It was while taking photos at Hive Beach near Burton Bradstock that I realised that the best time to visit a beach is in bad weather.
Perhaps I should say “poor weather”. I suppose it’s all relative, but in ‘fine’ weather (sunny, clear sky, etc.) everything is flat and boring. Nothing much happens visually.
Probably every photographer knows this already, but in ‘poor weather’, there’s much more to a landscape—more interest in the sky, more variety in light and shade.
And fewer people. ‘People photography’ is of course great, but at a beach sometimes you’d just like to highlight the natural environment.
Talking of people, dull weather is also better if you’re photographing portraits, as you’re less likely to get those unflattering shadows thrown across people’s faces.
Hive beach, near Burton Bradstock is well worth a visit. There’s a great café, which can get very busy at popular times.
Do note however that the cliffs at this location are unstable, extremely prone to collapse and very dangerous, whatever the weather, and it’s best to keep completely away from them.
The British Geological Survey has made a short video about keeping safe on cliffs near the coast. It was filmed at Llantwit Major in South Wales, a similar site to Burton Bradstock, but the same caveats apply.
The shoreline from Hive Beach stretches a long way. You can walk along the top of the cliffs (though great care is advised, due to the landslides).
Or (and if you were feeling energetic enough) you could walk along the beach itself—almost as far as Weymouth.
