Clovelly Dawn
Waking up well before dawn, when it is freezing cold, heading to a beach, then rock hopping in the dark whilst carrying a tripod and a bag full of camera gear does not excite many. The early start, the chill and the stumbling around in the dark would put off most, however this morning I headed out to Clovelly in the company of two friends with one thing on our minds. SUNRISE.
Like most landscape photos, it is the ones that are off the beaten track that look the best, so the rock hopping is mandatory. With the tide due to come in, our window of opportunity is tight. The conditions were not perfect, but being there was worth it.
So what does one take on a sunrise shoot? I took my Nikon D300, Tokina AT-X 10-17mm Fisheye, Tamron SP 17-50mm f/2.8, Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8, Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 VR, Manfrotto 055 ProB + 322RC2, Phottix Cleon, Phottix Geo One, Cokin ND filters, C-Pol filters and most importantly my Wolfeyes Defender 260. Despite all the gear, it is the torch that is probably the most vital, it is the one that will light your way in the dark, it is the one that will help people see you if you run into trouble.
The pictures? The experience? PRICELESS. There is a sense of satisfaction gleaned from the early morning, the cold, the wet (I soaked my shoes and pants in a rockpool) when you get to see nature at its best.
