Lesson learned seascapes

[Ken Rennie]

I had always wanted to visit this location with a strong Northerly wind blowing at high tide. 1st January and a 50+mph wind blowing with 10ft+ waves predicted and I arrived 1hr before high tide. This cove faces North with the next stop the Arctic ice cap it is surrounded by 100ft cliffs and the seas stack is 50ft high. Before descending down to the shore I tried exploring along the cliffs but as I got into position I was hit by sea spray and not the fine mist kind either. I decided that this was too dangerous for further exploration. I had hoped for smooth curling swell but the reality was a confused sea with no discernible pattern plus the occasional large wave sweeping up the beach making getting anywhere close to the waters edge dangerous. I shot more than 400 images at a range of shutter speeds from 1/40s to several seconds but none of them have produced what I am looking for which was a range of water textures with flowing patterns. Any longer than a 2.5s turned the water pure white with foam and 1/40s wasn't fast enough to freeze the waves. Lastly 50+mph winds shakes cameras and produces soft images no matter the settings. Anyway here are the best. 1, 3 and 4 are 1/40s #2 is 2s. Ken

 

[AlanLichty]

Sounds like some serious chaos for photography but you did get some dramatic results. #2 and #4 are my two favorites with #4 giving a good idea of how rough the seas were during your visit.

 

[Jameel Hyder]

That’s some serious waves there. I won’t risk getting too close in these conditions.

while the faster shutter shows the intensity of the waves, I like the longer shutter in #2 for the image.

 

[Michael13]

That surf is not messing around. I like the drama in #3 the best! Great shots all around.

 

[Alan Milnes]

I am with Alan! 2 and 4 are lovely images.

 

[Beth]

#2 for me. the water texture in this one is what makes it my favorite. those are some crazy waves.

 

[dan swiger]

I would take image #2 or #3

These two express the energy & flow w/o the violence
In any event, BRAVO for facing the fury!
Sometimes when I venture out, I think I'm writing my epitath

 

[Peter Michal]

Beautiful images.. 2. with the smooth texture of the water and 3. with the natural wave-beating I like the most.
I think I would have liked the image to have a larger portrait size.. V
Very nice, Ken.

 

[Ken Rennie]

Thanks for the comments. I have more images to follow but our electricity is down due to a storm. Only gusting to 80mph here but well over 100mph this morning in Ireland and due to hit Scotland now. Ken