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.
Sobering story, I'm glad you have told it. You have to be so careful on the sea cliffs, Growing up on the Cornish coast, people were always falling as they sadly never realised just how unstable the cliff edge can be, even quite distance from the actual edge. Where I used to climb the Search and Rescue helicopter team would climb there too. They used to hover their Sea King near us and wave from the side door! The most impressive thing I had seen was them one day carefully positioning the helicopter to land it on a small platform surrounded by rock. The rotor blades couldn't have been more than a few feet from the cliff. That's the sort of stuff they would do to rescue people from the cliffs. I was so impressed with their skill that I walked the South West Coast path for the RNLI. People risk their lives on the cliffs, and other people risk their lives to rescue them.
Thanks for sharing! I thought I was very careful too, but 2 years ago I slipped and fell in a well in a waterfall near the Bridge of Orchy, losing all my equipment... I fell in front of my daughter and girlfriend who thought I died...terrible experience, which still is very difficult for my daughter! I will always be thankful to this man and builders who rescued me!!! And I am so lucky that I came out of it with only a couple of bruises!!! Take good care everyone!!!
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.
Dear Gary, Thanks for sharing, you are surely teaching us about the value of life. You are always teaching us about Nature and the search for beauty in It. Best wishes from South Brazil, and thanks a lot!
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
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.
Yes Gary you were lucky I was curling my toes when you showed us the path??? I have had one or two scary moments in landscapes, the problem being when we get an idea for a picture in our heads the safety head gets pushed to one side. Thanks for sharing.
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!!
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. :)
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 !!!!
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'.
Gary for as long as I have been watching and enjoying your videos that you kindly bring to us. You have always wanted to bring us that special image something that probably no one has had the courage to take. Watching your video I can fully understand that it must have been the scariest moment of your life. I find it to be totally unimaginable what must have been going through your mind when that rock you had a grip on pulled away from the rock face. I have always admired you and your photography I have always be a big fan of your channel and want to carry on watching your videos so please be careful out there and always remember “ no image is worth risking your life for “ Stay Safe and Keep Well,
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.
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.
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.
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.
Seems that you are not alone in the "nutters" camp? Great vlog as always, just showing that like us all you are human! Liked the comment that you don't bounce as well as age progresses, so true! As we aged we just need to take things slower and be less rash! Stay safe!😀
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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!
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
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!
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
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)
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.
The problem is it looks accessible and not too risky. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, thanks for sharing. We have all done stuff we wouldn't repeat with the benefit of hindsight. It's NEVER worth it. I got cut off on the Thames a few years back by the tide which when I watched was flowing out. Something told me to go back and when I did I was cut off. I waded holding the wall of the Thames with my tripod extended for support. I was so relieved when I made it across.
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.
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!
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!
17:59: Hi Gary. Mate, we all do silly things. There's no good in beating yourself up over it though. You have since decided for yourself that the risk was not worth a photograph. I'm sure you will think differently next time. Keep up the great work. Cheers mate.
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
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. 🙂
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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!
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. 🤦🏻♂️😂
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. 😀
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.
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.
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 !!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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..
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 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.
Sobering story, I'm glad you have told it. You have to be so careful on the sea cliffs, Growing up on the Cornish coast, people were always falling as they sadly never realised just how unstable the cliff edge can be, even quite distance from the actual edge. Where I used to climb the Search and Rescue helicopter team would climb there too. They used to hover their Sea King near us and wave from the side door! The most impressive thing I had seen was them one day carefully positioning the helicopter to land it on a small platform surrounded by rock. The rotor blades couldn't have been more than a few feet from the cliff. That's the sort of stuff they would do to rescue people from the cliffs. I was so impressed with their skill that I walked the South West Coast path for the RNLI. People risk their lives on the cliffs, and other people risk their lives to rescue them.
Thanks for sharing! I thought I was very careful too, but 2 years ago I slipped and fell in a well in a waterfall near the Bridge of Orchy, losing all my equipment... I fell in front of my daughter and girlfriend who thought I died...terrible experience, which still is very difficult for my daughter! I will always be thankful to this man and builders who rescued me!!! And I am so lucky that I came out of it with only a couple of bruises!!! Take good care everyone!!!
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.
Dear Gary,
Thanks for sharing, you are surely teaching us about the value of life. You are always teaching us about Nature and the search for beauty in It.
Best wishes from South Brazil, and thanks a lot!
Very brave to share this with us....glad you're here to tell the tale....
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
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 :)
Yes Gary you were lucky I was curling my toes when you showed us the path??? I have had one or two scary moments in landscapes, the problem being when we get an idea for a picture in our heads the safety head gets pushed to one side. Thanks for sharing.
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!!
Garry that's what drones are for!! glad you owned your mistake and you are that bit wiser now. Great images as always
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. :)
Great stuff Gary, boys will be boys....
Scrambling down loose rock is like swimming with sharks. Take care mate 👍
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 !!!!
"Is an image worth risking your life for?" No! 🙄
But thanks for another nice video and great images.👍
Paul nailed it .. “Nutter” 😂
Great video Gary. Harrys Rocks are another dodgy place, windy and incredibly high. Never again.
I’m afraid of heights and just watching makes me feel queasy!! I hope you did your own laundry 🤣🤣
Ok, that’s some Gavin Hardcastle craziness there! Glad you dodged the Reaper!
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.
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. ❤
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'.
Gary for as long as I have been watching and enjoying your videos that you kindly bring to us. You have always wanted to bring us that special image something that probably no one has had the courage to take. Watching your video I can fully understand that it must have been the scariest moment of your life. I find it to be totally unimaginable what must have been going through your mind when that rock you had a grip on pulled away from the rock face. I have always admired you and your photography I have always be a big fan of your channel and want to carry on watching your videos so please be careful out there and always remember “ no image is worth risking your life for “ Stay Safe and Keep Well,
Cheers John 👍👍
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.
Pettico Wick Bay north of St.Abbs is fantastic too!
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.
Great shots and wise words, be careful out there Gary
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.
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.
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.
Seems that you are not alone in the "nutters" camp? Great vlog as always, just showing that like us all you are human! Liked the comment that you don't bounce as well as age progresses, so true! As we aged we just need to take things slower and be less rash! Stay safe!😀
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.
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.
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.
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!
You're so right Gary, as it is just so easy to get carried away to get the shot. Stay safe!
Omg! Gary had to rush to toilet as you explained it!!
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.
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.
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!
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
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!
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
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)
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.
The problem is it looks accessible and not too risky. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, thanks for sharing. We have all done stuff we wouldn't repeat with the benefit of hindsight. It's NEVER worth it. I got cut off on the Thames a few years back by the tide which when I watched was flowing out. Something told me to go back and when I did I was cut off. I waded holding the wall of the Thames with my tripod extended for support. I was so relieved when I made it across.
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.
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!
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!
You madman! But in case you wondering, I'm glad you survived 😂
As the song says, ‘It Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time.’
Glad you survived.
Don't worry you are not the only that takes chances on here!
Nice one Gary - top marks for the revisit.Some excellent shots.
17:59: Hi Gary. Mate, we all do silly things. There's no good in beating yourself up over it though. You have since decided for yourself that the risk was not worth a photograph. I'm sure you will think differently next time. Keep up the great work. Cheers mate.
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 puckered up just watching you approach that edge.
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. 🙂
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.
You can see a ghost of a person on the wall in the first fine art shot :)
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 ;-)
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.
Your wife knows about it now! 😊
If only drones were created to safely take a shot from that angle :)
Better strategy for sure!
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!
Jeez Gary, lucky the wife didn't know😆😆😆
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
glad you are here to tell the tale, scary stuff, and def not worth it for a shot... we live and learn i hope
I'm glad we have no sketchy cliffs where I live.
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!
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. 🤦🏻♂️😂
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. 😀
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.
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.
Glad you are okay and safe.
It’s no good, you need to re-enact it, both for you and us Gary. You need closure and we need a laugh! 😂👍📸
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 !!
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!
The Wonderfull Idiocy of Youth (?!)
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.
Great day out mate such an awesome place but the cliff was well sketchy 😂
We all do stupid things in our enthusiasm. Glad this one wasn't your last. Thanks Gary.😊
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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..
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 👍