Chasing the Light: A Monknash Meander with Toby

The Vale of Glamorgan… it just has a way of captivating you, doesn't it? That raw, untamed coastline, the rolling hills, the ever-changing light. It’s a landscape photographer’s dream, and today, I was living it. My trusty companion, Toby, a red fox Labrador with more energy than a Duracell bunny, was, as always, by my side. Our mission: Monknash Beach at sunset.

We set off from Llantwit Major, the afternoon sun warm on our backs. I’d half expected the cliff paths to be a muddy mess after the recent downpours, but surprisingly, they were bone dry. Well, mostly. That little wooded section near St. Donats, as always, was a different story. A proper squelch-fest. Toby, naturally, reveled in it, emerging covered in mud, tail wagging furiously. Labs, eh?

The clifftop walk was glorious. The sea stretched out like a shimmering turquoise canvas, the air filled with the tang of salt and the cries of gulls. Toby bounded ahead, nose to the ground, exploring every nook and cranny. We reached Nash Point, and I wasn’t surprised to see a gathering of photographers, tripods at the ready, all poised to capture the sunset. Nash Point is a classic for a reason, but I had other plans. Monknash was calling.

This image captures a moment of dramatic transition on a rugged, pebbled beach. The light is the star here, a fierce, golden glow emanating from the lower sky, just kissing the horizon. It casts a long, warm gradient across the scene, contrasting sharply with the dark, almost ominous clouds massing above.

The composition pulls your eye immediately to the light, but the details hold you there. The beach is a mix of textures: smooth, wet pebbles in the foreground reflecting the sunset like scattered jewels, giving way to larger, darker rocks mid-frame. These rocks break up the wave action, which shows a fair bit of energy, the white foam churning against the dark, wet surfaces.

To the right, a massive cliff face dominates, its craggy texture just catching the last vestiges of that golden light, highlighting its imposing scale. The cliff seems to loom over the beach, a silent sentinel.

The overall mood is one of wild beauty, a touch of drama thrown in by the turbulent sky and the active sea. There's a sense of place – you can almost smell the salt air and feel the dampness underfoot. It feels like a moment captured at the edge of day, a fleeting glimpse of raw, natural beauty.

Half an hour later, we arrived at Monknash. Now, this is my kind of beach. No candy floss and deckchairs here. Just a wild expanse of pebbles and rocks, sculpted by the relentless action of the waves. And those waves! They were coming in fast, churning and crashing against the shore. The tide was definitely on the make. I got caught out, actually. A couple of rogue waves soaked me to the bone. Toby, of course, thought it was hilarious.

The image presents a wide, almost cinematic view of a beach at twilight. The sky is a riot of colour, a vibrant clash of warm and cool tones. A blazing orange and yellow sunset dominates the upper centre, radiating outwards with feathery wisps of cloud catching the light like scattered embers. This intense warmth clashes dramatically with the cooler, steel-blue hues of the remaining sky, creating a dynamic, almost turbulent feel.

Below the horizon, the sea stretches out in a muted palette of greys and blues, the waves showing a slight blur from a longer exposure, suggesting movement and a gentle rhythm. The transition from sea to shore is marked by a band of wet sand, reflecting the colours of the sky like a giant mirror, doubling the intensity of the sunset.

Scattered across the foreground are dark, almost bulbous rocks. They appear smooth and well-worn, offering a stark contrast in texture to the swirling water and fiery sky. These rocks provide a sense of depth and scale, anchoring the viewer's eye within the vastness of the scene. The composition leads the eye from the foreground rocks, across the reflective sand, towards the dramatic sky, creating a sense of journey and drawing the viewer into the heart of the landscape. The overall feeling is one of awe and tranquility, a moment of quiet drama at the close of day.

I spent a good hour on Monknash, camera clicking away. The light was just phenomenal. The setting sun painted the sky in shades of orange, gold, and deep purple, reflecting in the wet sand and the rock pools left by the receding tide. The textures were incredible – the smooth, worn pebbles, the jagged edges of the cliffs, the frothy white crests of the waves. There was a real energy to the place, a sense of untamed beauty.

This image presents a dramatic coastal scene at twilight. The sky is a captivating blend of warm and cool tones, with a fiery sunset glowering on the horizon, transitioning upwards into a more subdued, stormy grey. The texture in the clouds is remarkable, hinting at a turbulent atmosphere.

Dominating the left side of the frame is a towering cliff face. Its layered structure is clearly visible, the rough, rocky texture catching the last rays of sunlight, emphasizing its imposing height and ruggedness. The light here is key, grazing the cliff face and creating a beautiful contrast between the warm, illuminated rock and the cool shadows.

The beach in the foreground is a mix of textures and tones. Dark, wet sand stretches towards the ocean, reflecting the colours of the sky in a shimmering, almost painterly way. Scattered across this dark expanse are numerous rocks, varying in size and shape. They break up the reflections and add a sense of depth and dimension to the scene. The receding tide has left patterns in the sand, further enhancing the textural interest.

The ocean itself is a restless presence, with waves crashing against the shore, creating a line of white foam that separates the land from the sea. The long exposure softens the wave action, giving it a slightly ethereal feel, a contrast to the sharp, defined texture of the cliffs and rocks.

The overall composition draws the eye from the illuminated cliff face on the left, across the textured beach and towards the glowing horizon. The image evokes a sense of wild beauty and the powerful forces of nature at play. It's a moment captured at the edge of day, a tranquil yet dramatic scene.

The light shifted and changed, each moment offering a new perspective, a new story to tell. I tried to capture it all, the raw power of the sea, the subtle nuances of the light, the wildness of the landscape. It’s more than just taking a picture; it’s about capturing a feeling, a moment in time.

As the light began to fade, we headed back, not to Llantwit Major, but to the Plough and Harrow. A couple of well-earned pints and a mountain of fish and chips were the perfect way to end a perfect day. Monknash had delivered, as it always does. A reminder of why I love this stretch of coastline so much. It’s a place that gets under your skin, a place that keeps calling you back.