Behind the Shot: A Different Perspective on Newfoundland’s West Coast

After a season filled with incredible experiences, I could not have asked for a better way to wrap up my touring year than a week exploring the west coast of Newfoundland.

This trip was a little different for me. Rather than leading the tour myself, I was there in a support role alongside Gord Follett, who led the group through a remarkable week of photography. It was a welcome change of pace, and at times I found myself feeling less like a guide and more like a visiting photographer, enjoying the opportunity to explore, make photographs, and share the experience with everyone else.

And what a week it was.

Chasing Mist and Light Through Gros Morne

Our journey began with a drive through Gros Morne National Park. We spent the day chasing mist, watching the light, and stopping whenever the landscape offered something worth exploring.

Gros Morne has a way of making you slow down. The mountains, winding roads, waterways, and ever changing weather create endless possibilities for photography. A familiar stretch of road can look entirely different when the mist rolls in or the sunlight breaks through the clouds.

We followed the conditions as we made our way through the park, taking advantage of whatever the day had to offer before heading toward the Arches Provincial Park.

The Arches are a remarkable example of the power of the Atlantic. Over countless years, the sea has carved its way through the limestone coastline, creating formations that are as fascinating to photograph as they are to experience in person.

From there, we continued north to Port au Choix, where we were greeted with beautiful light, stunning coastal landscapes, and an unexpected highlight: an up close encounter with the local caribou.

Being able to spend time observing these animals in their natural surroundings was a real treat. Wildlife photography often requires patience, but sometimes the opportunity comes along to simply watch and appreciate the moment while making a few photographs along the way.

It was a wonderful start to our week on the West Coast.

Point Riche Lighthouse and a Night at Lobster Cove Head

The following morning began with a sunrise visit to Point Riche Lighthouse. There is something special about being on the coast early in the morning, watching the first light of the day settle over the landscape.

After our morning at the lighthouse, we made our way to Rocky Harbour, our next base of adventure.

Of course, the day was far from over. We headed out again in search of sunset light, hoping the evening would provide another opportunity to make photographs.

As any Newfoundland photographer knows, you can plan all you want, but the weather and light ultimately have the final say. Sometimes everything comes together, and sometimes you simply enjoy being out there and see what unfolds.

We finished the day with a nighttime photography session at Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse.

Long exposures have always appealed to me because they allow us to interpret a scene in ways that go beyond what we see with the naked eye. The movement of the clouds, the changing light, and the contrast between darkness and illumination can completely transform a familiar location.

On this particular evening, a distant light on the horizon added an unexpected element to my composition. It created a small but interesting flare that brought another layer of visual interest to the photograph.

It was a fitting way to finish a day that had taken us from a quiet coastal sunrise to sunset and, finally, into the darkness of the night.

The Tablelands and a New Home Base

Day three brought us back into Gros Morne National Park to explore the Tablelands before continuing toward Steady Brook, our home base for the next three days.

I've heard the Tablelands compared to Mars many times over the years, and it is easy to understand why when you are standing among those rust coloured rocks. The landscape looks and feels so different from the lush green hills and rugged coastlines we often associate with Newfoundland.

The Tablelands are made up of exposed mantle rock, brought to the surface through the geological processes that helped shape this part of the world. It is a remarkable place to explore, and another reminder of just how much variety our province has to offer.

After spending time there, we headed to Steady Brook, ready to explore the Humber Valley and the surrounding communities over the next few days.

With a home base established, we had the freedom to head out early, stay out late, and follow the light wherever it might lead us.

And that is exactly what we did.

Sunrise at Cox's Cove and Sunset on the Humber River

One of the pleasures of a photography trip is never quite knowing what the next morning or evening will bring.

We made our way to Cox's Cove to greet the sunrise, watching the early light reveal the coastline. Those quiet mornings are among my favourite times to photograph. The world feels a little slower, the light changes by the minute, and there is a sense of anticipation as you watch the landscape come to life.

One of the things I love about photography is that you never really know what you might find when you head out into the field. A drive to Bottle Cove in the rain turned into an afternoon of chasing rainbows, watching the skies, and keeping our eyes open for those unexpected moments when the weather and light come together.

We never know what will appear around the next bend or what might happen when the clouds begin to break. That is part of the adventure. You can plan your locations and watch the forecasts, but sometimes the best photographs come from simply being out there, camera in hand, ready to take advantage of whatever unfolds.

Later, we found ourselves along the Humber River as the sun began to set, bringing another opportunity to explore the landscape in a completely different light.

For me, that is what photography is all about. It is about getting out there, being present, and remaining open to the possibilities. You might set out looking for one thing and come home with something entirely different. And sometimes, those unexpected discoveries become the photographs you remember most.

Sometimes the photograph comes together exactly as you imagined. Other times, the real reward is discovering something you had not expected.

The Kissing Rocks and the Power of the Atlantic

Our visit to the Port au Port Peninsula brought us to a location I had been looking forward to photographing: the Kissing Rocks.

I had seen photographs of this remarkable formation before, but there is nothing quite like experiencing a landscape for yourself.

The towering rock formations, the crashing Atlantic waves, and the rugged coastline combine to create a scene that is difficult to ignore. We were fortunate to have beautiful early morning light, which added another dimension to the landscape.

I could have spent hours listening to the waves and watching the water move around the rocks. There is something about photographing the Atlantic that never gets old. Every wave is different, and the changing conditions offer endless possibilities for capturing movement and texture.

The Kissing Rocks were a reminder that some places deserve more than a quick stop for a photograph. Sometimes you need to put the camera down for a moment, take it all in, and appreciate the experience itself.

Then, of course, you pick the camera back up and start looking for another composition.

Sea Caves, Rainbows and Hidden Waterfalls

The week continued with more discoveries, including a visit to the remarkable sea caves in an old lime quarry.

The formations were fascinating, with narrow passages and unusual shapes creating a landscape that seemed almost otherworldly. The textures of the rock, the surrounding water, and the available light gave us plenty to explore with our cameras.

We also spent time chasing rainbows and discovering waterfalls along the way.

These are some of my favourite moments on any photography trip. You might head out with a particular location in mind, only to find yourself following a break in the clouds, stopping for an unexpected rainbow, or discovering a waterfall you had never photographed before.

Those unplanned moments often become some of the most memorable parts of an adventure.

You can plan a route, research locations, and study the weather forecast, but you also have to leave room for the unexpected. That willingness to explore is one of the things that keeps photography exciting for me.

There is always another angle to discover, another detail to notice, or another story waiting to be told.

A Different Perspective on My Home Province

Looking back, this trip was about much more than the locations we visited or the photographs we brought home.

Having Gord Follett lead the tour gave me the opportunity to step back from some of the responsibilities that normally come with guiding. Instead of always thinking about the schedule, the logistics, and the next stop, I could sometimes simply enjoy being a photographer among photographers.

At times, I genuinely felt like a visitor in my own province, discovering familiar places and new locations alongside the rest of the group.

That change in perspective was refreshing.

I came away with new friends, new memories, and an even greater appreciation for the place I call home. From the mountains of Gros Morne to the coastline of Port au Choix, from the quiet sunrise at Cox's Cove to the crashing waves at the Kissing Rocks, Newfoundland continues to surprise me.

No matter how many places I visit or how many photographs I make, there is always something new to discover.

It was a magnificent week, and I could think of no better way to end my touring season.

After a year filled with stunning landscapes, incredible wildlife encounters, wonderful people, and experiences I will carry with me for years to come, this trip was the cherry on top.

Now it is time to catch my breath, spend some time with the photographs, and start thinking about the next adventure.

Because one thing I have learned over the years is that Newfoundland always has another story to share.