Throw Back Thursday – Durdle Door before Sunrise

In the early hours of the morning while it was still dark, the alarm woke me up and I quietly slipped out of bed so as not to disturb the family. I grabbed something to eat and quickly crept out of the house……this was one of those mornings when I was on a mission.

It was March, nearly 10 years ago now, and the frost was heavy under foot as I made my way along the coast path, having parked at Lulworth. Often these early forays are ‘wasted’ because the sunrise doesn’t materialise as you had hoped. Not they are ever truly wasted because it is the best time of the day to be out regardless of the weather, it’s just that photographically speaking, we always hope for something spectacular. This day didn’t disappoint.

I was in position well before the sky started to light up and I waited for the clouds to drift away. My tripod was set up ready to capture the first light of the dawn above this famous arch on the Jurassic Coast. There was a bone-chilling breeze blowing off the sea as I stood on that headland but I was glad of it because I wanted some movement in the water and some white surf along the shore. This was one of the first shots I took on that morning – it was a 25 second exposure, shot using a graduated filter to balance sky and land.

There were to be many more pictures that morning as the sky gradually lit up more and more and as I walked further along the coast path. This one has always been a favourite though and a print of it still hangs in my lounge as a reminder of an awesome early morning walk. A time when for once I had the coast to myself.

In case you missed it, here’s a link to last week’s Throw Back Thursday shot.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my ramblings, and I hope you enjoy exploring with me.

Until next time,
Your friend
The Dorset Rambler

If you would like to contact me, my email address is terry.yarrow@gmail.com – comments and feedback are always welcomed.

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