Molten Light and Muddy Paws: A Sunset Session at Tresilian Bay
Right then, another evening, another stunning sunset mission! Last night, Toby and I headed out for a quick half-hour stroll from the house to Tresilian Bay. You know, that lovely, quiet spot. The plan was to catch the sunset, and I had my eye on getting that sea cave into the shot.
As always, Toby was a whirlwind, disappearing and reappearing, probably chasing some imaginary coastal critter. I was rushing a bit, trying to decide on the perfect spot, knowing the tide was creeping in. Finally, I found my patch, got the gear out, and had to snap away quickly as the sun was doing its famous disappearing act. But I managed to settle in, despite Toby’s persistent barking for a stone to be chucked into the sea for him to fetch. Honestly, that dog…
So, as the sun dipped, I snagged this beauty:
Molten Tide, Tresilian Dusk
The sun is just a blazing orb, melting into the horizon, casting this incredible golden pathway across the water right towards me. The sea is like silk, smoothed out by the long exposure, creating this ethereal, tranquil surface that perfectly reflects the fiery sky. The beach is a carpet of rounded pebbles, stretching out to the right where that magnificent cliff face, Tresilian’s iconic feature, glows with the last warm light. The sky above is a rich blend of deep blue and fiery orange, with a few wispy clouds catching the last light. It's a proper 'wow' moment.
After that, I swapped to my 17-40mm lens. The sun had already dropped behind the distant hills of Exmoor, leaving behind a sky that was still very much alive, resulting in my second shot:
Twilight at Tresilian
Here, the light has softened considerably. The intense sun is gone, leaving a vibrant, orange glow on the horizon that slowly bleeds up into deep twilight blues and purples. The water remains glassy smooth, reflecting the soft colours of the sky. The massive cliff on the right is now mostly in shadow, emphasizing its layered structure and rugged profile. The beach in the foreground, scattered with darker pebbles and driftwood, provides a beautiful contrast to the smooth, glowing water. The scene is much quieter, capturing the peaceful descent into night.
Another bark, another stone thrown for Toby, and after that, he finally sat patiently at my side. Another cracking image shot! After a while, I packed up and walked the cliffs heading home.
On the way, I got the third image, a shot of Llantwit Major Beach:
Last Light on the Cliff
This is pure blue hour magic. The sky is a gorgeous, soft gradient of deep purple and dusky pink, transitioning down to the calm, steely blue of the Bristol Channel. The long exposure has flattened the water into an almost mirror-like surface, creating a beautiful contrast between the smooth sea and the rugged land. The focus is on the profile of the dark, grassy cliff on the left, which is punctuated by a brightly lit section of the cliff face and the pebbled shore below. In the distance, the hills are silhouetted against the horizon, and you can clearly see the tiny lights of shipping vessels dotted across the Channel. It's a peaceful, atmospheric shot that captures the tranquility of the coast long after sunset.
Well then, after all that, it was back home for some well-deserved food for both of us!
Get Them While You Can! I still have a few of my popular A3 Calendars left, or if space is tight, the A4 size is proving very popular this year! For the first time ever, I've also created a special Photo Booklet—a stunning photo journal celebrating the beauty of Glamorgan's Heritage Coast. All items are available to purchase now on my website at www.dljphotography.co.uk. You can also find them in person at the wonderful Chocolate Box in Llantwit Major!