Burton Overy Staithe, August 2026
The phrase ‘F8 and be there’ was coined by the American crime photographer Weegee. The idea is simple: don’t fuss over settings, put a sensible aperture on the lens and make sure you’re actually there when something happens.
It sits nicely alongside Henri Cartier-Bresson's thoughts, who was always more interested in responding to what was in front of him than in fiddling with kit. As landscape photographers we can be guilty of the opposite. I know I am. Tripod, filters, careful levelling, everything just so, and sometimes the moment has gone while I’m still adjusting things. Perhaps also we tend to finesse the composition - or try to get that extra bit of sharpness or resolution (even when most photos get viewed on a tiny screen).
Lately I’ve been out at dawn far less than I used to. Less time and, if I’m honest, less energy for the early alarm. But I’m finding that’s no bad thing. Going out lighter, camera in hand, even for just an hour, I’m looking more and responding more to what’s actually there, rather than to the picture I planned in my head.
(The tripod isn’t banned, it just doesn’t always come along!)
So this winter: F8, and be there is going to be my mantra. Whenever I can manage it.
