Autumn has arrived (in the UK)...

The mild conditions that have been prevalent across the UK for the past month came to an abrupt end today, with strong winds and dropping temperatures, and in many places, heavy rain. Dorset, at least where I am, was spared the precipitation for the time being.
Not one to be daunted by a light breeze (30mph/48kmh winds) I set out on my bike for some seasonal images.

My first call was the Sandbanks area of Poole Harbour. The tide is out when I arrive, and gulls and oyster catchers are probing the exposed sands for food. Watching the behaviour of these birds reveals a clear hierarchy when it comes to feeding. The larger gulls tend to ward off the smaller birds from potential feeding sites. While this may be expected in the grand scheme of things it's more disconcerting to see larger gulls harass and chase another (smaller/younger) bird that has made a catch, often forcing it to drop its meal. This is then snapped up by the pursuing bird. Fascinating to watch, but too far away to photograph with any degree of success.

Although I ride over twenty miles looking for suitable subjects the overcast conditions remain uninspiring, and it's not until I'm on my way home that I make any exposures at all, capturing the last rays of daylight as the sun sets behind the Isle of Purbeck hills (image) at 4.35pm.

300 mm AF-S VR Nikkor (VR off). 1/6400 second at f/4. -0.33 EV. ISO 200.

© 2009

Lens rotation...

Over time a photographer will accrue an ever growing array of lenses. I'm one of those photographers: my lens arsenal currently numbers 16 optics - from fisheye to super-telephoto (and there's always room for one more).
Consequently, some get used less than others: in particular the specialist glass such as those mentioned above, so it becomes necessary to rotate the lenses, just to give them some use. Today, I plump for the long end of my lens pool, and take the 300mm f/2.8 out for some afternoon shooting. This lens weighs in at over 6lbs (2.8 kgs) on its own, and with the camera body attached it soon becomes a strain on the arm muscles when shooting hand held for prolonged periods. This downside is more than offset by the superb image quality the lens is capable of - even when used at maximum aperture.

I ride to Poole Harbour, half expecting to photograph water sports, but in the back of my mind I know conditions are far from ideal, as the tide will be out and there will be little, if any, wind to take advantage of.
I was right on both counts: there was a lone kite surfer waiting on the shore, and two wind surfers way off in the distance, none of which were inspiring subjects - so I concentrate on birds.
As ever, there are the near-ubiquitous black headed gulls, gliding in search of an easy meal. The one in the image is in winter plumage, belying its name. They only get the characteristic black head (in fact, it's dark brown) during the summer months.

300mm f/2.8 AF-S VR Nikkor (VR off). 1/2000 second at f/2.8. -0.33EV. ISO 200.

© 2009

Windsurfing, Poole Harbour...

British Summertime comes to an end today, and the weather bears testimony to this, with winds from the west up to 30 mph (48kmh) although temperatures are a respectable 16º Celsius. Checking the tide tables I know conditions are ideal for kite and windsurfing, so with a super-telephoto lens in my bag I cycle to Poole Harbour, Dorset, to get some action shots.
On my arrival there are a good number of participants, either in preparation, or in the process of taking advantage of the conditions. As is common these days, there are those that are obviously experienced and those who are taking their first steps(?) with instruction in water sports. The fact that the tide is high allows the surfers to come closer to the edge of the harbour, and this enables me to get a number of tighter shots of the more proficient practitioners.





300 mm f/4 AF-S Nikkor.

Top: 1/1600 second at f/5.6. ISO 400
Below: 1/2000 second at f/4. -0.33 EV. ISO 400

© 2009

October sunrise...

Early mornings are now noticeably cooler - more so as the wind is blowing directly from Scandinavia over the weekend - and a hat, gloves and fleece are de rigueur for bike riding (along with streaming eyes - I do wish I could find a way of preventing this during the winter months).
Although sunny conditions are forecast it doesn't look good as I peer out of the window just before dawn, but a gap in the cloud just above the rooftops to the east hints at the chance I will get something.
I have to be quick: this is why my mountain bike is the best photographic accessory I have. It allows me to get into position far quicker than I ever could on foot. As it is I only just make it to the coast in time for the few minutes of dawn light available before the sun climbs above the Isle of Wight and disappears behind the cloud bank. In ten minutes it's all over.

50mm f/1.8D Nikkor. 1/500 second at f/5.6. +0.33 EV. ISO 200.

© 2009

Seaweed...

This afternoon I ride to Poole Harbour, just to photograph whatever catches my eye. In this instance a piece of seaweed, on the shore in the afternoon light. What attracted my eye were the shapes created as the slack tide lapped around the fish-shaped algae, and the shimmering effect on the water.

50 mm f/1.8D Nikkor. 1/125 second at f/11. -0.67 EV. ISO 200.

© 2009

Light and shadow...

For many years now modern cameras have had sophisticated light meters built into them to assist the photographer. These meters, although by no means foolproof, more often than not will give you a better exposure than your best guess. While this allows the photographer to concentrate on the subject without the worry of constantly making exposure adjustments, there are times when switching to manual control gives the best result.
Late afternoon sun, passing through cloud, was lighting the headland of Hengistbury Head, Dorset - the rest of the scene was in shadow. By exposing just for the the lit area I was able to render the shadows much darker than would otherwise appear if I let the camera make the decisions and direct the eye to fall where I want it to.

12-24 f/4 AF Nikkor. 1/250 second at f/11. ISO 200. Mono conversion in Photoshop.

© 2009

With courage, nothing is impossible...

An early morning ride along the coast brought me, once again, to Poole, Dorset, and it's a recently unveiled sculpture that I've come to photograph. Situated in front of the RNLI headquarters, it commemorates the 778 lifesavers who died at sea.

Designed by Sam Holland, it depicts a figure in a small boat pulling another from the water, and was unveiled by the Duke of Kent earlier this month. The sculpture is over 15 feet (4.5 metres) high and carries the family motto of the RNLI's founder, Sir William Hillary: "With courage, nothing is impossible", as well as a list of the names of those volunteers who died trying to save others.

The RNLI charity has saved over 137,000 lives since it's foundation in 1824.

12-24 mm f/4G Nikkor.
Top: 1/1000 second at f/11. -.033 EV. ISO 200.
Below: 1/500 second at f/11. -0.33 EV. ISO 200

© 2009