Tuesday 31 May 2016

Porth Nanven - Photography Week 17 & 5 (2016)

There are many fine places to photograph in Cornwall but for many landscapers Porth Nanven is either at the top or very close to the top of the list - something I found out on my second visit during photography week 17.

The attraction is the extraordinary ovoid boulders that line the cove. They were once part of an ancient beach suspended in the cliffs when sea levels dropped after the last ice-age. In the years that followed the boulders eroded from the cliffs to form an area of special scientific interest (1,2)

Ovoid Boulders


Boulders in the cliff face


Suspended ancient beach


Concrete walkway which may cover a disused sewage pipe (1)


Rocky cove view


Boulders - shapes and textures


Boulders - shapes and textures


From a photographic point of view, the boulders make perfect foreground interest particularly when combined with lapping waves. The rocks shine when they are wet emphasizes the range of different colours and sizes. Offshore, two islets called The Brisons serve as a strong background focal point (3)

The Brisons


Getting close the wet rocks can result in a soaking!



A milky sea isolates the rocks and leaves a wet shine



Heavy showers and a stiff off-the-sea breeze characterised my first visit to Porth Nanven in early February. I spent most of time fighting a losing battle against raindrops and sea spray. This was probably the best image from the visit and I would describe this as the 'classic' Porth Nanven composition.


Classic Composition


Heavy Showers

The conditions for my second visit in May were much better except for the number of other photographers. As it reached golden hour time there were 8 other 'togs' (4) all fiercely guarding their tripod space.

Togs lining the cove. Can't help but think that the most interesting light was across the beach rather than into the light?

Fortunately, I had met two of the photographers (Peter and Andy) previously and they suggested an elevated position to the side of cove using a tongue shaped rock as the main foreground focal point.
 
 



I think I will try low tide for my next visit to Porth Nanven and hopefully it won't be quite so busy. 

 

(1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porth_Nanven

(2) projects.exeter.ac.uk/geomincentre/05West Penwith.pdf

(3) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brisons

(4) TOG - used online as an abbreviation for photographer. Not to be confused with Terry's Old Geezers featured on the late Terry Wogan's Wake up to Wogan radio programme.




 

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