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The battle of Porth Nanven
If you’ve been here you’ll know it’s one of Cornwall’s gems, the place simply oozes photographic opportunities. If there was a photographic Wembley this would be it. The wind was a belter, in the car park we struggled to stand. The shaft of the valley was like a giant vacuum cleaner. Moving down to the rocky bay, the waves were crashing and the adrenalin was now pumping. The excitement of being here is almost overwhelming. No one else here… great! … I opted for a stitch for starters, took 7 vertical images and all was well, the weather is still dry the wind isn’t so strong down here and the opportunities seem endless…where shall I go now?

Moving around a bit…try this I thought…and then that. A low angle… a rocky lead in, perhaps. No I don’t like that….too much clutter. A crashing wave with retreating wave streaks. Still no good, the breaking water means I can’t keep the set up long enough to attach an ND. We move to the side of the bay, a high vantage point, not sure that’s working either. The sun is coming up over our left shoulder, it’s mid morning and we’re in the best spot in Cornwall, but something here is eluding me. The sea keeps encroaching each time I get in a good position…it’s like he is toying with me, twice I hoist up my tripod and step onto a higher rock as the water encapsulates my standing rock. The wave thunders in ..my feet get covered, damn I’m not wearing my wellies … I left them at home. I am starting to suffer, the sea spray is all over my lens, my filters need constant attention. I’m getting annoyed – it’s as if the sea is picking a fight with me. I move two maybe three times more – I wrestle with my thoughts… I WILL find the right shot I know I will. I’m in the right place, the weather is spectacular so why is this not happening? I sit awhile - gather my thoughts and pluck up a bit more courage and enthusiasm… I pull out the small flask of coffee I made at 6am this morning at the Travelodge… “nice coffee” I thought….probably not, but it was a welcome break.

Now feeling emotional, slightly cheated too. The sea is playing with me, he wants me to push him, test him even. He won’t let me take his picture today… It feels like I am battling with a God…. Is there a sea God?… it feels like it!

For heavens sake this is Porth Nanven, my Wembley! … I CAN play here! I feel a bit angry now.

The weather is starting to turn, the wind has picked up pace, the cloud has become almost solid and heavy, the forecast said the rain will be arriving by midday - just time for one more sortie down to the rocks.

A good central position – a balanced view, boulders and wave streams, pebbles and curvy lines everywhere. At last I found the spot, low down, the waves threading themselves through the boulders and the Bryson’s majestic in the distance … it’s perfect, the sky is heavy and dramatic - the sea is?……………THUNDERING at me like an angry steam engine! …I have enough time to jump with my already soaked left foot onto a metre high boulder… I grab my rucksack and camera laden tripod, one with each hand as the wave smashes into the boulder.
I’m on the rock alone, even though I'm perched on the rock the water is knee height. I'm soaked and my kit was high in the air. …that was the closest shave…. A ‘don’t mess with me” warning!

What now?

The sea had won this battle … I conceded!

But I will return!

The Loire Photographic Experience



Come and join us on a 3 day photographic workshop in the Loire Valley, one of the most beautiful areas in France. The photographic possibilities are endless, from riverside chateaux and vineyards to traditional French houses and markets. As with my Dorset landscape courses I will be leading the Loire Valley workshop and offering photographic tuition on compositional techniques and camera craft. Our base will be Le Chant d'Oiseau, a charming gite and campsite complex situated just north of Saumur, a picturesque town on the banks of the River Loire. Whether you choose to stay in a traditional French gite or decide on using the excellent camping facilities, either way you will enjoy the hospitality of Le Chant d'Oiseau.

Le Chant d'Oiseau owners, English couple Stu & Syb Bradley, are the perfect hosts and provide meals and packed lunches for the three workshop days. A keen photographer himself, Stu also has an extensive knowledge of this part of the Loire Valley and therefore will be guiding and transporting us to the best shooting locations. Although the workshop is over the three days, the accommodation is booked for the whole week, which leaves you with plenty of time to explore the area afterwards yourselves.



THE NEXT LOIRE VALLEY PHOTOGRAPHY EXPERIENCE WILL BE

8th - 10th MAY 2012

If you would like to be kept up to date with future courses please contact us to be added to our mailing list. Alternatively watch our news bulletins for updates.

To register your interest or for more details and pricing please see Le Chant d'Oiseau website or contact me.

In October 2010 Tony's image of the Blackmore Vale received a 'commended' award in 'Take-a view' the National Landscape Photographer of the year competition. The image is included in the LPOY 2010 book and was also part of the exhibition originally at the National Theatre in London. The exhibition is now touring and was in Dorset at Moors Valley Country Park between May and July 2011.
The deadline date to enter this year's 2011 Landscape Photographer of the Year competition was Friday July 15th. For more details see http://www.take-a-view.co.uk/news.htm