Gunton At Dawn

As I mentioned in my recent 2022 - In Review post, I haven’t strayed too far from home recently, meaning that I have photographed at just a few select locations for the past twelve months. Although this may seem a little narrow minded in one respect, in another it’s allowed me to really understand these locations in both what they offer, and most importantly when. Certain conditions suit certain locations, with the most important one for seascapes is the sea itself, or more specifically the tide. I have found a turning high tide to be best for the more dramatic seas, however, given that I can’t be out and about when a high tide is due there needs to be locations where I can rely on something interesting at low tide too. Gunton fits that bill perfectly. It’s one of favourite locations to photograph, but I’ve only ever shot it at sunset. So over the Christmas break, when I couldn’t use work an excuse, I headed over to Gunton Beach for a sunrise shoot.



I do try to plan shoots to some degree, checking predicted cloud coverage and tides etc. and arriving early enough to work out compositions in readiness for the best light. However, this being the Christmas to New Year slump, I did almost convince myself to stay in bed, and was a little late getting to the beach. Not horrendously late, but enough to mean that my favourite composition was only seen as the harsh sunlight flooded the scene. I promise not to that again….(Although, in truth I probably will!)
I always struggle to get out for a sunrise, but I never regret going, and this shoot was no different. It was beautiful to experience the dawn colours by the sea. There were a few dog walkers enjoying the view too, so I wasn’t alone.



As I mentioned earlier, I did arrive a little later than I should have, and then started shooting using a 35mm lens, as I wanted to include the Groyne structure which sits a little offshore. It didn’t really work, so I switched over to a 20mm lens, but in doing so I lost a bit more time. Luckily, I managed to get my compositions in before the light became too harsh. I chose to shoot looking away from where the sun was beginning to rise above the horizon to the south-east, instead choosing to capture the remaining cloud to the north-east which was lighting up with the last remaining colours of the dawn. Looking in this direction also allowed the wet timbers of the Groyne were illuminated nicely in orange light.

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My favourite composition was my final one. I have looked at this shot a few times when visiting at sunset, but the tide was never far enough out to capture the Groyne and rush of waves together. In fairness it was the stone in the foreground that caught my eye before the Groyne. I like to use something in the foreground which will break the flow of the receding water to create a leading line, and this stone fitted the bill, and the fact it was practically at the centre of the Groyne was perfect!



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