Lessons In The Rain At Fanad Lighthouse

David braves the horrendous conditions of Donegal and captures the heavenly light of Fanad Lighthouse – a beacon of hope in a storm

- David Clapp

Lens Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

Exposure 1/30 sec, f/5.6, ISO800

Fanad Lighthouse, Donegal, Northern Ireland. 20:00pm. April 2013

Ever since the very early days of my landscape photography adventures I have been a self-confessed lighthouse junkie. It is true to say some of my efforts photographing cold Atlantic storms have got me in hot water, there's one especially memorable experience where I clambered down to the water's edge at Trevose in a force 7 wind, drenched in seaspray, and found myself unable to climb the rocks back out. I’ll call it ‘developing a healthy fear of death’, rather than reckless abandon.

Alongside Brittany, the United Kingdom and Ireland has some truly epic lighthouse locations, but the lighthouses themselves do vary. From stubby inland pepper pots to huge monoliths situated on remote reefs miles from the shore, there is variety in abundance. In the right place, these structures are everything we crave in a seascape.

Lens Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

Exposure 1/10 sec, f/16, ISO100