Photographing Godrevy lighthouse in a storm has been on my ‘bucket list’ for ages, so when I noticed the weather forecast at 10.00 pm on Sunday I contacted friends who I thought may be able to come with me! (Ali doesn’t like me going too far on my own these days what with my body giving me grief all the time). I was very relieved when our good friend Jane Kearny (a very accomplished photographer) came up trumps and said yes. Plans made and we were off first thing on Monday morning.
We arrived safely (stayed on A and B roads and took my time) and wow, omg, bl___dy hell, just a few of the comments we made upon arrival. I have never experienced waves and wind like it. Just getting out of the car was interesting. We found a good, safe vantage point and thoroughly enjoyed the spectacle. We would have liked a slightly lower viewing angle to show the size of the waves more but this was not possible. As high tide approached unfortunately the clouds also rolled in, made for some interesting light conditions. While there I got chatting (about photography lol) to a nice chap called Kevin (I think) a volunteer coast guard who got a call out while we talking to him, so I hope he and everyone are ok.
Hope you like the photos it actually stopped raining for most of our time there! I’m still not quite sure how I managed to get anything given the conditions. I would normally use a tripod for this type of land/sea scape but there was just too much spray and wind on this occasion. I know you can buy ‘rain’ covers but to be honest I always find them a bit fiddly. Therefore, I used some perhaps unusual settings for landscape but they have always worked extremely well for me in conditions like this.
ISO – 2500, F-stop around f/11, shutter speed above 1/1000sec, focus mode AI SERVO, central focus point & cluster, RAW files, faithful picture style, WB – cloudy (6200K).
Note unless your camera has a very quick and I mean instant auto focus system, then use ‘one shot’ or pre-focus the scene first and switch the lens to manual focus to avoid the auto focus ‘hunting’ and missing the shot.
I only used AI SERVO because I knew the camera would obtain focus instantly as I composed the image to exactly where I wanted it. Bearing in mind that I had to sit with the camera shielded by my body and only whip it around when big waves arrived. I had everything ready settings wise and just needed to compose and shoot. Most shots were slightly overexposed about two thirds and I would have liked to have used an ND filter but there was just too much spray and foam blowing about. A good lens hood and plenty of micro fibre cloths are essential.
Images, mostly taken with the Canon 7DMKII and 100-400mm L MKII. I would have preferred to use my full frame Nikon but I had awful condensation issues last time I used it conditions like this. Needs a good service I think. Ideally, I would have liked to have got a bit closer and used a wider lens, but it was not safe to do so, in my opinion. Everything including us got a bit salty so when I got home I cleaned cameras (externally) and equipment with an alcohol based wipe and then thoroughly dried everything with a cloth. Given the conditions, any lens changes were made back in the car!
Rupert ‘Jack’ Clegg Owner Exmoor Photography http://www.exmoorphotography.co.uk/p465973668
As always to book your photography course with us here at Exmoor Photography, please visit the website here or contact Jack or Alison on the following number.
W: www.exmoorphotographycourse.co.uk
T: 01643 862026
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