Robin Hood’s Bay
On photographing an approaching storm
This image was made on an epic afternoon on the beach at Robin Hood’s Bay. There was an amazing sea in the bay with spray everywhere and I was in the mood to make vistas rather than beach details. I was working the beach with my technical camera looking for images and had made several frames when I finally found a strong composition near the end of the rock platform looking south towards Ravenscar. As I was setting up I noticed a storm starting to form out to sea to the south – around the Scarborough area.
I waited. As it built up and got closer it swung over so it was almost on top of Ravenscar. I made a series of captures as it moved across the sky and the main image was the best. As it got even closer I realised it was going to hit me and I had to quickly pack up the camera and get dressed for the deluge. Exhilarating photography.
It cleared out and about 90 minutes later I made a second vista image – the alternative image – pointing the other way as some beautiful, calm and soft light appeared.
