The Island Beach, Robberg Nature Reserve

The Island Beach in Robberg Nature Reserve is one of those spots that feels a bit tucked away, sitting along the peninsula with clear water, rocky shoreline, and wide ocean views. You usually reach it as part of the Robberg hiking trails, and the approach itself gives you plenty of chances to shoot elevated coastal angles before dropping down to the beach. Once there, you have a nice mix of subjects to work with, from the curves of the sand and tidal pools to the textured rocks and waves rolling in from the open ocean. It is a great place to experiment with both wide landscapes and more detailed foreground compositions. Light changes quickly along this stretch of coast, but early morning and late afternoon tend to give you softer tones and a bit more depth in the scene. It takes some effort to get there, but that is part of what keeps it feeling quiet and rewarding when you do. (Robberg Nature Reserve, Plettenberg Bay, South Africa)