It’s only one lighthouse. And it’s situated at a pretty straight and simple coastline without any bells and whistles. Sure, the Obereversand lighthouse itself is quite different in its architectural features. But it still is only a lighthouse at the end of the day. So why on Earth should a photographer spend several hours there and shoot more than one photo?

Where and when to shoot the Obereversand Lighthouse?

The Obereversand lighthouse is situated on the German North Sea coast in a small village called Dorumer-Neufeld. As a typical tourist destination, the village also features a small harbor, a swimming pool, and a campsite. Fortunately, the place gets a little less busy in the evenings – or it would if it wasn’t for the photographers who come here from near and far for a shooting session. The coastline faces westward, so the best time for shooting here is the sunset anyway. 

Another factor that should go into the photographer’s consideration is the tide. The German Wadden Sea changes dramatically with the tide. So regardless of whether you want to shoot the lighthouse standing in a sea of water or a sea of mud, seagrass, and small puddles, you should check the regional tidal calendar to determine the perfect day and time for you. 

Variations

With the place being as it is, you might think that three photos should be enough: One from the left, one straight on, and one from the right. However, I find that such a limited approach is not advisable. When I am at a new location, I prefer taking my time to ponder other than the obvious alternatives. Other variables come into play, such as distance, angle (low or high), focal length, exposure (long or short), the inclusion of people in the frame (and if so, their position and pose), leading lines, and so forth.

And unless I am 100% sure one of these options is crap, I take a picture of it. Because more often than not, I only realize the value of a composition or the quality of an exposure back home at the computer, giving me more options for my work there. Working on the different variations of photographs at the computer can reveal their hidden strengths or weaknesses. This will ultimately contribute to the learning process we all go through as we pursue our work – and enable us to make better decisions in the field next time.

So, when I was shooting at the Obereversand lighthouse, I took a surprising amount of photographs, nine of which I would like to share with you now. This little series of photographs is a part of my ongoing Frisian Landscapes project, which you can check out here. Enjoy!