Sunset it was then.
I have to say that the Marriott were brilliant. Because it was my birthday they upgraded us to a suite and threw in breakfast (That might not sound too much but two people for breakfast at £15 each for four days was unbelievable. Especially as we were paying with points) So thank you very much Marriott Bournemouth - hopefully I haven't just got somebody fired :D
On the first night we went to the beach. Not too far. I thought I would get a cool shot of the pier at sunset. Unfortunately Bournemouth Pier is not very pretty. It looks more like a car park extending into the sea. So instead I shot the groynes (Groins for Americans). I got a couple of nice shots and was setting up to take one last one but then some guy came and stood right next to us (I think I attract them. That's why I never take the bus) He then set out a newspaper and sat right in front of me. I gave him the benefit of my opinion on such things and with the good news still ringing in his ears it started to rain. I grabbed the gear and we went for cover so I could pack up in the dry. I guess he must be a glass half full kind of guy as he came with us and stood well within our (un)comfort zone as we packed up. However as we made our way back up the cliff, my new best mate disappeared. So it was then off to Frankie and Benny's to celebrate.
The following day was constant rain. So we went shopping.
On the Saturday it was dry but overcast all day. I decided that even with the lack of light we might be able to shoot some nice black and whites.
Nice day = colour. Dull day = B&W. In my current world anyway.
So planning to get to Durdle Door at 3pm with plenty of time to set up in case of a sunset (we live in hope) we set off. I didn't realise that the military shut the place for shooting practice when they feel like it but today was ok. I guess being a weekend it's more than likely open. When we got the car park they had card machines to pay which was handy, or would have been but apparently they are on O2 wireless and don't often get a signal. Today was no different so we paid in the shop.
The climb up the hill with all my gear was a nightmare made worse by the fact that the St. Trinian's sixth form were coming down the hill towards us. I tried not to look quite so middle aged, out of breath, sweaty mess but I don't think it worked. I would like to blame cancelling the gym on account of lack of funds but as we only went once a month, if that, I guess I'll put it down to too much decent American TV.
It's hard to make something that has been photographed so often look fresh. It doesn't help when the sky is flat and grey. There's the added issue of the million or so tourists (dawn would have been better but seriously, dawn? Meh!). At least I was the only only with a tripod so I didn't have to battle for position. Just try to keep the facebook camera phone poses out of shot.
There was one small slit in the clouds and I was hoping that maybe it would break and we would have a sunset of sorts. In the end I gave up as it got more and more grey and dull and packed up my gear. As I put the backpack on I had a thought... "If the sun goes down and manages to shine through that small slit it will light up the underside of the clouds." It was worth the wait so I unpacked and set up again.
..and the sky started to turn pink.
Suddenly, like the best cliché, it exploded into colour. Reds, pinks, yellows and blues. The sea also was alight with extraordinary colour. Everyone was oohing and ahhing and I was busily shooting away. 2 seconds @f/16 shoot, shoot shoot, shoot = panorama. Shoot, shoot = smaller pano. Then after about 5 minutes it faded and faded and was gone.
Woo Hoo. If it hadn't been for the time in Cornwall where I packed up, looked up and the sky lit up I probably wouldn't have waited. Yay for bad experience. I would have been kicking my out of breath self from halfway up the path and would have fallen into the sea trying to set up.
All that was left was the pitch black, torchlight and sheep poo walk back.
So here it is. Durdle Door. Before, during and as it faded.
Before.
During (Small panorama. 2 Shots stitched together).
Fading.
Until next time
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