1st Light At The Quarry

5am my alarm goes off. I quickly dress and grab my already prepared camera bag.

patting myself down. Phone, Keys, Wallet and Travel mug full of hot coffee.

I quietly leave the house locking the front door on the way. Its 530 am, quietly moving through streets heading for the quarry.

The quarry is a local landmark. The site was formerly used to quarry for Blue Lias Limestone. Its now a nature reserve.

A great place for any photographer. Its local and has a little bit of everything. Wildlife, Scenery, Water and its a nice walk.

My dad had told me he was getting here at 6 and I wanted to be there before him. As a stood by the gate sipping my coffee he pulled up shocked I was there.

He had his kayak, a few rods and lures. He was after the pike.

He got in the water with his gear and paddled away. The water perfectly clear, the sun just peaking over the quarry wall the faint quack of a few ducks.

Body strap over my right shoulder, K-1 hanging on my waist a super wide 15-30mm F2.8 lens dangling.

First light is always a beautiful time. Its so peaceful and quiet. Very few people are up, time feels like its stood still.

I photographed my father as he did his thing. not posing, unaware what i was doing for the most part.

He did his stuff and I did mine.

I tried using my 10-Stop ND Filter

ND Filters are amazingly useful. They slow down the light reaching the lens meaning I can open the shutter for a lot longer. (I shall do a tutorial soon for people interested in how I shoot with an ND filter.)

The Beautiful Water, The Sun Hitting it perfectly, the reflection.

Hard to believe these pics were taken so close together. The light changes really quickly this early in the day.

With so many people using this place to walk, relax or have fun the wildlife isn't skittish. it didn't take long for the swans to come have a look.

I've always found swans hard to photography. Their wings and feathers normally get blown out and are overexposed. I was lucky this time tho.

More stories to follow soon. Sorry for waffling and please keep reading