Why revisiting a location many times can improve your photography
A few days before I had the insane conditions at this location during storm Agnes, I took a visit for dawn, and the conditions were entirely different to that now infamous day.
When you visit a location time and time again, you'd think you've seen it all. But sometimes, it takes a fresh perspective to reveal hidden wonders. That's precisely what I discovered on a recent trip to Devil's Horns in Dingle, a place I'd come to know well, but with one notable exception - I had never witnessed its beauty at sunrise.
Joining me on this picturesque expedition were the incredibly talented photographers Nigel, Mads, and Michael, whose expertise and enthusiasm were as captivating as the landscapes we explored. With the horizon lighting up in the promise of a new day, we set out to make this experience truly unforgettable.
The Devil's Horns, perched gracefully on the rugged Dingle coastline, was our canvas for the morning. As we arrived, the beach welcomed us with its peaceful serenity, punctuated by a fascinating but not-so-photogenic sight – a whale's carcass washed ashore. While my fellow photographers made their way up and over to Dunmore Head, I made an unconventional choice: I decided to head back to a familiar and yet intriguing subject before me The Devils Horns
During this shoot, I would get to witness the light change from the blue hour, to pre-dawn, to dawn and sunrise, and each would cast a different glow on the scene, while the waves and clouds did their own morning dance. the appeal of this was quite strong, so I set off on my quest.
The sun was about to make its debut on the eastern horizon, promising a radiant spectacle. But there was a catch – a towering mountain loomed between us and the direct light, leaving me with a patience-testing wait. As I set up my gear, my gaze turned westward to the billowing clouds painted in pastel shades. Seagulls swooped in and out of the frame, their graceful movements adding a dynamic element to the scene. The rhythmic crashing of waves against the Devil's Horns added an auditory dimension to the visual spectacle.
As the seconds turned into minutes and the minutes into an hour, the world around me transformed. The distant Blasket Islands began to bask in a mesmerizing golden glow. It was as if they were painted by the sun's first strokes. And then, just when I thought the moment couldn't get any more magical, the Devil's Horns themselves began to catch the first rays of sunlight. They took on an ethereal, almost otherworldly quality.
Amidst this breathtaking backdrop, I had an unexpected encounter that added to the richness of the experience. Steve, a fellow photographer from England, was parked nearby in his VW camper, and our paths crossed. As we both aimed our cameras towards the enchanting scene unfolding before us, we struck up a conversation that transcended borders and time zones. It is the share passion for photography that can bring many people together. Steve was also shooting film this morning, something that I haven’t done since I was a young boy.
Though I didn't have the privilege of shooting with my world-class photographer friends that morning as they were up and over the headland, I did capture something remarkable – a series of world-class shots of my own (I.M.O.), each one a testament to the unique beauty of Devil's Horns at sunrise.
This journey reminded me of the infinite possibilities that even a familiar location can offer when viewed through a different lens, both literally and metaphorically. It's a testament to the ever-evolving nature of photography and the wondrous surprises that await when we dare to chase the dawn. The key here is to remember that even though you may have visited and photographed a location many times, there will always be a shot to be had that is different to the last. The weather changes, the light changes and on this occasion the time of day changes too. I will take this as a lesson to revisit locations that I wouldn’t normally consider ideal for certain times of the day, you never know what might happen and will also gain some experiences along the way.
As I packed up my gear, leaving Devil's Horns to the rising sun, I couldn't help but feel that this "first" was a moment I'd carry with me, not just in my camera, but in my heart. And, who knows, perhaps it's time for more "firsts" in the world of photography – in familiar and unfamiliar places alike. it was a first for my fellow photographers also, as Nigel, Mads and Michael all came back over the brow of the hill they had experienced a sunset location at sunrise and while the feelings weren’t all conclusive, 2 out of 3 enjoyed the shoot and if you count me I that that makes 3 out of 4.
All of the images I took are in the Gallery below, or you can watch the video by clicking the link below
