A Wee Bit Windier still..
I drove onto the harbour road when I first arrived at the fishing village of Porthleven before first light this morning. Suddenly faced with a wall of water, I reversed rapidly and sought higher ground passing a policeman as I went with cones and tape to close the road…
Standing above the village I was able to avoid most of the sea spray that was filling the air but constant wiping of the ND Grad filter I was using was still necessary. I also had the help of a good friend who stood with their back to the wind, shielding the camera and tripod from the spray but it was still a struggle to keep lens and camera dry. I saw a lot of photographers lower down with their cameras in plastic carrier bags, drenched through. I think I made the right decision to stand where I did… ;-)
70mm f/11 1/60 sec. ISO 100
70mm f/11 1/100 sec. ISO 100
70mm f/11 1/25 sec. ISO 100
70mm f/11 1/50 sec. ISO 100
Cornwall Photographic 
What an amazing series of shot! Wow!
January 6, 2014 at 9:16 pm
Thank you Kim. It’s been a pretty wild day!
January 6, 2014 at 9:25 pm
I felt a bit of fear looking at the second photograph and the size of the wave….If I saw that looking out of my window..I’d need new pants lol!
January 6, 2014 at 10:16 pm
The sea can be pretty fearsome and one really needs to afford it a great deal of respect. Just a foot of water flowing with the force of these waves could knock you off your feet. Certainly wouldn’t do to get too close..
January 6, 2014 at 10:41 pm
Oh, I know! I live near the ocean and have been out in 11 foot waves riding my boogie board…dangerous stuff!
January 6, 2014 at 11:03 pm
Dangerous but fun! ;-)
January 6, 2014 at 11:19 pm
Yes, it was both! I was rather sore the next day.
January 7, 2014 at 2:32 am
:)
January 7, 2014 at 9:40 am
Fabulous series of pictures!
January 6, 2014 at 9:27 pm
Thank you Noeline. It really has been quite a spectacle watching the ocean through these storms but I’m mindful of how miserable this weather is making life for some. I’m very lucky to have been able to watch from a safe distance and live on the higher, drier ground in the the centre of the county.
January 6, 2014 at 10:12 pm
Wow i think you choose the right place.. great shot.
January 6, 2014 at 9:32 pm
Thank you Lou!
January 6, 2014 at 10:12 pm
Holy smokes, Adrian! I guess you are having quite the sea swells going on there. Well, it sure makes for some stunningly dramatic photographs. I think you might be a conjurer of perfect light, too. : )
Bravo to you for braving the wind and wet. Well worth the effort I would say.
January 6, 2014 at 9:41 pm
The weather has been horrendous Karen and is causing a great deal of misery for some. I’ve been lucky to have been able to watch from a distance and as you say, nature in the raw makes for some dramatic imagery. I did feel quite blessed having those glimpses of sunshine through the clouds every now and then ;-)
January 6, 2014 at 10:29 pm
Definitely the right decision. Not only for your safety, but I love the perspective of seeing those wild waves crashing at the village. Utterly divine series, Chilli. Can’t help but feel sorry for the folks being flooded.
January 6, 2014 at 10:07 pm
These storms have been very bad for an awful lot of people Gunta and driving past flooded houses makes you realise what utter misery that would be. I was certainly counting my blessings standing above it all.
January 6, 2014 at 11:37 pm
Those are wonderful!!
January 6, 2014 at 10:13 pm
Thank you! :)
January 6, 2014 at 10:39 pm
Awesome shots Adrian! It looks terrifying seeing how big the waves are and the force they have. But it is also beautiful to watch.
January 6, 2014 at 10:16 pm
Thank you Chris. It was very beautiful out there today and witnessing the raw power of nature like that had a very invigorating effect. I’ve been buzzing all day..
January 6, 2014 at 10:42 pm
I can imagine that Adrian, it looks awesome in a terrifying but beautiful way. Being exposed to wind and spray, hearing it must have been even more exciting.
January 7, 2014 at 6:39 am
You most certainly made the right decisions and choices this day – dramatic photos! Full of life and light – just fabulous.
January 6, 2014 at 10:28 pm
Thank you so much Anne Christine. As I said to Chris, watching nature in the raw like this had a very invigorating effect on me. It was as though the energy were being passed on somehow..
January 6, 2014 at 10:49 pm
I can understand that. Just like you pass on some of your energy into your beautiful pictures.
January 6, 2014 at 10:52 pm
Such a lovely comment, thank you. :)
January 6, 2014 at 11:14 pm
Wild Beauty. Some wonderfully atmospheric images – the sky is amazing. Somehow one feels so detached looking at them on the screen. Without the noise of the wind and the crashing of the surf, and the spume flying, their beauty disguises the deadly power in those colossal waves. Thanks for bringing them to us and staying safe in the process.
January 6, 2014 at 10:28 pm
Thank you Andy. The glimpses of sunshine on the water were really very beautiful and a .6 ND Grad helped with those skies. It was good to be watching from a distance. Sensing the raw power of it all it’s difficult to understand some of the risks people have been seen taking during the storms. One young photographer down here set out to take pictures of the ‘weather’ and hasn’t been seen since. It really doesn’t do to get too close.
January 6, 2014 at 10:59 pm
WOW!
January 6, 2014 at 10:36 pm
Those were my first words when I arrived at Porthleven this morning! ;-)
January 6, 2014 at 10:59 pm
Awesome surf . . . well captured.
January 6, 2014 at 10:47 pm
Thank you Emilio!
January 6, 2014 at 11:13 pm
Great shots Adrian, you’ve really captured the drama of the sea in context with the landscape and that sky is fantastic.
January 6, 2014 at 10:49 pm
Thanks very much Mark. Appreciate it!
January 6, 2014 at 11:14 pm
Spectacularly dramatic, the architecture and the weather, brilliantly captured! Of your photos, these definitely rate among my favorites.
January 6, 2014 at 10:57 pm
Thank you Vivian. Certainly lots of drama to be had out there today!
January 6, 2014 at 11:15 pm
Hi Adrian, glad to see you made back to base safe and sound. I can imagine the sound and the smell of the sea was invigorating to the senses. I noticed in the first picture the red life ring and in the second picture its gone, but you can just see it in the sea. The ocean had truly got great power and so many are at its mercy. Great photos as always x
January 6, 2014 at 11:02 pm
Thank you Angi. In the third picture you can see at the base of the clock tower what is left of a bench we witnessed being smashed apart like matchwood. You can see some of it in the middle of the road. It wasn’t there long before it was then washed into the harbour. It must of been there for many years. Perhaps this was just one storm too many..
January 6, 2014 at 11:19 pm
Sadly this weather had taken endless treasures from our shores. Sometimes I think we forget how fragile we are, Mother Nature can be all too powerful.
January 6, 2014 at 11:25 pm
wow…these are powerful photos…they make me wonder how those who live in the area do so with out fear??? The break walls say this happens often…
January 6, 2014 at 11:13 pm
Thank you Heather. These storms have definitely been getting more severe and more frequent in recent years although yes, the harbour walls are there to protect the village and the fishing fleet from winter storms that have made landfall over the years. From this point west, there is nothing but Ocean until you reach North America. That’s a lot of ocean.
January 6, 2014 at 11:24 pm
yes…definitely a lot of ocean…I lived lakeside for over 30 years up until 3 years ago and had my share of uncomfortable feelings and worry, as the waves were up over the break wall, but I’ve never experienced anything like those waves, I think that is why they have such a strong impact on me???
January 7, 2014 at 12:46 am
I wondered seeing the news if you would be out photographing, of course you were. Great result, but wow, take care!
January 6, 2014 at 11:43 pm
Thank you Bente. The weather is certainly making the news at the moment that’s for sure.
January 7, 2014 at 9:35 am
Amazing waves & weather.
I’ve just finished looking at a blog showing the deep snow of their overnight storms in the US.
Great shots of the sea. Glad you’re up high & safe.
January 7, 2014 at 12:02 am
Thank you Vicki. The weather is doing some strange things all over the globe it seems.
January 7, 2014 at 9:36 am
Stunning photos – what drama! Your high viewpoint gives such a good broad picture. The colour in the sky is amazing, really threatening. Shows the power of the natural world, way beyond our control.
January 7, 2014 at 12:36 am
Thank you Anna. The sheer raw energy of it all was breathtaking.
January 7, 2014 at 9:39 am
Fabulous images! I’m glad you reversed up to a safe distance partly so that we get to see the rolling waves rising behind the church and the glorious streams of sunshine breaking through the clouds :-) I’m out photographing the Surrey floods tomorrow!
January 7, 2014 at 12:52 am
Good luck with your pictures Sarah and take care also!
January 7, 2014 at 9:40 am
Reblogged this on ashfyrdplace and commented:
In a word: wow!
January 7, 2014 at 1:24 am
Thanks for the reblog! :)
January 7, 2014 at 9:40 am
Wow, simply WOW! These are the best images images of sea, storm and sunlight I have seen. An absolutely brilliant shoot Chillbrook ~ it would have been great just to stand there, watch & feel Mother Nature at her best. Great work, and best to you in ’14!
January 7, 2014 at 2:57 am
Thank you Randall. I wish all the best for you and your family in 2014 also. I look forward to many more of your stunning images.
January 7, 2014 at 9:41 am
wunderschoene und aufregende Fotoserie. Ich liebe solch aufregende Orte am Meer und ich hoffe, Porthleven und Cornwall eines Tages zu besuchen. Great shots!
January 7, 2014 at 7:01 am
Thank you very much indeed! I hope you get your wish. :)
January 7, 2014 at 11:34 am
Stunning images.
What a place, a bit scary though :)
Does people really live there? I am just wondering how this town was built right in the middle of these waves!!!
January 7, 2014 at 9:14 am
Thank you Sreejith. The winter storms that hit these small fishing villages are tempered to a large extent by the harbour walls. It’s quite unusual for the storms to be quite so fierce as they have been this week.
January 7, 2014 at 5:55 pm
I really wish I could visit this place one day :)
January 9, 2014 at 8:59 am
Awesome photos, great photowork!
January 7, 2014 at 9:29 am
Thank you Hans!
January 7, 2014 at 11:34 am
Powerful. These pics were definitely worth the risk shooting them.
January 7, 2014 at 9:38 am
Thank you very much! :)
January 7, 2014 at 5:55 pm
ChillB .. – just putting to one side the devastation and fellow concern for those who have felt the brunt of these storms we’ve been having lately – you’ve really captured the beauty and unquenchable power of these ocean breakers making their claim in the storm …
Such beautiful light here almost diffuses the savagery of the ocean in this stormy mood ..
Many heart beating moments – for a number of reasons I’m sure – pressing on that shutter ;-)
Looking at that scene I remember well how sitting backs to the wall round that Clock tower last April, BB and I sat demolishing a Cornish Pasty on one of Cornwall’s balmier days !
January 7, 2014 at 9:47 am
Thank you Poppy. The perfect place to sit and demolish a pasty. I hope the parish council has enough money to replace the benches as they were just smashed a washed into the sea. It was an incredible morning and one that will stay with me for a very long time.
January 7, 2014 at 5:58 pm
Awesome photography!
January 7, 2014 at 1:07 pm
Thank you Mary! :)
January 7, 2014 at 5:58 pm
Cinematic perfection!
January 7, 2014 at 1:40 pm
Thank you so much Elena! :)
January 7, 2014 at 5:58 pm
Adrian, these are spectacular images. Really wonderful!
January 7, 2014 at 2:43 pm
Thank you Lemony! :)
January 7, 2014 at 5:59 pm
I feel altered just looking at these images…just thinking about what it would be like to be present with all that wave energy! Thank you thank you for sharing that…it’s made me breathless!
January 7, 2014 at 2:58 pm
Thank you so much Liana. As a photographer we obviously hope that our pictures will have an impact. You have made my day with your comment! :)
January 7, 2014 at 6:00 pm
Wow, awesome. The first one is my favorite!
January 7, 2014 at 3:25 pm
Thank you so much Yvonne!
January 7, 2014 at 6:01 pm
The first 2 shots are my choice – I really cant make my mind up between them – the second anticipates what coming next – love the Church right at the shore front, fending of the waves to defend the village and protect the parishioners (too much malt for me perhaps :-) Happy New Year Scott
January 7, 2014 at 4:04 pm
Thank you very much Scott! Enjoy the malt! :)
January 7, 2014 at 6:03 pm
Fabulous photos, dear Chillbrook. You’ve captured the very essence of the stormy weather. I’ve been following the news and was thinking of you down in Cornwall. It appears to be one of the worst hit places. The West Coast suffered the most here in Wales. Be safe, my friend. You are in my prayers.
January 7, 2014 at 4:13 pm
Thank you so much! I really appreciate your comment and your thoughts. The coast has certainly taken a battering over the last couple of weeks.
January 7, 2014 at 6:07 pm
Amazing captures! When nature shows her teeth it’s quite a sight to behold! Stay safe!
January 8, 2014 at 12:12 am
Thank you so much Jackie!
January 8, 2014 at 7:52 pm
Superbly done. Excellent.
January 8, 2014 at 10:48 am
Thank you David, Much appreciated!
January 8, 2014 at 7:52 pm
Bravo for just being there under these conditions. Great photos! Thanks for sharing.
January 8, 2014 at 1:38 pm
Thank you very much Notis!
January 8, 2014 at 7:53 pm
These were certainly shots not to be missed. Incredible series, Adrian. :)
January 8, 2014 at 7:41 pm
Thank you so much Sylvia! It really was quite something to behold. We’re all bracing for a re-run next Tuesday.. Good for photography, not for much else..
January 8, 2014 at 7:54 pm
Look forward to seeing what Tuesday brings. Wrap up well. :)
January 12, 2014 at 3:00 pm
Thank you Sylvia, I will!
January 12, 2014 at 10:24 pm
The wild weather can produce great photo opportunities as proven here. It was wise to stay safe though, and this has been proved by some recent sad events. Great shots from the safe spot that you chose.
January 10, 2014 at 11:05 am
Thank you David. With the sea in this kind of mood it really isn’t worth taking any risks at all.
January 11, 2014 at 6:05 pm
Wow!
January 10, 2014 at 4:20 pm
:-)
January 11, 2014 at 6:05 pm
You’ve blown me away again! Excellent. I hope you’re entering your images somewhere, or in touch with getty ;)
January 10, 2014 at 9:30 pm
Hi Marina, thank you. It was a wild day that was for sure. I did submit these pictures to the national newspapers but I got there too late. I saw other photographers in their cars with laptops and dictaphones on the day and wondered what they were doing. I guess they were uploading their images from the scene rather than waiting until they got home as I did.
January 11, 2014 at 6:09 pm
Great comp., like the sepia.
January 11, 2014 at 9:09 pm
Thank you very much Mike!
January 11, 2014 at 9:55 pm
Wow, a wee bit windier is a real tongue in cheek understatement, it is awesome.
January 12, 2014 at 6:32 am
It was pretty wild out there!
January 12, 2014 at 10:23 pm
I would not want to live in those sea front buildings…
January 12, 2014 at 10:26 pm
Very nice in the calm weather but it’d be hellish trying to keep the windows clean with all the salt spray in the winter, not to mention the risks of flooding. I’d certainly opt for higher ground just a little inland or on top of a cliff! ;-)
January 12, 2014 at 10:36 pm
Me too…
January 12, 2014 at 11:43 pm
Beautiful and wild scenery! God, I so look forward to my trip to Cornwall in May :)
January 12, 2014 at 8:02 am
Thank you. I expect the weather won’t be quite so wild in May but with Cornwall, you never know. I hope you enjoy your visit.
January 12, 2014 at 10:24 pm
Just a wee bit of wind… Amazing pictures, Adrian. So dramatic and with waves that are astonishing. It’s really astonishing that someone built a church at that some back whenever. A great series all together. By the way – on a different note – I am slowly getting more participants to the workshop in Spain. Will get back with some more information next week. In the mean time I wish you all the best in 2014.
January 12, 2014 at 11:48 pm
Thank you Otto, perhaps by positioning the church at the edge of the harbour, they hoped for the divine to look kindly upon this small community of fisherman. I too wish you the very best for 2014 and I look forward to hearing from you.
January 13, 2014 at 12:26 pm
Extreme! Fantastic series, so various and spectacular!
January 13, 2014 at 3:46 pm
Thank you very much Ray!
January 13, 2014 at 3:59 pm
His photograph series are very very nice.
January 14, 2014 at 9:40 am
Thank you Isabel! :-)
January 15, 2014 at 8:31 am
Uffff…. Bonito Temporal. Es Una Serie Muy Hermosa.
January 15, 2014 at 5:58 pm
¡muchas gracias
January 15, 2014 at 6:39 pm