Photography Is Not Always the Priority

It can be hard as a landscape photographer to not make every walk and outdoor adventure all about taking photographs. The trouble with that approach is that I find myself only going out when there are photographs to capture. I’m therefore not taking enough risks and there is little chance of discovering something new just by going out for a walk.

Last week I met up with a friend (who is also a photographer) and we took a short walk along a stretch of South West Coast Path neither of us had explored before.

Before we met up, we’d both spent lots of time looking at weather forecasts trying to work out where to go, but each forecast told us something different. After much head scratching, we decided we both just needed to get out and be social. Yes, we would take the cameras, but the priority would be getting out for a walk and having a catch up.

We decided to meet in Camelford, not only because it’s an easy place for us to meet but because Peckish Fish and Chips probably does the best fish and chips in Cornwall, if not the south west. All good social meetups should start with some food. No one wants to go on a walk hungry!

A seascape photograph of the south west coast path in Cornwall. — **Near Boscastle, South West Coast Path, Cornwall** - Nikon Z7, Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S at 56mm, f/11, 4 secs at ISO 64, Kase Filters CPL and ND.
**Notes** - I like the light in this image but a 4 second exposure has left the white water trails a little messy.

With our bellies full we moved onto Boscastle and started our walk towards Bossiney. The weather was difficult to judge. Sometimes we felt too warm, then it would rain, then we would see blue sky, then it would overcast. It was four seasons in one day. Very Cornwall! But the one constant was the stunning views you get as you walk the high cliffs along that stretch of the South West Coast Path.

As we meandered along the path we’d stop and take in the view. Sometimes we’d agree that while the view was stunning, it would be difficult to make a visually appealing image. Not all nice viewpoints make for good compositions! If a viewpoint did look like it might have potential, we got the cameras out and take some test shots. Seeing a viewpoint through the viewfinder can make a huge difference on your assessment on the location’s potential.

Three hours later we’d reached Bossiney, tired, refreshed, inspired and still with full bellies thanks to some enroute consumption of doughnuts and chocolate cookies!

I only released the shutter on my camera four times on that walk, but it was one of the rewarding photo walks I’d been out on. Just giving myself the time and space to relax has paid dividends. I feel mentally refreshed, and I have a couple of new viewpoints that I must go back and photograph.

But probably the best thing, as always, watching catching up with a friend, eating chips and going for a long walk. Happy days.