Blog
Hang Gliding & Kayaking in Norfolk
August 31st, 2010 by Janice Alamanou
All photographs Copyright of Janice Alamanou
With an onshore wind of approximately 35kn I waited to see if the Hang Gliders that had accumulated at West Runton cliffs would actually take the leap. Coming from as far as Ipswich and Northampton they were setting up their equipment and checking the fluctuating speed of the wind and the direction very carefully before deciding to go. The decision to wait an hour was made and I took a walk down to the shore to find three white-water freestyle kayakers in the rough waves. The wind made it feel colder and I wondered how their hands must be feeling regardless of the wetsuits, but when they took strong strokes through the surf guiding the small kayaks and occasionally rolling over – it was quite impressive. The sea was unusually rough for an August day and the onshore high speed wind just worsened this – maybe a joy to the kayakers? When they finally emerged I had a chat with them - as usual with all the sports people I have photographed on the beaches – they were great. Take a look at the images at: http://www.coastalphotography.co.uk/shop/31-sport/page10
I arrived back at the cliff as the first Hang Glider was getting ready to fly. Again wind speeds and directions were checked, several men worked as a team getting him ready and then he was off. The glider soared and seemed to come to a stand still in the wind before turning and navigating his way along the coastline. Although the sky seemed cloudy and grey, in one direction it had a glimmer of blue and this is where I managed to get most of my shots. Because of the strength of the wind and the type of gliders different people had it was only possible for two to fly at this time but the afternoon was spent talking and the atmosphere was good. I can’t wait to do it again. Take a look at the images at: http://www.coastalphotography.co.uk/shop/31-sport/page11 and the following two pages.
Also take a look at West Runton photographs for distant shots of the hang gliders above the cliffs.
Bye for now
Janice
Brancaster Photographs – RNLI 50th Annual Service Wells-next-the-Sea
August 14th, 2010 by Janice Alamanou
Copyright Janice Alamanou 2010
I have been on a mission (commission) to capture Brancaster in different ways. I have loved every minute, clocked up a few miles and the results are so worth it. Take a look at: http://www.coastalphotography.co.uk/shop/search?q=brancaster
Along the way I walked the complete beach of Brancaster to the harbour, managed a trip to Scolt Head, from Burnham Overy Staithe, and walked the beach to Hut Hill. Then finally, I took a boat trip from the harbour of Brancaster Staithe. I arrived in the morning at 7.50am in pouring rain wondering if I should actually get out of the car – cameras and rain? hmm. Within those 10 minutes to 8am (time of departure), the sky started to clear, the rain stopped and rays of sunshine tried to peep through the cumulus nimbus. First we went to the 9th Hole (indicating the beach off the 9th hole of Brancaster Golf Club), even managing to capture the 9th Hole itself – how many balls must end up in the water there I dread to think. The sea was very high the second highest tide of the year, I believe, so we headed toward Brancaster end of Scolt Head and the Natural England site. This was a beautiful stretch of unspoilt, natural landscape. I was very happy. The rain held off and although slightly choppy near the harbour entrance – I managed to get straight horizons. I cannot enthuse enough how much I love the coast.
The final image (above) is a panoramic of Brancaster Staithe from a high point – not always an easy task in Norfolk – unless of course you happened to be standing on a cliff edge. It’s pretty flat until you reach that point!
Keep looking at the site.
To see photographs of the Street scenes of the RNLI 50th Annual Service at Wells-next-the-Sea look at: http://www.coastalphotography.co.uk/shop/52-rnli-50th-annual-service-wells
Coastal Photography images on the website also available for commercial use. Please contact for prices.
Janice
Wells-next-the-Sea Photography
August 2nd, 2010 by Janice Alamanou
Copyright Janice Alamanou 2010
Hello all,
It has been a bit of a mixed bag again with my photography. I have some new landscapes/seascapes of Wells and Brancaster and as it is that time of year I also took some events photography of Langham Street Fayre and the Crowning of the carnival queen at Wells-next-the-Sea. I’m not usually an event photographer but this was fun for a change and I was asked to get a couple of shots for parents. Both were fun to do.
Take a look at: http://www.coastalphotography.co.uk/shop/50-langham-street-fayre-2010 & http://www.coastalphotography.co.uk/shop/51-wells-carnival-2010
My next exhibition is at the Maltings Fair on the 9th & 10th August, Staithe Street, Wells-next-the-Sea. 10am – 5pm. Photographs, mounted, framed and on canvas will be for sale, along with greeting cards with my photography. A good time to meet you and have a chat too.
There are some dates still free for location portraits in August. Contact for details of this if you are interested. Prices and examples are on the website.
Bye for now, keep looking at the new images – last pages of each category.
Janice
Copyright Janice Alamanou 2010
