Earlier this week I finally made it to somewhere out of town with lockdowns in the UK slowly being lifted. I was full of the joys of spring expecting to shoot from sunset and continue in to the night and shoot a long star trail sequence. My joy and enthusiasm was short lived however as I walked down the path to the tin mine against a 50 mile per hour wind. Undaunted, I pressed on thinking this wind is only a "slight breeze" and I could probably find a sheltered spot to shoot. No such luck!!
Wheel Coates Sunset
Located on the north Cornwall coast is Wheal Coates tin mine which doesn't look half bad at sunset. Unfortunately, no matter how much I tried, I couldn't get the damn tripod to keep still in the wind! I ended up resorting to my trusty iPhone 12 in HDR mode...
My plan...
If I visit a new location, I tend to wander round planning what shots I may take afterdark. This was one planned with a leading line where I intended to light up the path with a red lightpainted line with strategically placed flashguns to light up the mine. It was not to be:
Granite everywhere
Another planned shot with strategically placed lights. I'd read that these abandoned tin mines were radioactive and it didn't help that prior to this visit I'd watched a Youtube video where uranite was found which is the ore they extract uranium from!
I stayed till late, very late but the wind never died down. It seems that 50 mph winds and long exposures in the dark do not go well together! Lesson learned, I'll be back when the skies are dark and the wind has kindly buggered off!
About me:
I usually specialise in shooting lightpainting images but occasionally dabble in urbex and artistic model photography. I'm always on the lookout for someone to collaborate with; please don't hesitate to get in touch if you'd like to create art.
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Can't believe you beat me to it lol. This has been on my list for the next time I'm in Cornwall, I usually stay at Perranporth and with this being at St Agnes, well, it's not too far to travel. I was going to go last time I was down, but weather conditions were poor and I just couldn't be arsed due to the rain lol. Anyhow, these are great shots matey.
Haha, cheers pal. I made a long list of places to shoot but the godamn wind this week down there has amazed me! I still have the list and will hopefully go back in September when it gets darker a bit earlier too. I have some LP shots to go through but the first ones I've looked at all have camera shake lol
If ya down in September matey, I might be there too, already got it booked (2nd or 3rd week in september I think it is), give me a shout when ya down, if I'm there I'll meet up with you if that's ok?
Cool, will do! I'm booked off work w/c 6th Sept. Darker earlier will definitely help that time of year and still warm enough not to freeze to death lol