25 Oct 09: An experimental day in Wales

Standing on top of a Welsh mountain in what felt like a force 10 gale, I was watching the shafts of sunlight falling through breaks in the cloud onto the sea and wondered if it was possible to capture that type of light with a camera - this was my best attempt at capturing the shafts of sunlight (although it has to be said I could hardly stand up never mind take a photo)

f/11 1/125sec

...perhaps it needs to be left to painters such as James D Preston who captures them brilliantly, for example, in his picture Misty Glen:

(It is actually possible to add the effect of diffuse sunlight using Photoshop and something I want to take a look at doing when i get the time).
Later on the beach I wanted to take some pictures of the sea but the light was very flat, grey and dull...

...so I tried some shots on various settings with a long shutter speed - this is what I got with every setting....

...mmm!

In the pouring rain I decided the best option was to go to the pub, turning round to head back up the beach I got these

As rainbows are so ephemeral I wasn't sure if it would actually come out on a  photo - glad I tried it though!