Porthcawl waves

[cariadus]

The lighthouse at Porthcawl, near Bridgend, is a popular place for photographers in stormy weather. I spent half an hour there this afternoon until I lost the feeling in my fingers from the bitterly cold galeforce wind. I was jostling with loads of other photographers to take these.









All taken with E-M5 and 20mm. I did take some on two film cameras as well (Pentax K1000 and Bessa R3A), but haven't developed the films yet.

All comments/criticism welcome.

[StephenL]

Re: Porthcawl waves

Great shots, especially the last one. Hope you didn't imperil yourself!

[cariadus]

Re: Porthcawl waves

Thanks Stephen. No, it was quite safe, there was a wall between me and the sea. Actually the wall was a handy support for the camera - the wind was so strong hand held shots were tricky even with a fast shutter speed. You can climb down on to rocks to get a better view, but no-one was foolhardy enough to do that today (not while I was there anyway).

[Phill D]

Re: Porthcawl waves

Yes very impressive wave shots Roger. Good to know you had a wall for shelter.

[banjukes]

Re: Porthcawl waves

Great power in those shots.

[jdal]

Re: Porthcawl waves

Awesome shots. Love that last one

[Zuiko]

Re: Porthcawl waves

I like the drama of No 1 and the perfectly formed crashing wave in No 2. Would have loved to be there.

[cariadus]

Re: Porthcawl waves

Thanks all.

John, it was a fantastic sight. There have been a few stormy days this year and I haven't been able to visit Porthcawl on any of them so I'm glad I was able to make it today.

[benvendetta]

Re: Porthcawl waves

Great shots. I have been tempted to pop down there myself in recent weeks. I have seen dozens of similar images on local facebook groups and they all look impressive. Loads of local toggers seem to be going down to porthcawl. By the time I get there it will be summer. Lol!

[cariadus]

Re: Porthcawl waves

Great shots. I have been tempted to pop down there myself in recent weeks. I have seen dozens of similar images on local facebook groups and they all look impressive. Loads of local toggers seem to be going down to porthcawl. By the time I get there it will be summer. Lol!

It is rather over-photographed. More storms on the way though, I think, so you might have a chance to make it yet.

[Grumpy Hec]

Re: Porthcawl waves

Great sense of power in these shots.

Although I live on the coast, on an island infact, we don't get those sort of waves coming ashore. I tried to get wind and wave shots on Sunday morning but to be honest they were embarrassing by comparison.

Hec

[brian1208]

Re: Porthcawl waves

I agree with the above comments and #2 is the star for me but the thing I think I like best about these is not so much the power of the waves but the control you have exercised on the exposure, it looks spot on with loads of detail and structure visible.

(I hope the equipment had a good wash down to remove the salt when you got home )

[cariadus]

Re: Porthcawl waves

Thanks Hec. Where I live in Barry we don't usually get waves like this either, but fortunately Porthcawl is not too far away and I happened to be near there with work yesterday. It was just before high tide as well, so it all worked out nicely.

Thanks Brian, although it was stormy the sun was just peeking through the clouds so I was lucky with the lighting too.

[Graptolite]

Re: Porthcawl waves

All brilliant shots. For me, number 2 is the best of a very good bunch.
It's not easy to get a decent shot when your being buffeted by the storm and your fingers have one numb! Wonder if Olympus could introduce a 'shivering photographer' IBIS setting?

[Ann1e]

Re: Porthcawl waves

All great shots but the last is definitely my favourite. As you say, light is paramount and all too often with stormy seas, you have indifferent skies but the conditions were almost perfect - you captured the scenes very well.

Regards,
Ann1e