I didn’t manage to do a single shoot through October but the start of September I decided to travel locally to Rame Head and managed to capture this image of the headland chapel and Milkyway core covered in the moonlight. My initial plan was to travel locally to try out a new Star Glow filter although unfortunately I was initially given a dud filter. However, it was nice to get an improved composition of this iconic Southeast Cornwall location.
Rame Head with a hint of moonlight.
For my second shoot of September, I journeyed to East Prawle. A striking part of the south Devon coast. I have previously explored the coastal path towards Start Point but haven’t been in the other direction. It was particularly nice to wander the coast under such crisp clear skies. This was my first composition from Gammon Head. This cove nestled within the cliffs, jumped out to me immediately once I had approached it from the coastal path. A few lucky campers were enjoying the stars from the beach, so I opted to get this elevated composition from the coastal path with the Milkyway, Jupiter and Saturn acting as a splendid backdrop.
Gammon Head.
While venturing around for my astrophotography, I am always keeping an eye open for interesting foregrounds. While walking back to the car this night, I struck gold and stumbled across these interesting Parasol mushrooms. I committed the last few hours of the night making them a focal point for a few more compositions before heading home content on a good nights work.
Parasole Mushrooms - South Devon
The spell of good astro conditions continued with another coastal trip to Ayrmer Cove. This is an interesting Devon beach which has this shark fin like rock to the west side of the bay. The Milkyway was looking great this night so I got low to the ground to use these foreground rocks as a leading line into the prominent rock stack and milky way.
Ayrmer Cove - Devon
My final shoot of September took me to Bodmin for a mild all-night shoot around Kilmer and Sharp Tor. I had no real expectation from this shoot aside from taking a good night walk and seeing what grabbed my eye. This composition was my first taken on the night and features an outcrop on Sharp Tor looking towards the Milkyway. I decided to position myself in the composition to add scale to this Tor. What sticks in my mind about this trip is how still and quiet everything was. I could even hear the flapping of bats wings as they flew around me hunted insects.
Sharp Tor - Bodmin Moor
My walk then took me a mile west to Kilmer Tor, which is unique in the sense that it is a long narrow ridge with steep rocky sides. Along this ridge is this interesting rock stack that appears to be defying gravity leaning over to one side. I thought this view of the stack would look great with a Milkyway backdrop.
Kilmar Tor - Bodmin
My third and final location this nigh took me to this water-filled quarry. I like to achieve three compositions on a night shoot and this composition was one of my targets after a day scout a few days previous. It was nice to get a shot of the northern skies too and to sign off a great month off astrophotography.
Minions Quarry - Bodmin