The NDPS landscape group had an evening sunset meet at Brancaster Staithe, North Norfolk.
I’ve called by this location a couple of times in the past, but more on the way home from Hunstanton or Thornham rather than as a dedicated visit.
It’s a very scenic location and suits sunset as the sun rises as a backdrop to the various boats anchored in the water.
We met at a time when as the tide was favourable, and this location (similar to Blakeney) is renowned for cars parking too far up the harbour and getting caught out by the incoming tide.
Parking further away near the sailing club is best unless you’ve interpreted and understand the tide times.
After the initial greetings, we dispersed to go and explore.
Walking away from the main honeypot boats scene, you can walk round the gravel beach area and get some shots out to sea.
It’s worth looking for some longer range shots to isolate subjects, as the volume of boats can make shots look cluttered.
I saw a few photographers (club members and others) setting up take a shot of the boats in the harbour. The scene from here didn’t do it for me, and I decided to wander around to the side to see if the view there was more pleasing. It wasn’t, so I went further up and backtracked again.
It was very muddy in places and luckily I had my hiking boots on but wellies would’ve easily been better for this evening!
I was desperate for something different, so after carefully staring at the boats for a while, I climbed down carefully to the bank almost slipping in to the water on the mud, and set up my tripod.
Taking my time, thinking more carefully, and taking a long exposure shot of 30 seconds was rewarded with the shot below. I like the colour tones, the water effect, and the movement in the clouds.
I’m quite pleased with the shot above as it has a leading line with the rope, the boat from this angle has less clutter, and use of an ND filter meant I could slow down the shutter to smooth out the water, get some movement in the clouds.
I took so much time at this spot, most other club members had moved over to the main attraction as the sun was beginning to set.
I made my way over there and grabbed the shot below of the sunset and the boats.
Upon editing and posting, I observed one or two other club members had exactly the same shot, and almost identical.
It really doesn’t matter, as it is interesting to see if our compositional and editing skills are the same or have some distinct differences.
By the time we finished, the light was dropping and it was time to head home.
I had forgotten I needed fuel for the car and with too few miles for comfort, I needed to get to a petrol station so took the quickest route I could to Fakenham to fuel up, before I headed home.
It was a pleasant and rewarding trip, and next time I visit, I will explore again to see if I can get something a little different
Onwards and upwards…