South Stack Lighthouse

Lighthouse #28

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The story behind this image

For this shot of south Stack Lighthouse I'm standing next to Ellin's Tower, an RSPB centre and lookout from which you can observe puffins and otherseabirds nesting on the cliffs surrounding the lighthouse.

I'm afraid a mere photograph can't do justice to the sensory treat that actually being here provides. You have the raucous calling of the thousands of seabirds fighting for space on the cliffs, the soft sighing of the gentle swell as the sea kisses the base of the cliffs, the feel of the onshore breeze of your face, the fresh smell of the air blowing in off the sea and so on.

All I can bring you in this photo is the beautiful play of soft sunset light on the multi-coloured cliffs, the gentleness of cloud reflections on the sea, the pinpoint of light beaming from the lonely lighthouse maintaining its vigil over the rocks and sea and the last vestiges of the setting sun picking out the final highlights on cumulus clouds marching over the coastline.

What a place, you really have to be there to experience it.

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Image data

Filename - lighthouse 28.jpg

Camera - Canon 5D

Lens - 24-105mm zoom @ 27mm

Exposure - 2.5secs @ f16, ISO100

Location - South Stack, Anglesey

This image - 547x800px JPEG

Conversion - ACR & PS-CS2

Comments - Tripod, mirror lockup and self timer used to prevent camera movement.