When the Weather Won’t Play Ball (And Why That’s Not a Failure)
This wasn’t the plan.
The plan was winter seascapes. Long exposures. Texture in the water. Energy in the waves. A camera on a tripod, sea spray in the air, and that familiar feeling of being exactly where I’m meant to be.
Instead, I’m sitting in the car, watching rain smear itself across the windscreen while the Cornish coast disappears into a flat, grey distance.
And if you’re a landscape photographer, you’ll know exactly what kind of day this is.
Not dramatic.
Not cinematic.
Just relentless, energy-draining grey.
When Motivation Collides With Reality
You line everything up in your head.
The ideas are there.
The scripts are written.
The excitement is real.
And then you look outside… and realise it’s not happening today.
Or tomorrow.
Or the day after that.
That’s when the frustration creeps in.
You start questioning yourself. Wondering if you’re falling behind. If everyone else is out there shooting while you’re stuck waiting for the right conditions. The longer it drags on, the harder it is to stay motivated.
Days like this can feel genuinely demoralising.
Learning When Not to Shoot
Early on in my photography, I convinced myself that commitment meant shooting no matter what.
Rain. Wind. Bad light.
I told myself I was being dedicated.
In reality? I was just coming home tired, cold, and disappointed — with images that didn’t reflect what I actually love about photography.
Over time, I’ve learned something important:
Not shooting doesn’t mean you’re failing.
Forcing yourself out in conditions that aren’t right doesn’t make you more committed. It just drains the enjoyment out of the process. There’s a difference between pushing yourself — and pushing against common sense.
Learning when not to shoot is just as important as knowing when to go for it.
These Days Aren’t Wasted
Days like this aren’t a write-off.
They’re a chance to:
Review old images
Refine ideas
Plan future shoots and videos
Create breathing space
Because photography isn’t just about being out with a camera.
It’s about staying connected to what made you pick one up in the first place.
Burnout doesn’t come from bad weather — it comes from pressure. And more often than not, we’re the ones putting that pressure on ourselves.
Waiting for the Right Moment
The winter seascape video I wanted to shoot today? It needs the right conditions — but it also needs the right headspace.
I’d much rather wait and do it properly than force it just to meet a deadline. When I’m out there, I want to enjoy it. Not resent the cold, the rain, or the fact that I feel like I should be somewhere else.
Nobody enjoys being wet and miserable for the sake of it.
So I’ll wait.
For the right light.
The right weather.
And the right moment.
If You’re Feeling Stuck Too…
If you’re reading this and feeling stuck because the weather won’t play ball — you’re not alone.
You’re not lazy.
You’re not behind.
And you’re definitely not failing.
You’re just waiting for the right moment.
And the thing about weather, motivation, and creative ruts?
They never last forever.
The light will return.
The conditions will shift.
And the spark will come back with it.
This is all part of the process — even if it’s the part nobody really talks about.
Want Some Seascape Inspiration?
If you’re in the mood for some actual seascape action, you can check out my recent video from Dollar Cove, shot with my good friend Andy Green — where we explored what’s possible with an iPhone, a camera, and a set of NiSi filters.
It was a cracking day, good fun to film, and a reminder of why waiting for the right moment is always worth it.