's Mount. The sky was getting blacker by the minute and this made for superb contrast between waves and sky.
With the wind getting stronger as the day wore on and rain forecast by late afternoon I took a drive along the south coast to Porthleven. The sea was rough but all very messy and not really photogenic. I wandered around Porthleven where people were getting blown around but in the end didn't take an image. On the way back I resorted to the old favourite of St Michael's Mount. The sky was getting blacker by the minute and this made for superb contrast between waves and sky.