Setting out in the pre-dawn hush of Sunrise Photography at Watership Down, my goal was simple yet profound: to capture the first golden rays of sunrise at Watership Down. Nestled in the rolling chalk hills of Hampshire, this celebrated landmark invites photographers to explore its moody silhouettes and timeless woodlands. Armed with a sturdy tripod, a wide-angle lens, and an eager spirit, I set off shortly before 5 AM to walk the Wayfarers Walkway, a historic footpath threading through ancient beech copses.
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The Predawn Trek Along the Wayfarers Walkway
The hour before sunrise is a photographer’s secret: the sky softens to inky blues, and the world feels paused. With headlamp in hand, I followed the gentle incline toward the beautiful Watership Down summit. The Wayfarers Walkway, lined by towering beech trees, offered natural frames at every turn—gnarled trunks arching overhead, roots twisting into the chalky earth. I made a mental note: in low light, compositions lean on strong verticals and leading lines. The pathway itself becomes a guide, drawing viewers from foreground to horizon.
Finding the Perfect Beech Tree Composition
As the eastern sky lightened, I paused beneath a cluster of mature beeches whose pillars of pale bark seemed to glow against the pre-sunrise blues. Switching to a 16–35 mm f/4 zoom, I positioned my tripod low—around 30 cm above the leaf-littered floor—to exaggerate the height of the trunks. By centering the path, I created a natural corridor for the eye. Key settings here were:
- Aperture: f/11 for depth of field
- Shutter Speed: 1/4 s (with tripod) to retain subtle motion in low clouds
- ISO: 200 to minimise noise
- White Balance: Daylight preset, which allowed me to tweak warmth in post
Capturing the Starburst Effect
True magic happens at the very moment the sun peeks above the skyline. I anticipated the burst, switched to manual focus (set to hyper-focal on the beech trunks), and dialed the aperture down to f/22. The smaller aperture created that classic starburst effect as each ray of light diffracted around the sun’s sharp edges. My settings:
- Aperture: f/22 (for crisp star points)
- Shutter Speed: 1/125 s (to avoid overexposure)
- ISO: 100
By bracketing exposures—shooting at –1, 0, and +1 EV—I ensured I captured both the delicate tree detail and the intense glow of the sunrise. I’d later blend these in Lightroom to maintain highlight details without losing shadow texture.
Use your lens hood sparingly. Beech leaves refract stray light into flare—sometimes beautiful, sometimes distracting. Remove the hood if you want organic light leaks; keep it on for cleaner starbursts.
The Transition from Blue to Gold
Over the next twenty minutes, the sky’s palette shifted rapidly. Blues warmed to lavender, then pink, and finally molten gold. I switched lenses to a 24–70 mm f/2.8 to compress the scene slightly, isolating one or two beeches against the glowing sky. Hand-held at 1/60 s, I opened up to f/8—balancing depth of field with enough light to keep ISO at 200. Shooting in RAW was crucial: it gave me latitude to adjust colour temperature (+150 K) and accentuate the rosy rim light on the bark.
Final Tips for Your Own Sunrise Shoot
- Scout ahead by daylight: Identify your compositions in advance to avoid fumbling with tripods in the dark.
- Arrive 30 minutes early: Sunrise is a fleeting window; you want to be ready.
- Bring extra batteries: Cold mornings drain power faster.
- Watch the horizon: A clear eastern skyline is essential—an obstructed view can ruin a starburst.
By 7 AM, the sun was fully up, casting the Downs in dazzling light. I packed up, heart racing from the thrill of capture, and began the hike back along the Wayfarers Walkway. Sunrise photography at Watership Down isn’t just about chasing light—it’s about connecting with a landscape steeped in history and natural beauty. With the right gear, thoughtful compositions, and a dash of patience, you too can bring home images that glow as richly as that first morning sun.
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