I have decided to embark on a mini project photographing beaches, headland, cliffs and coastal features around south east Cornwall. Work commitments have depleted most of my free time and reduced opportunities, to venture far afield, to chase darks skies. However, I have relished the opportunity to photograph closer to home and re-visit some locations, as well as finding some new places to photograph.
My first trip for this project was to Rame Head. A popular local headland landmark standing dominantly at the east end of the sandy bay of Whitsand. A place I have visited before, but not with the tracker. On this night, the window of dark skies was short between the last light for sunset and moonrise.
The Milky was in the southwest sky, so I had two compositions in mind. The first was capturing the small chapel on top of the windswept headland with the Milky Way glistening brightly to the right.
ISO 1600, F2.8, 420 Second exposure.
My second composition was rushed, with 200 seconds of the exposure being after moonrise! I wanted a central composition of Rame Head, but the inclusion of the ocean on either side. I don’t think this will be a portfolio piece but a nice addition to the project.
ISO 100, F2.8, 420 seconds
A few days later, I decided to journey to neighbouring Whitsand Bay. A long stretch of beach at low tide, which forms many small interesting covers at high tide.
ISO 800, F2.8, 240 Second tracked exposure
What caught my eye with this composition, was the elevated perspective looking down towards Sharrow Point. This night was my favourite of the two shoots. The star sparkled vividly with a calm vibe deserting all around, as night took hold.
For my final image of the night and most recent photo to date, I climbed down to the beach to attain a waters edge composition of Sharrow Point leading out to the Milky Way. My next location is LongStone beach, for when the nights get clear again, is Longstone beach.