Spring is not far away…
Snowdrops are starting to appear; spring is not far away…
I’m looking forward to Scotland's extended daylight hours, increasing your experiences to be out in the beauty of nature. The clear skies during the short summer nights make it ideal to venture out and make the most of the limited time from sunset to sunrise.
I want to share an experience that underscores the importance of persistence, especially when faced with setbacks. A trip to the quite beautiful East Lothian coastline, not far from home, unfolded in a way that reinforces the mantra of "try, try again."
My first location, Yellowcraigs beach in the evening – I encountered unexpected clouds on the western horizon, and the sun dipped prematurely below the distant clouds; disappearing far too quickly for my liking, the light dropping in a way that made me feel a bit ‘humph’ challenging my planned timing and vision for what I was hoping to achieve. Nonetheless, I managed to salvage a couple of serene low-contrast photographs with a long exposure, vowing to return and capture what I missed.
Leaving Yellowcraigs at midnight, my plans for another location were again quickly thwarted by locked gates to a private beach, leading to yet another change of thoughts about what I was hoping to capture. After a brief look at the map, I managed to spot a promising location near North Berwick, so still hopeful - I headed to my third location, catching a short nap before embarking on the coastal path an hour before sunrise. The advantage of clear summer skies meant that navigating the path in the pre-dawn light was surprisingly easy without the need for a head torch.
Third time lucky?, my new plan proved successful as I soon discovered a large rocky outcrop into the sea, just of the beach - this was my chosen spot for the sunrise as I could see the Bass Rock on the eastern horizon, and most importantly the combination of clear skies on the eastern horizon bode well, I could feel myself becoming more excited as I could just sense this was coming my way again after the previous two failures of the night before.
The next half an hour was simply blur, with the light presenting a huge amount of opportunities, I was shooting away – I was in the zone… the morning light was simply divine, with wispy clouds painting the sky with warm hues in the pre-dawn light before the sun cracked over the horizon, and the new day in all its beauty started.
Half an hour later post-sunrise, a sense of accomplishment started to settle in, fostering a deep contentment. It's this feeling that propels me forward - coupled with a profound love for nature. Each expedition concludes with a moment of reflection, appreciating the kindness of nature on that particular day.
Heading home, a satisfying breakfast awaits, followed by a deep, fulfilling sleep. This experience encapsulates the essence of my passion for photography and the harmony found in nature's embrace, it also serves as a valuable life lesson – don't give up, persevere despite challenges, maintain your vision, and it will eventually come together.
Pre Dawn Long Exposure over the Bass Rock © Jason Baxter Media
Summer sunrise over the Bass Rock, East Lothian. © Jason Baxter Media
Summer sunrise over the Bass Rock, East Lothian. © Jason Baxter Media
Pre-Dawn Long Exposure overlooking the Isle of May © Jason Baxter Media