I have spent a lot of time recently experimenting with my photography. I’ve been trying out new camera settings and equipment and had great fun doing so. Sometimes, however, it’s simply about capturing the moment, like this one on Brighton Beach.
I took Helen and Izzy to Brighton last Sunday. It was cold and windy but they wanted to go on the beach.
Once there, the girls created a game. It involved chasing the waves as they went out to sea and running back as quickly as possible before the waves came back in again.
I could have stopped them from playing this game. I could have highlighted the fact that we didn’t have a change of clothes with us. I could have pointed out it was cold and that we had a long walk back to the car. I didn’t because they were having so much fun. The sad truth is, I had scooped them up and taken them to Brighton because we had experienced a bereavement and I wanted to get them out the house.
Despite the backstory, it was a classic childhood moment: Two young kids exploring the outside world. It may have been a cold, dreary day in January but they were enjoying themselves and I didn’t want to stop them, especially under the circumstances.
As you can tell, this photograph shows the moment the sea fought back. The kids got their timing wrong and they got wet. This was just the start of the madness. Within a couple of minutes Izzy was soaked from the waist down and Helen had fallen over backwards in the water.
Not that I managed to stay dry. I got too close to the sea as I was taking close-up images of the breaking waves so my lower half also got saturated.
The image itself was down to luck. I had the camera in burst mode and this was the best of the bunch: No setting up, no lighting equipment and no practice shots.
I love the fact both girls are trying to jump backwards and avoid the waves. I think the action and movement really comes across. If you look closely you’ll also see the ruins of the West Pier to Helen’s right. The photo is slightly blurred because I was close to the waves and some sea water got splashed on to the lens. I think this adds to the drama of the picture.
I hope you like the image. It was really good fun capturing a raw moment like this. Maybe I should use burst mode more often!
I’ve added the image to one of my favourite blog linkies. It’s the #MySundayPhoto linky hosted by the Photalife blog. Do please click on the badge if you enjoy photography and want to see more images.
30 thoughts on “Capturing the moment on Brighton Beach”
Great shot! I like photography myself and as my little one gets bigger I look forward to experimenting with it.
I hope your experiments go well. I have certainly developed a deep love of photography.
What a great photo. It’s lovely to see kids just having fun.
Sorry to read about the family bereavement.
Thanks Sarah for your condolences. It was great to see the kids having fun on the day. Just what we all needed.
That is a truly beautiful moment and well captured. The angle is fantastic. Sorry for your loss.
Thanks for the condolences. On the bright side, it was a beautiful moment to capture.
Hi John, this is a true ‘in the moment’ moment. Two children being allowed to be children. No fussing about inappropriate clothing. It’s also a positive that will stand out in your children’s mind in this not so jolly time.
xx
Oh I don’t fuss about inappropriate clothing! Much to the irritation of my wife as it happens. Anyway, it was in the moment and I was delighted to catch it with my camera.
Great photo John, I love the low down angle…it makes all the difference.
Thank you for linking up
Rarely do I get quite so low, but on this occasion i think it worked!
So sorry to hear of the bereavement. This is a lovely shot of the girls having fun – I love how you managed to capture the moment the sea won! It sounds like a moment of pure fun like this was much needed at that point.
Oh it was much needed and thank you for your condolences. It was a moment that made us all laugh and we needed it.
This is such a lovely, natural photo!! They look like they’re having so much fun and your photo really shows that.
It was a light moment in a very tough week. We all had such great fun that day.
I really love the movement in this picture. Such a great capture, especially with the pier in the background.
Yes, I hadn’t really appreciated the pier would be so visible in the background but I think it works.
Sometimes getting wet is best thing. Sorry for your loss
Absolutely! Sometimes getting wet is the answer. Thanks for your condolences.
Really nice image. Candid images are my favourite. Not forced. Just natural.
That’s the best thing about burst mode: You take it as it is. I think it worked well this time.
Fab photo! It looks like a lot of fun is been had x
Much fun was had. It was what we needed after a very demanding week.
So much fun! Sometime you just have to let them find out for themselves. Hope the journey home wasn’t too soggy!
Oh the journey home was very soggy. Thankfully Izzy did it in good spirits.
I so many photos of mine doing just this on Brighton beach, the sea always wins but such good fun. Lovely photo.
I think the sea was always going to win, it was just a matter of time!
Great shot, this reminds me I think I have something similar taken at Port Isaac that I shall have to hunt down. We haven’t been to Brighton for years but definitely want to get back with the family at some point.
Hope you can return to Brighton at some point. remember, if you do, the sea always wins.
So sorry to hear of the sad circumstances.. That is a beautiful image though, such gorgeous light!
Thanks for your condolences. Glad you enjoyed the picture.