Carlyon Bay: out to sea
With filmmaker Luke Pilbeam
Carlyon Bay combines wide sands, rugged cliffs, tucked-away swim spots and a beach scene all of its own. From sunrise paddles to twilight music sessions, there’s an ever-changing energy to this beach.
We invited filmmaker Luke Pilbeam to capture Carlyon Bay from new perspectives – both out on the water and high above it. Jet skiing, stand-up paddleboarding, swimming and exploring with his camera, Luke documented the cliffs, waves and even a surprise encounter with dolphins who swam alongside the jet ski.
Images captured by Nick Pumphrey
His footage reveals a wilder side of Carlyon. Rock stacks that rise like giants from the sea. Sheltered coves only visible from out to sea. Dolphins cresting in turquoise water. Birds circling above cliffs. All of it revealed through a lens of exploration and curiosity.
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We caught up with Luke to hear more about his practice, and why the ocean continues to call him.
“I’m a filmmaker from Devon but I live in Cornwall now.”
“Filmmaking has taken me to loads of different places around the UK and Europe and further afield at times, and I’ve loved that part of it.”
“One thing I love about filmmaking and photography is it gives you a kind of ticket to be in an occasion, or in a situation that you wouldn’t normally be in with different kinds of people that are way different to who you’d hang out with in your social circles.”
“It’s a nice way to experience different kind of views on the world and different cultures.
You’re not always having to say something, you’re just there to capture, and I feel like that lends itself well to my kind of personality.”
Your Beach. Found
From the feel of the sand underfoot to the anticipation as you near the sea, your beach is the one that stays with you. Find your beach with the Beach Match Quiz.
Beach Match Quiz