7 Attempts to Get the Shot

After countless visits and many failed attempts, I finally captured the seascape shot I had been chasing for so long. The location is the Beara Bowl, a striking and unique coastal feature in Ireland. I'd tried many times to photograph this spot, only to be thwarted by the elements. It was either the weather, wrong tides, or poor light that would ruin my plans. But on this particular occasion, everything seemed to align.

The Beara Bowl is located along Ireland's rugged Beara Peninsula, a dramatic landscape that presents both challenge and reward for landscape photographers. The natural rock formations of the area form a kind of amphitheatre where waves crash and swirl, often spilling over the edge in a magnificent display. But this isn't a simple shot to get. The timing of the tides, the light, and the wave conditions must all come together perfectly.

Preparation: Why I Always Arrive Early

I arrived here a day before my two-day photography workshop to ensure I could scout the location. By arriving ahead of time, I could provide my participants with the best experience and help them capture the best shots possible. I always do this for every workshop, familiarising myself with the weather conditions for the location before guiding others.

Getting to the spot requires a short but sketchy walk down to the rocky area. It's close to the road, so it could be photographed from there, but I prefer to get closer and immerse myself in the scene. The ground here is angled due to the rocks' natural shape, creating a bowl-like formation. Because of this, you need to be careful and ensure you're steady on your feet, especially while setting up the tripod.

Waiting for the Perfect Shot

Once I was in position, I framed a couple of shots from afar. My goal was to catch the water spilling over the edge of the bowl, but timing is crucial. High tide isn't always accompanied by good light, and sometimes, there’s light, but the water is too low. On this occasion, I felt optimistic. It wasn’t long before the first spill of water came over the edge, albeit small. However, I was thrilled to see that even before high tide, the water was starting to react.

As I continued to observe, I moved around the area to find different perspectives. Some of my placements were questionable, to be honest, with very little room for my feet next to the tripod. At one point, I had to extend the tripod to its highest position using the centre column—something I don’t typically recommend, but desperate times call for desperate measures. I got another spill, this time a bit larger. I was on the edge of my seat waiting for the larger waves.

While I was recording a piece to camera, the largest wave yet arrived. It spilt over with considerable force. But as Murphy’s Law would have it, I missed the shot because I was filming. I wasn’t too worried, though. The tide was still coming in, and there would be more waves to catch.

I climbed up the side of one of the curves to get higher and hoped this would give me the perspective I needed. While the view was impressive, I felt I needed to be closer to capture the power of the waves. After some scrambling, I found a position that allowed me to stay safe while getting the full effect of the water crashing over the edge of the bowl. I settled on a composition that worked.

The Light and Timing Finally Aligned

As the light began to change, I noticed subtle colours in the sky. The waves continued to crash, and everything seemed to come together at once. I was ready. With my camera in position, I captured several shots as the waves spilt over. I wasn’t going to miss another opportunity.

As the light began to fade, I couldn’t help but continue shooting. Even though I already had the shot I wanted, I was always curious about what the next wave would look like. That’s the beauty of seascape photography—it’s like an addiction. You never quite know when the perfect moment will strike, and it keeps you engaged, always waiting for the next wave, the next light change.

But eventually, the fading light forced me to call it a day. I had the shot I came for, and I was ready to meet the participants for what would be an incredible two days of photography ahead.

You can see the images I captured from this shoot and watch the video below.