When you think of great photography spots around the globe, you probably think of mountainous horizons, clear blue seascapes or deep green jungles. None of which are available on our doorstep. But in England and particularly on The Suffolk Coast, we have a different sort of landscape at hand and equally as beautiful for those wanting to capture nature with a click of a camera.
The Suffolk Coast is rich in natural beauty; nature reserves, marshland and The Broads. Whether your camera is glued to your hip or you like to take a few snaps as you enjoy walking the dogs, The Suffolk Coast has some excellent locations to help you embrace your inner photographer and see life through a lens.
BEACHES
Living on The Suffolk Coast, there's one thing we have in abundance; beaches. Beaches are a main focal point for those living in Suffolk, and for photographers, offering amazing opportunities for capturing the perfect sunrise or evening sky. The best thing is that there are even varying landscapes for photographs on our beaches.
Lowestoft beach, one of the most popular amongst families, is the perfect place to snap a breaking wave or, if you're lucky, a sailing boat floating near the shore. In addition, make sure you check out tide times as low tide can provide some beautiful picture moments, as shallow pools often form. If you don't manage to experience the pools or the sunrise and there are no boats to be seen, the wooden groynes that stretch out from the stoney sand will always add a nice touch to any picture. On the other hand, if you take a stroll southwards you'll pass the wooden beach huts and old boats grouped on the dunes on at Pakefield and further on you'll reach beautiful golden sands as you reach Kessingland; a quiet piece of beach that would give any abroad a run for their money.
If you're looking for a beach which offers something unique, then take a trip to Cove Hithe. Just a short walk from St Andrew's Church, which in itself makes for an appealing picture as its 15th-century ruins still remain adjoining to the new church. The beach itself is suffering from significant ongoing erosion but despite the decay, it makes for a super photo as the eroded cliffs offer great detail for close-ups and a varying landscape for long shots.
WOODLAND
One of our favourite areas to explore is woodland. Woodland provides so many amazing moments to capture. The great thing about this area of photography is that it's very easy to find; forests such as Dunwich and Rendlesham can be explored for hours. But there's also a large variety of woodland copses by the roadside which can present some beautiful scenes.
Dunwich Forest and Westleton Heath offer vasts area of trees and grassland; a goldmine for those wanting to embrace the wanderlust lifestyle. Whether you're after landscape shots of trees upon trees with sunlight bursting through or close up details of pine leaves tarnished with frost, these locations are perfect for obtaining that rustic folk look for your portfolio.
Sotterly and Hulver, small villages near
Beccles, are remote areas that aren't known for their wilderness culture. However, the villages have a number of small-scale woods that vary in levels, giving photographs more character. These unobtrusive locations, rarely touched by those other than deer or pheasants, can offer up some quirky findings for that eccentric picture.
NATURE
Living on The Suffolk Coast, we're extremely fortunate to have many award winning reserves;
RSPB Minsmere, RSPB Havergate Island, Landguard Peninsula and The Broads National Park, all of which offer fantastic opportunities to explore the visuals of nature.
RSPB Minsmere, home to BBC Springwatch, has a plethora of animals in their natural habitat just waiting to snapped up with your camera. Particularly in the Autumn, you might be lucky enough to capture the spectacular red deer rut and in Spring/Summer, avocets, osprey and many other species of birds and small animals, so you'll need your camera at the ready.
You're spoilt for choice when it comes to rivers and estuary's but a particular favourite of many; The River Waveney meanders past marshland and reed beds offering a special view. If you manage to experience a setting sun as you pass through the calm waters, the photo virtually takes itself. Alternatively, head to Nicolas Everett Park in Oulton Broad to catch the moored boats adding some personality to open water.