Pembrokeshire - Day 3 (Elgug Stacks)

Before setting off to Pembrokeshire, I knew I wanted to visit Elgug Stacks - the photographs I had seen in my research had enticed me. And as I had visited my other planned locations over the previous two days, I knew the stacks were to be my final stop.

Having just returned from a cloudy evening shoot at Marloes Sands, I was wary of the weather, so I spent all evening checking it. 93% cloud cover was forecast at sunrise.

“Why bother?” had crossed my mind. But a forecast is just a prediction, what might happen, not what will actually happen. I committed. And I am glad that I did.

The next morning, I walked the 100 meters from the car park to the cliff edge and looked up at the sky. The forecast was accurate - I saw the 93% cloud cover. But it was the remaining 7% that was to make it such a memorable morning.

Moody Skies, Elgug Stacks (Fuji GFX 50S II)

The image above exemplifies why you should stick to your plans - you never know what awaits you. Yes, I know I have edited the photo, but the sky really was that shade of purpley-pink. All the editing process has done is enhance the RAW image to how I saw things that morning. What a start to my final shoot.

From then, the light kept improving. Initially a small gap in the cloud opened on the horizon, which grew as the sun rose higher in the sky. Eventually the thick grey cloud made way for fluffier, white cloud. Even better was that the clouds were now racing across the sky - perfect for long exposures.

I moved to a spot I had scouted the morning before (when I was at the Green Bridge of Wales) and framed up my composition. I started shooting, increasing the exposure time until I achieved my preferred level of cloud movement. I landed on 4 minutes. I kept shooting until the light became too harsh and direct. You never quite know what will happen over 4 minutes, so I wanted to maximise my chances of getting that “keeper”.

When the Light Arrives, Elgug Stacks (Fuji GFX 50S II)

The image above ended up being shot about 45 minutes after my first. It’s amazing how much can change in such a short space of time - something I was reminded of several times on this trip.

My final morning was a magical one. A morning I will remember for a long time, and topped-off what was already a fantastic trip perfectly.

I headed home a happy man.

If you’re thinking about a trip to Pembrokeshire (for photography or not), I thoroughly recommend it. You won’t be disappointed.