Photographing Gannets at Bempton Cliffs
Bempton Cliffs was the first place where I truly learned how to photograph birds in flight. I first visited in July 2015 as part of a workshop with Steve Race, very early on in my wildlife photography journey, and I have returned countless times since. It was also my first close encounter with gannets, and they remain one of my favourite seabirds to photograph.
There is something unmistakably prehistoric about them. Their size, their piercing eyes, and the sheer power they carry in flight make them endlessly compelling subjects. Even after many visits, watching gannets glide past the cliffs at eye level never gets old.
Planning your visit
Bempton Cliffs is an RSPB reserve on the Yorkshire coast and is best visited during spring and summer, when seabirds return to nest and breed. My visits have always coincided with this period, and I often dropped in on the way to other locations along the coast.
The reserve is well managed, with clear paths and viewing areas, but it can become busy during peak season. Early mornings are often quieter and offer softer light, especially for flight photography along the cliff edges.
Boat trips operate separately from the reserve and are tide dependent. Weather and sea conditions can result in cancellations, sometimes at short notice, so flexibility is essential when planning.
Photographing from the cliffs
An icy stare. Canon 1DX MkII with Canon 500mm F4L IS II Lens. Exposure: 1/800 | F5.6 | ISO 640
Photographing from the cliff tops offers some of the best opportunities for eye level images of gannets in flight. This is where Bempton really excels.
I mainly use a 500mm prime or a 100 to 400mm zoom from the cliffs, sometimes with a 1.4x extender. For flight shots, I usually work hand held, as it allows quicker reactions and smoother panning. For nest behaviour and more static scenes, I may use a tripod, but only when space allows and crowds are minimal.
There are relatively few nests at true eye level, and photographing down onto nests rarely works for me compositionally. I tend to focus instead on flight, interactions between pairs, and moments of behaviour such as grooming, nest building, or disputes with neighbours.
Learning to track birds in flight
Early morning bokeh. Canon 1DX MkII with Canon 500mm F4L IS II Lens. Exposure: 1/1250 | F5.6 | ISO 100
One of the most valuable lessons I learned at Bempton was how to approach photographing birds in flight when the sky is full of activity. When dozens of gannets are soaring past, it is easy to panic and try to photograph everything at once.
The advice I was given, and still follow, is simple. Pick one bird, lock focus, and track it. Stick with it through the movement rather than jumping between subjects. This approach dramatically improved my keeper rate and helped me anticipate behaviour rather than react to it.
This applies whether birds are gliding along the cliffs, landing, taking off, or interacting mid air.
Boat trips and diving gannets
I have attempted boat trips with Yorkshire Coast Nature four times. Two were cancelled in advance due to weather or safety concerns. One went ahead but conditions turned difficult, with heavy rain and strong wind, which limited photographic opportunities. A later trip in 2024 was far more successful, with two consecutive sessions spent out at sea.
Once chumming begins, the experience is intense. The noise is deafening, the air is chaotic, and gannets dive repeatedly for the same fish. Following Steve Race’s guidance, I focused on individual birds, tracking them from the air into the water and back to the surface, often capturing interactions as other gannets attempted to steal the catch.
On the 2024 trip, I briefly experimented with underwater footage using a GoPro mounted to a monopod and operated remotely via my phone. This was only possible when the skipper stopped the boat for a short period. While the results were limited due to lack of practice, it was a valuable learning experience and a good excuse to plan a return trip.
Other wildlife at Bempton
Bempton supports a remarkable variety of seabirds. From the cliffs, I have photographed puffins, kittiwakes, guillemots, and razorbills, often nesting in close proximity. It never ceases to amaze me how these different species coexist in such tight spaces.
There are also occasional sightings of barn owls and peregrine falcons, and short eared owls are known to visit the area during winter, although I have yet to photograph them myself.
From the boat, I have also photographed curious grey seals bobbing in the water. Bottlenose dolphins are seen here regularly, though I am still waiting for my first sighting.
Common challenges
Preening time. Canon 1DX MkII with Canon 500mm F4L IS II Lens. Exposure: 1/800 | F7.1 | ISO 1600
White birds against dark cliffs present constant exposure challenges. Blown highlights are easy to miss, particularly when birds move quickly between light and shadow. Watching the histogram and using exposure compensation is essential to retain detail in the feathers.
Another common issue arises when photographing nest behaviour at slower shutter speeds. Action can erupt suddenly, and switching quickly to hand held shooting with a faster shutter often makes the difference between capturing the moment or missing it entirely. A quick release plate on a tripod is invaluable for this reason.
Crowds can also be challenging. When it is busy, I often avoid using a tripod altogether to reduce the risk of accidents and keep things fluid.
Final thoughts
Bempton Cliffs is where my love of photographing gannets began, and it remains a place I return to regularly. Whether it is the quiet moments of early morning flight or the chaos of diving birds offshore, every visit offers something different.
It is a location that rewards patience, observation, and repeated visits, and one that continues to shape how I approach bird photography elsewhere.
Whatever you photograph, have fun.
If you are planning your own Bempton photography trip
Visit during the breeding season to experience the cliffs at their busiest.
Travel light if the reserve is busy, and consider hand held shooting for flexibility.
Keep an eye on the histogram to manage white plumage against dark backgrounds.
Be flexible with boat trips and expect cancellations. Safety always comes first.
Speak to wardens and guides for up to date sightings and advice.