Challenging Coastal Landscape Photography Adventures on the Dorset Coast
Sometimes the best photography trips aren’t about perfect weather or dramatic landscapes—they’re about experimentation, learning, and enjoying the journey. A while back, I decided to test whether I enjoy short overnight trips in my camper van while photographing the English coastline. My destination? Freshwater Beach, near West Bay on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, perfect for some coastal landscape photography.
Planning the Trip
From what I could tell on Google Maps, Freshwater Beach didn’t look particularly inspiring. But the goal wasn’t just photography—it was also to test my comfort with short, solo van trips. Plus, I really wanted to be somewhere within walking distance of an area suitable for photography. Sunrise was early, and I figured fellow campers wouldn’t appreciate me firing up the van to drive somewhere at 5:30am!
Plus, I prefer staying at campsites rather than wild camping, both for safety and peace of mind. This campsite sits right on the beach, making it perfect for a quick trial adventure.
The plan was simple: set up the van, get settled, and head out for a sunset shoot along the coast. Tomorrow’s plan would focus on sunrise photography—unless the sunset provided enough content.
Arrival and Setup
I arrived around late afternoon and quickly set up: roof up, electricity plugged in, and kettle on. My pitch was right by a footpath, but with the Southwest Coast Path and Jurassic Coast nearby, the location felt scenic and accessible.
Even though this Dorset beach wasn’t dramatic at first glance, the purpose of the trip was to explore and experiment. To see what coastal landscape photography compositions I could find. The light was heavy and overcast, but that’s part of the challenge with landscape photography—sometimes, you have to make the most of what nature gives you.
Sunset Photography Challenges
Out on the beach, I faced several challenges:
- Weather and lighting: Thick, grey clouds created a “plain” sky, making it tough to capture a dramatic sunset.
- Equipment quirks: I forgot my glasses in the van, as if things weren’t challenging enough
- Tides and waves: The incoming tide and crisscrossing waves made it tricky to isolate compositions.
Despite these obstacles, I experimented with different camera settings. ISO 100, f/11, shutter speeds around 1/8 sec, and a combination of polariser and ND filters to balance exposure. I focused on the rocks in the foreground with the cliffs in the distance, trying to create a layered composition.
Even though it wasn’t my best work, I managed to capture a few unique shots that I’m excited to review in post-production.
Here are another couple of my evening efforts. The shot down the Dorset coast, with the misty cliffs probably my favourite.
Reflection on the ‘Sunset’ Experience
Shooting in less-than-ideal light is a learning curve. When conditions aren’t perfect, the focus shifts from chasing dramatic sunsets to exploring compositions. Searching for textures, and details that might otherwise go unnoticed. I found this to be both challenging and rewarding—it made me appreciate the smaller elements of landscape photography.
Camping in the van also added another layer to the experience. Setting up quickly, staying comfortable, and planning for sunrise the next day all contributed to understanding the logistics of short photography trips.
The Next Morning
The alarm went off early, and I skipped breakfast as I was keen to get to the coast again. Hopefully, the light would cooperate, but even if it didn’t, the experience of experimenting, learning, and photographing the Dorset coast was invaluable.
There was something magical about watching the world wake up. The soft glow of pre-dawn, the quiet lapping of water against rocks, the thrill of exploring a rugged coastline—this morning was exactly that kind of experience.
I set out just before sunrise, walking for about 15–20 minutes. With half an hour still to go, the light was gradually creeping in, and I found myself at the top of a small cliff overlooking a river that snakes out to the sea—the same river I had explored the day before. My plan was to try a few long exposure shots, but the area was messy, littered with boulders.
About 15 minutes earlier, I’d had a moment that made my heart skip a beat. I accidentally passed through a gate I didn’t think I needed to, and when I turned back, two bright red eyes—dog-sized and glowing—stared at me. I froze, heart racing, until the “creature” ran off. It turned out to be a dog, his walker not far behind, but in that split second, my imagination had taken me somewhere darker.
Surveying the area for coastal landscape photography Dorset
Keeping my distance from the cliff edge (20 feet of rocky drop is not a risk I’m ready to take), I scouted the area carefully. My first composition wasn’t exciting—a reminder to not waste precious time on shots I already know won’t work. Photography is as much about patience and decision-making as it is about pressing the shutter.
A few minutes later, I found a much more promising composition. A single rock, flanked by a couple of smaller ones, sat perfectly along a sweeping band that led out to the sea. I had to adjust slightly, moving one rock out of the frame to preserve balance, but the resulting shot might just be my second favorite of the two-day trip.
From there, I wandered closer to the river, observing the cliffs and signs of erosion, cautious not to get too near the edge. I tried a few more compositions, experimenting with slow shutter speeds to capture water movement. Some worked, some didn’t—the speed of water across different sections of the river created disparities I hadn’t anticipated. But that’s part of the learning process.
Eventually, I moved to the opposite side of the river from my earlier shots, trying to justify taking “just one more photo.” Sometimes the urge to capture more can outweigh logic, and that was one of those moments. Even with the cloudy sky muting the light, I experimented with a square crop to focus on sea and sand, aiming for a minimalist feel.
Dorset Reflections – How was my coastal landscape photography trip
Back in the van, reflecting on the shoot, my thoughts were simple:
- My first favourite shot captured the sweeping sand and water movement perfectly.
- Some experiments didn’t work as well due to water speed variations and composition challenges.
- Post-processing might help tidy a few elements, like stray rocks, to enhance the minimalist effect.
The morning ended with breakfast in the van, a quiet moment to recharge before packing up. Autumn was coming, and I was eager to get back into the forest to capture the changing colours, even if the weather isn’t ideal. Photography often felt like a game of chance. Sometimes the light was perfect, sometimes it was elusive—but that unpredictability was part of the adventure.
Every shoot teaches something new, whether it’s about composition, timing, patience, or simply embracing the unexpected. Today’s lesson? Sometimes the best photos come when you slow down, respect the environment, and let the landscape guide you.
I’m slowly discovering the joys of van-based landscape photography: flexibility, spontaneity, and the opportunity to explore new locations at your own pace.
Tips for Photographers Shooting in Low Light
If you’re like me and often encounter overcast skies or dull light:
- Focus on composition and textures instead of relying on dramatic light.
- Experiment with filters to manage reflections and balance exposure.
- Don’t be afraid to explore tide lines, rocks, and cliffs for interesting foregrounds.
- Plan for comfort: being relaxed in your setup allows you to focus more on creativity.
This trip was a small step in my journey into van-based landscape photography. While the sun didn’t always cooperate, the experience of being on location, experimenting with light, and discovering compositions made it an unforgettable day of coastal landscape photography in Dorset.
If you’re interested in following along with my photography adventures and learning from my experiments, make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel. And also check out future posts for more tips and behind-the-scenes insights from the Dorset coast.
