Is an image worth risking your life for? St Abbs Lighthouse
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- Опубліковано 6 лип 2024
- Timecodes
0:00 - Intro
01:04 - Photographing the Harbour
11:38 - Near Death re-creation
In this video, I revisit St Abbs Lighthouse, a location where I had a near-death experience while trying to capture a unique angle of this frequently photographed site.
Back in 2021, I came to St Abbs Lighthouse to create content for my UA-cam channel. Initially, everything was going smoothly, with the weather and conditions cooperating nicely.
This was my second visit to this stunning location, and I was determined to photograph the lighthouse from an unusual perspective-a choice I almost regretted.
As you'll see in the video, I attempted to scale a narrow, precarious path along a steep bank that was more like a cliff. While descending, a massive boulder I was using for support broke loose, crashing at my feet before plummeting into the sea. I was paralyzed with fear for what felt like an eternity.
Eventually, I mustered the courage to turn around and scramble back up the bank. Shaken, I jumped into my van and drove home, never mentioning the incident to anyone until now.
Attempting such a dangerous feat was foolish. No photograph is worth risking your life.
Returning to the scene and sharing this story with you has been cathartic. Thank you for listening.
I hope you enjoy the video. Please be kind in the comments and don't let my daughter know :)
Gary
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I was taking images of a storm hitting the black beach in Iceland a few years ago, loving life, then I looked down, saw the water around my feet, then a massive wave took me up the beach and smashed me against the rocks, luckily for me, I managed to jam my arms in to the gaps in the rocks and stop myself from being washed out to sea. It killed my camera and my phone, ruined my boots, and absolutely destroyed any semblance of dignity I had. Talking to some locals who were there, I was told that the sea had already claimed 4 lives that year. I was incredibly lucky, and to answer your question, no, an image is NOT worth your life.
Every year, people take selfies in places like Yosemite and Grand Canyon. Every year some of those people never take another photo. You got lucky. I give you credit for showing us about your experience. It just might save some photographers from doing what you did and not getting the chance to talk about it.
Very brave to share this with us....glad you're here to tell the tale....
Thanks for sharing and I hope you found it cathartic. You'll receive no criticism from me and I suspect, like many of us, I've made some poor choices. The one that taught me the lesson was September 2023 at High Force on the Tees. It was early morning, no-one around and I decided to get close to the edge to capture a different composition. I slipped on wet rocks and was lucky to grab a branch on a overhanging tree to stop my fall into the cascade. I ripped my right palm and hurt my shoulder. I had on foot remaining on the ground and used this to shift my position to be able to drop back on to the rocks from where I slipped. The fall back onto the rocks damaged my right knee cap and I dropped my Fuji XT 4 and 55-200 lens into the falls. I had to drive home to Lincolnshire, stopping every half hour to stop my knee seizing up. I didn't tell my wife how close I'd come. I had a couple of days off to go to the Tees while she was between chemotherapy cycles and had something happened to me there would have been no-one to care for her. Had I fallen, my body would probably have been found days/weeks later. Totally, totally stupid. So no criticism from me. Stay safe.
You sad as mad as :)
Awesome photos as always Gary. There's one thing I always remember my late uncle Pete use to say "it's better to be alive coward than a dead hero" you are right, now photo is worth your life, but a bit excitement is well worth it
Garry that's what drones are for!! glad you owned your mistake and you are that bit wiser now. Great images as always
Enjoyed the video as usual Gary.
I can't believe that you tried to climb down there.
Thank goodness you are still around to tell the tale.
Great image's as usual mate.
Thanks for sharing and recreating your near death experience Gary. It would have been terrifying and certainly reasonable for you to suffer PTSD symptoms even now. I witnessed a friend that was standing too close to the edge of a coastal rockshelf get swept into a rockpool inches from being swept to his death! It was not only terrifying to him, but left me traumatized with lasting thoughts about the dilemma I'd have been put in regarding whether to risk my life trying to save him!! He was too much of a risk taker and I decided to never accompany him to seascape locations again.
NO image is worth risking life for!! It doesn't just affect the victim either.......there are lots of others left in the wake!!
All the best to you and anyone else reading this or watching this video........stay safe!!
We all have been tempted by the sirens song at 1 point or another life is a matter of luck most of the time !! beautiful image looking away from the lighthouse !! Take care.
Great stuff Gary, boys will be boys....
I was there today and those cliffs are treacherous. I wandered around to the steps leading down to the lighthouse which is walled but found a viewpoint looking down. The bird cliffs were fantastic
I spent a career as a copper and regularly came across people who did things that they thought were OK, but soon found themselves in real danger. I always tend to think the worst, because I have seen it so many times. Do take good care of yourself, Gary.
Common sense prevails ... glad you are still here to continue your photographic journey with us all. So glad you did ' not ' attempt take 2 lol.
Glad you are okay and safe.
Agree, that was NOT the best decission to attempt that Gary!! I'm glad you survived to tell the story and highlight the many dangers that are potentially in the poor choices of a Landscape Photographer.
Old saying, stupid is stupid does. Yrs ago, I nearly fell from a cliff called north head to catch a damm fish. Since then, I can not do heights.
I'm glad you came away alive. Gary, we would have missed your videos.
Having been to St. Abbs Head many times the cliff edges have always terrified me and much to my husband's amusement I always insist on staying well back from the edge. However it is a lovely spot!
You are a wise woman. I just takes one loose rock, getting jostled by someone or a stiff gust of wind and over one goes. In fact, the gust of wind did cause a guy to lose his footing near a cliff and over he went several years ago at a national park in one of the European nations.
I'm glad we have no sketchy cliffs where I live.
We all do stupid things in our enthusiasm. Glad this one wasn't your last. Thanks Gary.😊
Congratulations on a brilliant and candid episode, being completely honest about something which I think we probably have all done in our time. Looking back, going down to Routin Linn in Northumbria is one that sticks in my mind. OK, nothing went wrong, but then I was totally alone, without even a vestige of a phone signal, scrambling down a 45º slope. Honestly, if anything had gone wrong, I dread to think. I like to think that I'm now older and wiser.
Well, the excitement of the moment sometimes a person can forget the danger to which he faces, there have been photographers who lost their lives for an image being assaulted by wild animals and possibly falling from cliffs as well. Experiencing danger that stays with you it is a lesson and to show how important is were we place our feet isn't it? Now Gary is more careful and wiser. Cheers and glad you are well Gary.
I take my hat off to you Gary. You did it as its the adventure part in you. As Paul said no photo is worth your life. Well done for trying tho. ❤
I think you made the right decision revisiting that site because it made you realise how dangerous it really was. The images you captured (as usual) were magnificent. Thank you for sharing.
"Is an image worth risking your life for?" No! 🙄
But thanks for another nice video and great images.👍
Thanks for sharing Gary. And kudos to you for working up the courage to do so.
Totally agree with Paul! Crazy!!!! - but you lived to tell the tale😊 Glad you had Paul with you this day to ensure you maintained common sense! And yes, always good to go back to the scene, with some distancing! A good safety first video, Gary!
I’m afraid of heights and just watching makes me feel queasy!! I hope you did your own laundry 🤣🤣
Great shots and wise words, be careful out there Gary
Well glad we didn't lose you Gary. I totally understand the lure of trying to get something a bit different and/or just seeing what the view is a bit further on. Trouble is you are not fully concentrating on your movement/feet positions, have heavy gear on your back, may be carrying a camera/tripod in your hand and vulnerable to a rogue gust of wind or wave. Easy to push it a bit too far end if you are alone and in a poor reception area that just adds to the risks. Up to now there are shots I know I've missed because I decided to 'wimp out/be sensible' part of me regrets this but the bigger part accepts that at least I was still around to get my next 'keeper'.
Scrambling down loose rock is like swimming with sharks. Take care mate 👍
Gary, I love your videos. Your honesty, your wisdom, your enthusiasm, and your knowledge are appreciated. All that, and you get me laughing at your English sayings. I am grateful for the insight to your photography world.
I'm certainly glad you are here to tell the tale! One thing I have learnt (from my wife telling me repeatedly) is no photo is worth being stupid 😂. Wonderful images in this video Gary, thank you!
Trust me Gary the older you get the more risk averse you become. Plus as bits start dropping off you your limbs won’t do what they could years before. Glad you are still around!
We visited St Abbs in April 2024 when we took a weeks break in Northumberland for the first time and loved the walk around, thankfully I don't like heights and there can't walk near the edge, if I'm out photographing I never put myself in danger and always try and have my wits about me. Very brave to share your experience and it's a good learning curve for yourself and others
Keep up the good photography
Paul nailed it .. “Nutter” 😂
You're so right Gary, as it is just so easy to get carried away to get the shot. Stay safe!
Gary, I certainly sympathize with you about your dangerously close call. The rocks and tide awaiting the falling fish food is not forgiving. You shouldn't lament about it too much; you mind and attention were on getting that truly awesome shot. I call it "tunnel Vision" when I am only in the zone to capture my image. I once repelled over and down a cliff to capture a 3 shot vertical panorama of a gorgeous waterfall in a park in Shenandoah National Park. It was scary and I did disturb some rocks and gravel which pummeled me on my head. You inspire me to achieve a higher level of composition. Thank you for all you share, much appreciated. Gary C (me)
Some of the best stories start with bad decisions, and this was a good story well told. Having pressed my own luck more than once, I've a rough idea how you felt as the rock gave way around you. The opportunity for that special or unique or once in a life time image can really mess with our better judgment sometimes, which is dangerous because most of us tend to be smarter afterward than beforehand. During an incident some years ago, it occurred to me that there's probably very little sense in genuinely risking one's life to make images if it's unlikely anyone will ever see them. Since then I've (mostly) followed that rule because no story is any good unless you're around to tell it. Glad you're still around to tell yours, Gary, and glad you did.
Once again you stun with images of things I would look right past and think nothing of or would think there's nothing there. You have such a fantastic photographer's eye to be able to see images in scenes like those. As always, love your videos.
Nice one Gary - top marks for the revisit.Some excellent shots.
You never cease to amaze! Crazy story and amazing images! We’ve all done dumb things while in pursuit of our art…but this one is over the top! Just glad you survived! Thanks for sharing and thanks for taking me along!
Was nervous just watching the video so can only imagine what was going through your mind at that moment Gary. On a brighter note, just seen you have passed the 100K mark, many congratulations on reaching the milestone , it is thoroughly deserved
Reminds me of a stupid incident in my past. My friend insisted on climbing the face of Sandy Bay in Devon. The sandstone broke away in his hands. He fell about 40 feet and broke his back on a rock. The full 999 followed with 3 ambulance staff and myself stretchering him over the rocks as the tide swept in. I wouldn't want to re-live that day either.
glad you are here to tell the tale, scary stuff, and def not worth it for a shot... we live and learn i hope
it's always awe moment watching your photos. Thank your for inspiring me always.
Back before I was in this wheelchair (not cliff fall related😂), I might have done what you did. But not with my camera backpack on me!! Jaysus, we all know how heavy they can be. You got lucky, but you're not that stupid!! We all take risks, man. I'm glad you were alright.
Pettico Wick Bay north of St.Abbs is fantastic too!
Omg! Gary had to rush to toilet as you explained it!!
Sometimes you get so immersed in your photography you forget about your own safety to the ends that all you're thinking about is the shot. Twice I've found myself in a bit of a predicament where I've thought "What the hell was I thinking?" Clearly I wasn't. Yet we still do these things just to get 'that picture' you've not seen anyone else get and with good reason why not. Nice one Gary, Thanks for sharing.
Gary you can understand how someone in those kind of conditions on there own go missing, you were very lucky my friend don't do it again.
Its called being human Gary, we all do dumb things, I've done some really dangerous things too where I knew my chances of being badly hurt were high and quite honestly I see nothing wrong with that. Different people do different things and have different tolerances. Loved the images from the lower perspective. 🙂
As the song says, ‘It Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time.’
Glad you survived.
Absolute madness. A very dangerous video.
If only drones were created to safely take a shot from that angle :)
Better strategy for sure!
Things can go wrong very quickly Gary - two days after seeing you in the Mach Loop last month I was out in Snowdonia, I'd walked around Cwm Idwal and negotiated all the rocky and unstable parts without issue, then as I was on some fairly flat ground about to go back down to the car park, I went over on my ankle and broke it!
Don't worry you are not the only that takes chances on here!
I puckered up just watching you approach that edge.
We do stupid things as photographers sometimes, thinking we can do things we could do 20 years ago, glad you didn’t come to grief. As a lady of senior years, hiking through the bush alone, up & down rough track with dodgy knees, just to get a shot. Had I fallen, no- one knew where I was. Stupid, and I think more carefully about personal safety.
So glad you survived. I had a similar experience in Korea years ago and it still reminds me of how lucky I was that day.
Hi Gary always look forward to watching your videos. Im always telling other people to watch your videos as you always explain things well not to mention how good they are.
Im sure there are plenty of people out there have done similar risky things trying to get that photo no one else has me included. There have been times when I've said should i really be doing this 🤔but its always worked out ok.
We all have our moments, as a Mountain Biker I can say I have had plenty of my own, the most important part is that you ended safe, we are expecting more videos from you! Be safe keep taking photos and videos.
Oh Gary I know that feeling of wanting to get THAT SHOT!! About 3 years ago as well I was trying long exsposure of in coming waves at sunset.. I had my brother as my eyes to warn me of waves coming.. But I was struggling to get my shot.. So he got fed up and went back to the car.. I said I just want to try one more shot.. And walla my bad I went down to compose my shot and bam a wave hit my chest and camera.. That was my first ever dslr I bought second hand a canon 450d.. It died that evening sadly.. But learnt that rather use a longer lens or don't be so enthusiastic lol..
I've since been very blessed regarding my photography.. Absolutely love my landscape but of late event photography has taken more of my time..
I can relate! There are several places I don't go near, although I see others (mostly tourists) go out to the point "just fine".
The other thing is that things change and we need to assess as and when: Whether or our fitness or coastal erosion: There is one place I used to go, but over the 15 years I have been in the UK, the erosion has become so bad, I no longer feel safe doing it.
Stunning results, glad you lived to tell the tale - and find a better spot!
Something slightly different but worth thinking about all the same. I was alone on Raven Crag heading back to the car down the logging road. It was late and light fading when I thought I heard an aircraft coming down Thirlmere. As I turned to look back up the lake I went over on my ankle and took a tumble. I had a heavy pack on so hit the ground with quite a whack. Two points...1. I had walking shoes on but they had no ankle support this enabled my ankle to buckle under me. 2....My phone had no battery left. I was extremely close to breaking my ankle, it ballooned up nearly straight away and I was lucky I could still put weight on it to get back to the car. IF I'd had broken it I was stuffed. No phone, alone and half way up Raven Crag. I now wear appropriate Walking Boots and have a power pack for my phone.
That was an interesting lesson in that not every photo is worth it. I am glad you stayed on this side of the ultimate stupid and let your common sense/survival instincts kick in. Just look back and learn and now you may find your photography to be more rewarding. I know I would appreciate it!
Here in the states there's a problem with people photographing trains and standing too close to or on the tracks and getting hurt or killed simply because they don't comprehend the phrase step back and zoom in, it is so simple yet apparently impossible for some people to understand.
Gary, Gary, Gary, I have watched you do some heart skipping things in your video's, but attempting to walk down a shail cliff takes the biscuit. Remember that you are not as young as you once were. You do not bouce like you did. Since I have turned a monumental birthday that would have given me my state pension, but not now, I have learn't the hard way to risk assess these situations which much more thought. Especially, when you are on your own. I carry walking poles much more often and if there is any risk of a tumble I put my camera back in my bag. I had a fall on the East Prawle coastal path a few months ago and nearly ended up nearly going over the edge into the sea. It has opened my eyes into the dangers. As Paul said, not worth your life for a photograph. You are held in such high regard in the photographic community with a wife and family too. Don't take risks like that ever again please.
east Prawle here in Devon would be right up your street by the way. Stay safe you numpty !!!!
G'day Gary .. .it's only a mistake if you didn't learn from it .."Only as good as your last mistake" as they say ... good onya for sharing ;-)
Mr Gough, about a year ago some photographers, including me, were on some rocks photographing a beautiful waterfall; To get a better composition it was necessary to jump from one rock to another and between them there was a strong water rapid. My friends jumped, one of them slipped and was helped; I put my backpack on and went back to the car. I had to put up with some jokes but I didn't regret prioritizing my life. I'm happy that you got away with it this time and I hope that when you have to take a risk, it will be calculated, preserving your integrity, for the good of you and your family.
You madman! But in case you wondering, I'm glad you survived 😂
Hard to say from the video but that looks harder than a grade one scramble. That would mean at least two working as a team with ropes and full climbing gear. Did you buy a lottery ticket when you got home? Next time rent a boat. 😂
Some lovely images that we are all lucky to see. 😂 I've said this before about your waterfall expeditions. Carry a set of mini-crampons. Great for slippery rocks near the sea and for steep grassy slopes.
You can see a ghost of a person on the wall in the first fine art shot :)
I was out in the desert during a monsoon storm to catch some lightning. Then one cracked right over my head. Dude, it was so loud! I didn't get the shot, but I know how fast my car can go. LOL
note you have found your boots LOL It is worth remembering not to get to focused on getting that extra shot over and above staying safe and sound. Great reminder to us all. :)
Next time,use a drone...not worth dying for an image,even if it is the most unique one ever captured! Thanks for sharing your experience Gary!
Great day out mate such an awesome place but the cliff was well sketchy 😂
Jeez Gary, lucky the wife didn't know😆😆😆
Pretty scary Gary - these experiences do scare the 3h1t out of you, I had a similar experience nearly fell over Whitby cliff god knows how I didn't - fell over my tripod and nearly went over.. Makes you think ... great photos and video TOPS !!
It’s no good, you need to re-enact it, both for you and us Gary. You need closure and we need a laugh! 😂👍📸
The Wonderfull Idiocy of Youth (?!)
There's been a few times where I've thought, "I could probably get a really good image from over there". Then I've thought, "nah". Not so much because it's dangerous, but because I'm naturally lazy and couldn't be bothered.
Norfolk Island is a perfect example of where, I know for a fact, I could have gotten a much better image than I did. Simply by walking down a hill, as other photographers have done. Then I would have had to walk back up. 😀
Gary, I have seen folks risking their lives for a photo, especially on the Cobb at Lyme Regis in high seas, it’s not worth it. Keep safe, you don’t want to be another statistic.
Another cracking video Gary. have you never thought of flying the drone down those places to save you the fright. Its what we do when we dont fancy the trek.
Gary, I know exactly what you mean. Now that I’m older there’s still a young man trapped inside that thinks he can do everything he could when he was younger and more agile. 🤦🏻♂️😂
The proper way to go down a very steep hill is by rappelling down wearing a proper harness and the rope securely attached to something solid at the top of the hill. It takes training to know what and how to rappel properly. It is one thing to rappel down but how do you get back up the hill. That takes more training and knowledge. I love your pictures but I don’t live near a coast with scenery like that.
I'm a landscape photographer but also a counsellor in addictions....and understand trauma. Yes once it's safe emotionally it's good to go back and calm yourself. You made piece with it now. I have taken clients with trauma back to a place to reassure them they survived. From a photography perspective..get a drone ha ha 😮......it you crash a drone..no big deal bar money...😂😂😂ha ha
With age, we once handsome, fast and physically fit men at specific points in time find out that age is a bitch running faster than us, and what was once simple challenges have become frightening monsters. Being 77 I stay with the ordinary turisty paths, and I don't miss the adrenalin rush.
Just watched your remake of your best image at a light house and thought “I must get back to St Abbs and remake one of my best images”. Came back from a dog walk and found this one of you at St Abbs. I must admit Paul has the right idea of staying back. My image was looking down the steps directly down to the light. Nice beams and an Aurora and the sun glow on the horizon. Question have they changed the lights to LED? I hope not.
Have taken a few risks myself as well. Is it worth it, no probably not but if you get a banger of a shot it does feel good.
Well said Gary , the photo is not worth your life. Trouble is as you get older you are wiser. Up to say 30 I’d do it but not at 70 and you look back thinking now stupid was I . Great video though 👍
I think we've al been "caught in the moment". Doing something. But I retrospect bloody stupid. But what doesn't kill ya, makes you stronger!
Tsk Tsk Gary. I never do silly and dangerous things on my adventures. It's often a good idea though to bring a spare pair of undercrackers just in case.
Ok, that’s some Gavin Hardcastle craziness there! Glad you dodged the Reaper!
Embracing risks and challenges is part of the adventure when you're pursuing your passion. It’s part of the Hero’s story from time immemorial. Sometimes when you enter the dragon’s cave, you get the gold.
Gary, that's what drones are for!
A few years ago, I ventured out onto a very narrow outcrop above a sheer 150 foot drop at the Otter Cliffs in Acadis National Park in Maine. I thought I'd get an epic image. In fact, there was no view at all from out there. After retreating, I reflected on what I had just done. I was 66 years old and could have killed myself over a nothing image. I'll never do something quite that stupid again.
Probably.
We all make bad decisions and some of us are fortunate to survive the error. So, don't feel bad, feel blessed!
No photo is worth risking you life for, well for sure not a landscape photo 😂 great video all the same.
Can I ask if you have done a review on you backpack, looks like something I could throw some coins at as it doesn’t scream camera bag.
You, sir, have far more nerve than I do. I wouldn't even have walked down to where you shot the lighthouse in this video. I don't like heights, to put it mildly. That path looked a bit too close to the edge for my liking. As always, thank you for talking us along.
Life is precious, so no. Great video though!