The resumption of the Landscape Group's shoots will be at Happisburgh.

The sea has a habit of washing things away at Happisburgh and over time, land, and houses have lost of the edging of the eroding cliffs so that today the village clings to the clifftops on the edge of the Norfolk coast. Currently, people walking on the beach are warned not to get to close to the base of the cliffs because of the danger from sudden collapses

The main viewpoints that photographers are usually drawn towards are:

Happisburgh beach – many attempts have been made over the years to hold back the sea. None of these attempts have been successful but they have left the beach littered with type of worn and decaying wooden and twisted metal structures photographers truly appreciate.Cart Gap beach – this part of the beach has not suffered so badly from erosion but the sea defences are still suitably old and worn and well worth photographing.  Some of the best are a short walk away at the Northern end of the beach.

There will be a low tide that coincides with sunrise around the time of this shoot. When photographing the sea defences look for simple compositions and use the motion of the water to add foreground interest. Long exposures shoots using Little and Big Stoppers also often work produce good results here..

The Lighthouse – Sitting in the middle of a slowly shrinking field adjacent to the car park sits the red and white stripped lighthouse that from all sides can provide a striking focal point for photographers. 

Instructions for members joining the shoot

Please be respective to the people who live in the adjacent houses when you are at the car park and keep noise to a minimum. There are car park to pay each day from dawn to dusk. Often the attendant turns up early and if you have not paid will normally leave a present for you attached to your windscreen. Car parking charges last time were £1.20p per hour so you need £3.60p in change for a three hour stay. We are not sure card payments are possible.

When you arrive at the car park please stay near your car and maintain a social distance of at least 2m from other NDPS members/people. When everyone has arrived we shall divide into smaller group and then head off on the shoot. Please observe social distancing rules whilst in your group and maintain a minimum distance of not less than 25 metres between each group at all times. Everyone must stay in their group throughout the shoot and not join another group for any reason.

We shall re-assemble in the car park before all departing around 8:00am.

Prior to attending the shoot, members are recommended to research the location, so they are aware of terrain and likely weather conditions at the time of the shoot. In the case of coastal locations members should also make themselves aware of the estimated times of high tides.
It is solely the members responsibility to make sure they are wearing the appropriate clothing (including protection from bad weather) and footwear.
Members are solely responsible for the security and safety of their own photographic equipment during the shoot.

Additional safety guidance and covid safe guidance is also available to download from the Members’ Area of the Society’s website

SEA DEFENCES AT HAPPISBURGH

The Landscape Group meets regularly throughout the year.  The exact location of the shoot is decided about two weeks before so that we can consider the local tide times out on the coast and also the forecast weather conditions we are likely to encounter.  Even then sometimes things do not go to plan and the plans can change even in the last few hours before to meet time.  For that reason it is recommended that members check the website for any last minute changes before travelling.

East Anglia is a special place that is famous for its big skies.  The predominantly flat landscapes are however, not easy to photograph, but the lack of elevation means the first and last light of day lingers a little longer – but when it all comes together it can be magic…!

The North Norfolk Coast – begins and ends with cliffs, rising in the west with the striped cliffs of Hunstanton and ending  with the those that undulate from Weybourne to the old seaside resort of Cromer with its ornate pier, sandy beach and crab fishing fleet.  In between there is more than forty-miles of flatter coastline that offers endless opportunities for photographers prepared to explore the patchwork of creeks, salt marshes and beaches.

The Broads and East Norfolk Coast is a unique landscape of lakes (broads), grazing marshes, reed beds and rivers dotted with windmills and quaint villages that are bounded on its eastern edge by windswept sandy beaches.  The most northerly sand dunes however, make way for crumbling cliffs and the advancing costal erosion that is occurring particularly around Happisburgh.

Also in reach is the Suffolk Coast stretching from Covehithe in the north to Bawrdsey in the south.  Meandering inland from the coast are the slow, sweeping estuaries flanked by reed beds and saltmarshes of the rivers Deben, Ore (later becoming the Alde) and Blyth.  Also of interest to photographers are the towns of Woodbridge and Framlingham with its medieval castle.

From September through until the clocks go forward to BST we meet early on a Sunday morning about one hour before sunrise and after the shoot around 10:00am it is not unusual for members to head off together for a well earned breakfast.  After, the clocks go forward we move to holding the shoots on a Saturday evening when it is easier to stay out later..!  Around December and January we also try to plan to visit those locations further afield as sunrise is later at this time of year.

‍‍‍‍‍‍Please remember, The Landscape Group can only be as good as the input made by its members so if you are willing to organise or lead any kind of event that you think will be of interest to members, please step forward. Please don’t be shy – all offers of help will be greatly appreciated…!

Please note:
Don’t forget to check the arrangements before setting out if there has been extreme weather overnight.

About the NDPS Landscape Group

The Landscape Group’s objectives are simple – to encourage members who wish to take part improve their landscape photography, enhance their understanding of the equipment and techniques available. Learn through collaboration with fellow members and have fun.
Landscape is one of the oldest art forms with many famous landscape painters such as John Constable, Jacob van Ruisdael and J M W Turner. Since the invention of the camera landscape photography has become one of the most prolific forms of photography, reaching critical acclaim in the hands of photographers like Ansel Adams and Joe Cornish to name but two.
Latterly techniques such as intentional camera movement (ICM) and multiple exposures have enabled photographers to come closer to the ephemeral images painted by Turner in his later period and the use of perspective control or tilt/shift lenses has allowed digital photographers to emulate the depth of focus and perspective control long achieved using traditional large format cameras. The use and understanding of filtration is another area in landscape photography that has advanced considerably in the last twenty years and nowadays it is unusual not to find a set of neutral density and graduated filters taking up valuable space in the landscape photographer’s bag.
Since it began in 2016 the landscape group has developed range of activities support members of the Society in developing their skills in creating landscape imagery, whether this is with a traditional or more contemporary approach.

Please remember, our group can only be as good as the input made by its members so if you are willing to organise or lead any kind of event that you think will be of interest to members, please step forward. Please don’t be shy – all offers of help will be greatly appreciated…!