Ever since I first saw this view out over Llandudno Bay on the North Wales coast I've been planning to spend an evening here recording a time lapse video showing the transition from day to night.
The spot that gives this stunning overlook is halfway up the side of the Great Orme limestone headland at the western end of the bay, looking east.
The view takes in the sweep of Llandudno Bay, all the way round to the Little Orme at its far side, together with most of the town laid out on flat ground between the two Ormes.
My opportunity finally came in late May, with only light cloud forecast and a sunset time of 9.30pm giving me plenty of time to get fully sorted out and in position for my evening's endeavours.
I even had time for a coffee and a stroll along the famous Victorian pier before heading up the Great Orme to my pre-scouted shooting position - what a luxury!
I arrived at my chosen overlook at around 8.15pm, and spent the next fifteen minutes getting everything set up.
Tripod securely placed and levelled on solid ground - check. Camera firmly fixed to the tripod and carefully levelled - check. Composition fine tuned - check. Manual focusing via live view - check. Neutral density filter in place - check. Exposure set manually to avoid highlight clipping - check. All other controls to manual - check. Intervalometer set and attached - check. Final all round re-tighten and re-focussing - check.
And I'm good to go!
I know it sounds like a lot of fuss, but getting things right before starting shooting saves a lot of heartache and bother later on - I know that from bitter experience!
So I spent the next two and a half hours enjoying the wonderful transition from day to night out over the bay, while my camera clicked merrily away every six seconds.
But it wasn't all relaxing, as I had to keep a close eye on the changing light levels and make the necessary exposure adjustments as natural light fled from the scene to be replaced by the orange lights of Llandudno spread out below me.
With it being so close to midsummer, It took an age for the sky to become fully dark, and I took my last exposure at 10.45pm before heading back down the Orme to my car by torchlight. tired but elated at experiencing such a lovely evening, and being able to record it photographically as well.
Filename - llandudno timelapse 19.mp4
Camera - Canon 6D
Lens - 17-40mm zoom @ 17mm
Exposure (start of sequence) - 1/125 sec @ f4, ISO100
Exposure (end of sequence) - 4 secs @ f4, ISO100
Shooting interval - 6 seconds
Location - Llandudno, North Wales
This clip - HD 720p 30fps
Clip duration - 26 secs
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