For me, sunrise is the best time of day. With the sun slowly appearing, a new day dawns, and everything feels in equilibrium as another day starts. That regularity somehow settles me, and it feels as though everything is going to be okay. It certainly helps bring calm to a troubled world.
It also helps that this sunrise was in October, which means (for the UK) that I didn’t have to get up really early to be in position. It was my first visit to Dungeness Beach, located on the south coast of Kent. It is one of the largest expanses of shingle in Europe and is known for the Dungeness Nuclear Power Station, which constantly looms over your shoulder.
Additionally, it is home to “Prospect Cottage,” with its characteristic black weatherboards and yellow window and door frames. It belonged to the artist and film director Derek Jarman. Getting myself oriented for a sunrise was not too difficult, as looking out to sea was directly east. I just needed to find an interesting landmark, and the lighthouse was an obvious choice, only a short distance from an old fisherman’s cottage where we were staying.
There was just a sufficient amount of cloud to help create this image on my first morning. I certainly felt alive in the icy wind. It was a great feeling, and everything was alright. “Live in the moment” is a motto I try to adhere to and is something I’ll focus on more in 2026.
