Brighton in February - Cold, Wet, Magnificent
Brighton looks as though it is a town helping the police with their enquiries. ― Keith Waterhouse
Some places get under your skin - there doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason as to why, they just do. Part of it, I think, is that we holidayed there a couple of times when I was a kid, but that was over 50 years ago. In more recent years we’ve visited a few times - see here for my last solo trip. The larger part is that I have an affection for seaside towns out of season; they’re obviously quieter with a more melancholic feel, which I like. From a photographic standpoint the light, if you get it, can be really quite nice and if you don’t get the light there’s a good chance you’ll get drama or mood. That explains the lure of coastal towns, but possibly not Brighton.
Brighton Pier
Fujifilm X-T5 | 16mm f/5.0 1/125s ISO 3200
What Brighton also has is a kind of faded grandeur, some of it really quite badly faded. Private Eye, with no great affection, refer to the town as ‘Skidrow-on-Sea’ but, like many of the Eye’s standing jokes, the longevity of the joke outstrips its relevance. While much of the Georgian and Victorian architecture has undoubtedly seen better days there is also a thriving community of independent boutiques and eateries as well as a vibrant arts and crafts community. It’s also a city that seemingly places little value on formality and, consequently, just feels 'comfortable’ out of season. Finally, given that it’s just twenty-odd minutes from Gatwick, it’s also incredibly accessible.
There is absolutely no doubt that, whatever the weather or your interest, there’s many an hour can be lost wandering the seafront or the warren of streets and lanes.
i360 by Night… not the strangest sight you’ll see in Brighton
Fujifilm X-T5 | 90mm f/2.0 1/50s ISO 640
Beyond Brighton
A first for this trip was getting the opportunity to explore a little of the surrounding area. We hired a car for one of the days which gave us a little freedom to explore. Top of my list was Beachy Head - another childhood memory - and the very pretty lighthouse. There are undoubtedly much better pictures taken in more spectacular light, but I liked this and, more importantly, enjoyed the experience.
Beachy Head Lighthouse
Fujifilm X-T5 | 90mm f/5.6 1/200s ISO 125
We also had time to take a look at Birling Gap - very popular with South Koreans after appearing in a K-Pop video apparently - and the town of Lewes before detouring back via Worthing and its pier.
The Piers
Despite a plethora of other distractions there’s no doubt that from a photographic standpoint, the two piers at Brighton are the main attractions. The Palace Pier, with its colour and bustle, is a great spot to both photograph and photograph from, while the wreckage of the West Pier is like catnip for photographers! I know I struggle to pass it without pressing the shutter, even when I know I’ve already taken better versions of the same view.
Brighton Piers, Sunrise
Fujifilm X-T5 | 30mm f/7.1 1/500s ISO 125
The Murmuration
One highlight, however, was the sight of the starling murmuration at the pier. The phenomenon at Brighton is well documented and photographed, but seeing the sight in person is still quite incredible if, like us, you’ve never witnessed it before.
Murmuration over West Pier
Fujifilm X-T5 | 25mm f/5.6 1/160s ISO 1600
Conclusion
This was a great trip and I’m sure we’ll be back at a similar time next year. The location and the light did the work - the Fujifilm X-T5 plus kit lens and a couple of small primes was all I needed. Anything more (including, for example, a tripod) would have just been a burden and unnecessary. The lesson, if there is one, is that I probably need less kit than I think to make the most of the photographic opportunities.
