Photographing Exmouth

Finding Fresh Perspectives: The Challenges of Photographing Exmouth, Devon

Exmouth, Devon, is a photographer's dream: golden beaches, sweeping estuary views, dramatic skies, and a vibrant community. But for me, as a local photographer, this familiarity can sometimes feel like a creative double-edged sword. How do you keep capturing the same surroundings with fresh eyes? How do you push yourself to find new perspectives in a place you know so intimately? I often find myself struggling for inspiration, or to see things with fresh eyes, from a new perspective.

A beach goer at Exmouth enjoys the sun, sat in a graffiti covered shelter. Shot on a Digital SLR camera.

In this post, I’ll share my personal journey of continually seeking inspiration in Exmouth, the creative challenges that come with photographing your hometown, and how switching between digital and film photography helps to hopefully keep my work dynamic and exciting.

The Beauty and Challenge of Photographing Exmouth

There’s no denying that Exmouth offers endless photographic opportunities, especially to a new comer. From the light reflecting off the River Exe to the striking cliffs of the Jurassic Coast, this small Devon town has a wealth of natural beauty, as well as plenty of opportunity for striking man made structures and people watching a-plenty. However, photographing the same locations repeatedly can lead to creative fatigue and make you wish you spent your time somewhere else. I often find myself feeling really inspired when I visit new towns, which can in turn lead me to feel demoralised when I am at home.

Familiarity sometimes blinds you to what makes a place special. You stop noticing the way the light hits the estuary at sunrise or how the textures of the sand change with the tides or all of the interesting people that you’ll find about the town and on the seafront. It’s easy to fall into the trap of taking the same shots, from the same angles, over and over. I should know, I’ve definitely done it.

That’s why I’ve made it my mission to challenge myself. Every time I head out with my camera, I try to see Exmouth differently, whether it’s through a new lens, a different photographic style, or even simply by revisiting locations at unexpected times of the day or year.

Digital vs. Film: Choosing the Right Medium for Inspiration

One way I keep my work fresh is by switching between digital and film photography, depending on the mood and aesthetic I want to achieve.

A kite surfer enjoys the swell on Exmouth beach. Captured using a mirrorless digital camera.

• Digital Photography:
  Digital offers flexibility and speed. It’s perfect for capturing fleeting moments—like the kite surfers catching a wave and getting air or a sudden burst of sunlight breaking through storm clouds over Orcombe Point. The ability to instantly review shots lets me experiment with composition and lighting without the pressure of getting it right on the first try. It also lets me shoot less economically, using burst modes to try and freeze that perfect moment. It also gives me a lot more flexibility in the edit, although I wouldn’t say I am a photographer who heavily processes his images.

• Film Photography:
  Film, on the other hand, slows everything down. It forces me to think carefully about each shot, from the settings to the framing. Shooting on film in Exmouth often brings a sense of nostalgia to my work, adding a quality that feels especially fitting for the town’s historic charm. I mostly shoot on black and white film and then develop it myself at home, so I’m often looking for interesting contrast between light and shadow. Whatever I’m photographing, film often helps me focus on the story I want to tell. It often helps me craft images that I’m happier with. But equally, it can breed disappointment, feeling that an image was great, only to find after developing that it was lacklustre.

Switching between these mediums isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about shaking up my routine and keeping myself inspired. Some days, I’ll head out with just my digital camera. Other days, I’ll limit myself to a single roll of film and a 50mm lens, embracing the challenge of creating something meaningful with fewer options. I’m trying more to set myself a theme and then seek images that fulfil that. For example, recently I set out with a single roll of colour film in my Canon and the idea of “last days of summer” in my head, the light was great and there were lots of people out enjoying the last moments before the autumn set in. I went home feeling really pleased with what I had captured and was excited to see the results. I even had ideas of shooting another roll, depicting the “first days of winter” and producing a zine with the images. Unfortunately an issue with the film or the developing process meant that all of the images were pretty unusable, an endlessly frustrating part of being a film photographer.

Forcing Yourself to See Differently

Exmouth clocktower on a rainy, winters day. Shot on black and white film, in an old Canon SLR camera.

When you’ve walked the same streets and photographed the same scenes countless times, you have to actively seek new ways to see the familiar. Here are a few techniques I use to push my creativity when shooting in Exmouth:

1. Change Your Perspective:
   Instead of shooting from eye level, I’ll get down low to capture the patterns in the sand or climb to higher ground for a fresh viewpoint, this way you can often notice something you never saw before, or at least craft entirely new compositions.

2. Focus on Details:
   Sometimes, instead of photographing the sweeping views of the Exe Estuary, or the beach. I’ll focus on smaller details—like the texture of peeling paint on a fisherman’s boat or the way the light catches the ripples in the water, or footprints in the sand.

3. Experiment with Weather and Light:
   Exmouth looks completely different in a moody winter storm than it does on a bright summer afternoon. Embracing these changes can lead to unexpected and dramatic shots, especially when coupled with a contrasty, black and white film.

4. Tell a Story:
   Instead of simply capturing a pretty landscape, I try to think about the story behind the image. Who uses this space? What emotions does it evoke? I think that this approach often leads to more meaningful and engaging photographs.

Staying Inspired in a Familiar Place

At the heart of this journey is a love for my hometown. Exmouth has shaped me as a photographer, and while the creative challenges of photographing the same locations repeatedly can be frustrating, they’ve also made me a better artist.

Every time I push myself to find a new angle or try a different medium, I’m reminded of why I fell in love with photography—and with Exmouth—in the first place.

Retro ice creams above the Octogan, a historical landmark in the town (and now converted to a posh restaurant). Shot on colour film, with a Canon SLR.

So, whether you’re a local photographer looking to rediscover your surroundings or a visitor hoping to capture the magic of this Devon town, my advice is simple: look closer, look differently, and never stop experimenting.

Conclusion

Photographing your hometown might not always be easy, but it’s an opportunity to dig deeper, to uncover layers of beauty and meaning that others might overlook. By switching between digital and film photography and challenging myself to see Exmouth with fresh eyes, I’ve been able to create work that feels both personal and unique.

What challenges do you face when photographing familiar places? How do you keep your work inspired and creative? I’d love to hear your thoughts—drop a comment below or connect with me on social media!