Happisburgh was chosen for this week’s sunrise trip.
With a meet at 05:20, it meant a 04:30 rise and shine for me – ouch!
I got there at 05:15ish to find the chaps had already parked up and some were just about ready to rock ‘n’ roll!
The Shoot
We knew ahead there would be a low tide which meant being able to access the beach behind the rocks and where most of the groynes and other sea defence features exist.
Before we got there though, the sunrise started to emerge and we could see very quickly we were going to be in for a treat.
Within less than ten minutes, were treated to an epic sky…
In my edit of the above shot, I’ve kept the blurry bird in on the right hand side as I think it adds just a little something extra.
Another twenty minutes and the pink sky had subsided but it was still appealing – I decided to try for a long exposure at just a smidgeon over four minutes.
As I’ve observed in recent weeks, the sunrises are now emerging very quickly which means it gets brighter faster.
Eagle eyed readers will notice an upright post in the second shot but not in the first. You’ve guessed it… I cloned it out as I felt the image needed to be simplified.
It’s not so necessary in the second shot since the more minimalist image works fine. All of that under the banner of “in my humble opinion”.
Both of the above shots have been denoised in Lightroom and been whizzed through Nik Color Efex, although the first shot has gone up online with a less clean image and the bird cloned out. Who cares? Probably no-one, but if you’ve come here to read my blog, enjoy the better version! 👌🏻
Drone Time – We Have Lift Off
It was time to launch the drone – Happisburgh has been a location I’ve been keen to start getting some drone shots in my basket.
Of course, the lighthouse was the priority to start with – below is my first photo.
I realised once this shot was in post production that my composition is off – the top of the lighthouse is hindered by buildings behind it.
Even more frustrating is that this was my only still image, although on a more positive note, of course I can go back and get more images in future.
The next image I snagged was one of the collapsed ramp and cliff edge / coastline.
For those that know this location, it will be interesting to see shots like this to see how much erosion there has been and to what extent are we losing more and more land.
Next up was the flyover of groynes to see if there was any shots of interest from above.
I quite like the next capture converted to monochrome,
Next up is a shot from higher up.
Here’s a 1×1 square crop view.
I landed the drone and decided to get a couple more shots.
Just a couple more shots
Walking up the beach to find my fellow photographers, I could see plenty of seascape potential, but I was starting to feel like I’d had enough.
I decided to grab two final shots, one of these strange looking concrete blocks.
And for my final shot, I snared the image below which I’m quite pleased with:
And that was a wrap.
Reflections and learning
I should’ve taken more photos as the opportunities were endless and the sky had turned into something of a watercolour painting but I’d reached the end of my desire for it on this morning.
We chatted about this feeling we all get at some point during a shoot – you could do more but you’re done, finished, closed up shop. You can force it but with potentially dismissing returns.
My main learning was that I do need to try harder and think more carefully up front about compositions before I start shooting. I am aware that I still rush things, like an excited kid in a sweet shop!
The other thing I am now consciously trying to think of is in post-production.
I am aiming to be less aggressive on some the editing sliders such as dehaze, saturation and warmth. Easing off the brakes a bit and being more thoughtful I hope will deliver even more pleasing images.
Coffee, debrief and inevitably breakfast
A walk back to the cars, coffees poured and a debrief and chitchat brought a most enjoyable morning to a close, and it was only 07:20.
I was painfully tired and for a fleeting moment thought about denying Ronald a snatch of my cash.
Like the tragic bacon addict I am though, I folded quicker than a deck of cards and not just once, but twice! I thought I’ll buy a breakfast and take it home, sleep then eat later. But No, my self-restraint was non-existent and I scoffed it within minutes of it being handed over!
There was to be a couple of hours kip though, and it was sufficient to survive another day.
Onwards and upwards…