Seeing Sid

Sunrise Over Frog Stone - Brian Sherlow

Taking the coastal path east out of Sidmouth until you reach the Frog Stone. This stone, which looks amusingly frog-like, was placed here by helicopter from a Royal Navy frigate on 10 April 1964. From this point you have views over the Salcombe Mouth valley and further along the Jurassic coast.

This image captures the rising sun on a June morning. Heading towards the longest day, the sun emerges in the north east casting colour over the landscape.  An early riser, picture taken at 05:31

Nikon D850 - 24-120 f/4 lens set at 35mm - f/8 - ISO 64 - 1/125

Sidmouth War Memorial - Paul Mellor

The War Memorial is in the grounds of the Parish Church of St Giles and St Nicholas. It was erected in 1920/21 to commemorate those lost during World War 1, and a further inscription was added to include those who gave their lives in World War 2.

The memorial is a poignant reminder of the tragic impact of world events upon Sidmouth and the surrounding community. It was designed by the prominent local architect R. W. Sampson and is now Grade 11 listed.

I wanted to show something that was part of the history of the area, and I know how significant the memorial and church are to local residents. As time goes by it becomes more important to remember the sacrifices people made in past and current conflicts. The church has a history dating back to 1175, with much development in the15th century. Significant additions were added in the 1850's and even as late as 2009, reorder of the layout was undertaken.

The picture was taken at 9.45 in the evening of Wednesday 27th May from the corner of the churchyard with a Canon R5 and 24-105mm Canon lens set at 24mm. The exposure was 1/16^th second at f14 at 250 ISO.

Salcombe Regis Churchyard - Graham Lennox

Quintessential rural churchyard, capturing a moment of quiet stillness on a warm afternoon and the limited palette of primary and secondary colours contributes to the simplicity of the image.

Camera and Lens: Nikon Z6ii, Nikkor 24 to 120 zoom lens

Camera Settings: Focal length 34mm, 1/80 at f /22 ISO 320, hand held.

Bird's Eye View - Ian Hosker

Wide angle (fish eye) view of the town looking down the valley to the sea, and taken on a very dull and grey November morning.

I wanted to explore the idea of: if I were a herring gull flying down the valley to the sea, what would the town look like?

This drone captured image is a section of a 360^o view.

A seagull’s vision is much better than that of a human, both in terms of level of detail and also field of view. A gull’s vision is very wide angle.

Camera settings: 6.7mm, ISO400, aperture f1.7 (fixed), shutter 1/750s

St. Giles Church Sidbury - Tony Velterop

This is a different angle to view St Giles Church in the valley.

I liked the rolling hills and there was an overcast sky and the only day I was pleased it wasn't too bright. It wouldn't look the same with a blue sky.

The image was taken from Buckley Road just before the cemetery to the East of Sidbury overlooking the village in the valley.

The image was taken with my Canon camera with my EF 75-300 lens at f11 and 1/60 second.

View From Muttersmoor To Budleigh - Rosemary Budgell

This photo was taken on my FujixT5 using an 18mm lens, a fast speed of 1250 at f16. I needed an ISO of 3200 to achieve these settings. It was taken mid-morning towards the end of May. I wanted a figure on the seat to show that it’s a beautiful spot and the view is worth enjoying.

My husband and I know this view as it’s part of a regular walk which is very local for us. Park at Peak Hill car park and cross Muttersmoor on one of the many footpaths. Then sit and rest on the seat at Pinn Beacon and admire the view. Return to the car park using a different path.

Rapeseed Field In Sidbury - Sue Cox

The Rape field was taken standing on Sidford Bridge. I could see that there were a few fields planted with Rape when I was out for a walk and was drawn to the beautiful yellow in the landscape. On a couple of occasions, I went out with my camera to take photos of the rapeseed fields in Sidford and Harcombe but there was a vehicle spraying the crop which was a distraction and I was not happy with the composition. As I was walking home I could see the rapeseed field from Sidford Bridge, framed by the foliage of trees and shrubs. I preferred this composition and decided this was the better image. I like the contrast of the vibrant blue sky and the yellow of the rape, framed by the green leaves and shrubs.

Focal length: 5.23 mm (in 35mm: 25mm) Exposure: 1/1600 sec, f1.8, ISO 25 Normal program

Ready For Tea - Teresa Jacombs

Nestling on the outskirts of Sidmouth Town is a little-known secret, quiet area called The Knapp Nature Reserve. The Reserve lies just off Station Road and is part of an 8.5 acre area which has been renovated with paths, a dew pond and native trees, it is also home to the Rare Wild Service-tree and the Whirligig Beetle. Near the Dew Pond, surrounded by cow parsley and ancient trees, you will find two chairs and a small table which suggests an opportunity to be “Ready for Tea”, this is where the image was taken at 11.45am on a sunny day. 

The image was taken at an aperture of F11.

Salcombe Regis Church - Terry Clarke

The village church of St.Mary and St.Peter in Salcombe Regis has a fascinating history, dating back to Norman times. It forms the centre of the small village, which has remained largely unchanged over hundreds of years. The surrounding churchyard is particularly pretty, and from here there are beautiful views down the valley and out to the coast.

Photo taken with a Google Pixel 10 mobile phone, f1.7 1/640 sec ISO29Image Title - Dunscombe Cliffs.

Dunscombe Cliffs - Alison Clarke

This image was taken during a walk along the South West Coastal Path, between Sidmouth and Branscombe, looking west towards Ladram Bay. Sidmouth is tucked in behind the cliffs. The dramatic cliff view can only be seen from the coastal path.

Photo taken with a Google Pixel 9 mobile phone, f1.65 1/250 sec ISO20.

Family Run At The Byes - Sarah Hall

As a creative documentary family photographer, I love capturing genuine moments that celebrate the joy and freedom of Childhood. I took this image on a beautiful summer’s day in the Byes. The photograph reflects the magic of childhood spent outdoors - splashing, searching and imagining.

I used a Sony A7 IV with a 24 – 70 mm lens. My settings were f4.5 ISO 500 and SS 500

Cascading River - Anne Luther Gandy

This slow-shutter image was taken in the Byes at the bend in the River Sid just before Margaret's Meadow. I was inspired to take the photo, as I find the river to be particularly picturesque and atmospheric here as it cascades amongst the rocks.

Camera Settings: Canon R6II f18, 1/8 sec., ISO 100 at 240 mm

On The Banks Of The Sid - Bob Reynolds

This image was taken in the Sid Valley Association nature reserve at the top of Margaret’s Meadow, Sidmouth.

In the atmosphere created by the low light under the trees, I wanted to capture the beauty of, and the contrast between the blue of the bluebell and the white of the wild garlic complemented by the backdrop of the river and its environs.

The camera was an Olympus EM1.Mk.3 with 60mm. lens, set at f/16, 1/6 sec. ISO 200

A Quiet Spot In The Lower Knapp - Mike Hawkridge

Taken in the Lower Knapp Pond Nature Area between Manor Close and Station Road, a delightfully quiet haven and one of Sidmouth’s hidden gems.

The two chairs and table under the tree are an enigma; I have never seen anyone using them; who placed them there? They look so inviting! The late afternoon winter sun shining through the tree and the long shadows of the branches give hope that Spring is around the corner. A monochromatic contre-jour approach accentuates the feeling of sunshine and the shape of the bare tree and its shadow.

Camera/Shooting Details: Sony A6700 APSC Camera with Sigma 10-18 f2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens at 10mm; 1/25s; f22; ISO200

Black Poplars - Thomas Hasler

I occasionally walk past the St. Johns School at the corner of Broadway and Convent Road on my dog walks and was immediately intrigued by the silhouette of the leafless poplars in early spring. I then found that the black poplars on the south border of the St. Johns School playfield are listed in the Sidmouth Arboretum (No 1410). In the early afternoon of March 22 I was taking my mirrorless camera to find the best spot to take a picture looking south towards the sea with the shadows of the poplars nicely shown on the grass playfield of the school. 

I used a zoom lens at 68 mm, an aperture of F 9.0, ISO 100 and 1/800 sec to end up with the final shot. I decided to give the image a black and white rendering in order to put further emphasis on the shape of the trees and their shadows. I did so by processing the image in Adobe Lightroom with the Silver Effex Plug-in in order to get a degree of graininess as with analog black and white films.

Sidmouth In Plume - Mike Pincock

Rockfalls are a way of life in Sidmouth. I was strolling along the seafront on a May afternoon when I saw the plume of dust rising in the distance. I quickly grabbed a picture and we all had a good chat about the frequently ignored perils of walking along the East Beach. I like this scene because it captures a fleeting violent event which often goes unnoticed but serves as a gentle reminder of the fragility of our coast. 

Taken with an iPhone 17 pro 4x zoom (35mm equivalent 100mm). Settings were 1/640s at f2.8, ISO 40.

A View Within A View - Elaine Brett

I was looking for a creative way to show a small part of Sidmouth. The mobile phone mount on the railings at the end of the promenade provided me with an opportunity to create a picture showing a view within a view. I decided the focal point would be the picture on the phone with the background out of focus.

Settings used: ISO 100; f5.6; 1/80; 30mm.

Library In A Box - Sidbury - Graham Ford

Sidbury has a number of bicycles propped up around the village to add colour or perhaps to make a statement on some local issue and I thought at least one of these would make a good image.

The best of all however was the bicycle propping up against the re-purposed former telephone box on the high street, adjacent to St Giles Church, which houses a 24 hour community book exchange.

Books are borrowed on a trust basis by both locals and visitors.

This colourful image was taken on a Nikon Z7 with a Nikkor 24-70mm zoom lens at 100 sec at f8.

The Artist - Martin Bunegar

"The Artist" is a local man who is regularly found, on fine weather days, painting watercolours of the coast and in this image he is looking eastwards along the promenade towards the Lifeboat Station and Salcombe Hill.

He often attracts onlookers who try to catch a glimpse of his work - rather like I did!

Camera settings: Canon EOS 90D ISO 100 f/5.6 1/250sec.

Queen Of All She Surveys - Andy Carmichael

Approaching the far West end of The Esplanade with a small coach party of visitors walking towards me, I saw this young girl standing on the railings to get a better view along the beach below, the soft morning light catching her face.

With her elevated position and prominence in the scene, for me, this girl looks to a future that is all hers for the taking.

Fujifilm XT5 XF18mm F2R at f5.6 1/900 sec.

Beach Flyer - Diana East

Impulse shot as I wandered the Esplanade in the rain on 4 April.

I was attracted by the activity from children, family, dogs, and sportsman - all enjoying Easter weekend in spite of the rain and wind.

Taken on Galaxy A35 phone 1 second F1.8 ISO 32

Rain On The Horizon - Melissa Newman

I took this image on an iPhone 17 Pro on 13/4/26 at 8.30 am.

I wanted to capture the rays of sunlight as the cloud briefly parted and the downpour just on the horizon.

Sea And Sky - Harri Morris

Sea and sky dissolve into one another as a weathered boat emerges from memory. Built from multiple photographs taken on Sidmouth seafront, the image explores the changing character of the coast and its enduring connection to the sea. Layers of texture and form blur the boundary between reality and memory, capturing a moment that feels both calm and unsettled, familiar and fleeting.

Silhouettes On Sidmouth Seafront - Karen Brindley

Whereas the traditional landscape photographer seeks out soft, golden light, I am increasingly drawn to the harsh midday sun, as it creates interesting silhouettes and shadows out of ordinary objects.

During our project window, we were lucky to have a run of good weather and I spent several mornings down on the seafront trying out different ideas. As is very often the case with photography, this shot came as I turned slightly from my area of focus, to see a far more interesting composition!

Luck was on my side with the seagull posing perfectly, creating a lovely line from the couple up to the signpost. The reduction in the colour palette simplifies the scene to focus on the forms, giving the photo a graphic quality.

Camera settings: Fuji X-T5 with XF16-80mm lens, f18, 1/500 sec, ISO 125

Twilight Trials - Paul Newman

I took this shot from the footpath near the cliff edge at Salcombe Hill. I wanted to portray to the viewer a maybe less well-known view of the esplanade at twilight which gives a warm yet colourful feel to the sea front area as it transitions into the night ahead.

Camera settings were: 190mm, f8.0, 120 sec, ISO3200.

Moonset - Stephen Holdway

A quiet moment at moonset, the softening light passing behind cloud and drifting across the water, the reflection held briefly against the rocks before fading.

This photograph was taken from Jacob’s Ladder Beach Viewpoint in Connaught Gardens, Sidmouth, on the Jurassic Coast. It captures the moment before sunrise as the full moon set beyond the cliffs of Ladram Bay, lighting the sea and sky with soft gold and purple tones.

The image was carefully planned to capture the setting moon as it aligned with the sea stacks beneath High Peak, a fleeting combination of tide, moon position and early morning light that lasted only a few minutes. The long exposure helped convey the stillness of the scene and the sense of calm that existed before dawn.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III, Olympus 40–150mm f/2.8 Pro

20 sec, f/5.0, ISO 320, 79mm (158mm equiv)