Best Photos from 2018
31st December 2018
As usual, I will use this blog post to highlight my personal favourite photos and adventures from the past year, and to recount the stories and vivid memories behind the photograph. And in 2018, they most certainly were vivid!
Constantine Bay
Talking of vivid – lets start with this shot from spring. The Valerian always puts on a good display in this area of Cornwall – but this year, after a wet winter and a warm spring, these flowers really took over. I remember the lanes heading towards Constantine Bay were practically flower lined tunnels! This is a shot that I have been working on for a few years, so I knew the Valerian flowering in the dunes would provide a good foreground, but this time I finally managed to get the dramatic light and amazing sky to go with it!
Botallack
This night shot from Botallack was one of my favourite memories from the year, but it nearly didn’t happen. I was down in West Cornwall running a successful workshop. Following the workshop, with the clear skies and no moon, I popped over to these stunning engine houses for a night shoot.
There, I bumped into the very talented Alessio Putzu, who had a similar idea - but unlike myself had actually done some research (such as needing to wait till 2am for the Milky-way to be in the right position) – which was handy as I was just there on an opportunistic whim! What an amazing and dramatic spot to watch the night sky though! It was also great to have some good company while sitting out in the dark. I nearly ran out of battery power (unplanned shoot!) - but I had just enough to capture this shooting star (or is it an iridium flare?) in line with the milky-way.
Wistman's Wood
I have been trying to shoot this mysterious woodland in thick foggy conditions for a few years, so it was good to get not one, but two such visits in this year. The twisted branches grow so close together in this wood that the fog is useful for adding a sense of depth and separation between the branches, not to mention that wonderful atmosphere which matches so well with these ancient trees!
Kenidjack Cove
This is a little cove looking out towards Cape Cornwall near St Just. I chose this viewpoint to catch the breaking waves and the sweeping view over to the Cape in the distance. The sky looked promising heading over and I was hoping for a good sunset – while the light did come, it was one of those days when the light burned brilliantly for just a fleeting moment. After trying lots of different shutter speeds, I happened to be playing with some long exposures at the time - but love the way the crashing wave has captured the glow from the sunset.
The Flying Scotsman
After 95 years of service, The Flying Scotsman came down to Kernow (Cornwall) for the first time. But obviously enjoyed the trip, as she came back for a second go later the same day.
I didn't think I was going to be able to shoot this second excursion, as I had an engagement to shoot in the afternoon (Congrats to Jes and Russell, on holiday from Australia), but luckily I was finished just in time to race back and make the second passing.
This is the Forder viaduct, just outside of Saltash, with the Tamar in the background, and a view I have been looking to shoot for a few years now. On this trip the Scotsman came down double headed with another Steamer (Black Five), which made a fantastic sight and lots of smoke! The light was much better than the morning too, and the autumnal colours in the trees set the scene of nicely.
Treen Cove
We had some absolutely beautiful sunsets over the summer months – and this was one of the best. I was exploring the coastline around Treen Cove for the first time. If you are thinking of 'Treen near Porthcurno' - I mean the other one... the one looking out towards Gurnards Head. Amazing place - the geology round here was amazing, and so quiet being well off the beaten track. When the sky lit up, I had to hop carefully over the rocks to this rookpool which contrasted so well with the fiery red sky. An amazing evening to be out, at one with nature!
Whitsand Bay
A winter storm lashing the rocks at Polhawn beach on Whitsand Bay. I had been trying to get this shot all winter, as it was a real relief when the conditions finally came together before the sun moved too far back to the north. I really enjoyed the way the waves were cascading over the edge of the rock like a miniature waterfall.
Dartmoor Tree
Anther shot from a workshop! This time I was running an astrophotography workshop on Dartmoor - shooting the milkyway from the top of Hound Tor. Eventually the fog rose up from the valley and ended play.
We packed up, walked back to the cars, and were just chatting away before heading home, when a car drove past - the headlights creating stunning patterns as the beams shone through the fog and trees.
I had an idea - and quickly popped my torch behind this lone Hawthorn tree. The light beams were just insane, casting dramatic shadows right across the sky (If I had a box of Quality street with me, we could have used the wrappers to colour the light and make it look like the aurora!) - We had to get the cameras back out and enjoy a cheeky extra shoot!
Constantine Bay
Talking of vivid – lets start with this shot from spring. The Valerian always puts on a good display in this area of Cornwall – but this year, after a wet winter and a warm spring, these flowers really took over. I remember the lanes heading towards Constantine Bay were practically flower lined tunnels! This is a shot that I have been working on for a few years, so I knew the Valerian flowering in the dunes would provide a good foreground, but this time I finally managed to get the dramatic light and amazing sky to go with it!
Botallack
This night shot from Botallack was one of my favourite memories from the year, but it nearly didn’t happen. I was down in West Cornwall running a successful workshop. Following the workshop, with the clear skies and no moon, I popped over to these stunning engine houses for a night shoot.
There, I bumped into the very talented Alessio Putzu, who had a similar idea - but unlike myself had actually done some research (such as needing to wait till 2am for the Milky-way to be in the right position) – which was handy as I was just there on an opportunistic whim! What an amazing and dramatic spot to watch the night sky though! It was also great to have some good company while sitting out in the dark. I nearly ran out of battery power (unplanned shoot!) - but I had just enough to capture this shooting star (or is it an iridium flare?) in line with the milky-way.
Wistman's Wood
I have been trying to shoot this mysterious woodland in thick foggy conditions for a few years, so it was good to get not one, but two such visits in this year. The twisted branches grow so close together in this wood that the fog is useful for adding a sense of depth and separation between the branches, not to mention that wonderful atmosphere which matches so well with these ancient trees!
Kenidjack Cove
This is a little cove looking out towards Cape Cornwall near St Just. I chose this viewpoint to catch the breaking waves and the sweeping view over to the Cape in the distance. The sky looked promising heading over and I was hoping for a good sunset – while the light did come, it was one of those days when the light burned brilliantly for just a fleeting moment. After trying lots of different shutter speeds, I happened to be playing with some long exposures at the time - but love the way the crashing wave has captured the glow from the sunset.
The Flying Scotsman
After 95 years of service, The Flying Scotsman came down to Kernow (Cornwall) for the first time. But obviously enjoyed the trip, as she came back for a second go later the same day.
I didn't think I was going to be able to shoot this second excursion, as I had an engagement to shoot in the afternoon (Congrats to Jes and Russell, on holiday from Australia), but luckily I was finished just in time to race back and make the second passing.
This is the Forder viaduct, just outside of Saltash, with the Tamar in the background, and a view I have been looking to shoot for a few years now. On this trip the Scotsman came down double headed with another Steamer (Black Five), which made a fantastic sight and lots of smoke! The light was much better than the morning too, and the autumnal colours in the trees set the scene of nicely.
Treen Cove
We had some absolutely beautiful sunsets over the summer months – and this was one of the best. I was exploring the coastline around Treen Cove for the first time. If you are thinking of 'Treen near Porthcurno' - I mean the other one... the one looking out towards Gurnards Head. Amazing place - the geology round here was amazing, and so quiet being well off the beaten track. When the sky lit up, I had to hop carefully over the rocks to this rookpool which contrasted so well with the fiery red sky. An amazing evening to be out, at one with nature!
Whitsand Bay
A winter storm lashing the rocks at Polhawn beach on Whitsand Bay. I had been trying to get this shot all winter, as it was a real relief when the conditions finally came together before the sun moved too far back to the north. I really enjoyed the way the waves were cascading over the edge of the rock like a miniature waterfall.
Dartmoor Tree
Anther shot from a workshop! This time I was running an astrophotography workshop on Dartmoor - shooting the milkyway from the top of Hound Tor. Eventually the fog rose up from the valley and ended play.
We packed up, walked back to the cars, and were just chatting away before heading home, when a car drove past - the headlights creating stunning patterns as the beams shone through the fog and trees.
I had an idea - and quickly popped my torch behind this lone Hawthorn tree. The light beams were just insane, casting dramatic shadows right across the sky (If I had a box of Quality street with me, we could have used the wrappers to colour the light and make it look like the aurora!) - We had to get the cameras back out and enjoy a cheeky extra shoot!
Comments
By S. Chester: Awesome photographs!