finding hidden gems

As a landscape photographer, I’ve been fortunate to visit countless incredible places, each offering something unique every time. The changing light, the shifting clouds, and the constant motion of the waves make these familiar locations feel new with every visit. But what excites me even more is discovering new, untouched spots—places I’ve never seen in images shared by others. On a recent trip to West Cork, I had the privilege of stumbling upon one such hidden gem.

It’s a routine of mine to scout locations before a workshop, not only to check on existing locations but to also find new places and to ensure I know the conditions. By exploring before the participants arrive, I can determine the best vantage points, prepare for the ever-changing weather, and make the most of the time we have. On this day, while heading towards one of my planned stops, I had no agenda other than to explore. Driving along the narrow road, I spotted something intriguing in the corner of my eye—a small beach tucked away, seemingly unnoticed. Without hesitation, I took the turnoff to investigate further.

The Unexpected Discovery

As I approached the beach, I quickly realised there were two striking rock formations perfectly positioned on the shore. These weren’t just ordinary rocks; they had character. They had been shaped and eroded by the waves over centuries, each with its unique form. I wasn’t the first to discover them, but in that moment, I felt like I was. I treated the scene as if I were the first to see it, excited by the possibilities it offered.

The rocks, which I later nicknamed "teeth," were thick at the top but thin at the base due to the relentless erosion of the waves. The challenge now was to photograph them in the best way possible. Fortunately, I had the tide on my side. It was higher than usual, meaning the waves would wrap around the base of the rocks, creating the dynamic movement I needed for the shot.

I started by capturing a few initial shots to get my bearings. The textures of the rocks were fascinating, and I knew the tide was going to elevate the scene. The first rock to be hit by the water was the less photogenic one of the two, but still worthy of a shot. I opted for a 0.5-second shutter speed initially, but I quickly adjusted to 0.3 seconds. The waves were moving too quickly for a 0.5-second exposure, and I wanted to keep the texture in the water rather than blur it out.

Next, I experimented with composition. I framed the larger rock in the centre of the shot, with its smaller counterpart to the right. I shot both in landscape and portrait orientations to ensure I had every angle covered. The beauty of photographing coastal landscapes is the ability to experiment with the ever-changing scene, adjusting settings and angles to capture the perfect moment.

The Molar Tooth

After capturing a few shots of the first rock, I moved to the more photogenic of the two. This rock, shaped like a molar tooth, was thinner at the base and heavily scarred from years of battering by the waves. As I set up my camera, I noticed the background, and the mountains in the distance, adding depth to the composition. I wanted to capture the interaction between the rock, the water, and the distant mountains, which added some highlights to the scene, adjusting the exposure to see how it influenced the overall composition.

Then, the sun broke through the clouds. It illuminated the mountains beautifully, casting a warm glow over the landscape. The turquoise blue of the water contrasted beautifully with the golden hues of the mountains, enhancing the scene. With the tide now fully in, I switched to longer exposures, opting for 30-second shutter speeds to smooth out the water. This technique allowed me to capture the motion of the waves while retaining clarity in the rocks beneath the water.

The Perfect Shot

As the water ebbed and flowed, I used my polariser to see deeper into the water, revealing the rocks and pebbles at my feet. The final shots were some of my favourites from the trip. The location was magical, and the combination of perfect timing, the right shutter speed, and the right exposure settings made all the difference.

Exploring new locations is incredibly rewarding. You never know what you might find, and the thrill of discovering something new is unmatched. As a photographer, it’s important to experiment with different techniques and settings to capture the essence of a scene. Whether adjusting your shutter speed to control water motion or playing with composition, every detail counts. And remember, the more you visit a location, the better you’ll understand its nuances, making it easier to capture its true beauty.

This rock is now named Spoonley Rock, and I’m sticking to that :-)

You can see the images I took on this day and you can watch the video of the adventure below.