With a tidal range of up to eight metres and vast expanses of flat sand, the North Wales coast boasts some truly impressive changes in appearance due to the fast moving water.
Ideal circumstances for a time lapse video then, especially when the tide movement coincides with sunset and you've got the impressive Great Orme limestone headland as a backdrop.
Which is why my wife Liz and I were parked up next to the beach at Penmaenmawr on a beautiful afternoon in late April 2018, taking in the evening sun and looking out over the enormous beach which was slowly being covered over by the incoming tide.
Keeping us company were a few brave seaside explorers, venturing down to the water's edge and back, which added a bit of human interest to my time lapse shoot.
It wasn't long before the sun set, throwing the landscape and sea into shadow as the waters continued to cover the beach and the lights of Llandudno twinkled into sight on the horizon.
I kept on filming as the incoming tide swept ever closer to our viewpoint until the waves pretty much covered the remaining sandy part of the beach.
Finally time to go home, tired but happy at having been able to see and photograph such a dynamic and lovely scene.
Filename - penmaenmawr tide timelapse 01.mp4
Camera - Canon EOS 6D
Lens - 24-105mm zoom @ 65mm
Exposure (start of sequence) - 1/30 sec @ f4, ISO100
Exposure (end of sequence) - 4 secs @ f4, ISO100
Filters - Polarising filter used to reduce haze and enhance colours. 2 stop neutral density graduated filter used to balance the exposure between sky and land.
Shooting interval - 10 seconds
Location - Penmaenmawr, North Wales
This clip - HD 720p, 30fps
Clip duration - 17 seconds
All content copyright © Howard Litherland 2009-2024 unless otherwise stated.