subscribe 0330 333 1113 I http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk I 31 August 2019 33
ChurchOpe
Cove,lookingeast
NikonD810,24-70mm,
261 secatf/11,ISO125,
LEEFiltersSuperStopper,
0.6hardgradfilterSaint Andrews
Church
Nikon D810, 21mm,
1/80sec at f/11, ISO 64,
LEE Filters polariser
ALL PICTURES © JEREMY WALKER
LOCATION GUIDE Technique
Shooting
advice
Portland, on Dorset’s
Jurassic Coast, is reached
via the A354, which
crosses Chesil Beach
and goes through the
village of Easton. Just after
the hamlet of Wakeham
and about 100m from
Portland Museum there is
a small free car park on
the right. It is signed Church
Ope and Museum. From
the car park there are two
footpaths down to the
cove. One lies almost
opposite and leads down
through the woods via the
church, and the other
starts 100m away from
the museum and leads you
past the crumbling castle
ruins. Church Ope Cove
may not be an obvious
sunrise or sunset location
but it is worthy of a few
hours’ photographic
exploration, perhaps on
your way to the lighthouse
for sunset. Whatever your
photographic interest, try
and go as light as possible
with your kit as it is a steep
climb back to the top.Food and
lodgings
If you fancy a bite to eat
while you’re in the area,
the Hayloft Café is just
100m from the car park
in the grounds of Penn
Castle. Alternatively, try the
Lobster Pot, which is about
a mile along the road at
Portland Lighthouse.
Obviously the lighthouse
itself is a big draw for
photographers, so you
might want to factor in a
little extra time to explore
the site. Also, the Heights
Hotel does very good food
and is a great place to drop
into for a coffee, or to
shelter from bad weather.
The hotel is a great place
to stay if you’re spending
a few days location
hunting and shooting in
the area. It’s also about
three minutes by car from
Church Ope, making it
an excellent base for
exploring the beach.