My Kit
For this trip, I packed my Nikon D3500 with two lenses: the 18-55mm kit lens and the Nikkor 70-300mm. To enhance my shots, I brought along a CPL (Circular Polarizer) filter, star filters for night photography, and a tripod to ensure stability for long exposures.
The Plan
The trip was an overnight stay in Hayle, with a goal of finding a dark sky site to capture some star photography while also exploring and capturing the beauty of Cornwall during the day. My itinerary was packed with coastal walks, scenic spots, and an evening of relaxation under the stars.
Day 1: Coastal Walks and Photography
- Sennen Cove to Mayon Cliff Shipwreck
- A stunning coastal walk offering breathtaking ocean views and a chance to capture the rugged Cornish coastline. unfortunately the walk down to the Wreck was a bust as I deamed it wasnt safe to get down to it.
- Loe Bar (via Degibna – National Trust Car Park)
- Parked at Degibna and walked down towards the bar, then continued towards the sea. The contrast between the freshwater and the sea makes this place unique for photography.
- St Michaels Mount
- Parked by St Michaels Mount to try and take some serene beach shots
- First Downs Car Park (near Porthleven)
- Another fantastic location with scenic landscapes and coastal charm, offering a great opportunity to test out different focal lengths.
- Check-in at Travelodge, Hayle
- After a full day of exploring, I checked into my accommodation to rest before heading out for some evening photography.
Evening at St Agnes Point and Chapel Porth Beach
- Sunset & Mining Ruins Photography
- Took some shots of the historic mining ruins at St Agnes Point as the evening light created dramatic shadows and textures.
- Moved down to Chapel Porth Beach for sunset photography, making use of my tripod and filters to enhance the colors.
- BBQ, Beers & Stargazing
- Set up my portable BBQ/firepit for a relaxing evening meal, grilling M&S Chicken Thighs and Burgers.
- Enjoyed a couple of beers and cigars while waiting for the night sky to darken.
- Stayed until 10:30 PM, hoping for a clear sky for star photography.
Day 2: Exploring Falmouth and Wildlife Photography
- Flushing (opposite Falmouth)
- Headed to Flushing early in the morning to capture beached boats and ships in soft morning light.
- Bishops Wood Car Park – Kingfisher Spotting
- Visited Bishops Wood Car Park, known for wildlife photography, particularly Kingfishers.
- Managed to spot some, but my skills weren’t quite developed enough to capture them in flight—something to work on in the future!
Final Thoughts
This overnight trip to Cornwall was a great learning experience, both in landscape and wildlife photography. I experimented with different filters, focal lengths, and low-light photography, and even though I didn’t get the perfect Kingfisher shot, it was still a trip well spent.
Next time, I’d like to improve my night photography skills and maybe explore more hidden gems along the Cornish coast!
