Capturing South Stack: A Rainy Adventure in Anglesey.
This month, I want to take you on an unforgettable journey to Anglesey, where I set out to photograph the iconic South Stack lighthouse.
A Family Holiday with an Early Start
Our adventure began as a family holiday with Jade and Bella, with plans for an early start to catch the sunrise and, hopefully, capture my best seascape photo yet. I was aiming for the beautiful golden hour light to illuminate the cliff face and lighthouse.
Weather Challenges
Unfortunately, the weather had other plans. We endured a night of relentless rain and strong winds, making the walk from the hotel to South Stack challenging. The storm subsided a bit by the time we arrived, but it was still windy, limiting the photo opportunities from the cliff edges.
Finding the Perfect Composition
Despite the weather, I managed to find a good spot and was quite pleased with the composition. Ideally, the foreground would have featured wildflowers or snow instead of just rocks, but we work with what we’re given. If it were easy, everyone would be a landscape photographer, right?
Capturing the Moment
I took dozens of photos as the light shifted, using various exposures for blending. I also experimented with different modes on my camera, like hi-res mode and HDR. For the final images, I used a stack of three exposures:
One to capture the pinky and blue sky in the distance.
One for the light on the lighthouse and cliff faces.
One for the exposure and position of the crashing waves.
Overall, I’m pretty happy with the final piece.
Looking Ahead
In an ideal world, I’d like to visit South Stack again. Having a feel for the lay of the land will be advantageous, and hopefully, the weather will be more cooperative next time.
Vlogging Misadventures
This trip also marked my first attempt at vlogging. To say it was a failure would be an understatement. Filming myself and speaking on camera for the first time in dark, wet, and windy conditions was a challenge. The wind was too much even with an external microphone, I quickly gave up on the vlogging for the morning and focused on my photos and meeting Jade for breakfast.
Bonus Moments
As a bonus, we took lots of photos while walking around the small town and the coast. I captured some long exposures of crashing waves that I’m quite happy with. I hadn’t used my filters much before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the results were satisfying.
We also got some great shots and videos of sea birds braving the elements with seemingly no care in the world.
Despite the weather, this trip to South Stack was a memorable adventure filled with challenges, learning experiences, and some fantastic photos. I look forward to sharing more journeys with you in the future!