Flamborough
I've been taking pictures with my Z6i for several years now, and I have no desire to upgrade or change the lens. With my 24mm to 200mm zoom lens, I can do pretty much everything I want with just this piece of kit. My Z6 and 18-200mm lens are neatly tucked into a small camera bag, which I carry like a tiny papoose on my chest, and off I go.
This week, I've been in Filey. On Friday, I visited Flamborough Head, where I took a picture of an old Walls Ice Cream sign that appealed to me as an art print. Yes, I also brought my computer, set it up on the table in the cottage we've hired, and go to it as and when I can without monopolising the time I want with my wife, Jo.
What I love about this piece is its throwback to a time when advertising was simple. A yellow ice cream background, four pictures of ice cream and lollies, and information informing us of the year 1922 when Mr. Walls launched his brand—over 100 years ago. This information then throws up even more thoughts: how can a brand last such a long time? Through two world wars, the space race, the age of social media, and the dawn of AI.
AI is another subject we will all speak of and unwittingly use in the years to come, but it's not a subject for my thoughts right now.
Flamborough is a beautiful place to walk and take in the majestic landscape and seascape of the North Yorkshire east coast. The sun shone and threw a shimmering light onto the North Sea, making it sparkle like a million stars in the night sky. I took lots of pictures and have struggled to find just the one that best captured that moment, but I haven't given up hope of an art print that tells the story. The two lighthouses that stand at Flamborough Head also caught my camera's attention. The old lighthouse stands slightly further back and has lost its light, which is such a shame, but considering it is 351 years old, it's not a surprise. The brickwork is awesome. The weather has beaten the structure to death over the years, and it shows. The beautiful sunlight highlights the worn textures of the broken brickwork, still painted beautifully white and looking like a monument for all to see the craftsmanship from 1674.
The new lighthouse is also fascinating but not quite in the same way. It stands in perfection and is yet to show any submission to the weather. Good to photograph nonetheless.
The following day, we went to Bempton Cliffs RSPB site and saw mainly the gannets, wings spread wide, gliding effortlessly on the gentle sea breeze. A stunning bird with markings around its eyes, which made me think it had spent some time perfecting its eye makeup every morning. Later, we were down on the beach at Filey, and the gannets were out fishing. They glided 50ft above the sea, and when they spotted something tasty to eat, they quickly turned and made themselves into deadly missiles, dropping at high speed into the sea and emerging a moment later with a fish or two. They were very busy, tens of gannets plunging into the sea one after another. I have never seen such a sight before. It was mesmerising and quite close to the shore. My 200mm lens, of course, was not enough to capture this moment in all its glory. It was also a struggle at the bird sanctuary at Bempton. I do admit that the capabilities of my kit are not suited to all occasions, but I generally achieve my goal.
It has been a fabulous break from my normal routine, and having time to reflect on my life and work is invaluable. It makes me realise that rushing through my days, as I do and we all do, isn't enough. We all need space, thinking time, moments to let our minds wander and see what fills the space we create. You can't squeeze even one tiny thought into a brain that is bursting at the seams. Note to self: make space, let creativity come to me, and notice when it stands in front of me. Don't strain my neck to see what's behind it.
The Old Lighthouse Flamborough
Wall’s Classics
A million sparkles
