Sonning at Sundown

Planned to meet up with Camera Club chum June today for a bit of long exposure practice. We decided on the Thames at Sonning. Not great light, but it was really just for practice.

Then, just on time, a bit of a warm glow!

The Ridgeway at West Ilsley

A bright but cold morning last Tuesday (18th) , and with no particular deadlines, we set off for a walk along part of the Ridgeway.  4.5 mile round trip, with a promise of lunch at the end at The Bell Inn at Aldworth.

Walking boots essential!  

The horse galloping stretches of grass

Pretty wet underfoot

An amazing fluffy cloud with Didcot Power Station just about visible in the low cloud

Crossing a road through the ridgeway route. Unusual pink tones in the sky
considering this is mid morning. 

It was quiet other than a handful of dog walkers

Recession...... in other words, gloomy! 

A pretty cottage towards the end of our walk

Golden leaves of the Beech trees

Thankfully there was a tiny dry edge passed this enormous puddle reflecting the hay bales.

Remember that promise of lunch at The Bell...... couldn't get in! Too busy, on a Tuesday lunchtime!  Apparently it's like that every day, and you cannot book. Will try another time at 12.00 on the dot. 

Elan Valley and Aberystwyth

Our grandson Brân was hosting his first birthday party on 20th, so we left Wokingham early, and drove to Ponterwyd via the Elan Valley mountain road.  The weather had been misty the whole way, so we were lucky to catch a few rays of sun before we left the Elan Valley. We only stopped once, since other than this one opportunity, the light was not good.

I loved the tree shadows.

Was lovely to see Brân and his Mum and Dad, since our last visit was in August. I filmed the party, so no photos of mine indoors, although Granddad took plenty.  Later, we went for a brisk walk in the lane just behind their home in Ponterwyd, just as the sun was getting low in the sky. The wind had picked up and it was freezing!

Just a few moments walk at the back of their home.

We stayed the night in an excellent hotel in Aberystwyth, right on the seafront next to the pier. Highly recommend it. the Gwesty Cymru  Hotel, with a fabulous restaurant menu too.  

Gwesty Cymrfu Hotel website 

This meant that we could get up at dawn and be on the seafront, before breakfast. ( Is this a good idea?!)    Since Aberystwyth faces  west there was no chance of a sunrise, but had hoped for a bit of  a glow at least.  Didn't happen. A dull morning, but at least dry. We also watched hundreds of starlings leave their overnight spot under the pier. (all set up for slow shutter photography so missed all the action!)

Bit too dark for big stopper at 07.30, although a nice glow from the lights.

20 mins later. 4second exposure at f5.6

also 4seconds at f5.6, using .9+ .6 grads

08.00 am 1.6 second exposure using .9+ .6grads

big stopper 30seconds f5.6

No photos on our journey home. It was miserable, and rained the entire way back to Wokingham. 

Marsh Lock, Henley

We set off this morning and met up with friend Martin on the river at Henley near Temple Island. Got soaked, no decent photos, other than the first one with big skies above Henley.... full of rain.

Today was meant to be some practice using BIG STOPPER settings, so we wanted to be next to water and drove the other side of Henley to Marsh Lock, by which time  the rain had thankfully stopped.

The bridge over the Thames passing the weir at Marsh Lock 15 second exposure

15 second exposure

15 second exposure

15 second exposure

8 second exposure

normal exposure, looking back towards Henley

normal exposure, looking towards Shiplake direction

8 second exposure

normal exposure

same scene 15 second exposure

B&W conversion

looking towards Henley 15 second exposure

15 second exposure. Had to take down the highlights in the water with this long exposure