A Day in Dorset.
A Day in Dorset: Capturing the Beauty of Lulworth Cove & Durdle Door
I recently set out on a day trip with a good friend, to two of Dorset’s most iconic landmarks: Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. Known for their dramatic cliffs, pristine beaches, turquoise water and the naturally sculpted rock archway of Durdle Door, these locations offer photographers an amazing opportunity to capture coastal beauty with a variety of moods and perspectives. Armed with my Canon 6D, Sony A6300, and an ambitious plan, I spent the day scouting, planning shots, and playing with settings to adapt to the changing light, ending with a stunning golden hour that topped off the day.
Arriving at Lulworth Cove mid-morning, I took some time to walk around and observe the landscape. The cove's sweeping curve, clear waters, and rocky cliffs set a tranquil scene. For me, part of the magic in capturing these locations is taking the time to truly observe them and take in their beauty. I explored different vantage points and visualized the types of shots I wanted. Would the cove look better framed with a wide-angle view? Would a long exposure enhance the calmness of the water? These are the questions that went through my mind as I wandered along the coastal path, framing images in my head before reaching for the camera.
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When it came time to take some photos, I started with my Canon paired with a 24-70mm lens. This setup is perfect for capturing landscapes and performing long exposures. With the overcast skies casting a soft, diffused light, I knew a slower shutter speed would create that silky effect on the water while still bringing out the textures in the rocks. The moody sky adding drama, enhancing the raw beauty of the landscape. I kept my ISO low, around 100-200, and experimented with apertures between f/6 and f/11 to get everything in sharp focus.
For more candid shots or moments where I wanted to capture the textures and details of the rock formations up close, I switched to my Sony with a Sigma 16mm f/1.4 lens. This setup is lightweight and quick to use, allowing me to adapt to fleeting moments without too much fuss. The 16mm focal length provided a nice, wide view, perfect for those sweeping coastal scenes while still keeping the rocks and waves prominent in the frame.
As midday turned into afternoon, the clouds grew thicker, creating a dark, moody atmosphere. Far from discouraging me, this dramatic sky was a blessing for my photos. The contrast of the dark clouds against the pale cliffs made the entire scene feel almost otherworldly. For shots of Durdle Door, I embraced the drama by lowering my shutter speed further to blur the waves crashing against the shore. This created an almost painting-like quality, where the movement of the water contrasted beautifully with the solid, immovable rock.
These moody skies also allowed me to play around with exposure settings. Shooting with a slightly underexposed setting gave the images a richer, deeper tone, enhancing the stormy look. I used a tripod for stability during these longer exposures, especially when using my Canon, to ensure each shot was as sharp and steady as possible.
Golden Hour: The Day’s Grand Finale
As the day drew to a close, the sun finally began to break through the clouds, casting a golden glow across the landscape. This was the moment I’d been hoping for all day—a golden hour that added warmth to the stone and brought out the textures of the cliffs in a way that earlier light couldn’t. The low angle of the sun created long shadows and added a striking contrast to the cove, the arch and the cliffs surrounding.
I switched back to my Sony for some spontaneous handheld shots, capturing the warm glow on the rocks and the calm sea. With the Sigma 16mm lens at f/1.4, I was able to get some beautifully crisp images even in the dimming light. The Canon also stayed busy, capturing the larger scene in long exposures, as the sun illuminated the waves lapping at the shore. This golden light transformed the scene into something almost magical, highlighting the rugged beauty of the cliffs and casting reflections that added depth to each shot.
Equipment Rundown
Here's a quick summary of the equipment that helped me capture the magic of Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door:
Canon 6D with an EF 24-70mm f/2.8 Lens & Gone Variable ND filter: Perfect for landscape shots and long exposure photography, allowing me to capture the full scope of the scene in sharp detail.
Sony A6300 with a Sigma 16mm f/1.4 Lens: My go-to for versatile, handheld shots. This camera made it easy to adapt to the changing light and shoot more spontaneous, close-up shots.
Tripod: Essential for those long exposures, especially in the dimmer light of the moody skies and golden hour. A stable tripod ensured I could keep my images sharp and minimize camera shake.
A day spent photographing Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door is a reminder of the power of nature to create dynamic, ever-changing scenes. From the dark, moody skies of the afternoon to the golden light that emerged in the early evening, each moment felt like a new opportunity to capture the landscape’s many moods. Taking the time to observe, plan, and adapt my settings to the light allowed me to bring out the unique beauty of these iconic spots.
For anyone considering a trip, I’d highly recommend taking it slow and enjoying the landscape as it shifts throughout the day. Dorset’s coast has so much to offer, and the light changes can transform the scenery in ways you never expect—resulting in images that capture not only a place but a feeling.