Ian Cambourne
August 2026 - Pre-dawn at Bombo
About the Image(s)
In March 2025 Jenny and I went for a weekend away to the small coastal of Kiama, just two hours south of Sydney. On the northern outskirts of Kiama is an old quarry known as Bombo. I'm not sure what was mined here, maybe some shale rock as it's right on the ocean. This is a favourite spot for photographers. So I thought "When in Rome...." and ventured there for a session at sunrise. I have been here a few times in previous years, but skies and weather conditions always change any scene. This one was taken before the sun broke the horizon, so the area was quite dark, particularly in the foreground.
Details are: Nikon D810; 24mm lens; ISO 100; F4.5; 30 seconds exposure and tripod mounted. Processed in LR, PS and Topaz.
7 comments posted
Ian - This image is beautiful! It's not just technically excellent but compositionally it draws the viewer into and thru the frame all the way to the horizon and to me, that's the strength of this image. Obviously, the image screams sense of place :-)
I had never heard of Bombo, but after viewing your image I understand why it's a photographer's favorite. The tidepools, the detail in the rocks and the lower band of clouds really come together nicely and give the image a rugged and timeless feel. And before I forget, and your color palette is outstanding.
The image lacks a visual anchor, HOWEVER, I'm not sure it really needs an anchor, not every image does - Bottom line - this is a VERY STRONG landscape, that I believe will do well in a competition if you choose to submit it - congrats & nice job.
Posted: 08/01/2026 14:46:44
I had never heard of Bombo, but after viewing your image I understand why it's a photographer's favorite. The tidepools, the detail in the rocks and the lower band of clouds really come together nicely and give the image a rugged and timeless feel. And before I forget, and your color palette is outstanding.
The image lacks a visual anchor, HOWEVER, I'm not sure it really needs an anchor, not every image does - Bottom line - this is a VERY STRONG landscape, that I believe will do well in a competition if you choose to submit it - congrats & nice job.
Posted: 08/01/2026 14:46:44
Thanks for your comments Butch. I did have some fun there that morning. We are hoping to go back there early 2027 for another break. That time, I will have some more fun, but later in the day, as those rock stacks that were in shadow this time, will be in the sunlight and showing off their full colours. Posted: 08/09/2026 05:30:43
Ian - a super nice image and I can see why its a photo favorite place for people. The predawn colors are great and I like the way the many tide pools bright up and you get closer to the horizon. There is nothing I can suggest that would improve it. Ray Posted: 08/03/2026 00:53:07
Thanks for your thoughts and comments Ray. Posted: 08/09/2026 05:31:10
Beautiful ...leading my eye right through the image to that beauty of a sunrise! The detail in all the rocks is amazing and tells me loud and clear to watch where I am stepping! Living in Florida now, I am so accustomed to sandy beaches it was eye opening to go to Washington State and realize their beaches are very rocky with small amount of sand beneath! I learned very quickly I should have brought my hiking boots not my sneakers. It requires a great deal of work on your part to get all those rocks so crisp that you can feel them digging into your "sneakers", if you're dumb enough not to cart the proper shoes! Well done Ian! Posted: 08/10/2026 20:40:42
Thank you for your comments Sherry. It is always good when a plan comes together. As I was there pre-dawn and it was quite dark I had to use a torch to light up some of the foreground to focus on and then go from there. But I'm pleased with the result. Posted: 08/21/2026 08:18:17
Ian, I like the image very much. The composition uses the lower 2/3's of the image as the focal point to look through to see the harshness of the rock and the texture. The pools of water add interest and have me looking to see if they show any reflections as well. The sky is well handled with a bit of the sea showing in the center. Colors are muted as they would be at sunrise and the dark clouds at the very top hold my eyes down to the interesting parts of the image. Well done! Posted: 08/21/2026 19:01:14