February 14, 2013 in Landscape Photography

Are you afraid about steep coasts?

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Since last year I have heard more and more stories about steep coasts breaking away. There are tragical accidents caused by erosions of coastlines here in Germany. For example the 10 year old that was buried alive by a massive spilling at Kap Arkona on the Isle of Rügen last year. I have slept and shot exactly at that point where the accident happened. This is the photo I have shot some years ago.

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I have the feeling that our environmental problems are causing more and more damage around us. Coastlines are always in movement but I guess there is more damage that is happening to them nowadays.

Sleeping at the beach is something I really love. But steep coasts are giving me more and more the feeling to look up instead of looking down or far away enjoying the view.

I guess there is no risk to sleep outside under a steep coasts unless it is heavy rain and storm. Luckily both weather conditions won‘t be inviting to do so. And the most dangerous thing that happens to me was a snail crawling over my mouth while sleeping.

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I am not quite comfortable feeling a threat from above. This influences my work on the ground. I have not found the right solution dealing with that. I try to talk to myself: “There is no risk, stay calm…”, but it won‘t help. 🙂

This is quite a bit normal. But when there is something new I try to implement it. Emotions have a strong influence in our work as nature photographers.

How do deal with feelings like that while being out in mother nature?




5 Comments

  1. February 16, 2013 at 08:55

    Kim

    Reply

    Actually no, the best image I have seen so far, is an old one from M. Breitung. It seems the only ones availabe is the usual midday sun photos from tourists, or advanced amateurs.
    I guess there is plenty room for making fine art photography, not seen before in case of Moens Klint.

  2. February 16, 2013 at 07:00

    Kim

    Reply

    We plan to have a stay overnight there in late july. I will be out in the morning before sunrise, trying my luck at the south-east side to be able to have the sun aligned with the shoreline and cliff as much as possible. There after I will just walk the beach north and try my luck. Hoping to getting something not so usual 😉
    Don’t forget http://www.bryghusetmoen.dk/ They know how to serve a decent beer 🙂

    1. February 16, 2013 at 08:47

      Olaf Bathke

      Reply

      I guess I will go there when the sun is east. A friend told me that it is possible to stay overnight on a parking lot southwards. There should be a lighthouse or so. I haven’t found great photos from Moen so far. Do you know photographer that take great shots from there?

  3. February 16, 2013 at 06:34

    olaf

    Reply

    thx, Kim. Moen us on my list ggor this year. any recommondations there?)

  4. February 16, 2013 at 04:49

    Kim Hansen

    Reply

    I completely get your point Olaf.
    The very same happend a few years ago in denmark at Moens Klint. Casualties as well, and those coastlines errodes constantly. The heavy rain will force them to go a bit earlier, but you cannot stay safe at places like that, as you never know where it will come down next time.
    So how to deal with it, you ask. I really have no good answer to that, besides what i do my self. I try to find out if there has been havy rain the week before going to a new place with high cliffs. If positive, photography in that area is a nogo. If the shoreline below the cliffs looks nice without any newly fresh looking erossions I would go, trying to convince myself there are no risk.
    This feeling that you have to carry around, and to stay cautious will somehow have influence on your creative work.

    Warm regards
    Kim

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