I "saw" this picture in my head a couple of years ago. However, whenever I paid these dunes a visit I never managed to pull it off. Silly really as it's quite a straightforward composition with nothing tricky to set-up. I visit the place several times a year which makes it all the more frustrating.
Each time I have visited this spot conditions just weren't what I needed for my picture; it was too sunny, too cloudy, the tide was in, too many people taking a stroll on the beach below, too windy, etc., etc. (My wife firmly believes I am never happy and to a point she's probably right.)
Each time I have visited this spot conditions just weren't what I needed for my picture; it was too sunny, too cloudy, the tide was in, too many people taking a stroll on the beach below, too windy, etc., etc. (My wife firmly believes I am never happy and to a point she's probably right.)
Earlier this month I had spent the afternoon in Bude and I planned on being near Woolacombe for the sunset but as I drove North a blanket of cloud moved in just as the weather forecast had predicted. As I approached the turn-off for Westward Ho! I decided to return to base for an early finish.
Some time later, while looking out across the bay, I noticed a gap forming in the cloud on the horizon. I had less than an hour before sunset so there was no chance of reaching Woolacombe, but the dunes were only a 15 minute walk away.
Half an hour later I was all set-up waiting for the sun to break through. The gap in the cloud had narrowed and when the sun did break through for a brief few minutes the light was quite subdued. I made one exposure as the sunlight reached it's peak before it quickly faded. The moment was over quickly and I didn't really register how lovely the light actually was. I waited to see what would happen as the sun set and for a while after that just in case, but nothing more was to be had that day.
I returned in darkness happy enough that I had a new picture, but it wasn't until a few days later when I received the processed transparency that I really understood how wonderful that brief light had been. This for me is part of the magic of photography. Although I was there in the flesh to experience the moment, it took a photograph to freeze that moment in order to truly appreciate it.
Some time later, while looking out across the bay, I noticed a gap forming in the cloud on the horizon. I had less than an hour before sunset so there was no chance of reaching Woolacombe, but the dunes were only a 15 minute walk away.
Half an hour later I was all set-up waiting for the sun to break through. The gap in the cloud had narrowed and when the sun did break through for a brief few minutes the light was quite subdued. I made one exposure as the sunlight reached it's peak before it quickly faded. The moment was over quickly and I didn't really register how lovely the light actually was. I waited to see what would happen as the sun set and for a while after that just in case, but nothing more was to be had that day.
I returned in darkness happy enough that I had a new picture, but it wasn't until a few days later when I received the processed transparency that I really understood how wonderful that brief light had been. This for me is part of the magic of photography. Although I was there in the flesh to experience the moment, it took a photograph to freeze that moment in order to truly appreciate it.
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