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Fishing boats were central to Deal's maritime economy back in the day. Launching directly from the steep shingle beach, they served roles ranging from fishing to smuggling and daring rescues in Goodwin Sands (home of 2,000 ship wrecks and 700 grey and harbour seals).
During the Second World War, 10 Deal fishing boats took part in the Dunkirk evacuation, with seven returning.
By the 1970s, as fish stocks dwindled and mechanization changed the industry, the fleet reduced to just a few. Only one commercial fisherman remains today - 71 year old Dave Lawrence. He targets herring and sprats which he sells from the roadside next to Deal beach when the catch comes in.
The other boats are pleasure craft, taken out occasionally for angling trips. A couple can be chartered if you know the owner. Most charter business goes to Dover and Ramsgate where the docks are developed and allow easy boarding.
The steep shingle beaches at Deal are not so easy. Skippers rely on volunteers and ancient winches to get their boats out to sea and back again.
Most of these shots were made at dawn when the light is low and there are interesting things happening with the sky.
I use a tripod with a slow shutter to capture more light and a medium aperture to preserve some foreground and background details.
Typically shutter speed will be 1/8 to 1/30 sec with aperture at f/8.0. ISO will be on Auto with an upper limit of 1600 and (I adjust shutter or aperture lower it). If there are birds about I increase the shutter speed to catch them.
I'm using 28mm and 43mm lenses lenses (one wide, one normal) and shoot in RAW (important for editing).
If you like any of the images in this gallery, send a message here. Limited edition fine art prints are available in sizes from A5 to A0.