Six of my Favourite Locations for Long Exposure Photography

If you’ve followed me on social media, or read these blogs for a while, you’ll know that I love shooting long exposure water. So in this blog I thought I’d share some of my favourite South West locations for this type of photography. Even if you’re not based in the South West, I hope you’ll find it interesting to see why these locations work, and that it helps you spot similar places closer to home.

If you're new to long exposure photography, take a look at my previous blogs to get you started; see my beginner's guide to long exposure photography part 1, part 2 and part 3.

Brixham

Why it’s great for long exposures

Brixham has working harbour boats, the town climbing above the harbour and often silky water at high tide, which all lend themselves to longer shutter speeds. The mix of colourful houses, harbour lights and reflections gives you strong structure even when the water and clouds are blurred.

Best time to visit

Early morning or late evening work best, when the harbour is quieter and the light is softer or more dramatic. Blue hour is especially good, as the town and harbour lights come on and reflect in the water. High tide is essential to ensure that there is plenty of scope for foreground long exposures of the water (rather than mud!)

Ideas for compositions

Shooting from the far side of the harbour looking towards the town is best (from near the statue). This provides several compositions that work well - to your left looking towards the town and the church, straight ahead looking at the town climbing up the hill, or towards the fish market (as in the photo above). Nearby, on Breakwater is the tidal bell which also works well for long exposures.

Exeter Quay

Why it’s great for long exposures

Exeter Quay has a lovely mix of a flowing river framed by old warehouses and bridges. The water as foreground (especially with reflections), combined with strong man‑made structures, works really well when you slow the shutter right down.

Best time to visit

Late afternoon into blue hour tends to work best, especially on calm or slightly overcast days when you can slow the shutter without harsh contrast. If you can time it for when the lights along the quay start to come on, their reflections in the water add extra interest to long exposures.

Ideas for compositions

Both sides of the river work well, looking towards buildings on the other side, as well as standing on the town side and looking up towards the bridge. Use the river (slowed with a longer exposure) as foreground and the buildings to add structure to the middle of the frame. An interesting sky can add an extra element to the top of the frame. The photo above is looking away from town and downstream towards the Topsham Brewery.  

Porlock Marsh

Why it’s great for long exposures

At very high tide, Porlock Weir (Marsh) is brilliant for long exposures because the skeletal trees appear to grow straight out of the water, giving you strong, graphic shapes against a simplified foreground. Slowing the shutter smooths the water around the trunks and helps emphasise their stark, almost other‑worldly form. 

Best time to visit

Very high big spring tides are best (above 11 metres), when the water is high enough to surround the trees completely. Soft light around sunset or in blue hour works well, as it keeps contrast under control and lets you use longer shutter speeds without the highlights burning out.

Ideas for compositions

Shoot along the line of trees so they create rhythm and repetition across the frame, or pick out an isolated trunk as a simple, minimalist subject. Using a longer exposure to completely smooth the water, and including just a hint of distant shoreline or sky, can give you very calm, atmospheric images.

Teignmouth Pier

Why it’s great for long exposures

Teignmouth Pier is perfect for long exposures because the pier structure gives you strong lines and repeating shapes projecting out into the sea. Slowing the shutter smooths the water and any wave movement, which helps the pier stand out cleanly against a simplified foreground.

Best time to visit

Early morning or late evening works best, when the light is softer and there are fewer people on the pier and beach. Cloudy daytime light also works well. A calm sea or gently rolling waves are ideal, as they turn into a soft, misty band of tone with a longer exposure.

Ideas for compositions

Shoot side‑on from the beach to emphasise the length of the pier with its legs receding into the distance, or work almost underneath it to use the supports as strong leading lines. You can also shoot along the shoreline towards the pier, using wet sand or smooth water as foreground and letting the pier and horizon anchor the middle of the frame.

Kennick Reservoir

Why it’s great for long exposures

Kennick Reservoir is ideal for long exposures because you can work with both cloud movement and very still water. On breezy, overcast days the clouds streak nicely across the sky, and on calm sunny days the reservoir gives you clean reflections, with the pier and headland providing strong structure.

Best time to visit

Cloudy days are perfect for slowing the shutter right down and capturing soft, streaky skies without harsh contrast. On still days, aim for early or late in the day to make the most of reflections and avoid the brightest, flattest light.

Ideas for compositions

Use the pier as a leading line pushing into the frame, with long exposures smoothing the water around it. The curve of the headland works well to balance the composition, and you can play with including more sky on windy days for cloud movement, or more water on calm days to emphasise reflections.

Venford Waterfall

Why it’s great for long exposures

Venford Waterfall is a classic Dartmoor long exposure spot, with twin falls dropping into a shaded, mossy gorge. Slowing the shutter turns the water into soft ribbons and really brings out the texture in the rocks and surrounding woodland.

Best time to visit

Overcast days are ideal, as the soft light keeps contrast under control and stops highlights blowing out on the water. After rain there’s more flow over the falls, which works particularly well for longer exposures.

Ideas for compositions

A straight‑on view works nicely, framing both falls with the rocks and foliage around them. You can also move slightly off‑centre to use foreground rocks or the stream as leading lines, letting the blurred water guide the eye back to the waterfall.

How to find it

From the main Venford Reservoir road, cross to the south of the dam and park in the small car park on the right‑hand side. Walk away from the road, following the path along the top of the slope with the trees and stream down to your right, heading downstream and away from the dam and car park. After a few minutes the trees thicken; look for a smaller path dropping steeply down towards the sound of the water, and follow this carefully to reach the falls tucked away in the woodland.

Want this demystified in person?

If you’ve found this useful but would like someone standing next to you, talking through composition in real time and showing you how to apply it on location, that’s exactly what we do on my Beginner Photography Workshop here in Devon. If you already know the basics and want to explore more locations with my help and guidance then the Improvers Photography Weekend might be the course for you.

You’ll find dates, details and booking information on my training pages. They’re an ideal next step if you’d like this long‑exposure approach explained in person, with plenty of time to practise, get feedback and ask questions.

About Gary Holpin Photography

As a professional photographer based in Devon, my journey began along the stunning South West Coast Path. Disappointed with my initial attempts to capture its beauty, I embarked on a second 630-mile journey, this time dedicated to mastering photography. Today, I'm a nationally acclaimed photographer with award-winning landscape photos.

I specialize in providing top-notch property photography, business photography, and drone photography services to businesses across the South West. Additionally, I offer comprehensive photography training courses tailored for both businesses and individuals. Whether you're looking to enhance your corporate image or improve your personal photography skills, my training programs are designed to help you capture stunning images.

As an award-winning and widely published photographer, I frequently share my passion for photography and Devon through engaging talks at local camera clubs and community groups. My expertise spans the entire South West region, ensuring that clients from Devon, Dorset & Somerset benefit from high-quality photography services and training.