This is my favorite image, taken on a trip to Northumberland in late July/early August 2026. After the rain the previous evening, I was hoping for a stunning sunrise. So, a 3 am start—a peek out of the window—and a short drive down to the beach at Bamburgh. By the time I arrived, the sky had almost completely cleared, leaving just the vibrant pre-dawn colors. I had borrowed a pair of Wellington boots for this trip, knowing I would be splashing in the surf at some point. It was while I waded into the sea to take this exposure that I discovered they weren’t completely waterproof! So, standing in the sea with wet feet at 4:30 am, I took this 20-second exposure, just about flattening the sea to capture the calm and serenity of blue hour and the vibrant purples, oranges, and blues of first light.
Canon 5D Mk IV
Canon 17-40mm f/4L
Shot at ISO 100, 17mm, f16 @20 seconds
While I was on the beach, there were two or three other photographers there capturing similar shots. Firstly, apologies to anyone whose shot I was standing in! Secondly, I can now see why so many photographers buy camper vans!
