Rocks, Reflections, and a Pint at the Plough: A Day Well Spent

Right, settle in, grab a pint, and let me spin you a yarn about a day down the coast. Last week, bit of time off, weather playing ball – blustery, a touch chilly, but dry as a bone. Perfect for a bit of a wander and a chance to give the 5D Mark III a workout. Headed down to Monknash, that stretch of coast towards Southerndown. You know, the one with the cliffs and the rock formations and the ever-changing light.

Toby, my red fox lab, was with me, of course. Full of beans, as always. Down the cliff path we went, him practically dragging me along. Got to the beach, chucked a few stones for him, and then got down to business. Had a couple of shots in mind, wanted to revisit them, see what the light was doing that day.

First up, the waterfall coming off the cliffs. Clambered over the rocks, feeling every one of my years, only to find it was barely a trickle. Ah well, can't control the weather, can we? So, off we went, along the coast towards Monknash. Toby, meanwhile, was off sniffing out every bit of seaweed and dead crab like he was on Masterchef.

Got to a good stretch of sand, the tide was out, and the light was starting to get interesting. This is where I got those shots, all within an hour or so of each other. Funny how the light can change so much in such a short time, isn't it?

Right, lads and lasses, a word to the wise: if you're planning on venturing down to Monknash for a bit of a wander and a photo session like I did, do yourselves a favour and check the tide times first. Wouldn't want to get caught out and end up swimming back to the car with a camera full of seawater, now would we?

And speaking of company, if you fancy joining me for a photo walk sometime, or even just a coffee and a natter about all things photography (or maybe a cheeky pint at the Plough and Harrow), give me a shout. Always up for meeting fellow enthusiasts and sharing a few stories and tips.

Now, where was I? Ah yes, the photos...

Now, the first one... Two rock formations, sitting in a shallow pool, reflecting the sky. The rippled sand leading the eye back to the cliffs, creating that sense of depth. The light was soft, even, highlighting the texture of the sand and the warm tones of the cliffs. It's about capturing the quiet drama of the place, the stillness, the reflections.

Then, the second shot... Another wide one, but this time, the rock formations are in the midground, acting as a visual bridge. The receding waves on the left, a touch of movement, leading the viewer's eye across the sand towards the rocks and the cliffs beyond. The light was a touch warmer now, hinting at the approaching golden hour. This one was about capturing the vastness of the beach, the way the elements interacted – sand, rock, sea, and sky.

And then, there was this other shot from the same stretch. The eye is naturally drawn to those rocks in the foreground, clustered around that little pool of water. The reflections add a bit of depth and interest. The way they're scattered gives a sense of randomness, but it works, creates a natural flow. The sand, that's a good texture, especially with the subtle ripples. The cliffs, they're a strong element, but not overpowering. The muted tones work well with the overall mood of the image. The sky, it's a bit overcast, but that works for this shot. It creates a soft, diffused light, which avoids any harsh shadows and allows the textures and details in the foreground to stand out. It also gives a sense of the vastness of the space, the open sky mirroring the expanse of the beach. The colour palette is restrained, natural. The browns and greys of the sand and rocks, the muted yellows of the cliffs, it all works together to create a cohesive image. It feels like a moment captured, a slice of the landscape, rather than a staged shot.

And finally, this one... First off, what strikes you is the light. That sliver of sun poking through the clouds, it's the focal point, isn't it? It draws your eye up, creates a bit of drama in what's otherwise a pretty calm scene. Then you've got those rocks, scattered across the sand. They're a good compositional element, leading you into the scene, creating a sense of depth. The sand, that's a key part of the shot. You've captured the texture nicely, the ripples and patterns created by the receding tide. The horizon line, it's low, which emphasises the sky and the vastness of the beach. The colours, they're muted, natural. The browns and greys of the sand and rocks, the soft oranges and yellows of the sky, they all work together to create a cohesive image. It feels like a true representation of the scene, not overly processed or manipulated. Overall, it's a decent shot. It's got a good sense of composition, a strong focal point, and a natural feel. It's about capturing a moment, a feeling, rather than just a picture. It's about finding beauty in the everyday, in the ordinary.

Oh, and I almost forgot. Spotted a fisherman down there, and before I knew it, Toby was off, nicking pilchard heads like a furry little Artful Dodger. Cheeky sod. Made for a good laugh, though.

Anyway, after all that, with the light fading and Toby's pilchard breath getting a bit much, I decided to call it a day. Packed up the gear, and headed off to the Plough and Harrow for a well-deserved pint. Can't beat a bit of pub grub and a pint after a day on the coast, can you? It's all part of the experience.

So, there you have it. A day in the life of a landscape photographer. It's not always glamorous, but it's always an adventure. And that's what I love about it. The Vale of Glamorgan, she's a fickle mistress, but she's always got a surprise up her sleeve. And I, for one, can't wait to see what she throws at me next.

Right, I'm off for that pint. Cheers!