The Calm Before the Storm
- by Bev Thomas
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- 27 May, 2017
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Visit Pembrokeshire
Angle is a village and community on a narrow peninsula on the very south-west tip of Wales in Pembrokeshire. This stunning beach not only is surrounded by countryside and caravan and camping sites, it is also home to a lifeboat station which was established in 1868. The crew have received numerous awards over the years, including seven silver medals from the RNLI. The first rescue where the crew received silver medals was in the rescue of 27 people who were on board the 1878-built Loch Shiel which had run into rocks off Thorn Island.
Angle bay runs into Milford Haven Waterway which is a natural harbour known as The Haven. As one of the deepest natural harbours in the world, it is a busy shipping channel. The ferry from Pembroke Dock to Ireland and oil tankers are common sights on the horizon. Admiral Horatio Nelson, when visiting the harbour with the Hamiltons, described it as the next best natural harbour to Trincomalee in Sri Lanka and "the finest port in Christendom".
It is hard to think that in 1996, the coastline around Angle was severely affected by an oil spill from the Sea Empress. This was Britain's third largest oil spillage and the twelfth largest in the world at the time, it sadly devastated a considerable area of local coastline and killed many birds, and continued to affect the Pembrokeshire coast for years afterwards. To look at this beautiful beach now you would never know that it was affected so badly.
Angle bay runs into Milford Haven Waterway which is a natural harbour known as The Haven. As one of the deepest natural harbours in the world, it is a busy shipping channel. The ferry from Pembroke Dock to Ireland and oil tankers are common sights on the horizon. Admiral Horatio Nelson, when visiting the harbour with the Hamiltons, described it as the next best natural harbour to Trincomalee in Sri Lanka and "the finest port in Christendom".
It is hard to think that in 1996, the coastline around Angle was severely affected by an oil spill from the Sea Empress. This was Britain's third largest oil spillage and the twelfth largest in the world at the time, it sadly devastated a considerable area of local coastline and killed many birds, and continued to affect the Pembrokeshire coast for years afterwards. To look at this beautiful beach now you would never know that it was affected so badly.
Angle Bay now is visited by many locals and visitors as it form part of the Pembrokeshire coast path which was the first National Trail in Wales and is one of 15 National Trails in Britain. - See more at: http://www.visitpembrokeshire.com/explore-pembrokeshire/coast-path/#sthash.9Z6XQDe0.dpuf
just last night when I took these images, the beach was full of plenty of people. The tide was high making it the perfect place to launch a kayak and enjoy the waterway or just sitback on the beach and enjoy a picnic with friends. I could have been anywhere in the world but I was home, enjoying the bank holiday atmosphere in beautiful Pembrokeshire.
After such a beautiful evening of fun and laughter we play witness to the sun going down and disappearing over Thorn Island, fading the last rays of light making these images, 'the calm before the storm'.
After such a beautiful evening of fun and laughter we play witness to the sun going down and disappearing over Thorn Island, fading the last rays of light making these images, 'the calm before the storm'.
Firstly, I must apologise the lack of updates on this blog but then again who actually reads? Times have been up and down to say the least, and that has played with my mental well being, especially when it has come to my photographic practice. For many years, I have concentrated on giving 100% to my passion and this is my source of income as a professional photographer. However, the pandemic has made me stop and think about sustainability within the photographic industry and just what is it all about and for what?
Photographs are not just images; they are physical artifacts. The physical form of the photographic image, prescribed by prevailing technology, determines what can be photographed, how it can be displayed or published, how it can be encountered by others, how it can circulate through public culture.
I wanted to introduce the toy photography work that I am involved with. This is a collaboration with the wonderful team over at Stuck in Plastic (SiP Link).
Having grown up in the 70’s, I thought I could find some old photographs from this time in my life but sadly, I have been unable to locate any and that makes me recall little moments that stand out in my vivid memory which helps me write this post.
In the search for the ideal image it became evident that I had seen everything before and I wanted to produce something different. My intent was to take image manipulation further away from the real but I was also aware this could come with some critic good or bad.
Having successfully completed my MA, I began to turn my focus on reflecting over my time at Falmouth University’s Institute of Photography. What became very evident is that my work is now informed and my intent is clearer than it was.
Welcome to the very first post of my new blog. On the contrary, I am familiar with writing blogs and I had initially decided to continue writing regular posts on my Photographic Critical Research Journal
, to which I started writing at the beginning of my Masters degree at Falmouth University’s Institute of Photography.
Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue ... well there was nothing blue about this amazing wedding, it was pink and full of fun and laughter. I met Kayleigh two years ago when she started wedding planning, turned out that I know her mother and father very well but as the years went by our connections had gone in different directions. But I always knew they were a special couple who if ever my family needed them that they would be there for us, so as you can imagine I was absolutely thrilled to be asked to capture their daughters wedding day.
The Bride & Groom chose a beautiful location, the hotel is called Wolfscastle Country Hotel otherwise known as "All yr Afon" https://wolfscastle.com located just 15 minutes from Haverfordwest, in the heart of the Pembrokeshire countryside and 9 miles from our stunning Pembrokeshire coast. I arrived at 11.30am in order to get some prep photographs of Kayleigh's shoes etc and the bride and bridesmaids getting ready. When I arrived everyone was so calm and ready to go, the bridesmaids hair and make-ups were completed and they were in their dresses ready. Wearing sparkly rose gold gowns they looked stunning. The bride was still getting ready with finishing touches being adjusted. She wore a stunning wedding gown with a cathedral train made from tulle. The flowers were made by Flowers by Quita, they incorporated vintage roses and peonies. Everyone was in high spirits. Not only was it Kayleigh and Mark's wedding day but they were both celebrating birthdays.
I completed what I need to do then myself and Gill, my assistant headed downstairs to capture the groom. I had not met Mark at any of the appointment prior to the big day, so once I found him I introduced myself and to be honest, I felt like I already knew him. He had just finished formalities with the Registra and checking that the best men had the all important wedding rings. The video guys were ready, I was ready and Kayleigh was ready ...
12.20pm Kayleigh was descending down the stairs with her father, that was an emotional moment. She had given him a pair of cuff links which read 'of all the walks we have had, this one is my favourite' such a lovely moment to treasure forever.
12.30pm Mark was patiently waiting for his beautiful bride, and there she was standing in the doorway ready to met her husband to be.
The ceremony was perfect and a kiss seals the the forever moment when the Registra pronounces Kayleigh & Mark as Husband & Wife, Mr & Mrs Williams.
The Bride & Groom chose a beautiful location, the hotel is called Wolfscastle Country Hotel otherwise known as "All yr Afon" https://wolfscastle.com located just 15 minutes from Haverfordwest, in the heart of the Pembrokeshire countryside and 9 miles from our stunning Pembrokeshire coast. I arrived at 11.30am in order to get some prep photographs of Kayleigh's shoes etc and the bride and bridesmaids getting ready. When I arrived everyone was so calm and ready to go, the bridesmaids hair and make-ups were completed and they were in their dresses ready. Wearing sparkly rose gold gowns they looked stunning. The bride was still getting ready with finishing touches being adjusted. She wore a stunning wedding gown with a cathedral train made from tulle. The flowers were made by Flowers by Quita, they incorporated vintage roses and peonies. Everyone was in high spirits. Not only was it Kayleigh and Mark's wedding day but they were both celebrating birthdays.
I completed what I need to do then myself and Gill, my assistant headed downstairs to capture the groom. I had not met Mark at any of the appointment prior to the big day, so once I found him I introduced myself and to be honest, I felt like I already knew him. He had just finished formalities with the Registra and checking that the best men had the all important wedding rings. The video guys were ready, I was ready and Kayleigh was ready ...
12.20pm Kayleigh was descending down the stairs with her father, that was an emotional moment. She had given him a pair of cuff links which read 'of all the walks we have had, this one is my favourite' such a lovely moment to treasure forever.
12.30pm Mark was patiently waiting for his beautiful bride, and there she was standing in the doorway ready to met her husband to be.
The ceremony was perfect and a kiss seals the the forever moment when the Registra pronounces Kayleigh & Mark as Husband & Wife, Mr & Mrs Williams.
Since starting my MA program, I am required to keep a critical research journal in the form of a written document, so I have created another blog on Wordpress which I will continue to update on a regular basis. I have completed the first module and I am now looking at the second module.
This blog at https://beverleythomasphotographydotcodotuk.wordpress.com is being made as part of an accredited educational programme.
This blog at https://beverleythomasphotographydotcodotuk.wordpress.com is being made as part of an accredited educational programme.
