Photography days out

Sunday, 7 December 2014

Avebury at Sunrise

Last winter we had only one day where there was enough frost to see it in a photograph, so with clear sky and frost forecast, we planned an early sunrise shoot. We headed with friend Martin and his faithful dog Scamp , to Avebury Circle, which meant getting up at 05.30.... not so good! We had been there in the summer so had a good idea of where to park etc, which saved precious time when we arrived. The national trust car park was locked.

We arrived with the thermometer reading -4, but with appropriate clothing and gloves, it wasn't so bad. It was still semi dark when we arrived, the sun glowing over the back of the mound behind the
stones.

07.24

A magical mist began to rise, but lasted no more than 10 mins. I opted to shoot low
in an attempt to exaggerate the mist

07.45 Switched to wide angle for a few minutes. A difficult site to include the whole circle.
Even at 14mm the left hand trees were cut off.

This time, all the trees, but not all the circle.

08.00 and the sun almost over the mound. Martin chose to shoot from the ridge at this point.
I waved my arms meaning to ask him to move! He thought I meant "right a bit", but his silhouette turned
out quite useful.

Moving outside of the circle further. I liked the bird sitting on the stone, and
one man and his dog on the ridge

08.23 Climbed up onto the ridge to see beyond, the sun now risen over the frosty fields beyond.
The inevitable lens flare.

The tree which proved to be a huge asset with the morning sun, and the stones to the
west just starting to catch the suns rays

Lovely light on the stones

Looking south east over the ridge

The little church alight with the suns rays.

Hard frost

08.34 The large stone now almost half lit. The light was changing every second.

08.44 time for breakfast

9.09 and the large stones now fully lit

More stones extend to a separate circle across the main road

A few more photographers arrive

09.14

09.20 The sun a little higher and fabulous shadows a from that very useful tree

Across the road, and another circle

Scamp cant believe we have not yet finished

On this side of the road, a moat allows below ground level shots

Loved the rim lighting here

09.51 and the light now further round lights the stones in this other field.
I also loved the tufts of frosty grass so back down again on my knees!

One man and his dog in the distance

10.16 Time to go. Bacon calling

A boring featureless sky, but I guess that comes with frost.
A wonderful venue with plenty of photographic opportunities. Important to revisit some of the stones
over the course of the visit, as the light kept changing,

Friday, 28 November 2014

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!

Saturday, 22 November 2014

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.

Wednesday, 12 November 2014

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.