That Pesky Thrift Part 2

Last week in the blog I wrote about the challenges I have with photographing seasonal events such as when the thrift blooms along the coast of Cornwall. While I wasn’t unhappy with my photograph from Trevone, the thrift wasn’t at its peak. A return trip was needed!

One of the best, and most popular locations to photograph the thrift is Bedruthan. For large stretches of the cliff tops at Bedruthan you can find beautiful clumps of flowering thrift, just like you see in the photograph below.

**Bedruthan Thrift #1, South West Coast Path, Cornwall** - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 28mm, f/11, 25 secs at ISO 64

While finding clumps of thrift was easy enough, the weather conditions weren’t what you might call inspiring! As is often the case on the Cornish coast, the line between amazing and flat conditions is thin. On one hand the skies had plenty of interesting clouds that if lit up by the setting sun would prove to be very photogenic. But on the other hand, the sun was playing hide and seek behind those lovely clouds.

While the photographs I captured are pleasing enough, what they are really missing is the warm, soft light from a sun low on the horizon. That kind of light can utterly transform a scene as it would light up the cliffs adding contrast and depth, and it would also illuminate the underside of the clouds.

This problem is that when you know the conditions can be better and what that means for your photographs, you aren’t completely happy if you don’t get those conditions. However, I captured the best photographs I could that evening and more than that, I had a great time doing so! There is something special about spending time at the coast. It’s good for the soul!

I’d like to say there is a part 3 to this story and that next week I capture an awe-inspiring photograph of the Cornish thrift, but alas there isn’t. I didn’t make it back in time and thrift season came to an end. Maybe next year I’ll just move to Cornwall for spring. I’ll have no excuses then!