Stuart Forster, a North East England-based professional photographer, heads out onto the North Sea for Tall Ships Race photography in Sunderland.

From 10 to 14 July 2018 the Port of Sunderland, in North East England, hosted more than 50 sailing ships ahead of the first leg of the 2018 Tall Ships Race. The Tall Ships Sunderland event proved an outstanding opportunity for photography of sailing ships and people having fun.

Sunderland Tall Ships Race photography

I visited three times to capture images depicting a broad selection of maritime-themed photographic subject matter.

The Gulden Leeuw, a Dutch ship, during the Parade of Sail off Sunderland.

Photos of tall ships

Several of the ships were moored close to the National Glass Centre and the University of Sunderland’s Sir Tom Cowie Campus, close to St Peter’s Church.

Sailing ships on the River Wear, by the University of Sunderland’s Sir Tom Cowie Campus with Wearmouth Bridge in the background.

Many more were docked on the other side of the River Wear, alongside the Port of Sunderland’s Coronation Dock and further round, by the Hudson Dock.

Mir, a Russian ship, the largest participating in the Tall Ships Race at the Coronation Dock in the Port of Sunderland.

The ships and their crews were obvious subjects for photos, but I also photographed visiting people. Portrait photography is one of my areas of speciality. Feel free to contact me to arrange portraiture sessions, should you ever be interested in arranging a shoot for yourself, a friend, a member of your family or a loved one. Call 07947 587136 to discuss your requirements or send a message via the Contact page of this website.

Tall ships on the River Wear near Sunderland’s Wearmouth Bridge.

Night photography in Sunderland

On Friday evening members of Cirque Bijou walked on an inclined high-wire from the south bank of the River Wear to a platform on Wearmouth Bridge.

Members of Cirque Bijou performed a high-wire act, walking above the River Wear to Wearmouth Bridge.

After the high-wire walkers successfully completed their walk fireworks illuminated the bridge, reminding me of a waterfall as dusk darkened into night.

Fireworks celebrate the 2018 Tall Ships Race on Wearmouth Bridge in Sunderland.

Summer photos of sunny Sunderland

Wearside was blessed with sunshine for much of the event. Business seemed brisk at the ice cream vans parked near the waterfront.

Visitors could take cruises on The Morgenster which you can see here sailin past Roker Pier at Sunderland.

I chatted with several visitors while capturing Sunderland Tall Ships Race photography. The time spent waiting for rigged ships to sail past Roker Pier zipped by in conversation.

The Gulden Leeuw sailing past Roker Pier and into the Port of Sunderland.

Parade of Sail photography

On the afternoon of Saturday the 14th July, the ships began slipping their moorings and sailing down the River Wear.

Tall ships moored in Sunderland.

The Parade of Sail was a joy to witness. Hundreds of people viewed the spectacular event from Roker Pier.

People on Roker Pier, to watch ships sailing at the start of the 2018 Tall Ships Race, in Sunderland.

I sailed out onto the North Sea on the Blueeye, a boat operated by OnWater Training, based in nearby Hartlepool Marina.

Shtandart, a Russian ship, on the North Sea during the first leg of the 2018 Tall Ships Race.

The low perspective provided some wonderful opportunities to photograph the tall ships under sail.

The Fryderyk Chopin during the Tall Ships Race at Sunderland.

One of the hardest challenges was keeping the horizon straight while moving on the water.

Kayakers off Roker Pier at Sunderland during the Parade of Sail.

Photos of tall ships at sea

Seeing the green hull and billowing sails of Alexander von Humboldt II with a blue sky as a background inspired me to photograph a series of images.

The Alexander von Humboldt II, a German ship, on the North Sea.

The Lord Nelson, operated by the Jubilee Sailing Trust, also caught my eye as she coursed through the water off Lizard Point.

The Lord Nelson, a British ship, on the North Sea near Lizard Point on the coast of north-east England.

From the starting line, 4.8 miles off the coast of Sunderland, the tall ships began the first leg of the 2018 Tall Ships Race. They made their way to Esbjerg in Denmark, a part that celebrates the 150^th anniversary of its foundation in 2018.

The Lord Nelson during the Parade of Sail off Sunderland.

Hopefully, photographers in Esbjerg, Stavanger and Harlingen also enjoy seeing and photographing the tall ships.

The Morgenster, a Dutch tall ship, on the North Sea.

Further information

Thinking of visiting the northeast of England? Check out things to do in Sunderland.

Find out more about the tall ships’ visit to North East England on the Tall Ships Sunderland website. A selection of photos by Why Eye Photography Limited illustrate this online feature on Visiting the Tall Ships Race in Sunderland.

I welcome opportunities to undertake photography commissions for new and existing clients. If you want to commission a commercial or editorial photo shoot, please call [+44 (0) 7947 587136] or email [stuart @ whyeyephotography.com].

The Morgenster sails past Roker Pier to enter Sunderland.

The See It Do It Sunderland website is a useful source of information if you are planning on visiting Wearside. Each July the city hosts the Sunderland International Airshow, another great event if you enjoy photography.

Feel inspired and want to give sailing on a tall ship a go? It’s possible. See the Sail Training International website for more information.

Enjoy this article about photography at the 2018 Tall Ships Race in Sunderland? Check out this one about Indian Premier League cricket.

If you like what you see and want to commission travel photography please contact Why Eye Photography. You can purchase images or commission a shoot. 

Want to commission a photography shoot? Please give me a call on 07947 587136 or email [email protected] to discuss your photography requirements.

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