Morning mist...

Undoubtably, the best way to assess the weather is to look out of the window. The web based weather forecasts are a rather hit or miss affair, and today was no exception. The cloud cover, admittedly, did appear as predicted for the second half of the day, but the clear start was omitted from the augury.
On arrival at my favourite location, I was greeted with the bonus of morning fog (always photogenic), through which the sun would occasionally burst, creating a continually shifting luminosity to the landscape: ideal for some atmospheric images of the ponies in the New Forest National Park. They didn't disappoint, and again were there in numbers. I shot a number of images using the 300mm f/2.8 lens, but later changed to the 85mm f/1.4 to give a different perspective to the shoot. The image was made with this lens.

© 2007

Cravings...?

I was surprised to learn today that ponies eat gorse: not just the flower, but the spiky leaves as well. Since the mares are now showing visible signs of pregnancy, maybe it's just a craving they get whilst in this condition. Why else would they eat such vegetation that must be hard on the mouth?
The pony in the image, however, showed no signs of this behavior, and only ate grass and heather (at least, whilst I was present).

© 2007

They call it stormy, er... Friday...

The weather this week is about as unpredictable as it gets here in the UK: and that's in spite of the forecasts! Today, heavy rain swept down from the north, accompanied by strong winds. There were the usual mix of afternoon strollers and dog walkers enjoying the winter air on Boscombe beach, but they soon disappeared as the storm front (image) rolled in. I stayed only as long as necessary to record the event, before beating a hasty retreat myself.

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Feast of Stephen (Boxing day, to you and I)...

The weather forecast was accurate today, so out with the 300mm lens and into the New Forest in search of the ponies. The location I'm now using seems to come up trumps every time, and there must have been at least two dozen just waiting to be photographed. In fact, two ponies obligingly moved into a suitable position shortly after I arrived, and I was able to get numerous shots in good light and pleasing backgrounds in no time at all.

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Beside the seaside (revisited)...

My original plan for today was scuppered by the weather, and as tomorrow's forecast promises to be better, I decide to stay local. Despite persistent rain, not to mention the fact that it's Christmas morning, there are always those brave souls determined to be in the great outdoors, come what may. So, on with a pair of wellies; out with the umbrella, and off for a relaxing stroll along Boscombe sea front to build up the appetite, no doubt, for the hardy couple in the image. Surprisingly, they were not alone.

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Boscombe Spa Village (latest)...

Boscombe Spa Village continues to rise above the seafront, and in some cases, the cavity insulation for the apartments is now in place. The image, shot yesterday, is indicative of the progress to date, as construction has come to an end before the holiday period starts.

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Pockets of colour...

I've had enough of the beach...too many people. So, back to the New Forest and time to do a bit of exploring. As usual, it's the 300mm lens that gets into my back-pack for the day; that, plus a flask of hot soup and a wide zoom, just in case. I was quite surprised at the location I was shooting at, as there was more colour than I expected for the time of the year. By now, all the leaves have usually been blown off the trees by strong winds, but this year they have not come.


© 2007

Boscombe Spa Village update...

I mentioned the progress with the building of Boscombe Spa Village in the last post, but at the time of writing I had no suitable current image. The image here was shot just after sunrise this morning.

© 2007

Old Rope...

Boscombe Spa Village is now taking shape at an ever quickening pace, with most of the steel framework having been assembled, and in some cases, roof timbers being put in place. This work contrasts with the progress being made on Boscombe pier (pictured). The pier should have been re-opened to the public last month, but the work is still nowhere being completed.

The artificial surf reef, which was due for completion this autumn, is now to be started during the spring of next year.

© 2007

No idea, mate...

This weekend the weather is more in keeping with UK patterns for the time of year, and the settled conditions of the past few weeks have been blown away overnight. Still, I'm not going to let a spot of drizzle stop me from venturing into the great outdoors to shoot some images. My original idea was to photograph people struggling against the bad weather, but it seems that most had more sense and stayed at home. I did, however, notice that renovation work on Boscombe pier was in progress despite the conditions. The work should have been completed some time ago, and the pier re-opened last month. I asked a hard-hatted, high-visibility vest clad man when the public could now expect the use of the pier. "No idea, mate", was his reply.

© 2007

All the leaves are brown...

This morning's dawn patrol in the New Forest was all but fruitless from a photography point of view...until I crossed the road. For an hour or so, the ponies I was photographing were more intent on feeding than being the subject of my lens. Sure, I got the usual token shots just to get the creative juices flowing, but the images I wanted were not happening. It was then that I spotted a lone pony on an adjacent hill and decided to concentrate my energies in that direction. I was surprised to find that the pony in the picture was not only tolerant of my approach, but adopted a variety of poses (obviously a pro), one of which is included here.

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Little Scotland...

Despite the fact that the weather in the southern UK has remained relatively stable for a number of weeks now, getting images that merit a posting here are few and far between. It's not for the want of trying, it's just that sometimes no matter how hard you try, it just doesn't come together. This morning's trip to the New Forest produced some of the best images for a while, and temperature inversions and an overnight frost helped things along.
The pony in the image was shot at a location I now know to be referred to by the locals as Little Scotland. Although I have been familiar with the area for over twenty years, I had not heard it described as such before.

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That first half hour...

The location in the New Forest that I am using for my pony shots is a fairly small valley situated near Ringwood, Hampshire. Despite this, the variety of colour of the animals seems almost limitless, as each visit brings a different photographic opportunity.
The weather is holding for the next few days, and pre-dawn starts are the order of the day if I am to be prepared to start shooting at first light. Using a 300mm f/2.8 telephoto at maximum aperture enables me to get some images before the sun has risen above the horizon, but the best shots in my opinion, are during that first half hour of direct light.

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First frosts...

The first frosts are appearing in the south of the UK, and the New Forest takes on a different appearance as a result. The image of a young pony was shot just after sunrise today, and within yards of the same location of the pony in the previous post, illustrating the contrasts between late summer and autumn. The bracken has now died off and the heather is loosing its colour, and its these muted hues, along with the low angle of the sun that will form the bulk of my outdoor photography in the coming months.

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Browns and reds...

The colours of the New Forest are starting to take on their autumn hues, and the wild pony images I'm after are coming together. Leaves on the silver birch are beginning to turn, and the bracken is taking on various shades of brown as the ferns die-off: sunrise was at 6:48 am today.
The image, shot at Linwood early this morning, is a taste of what the New Forest is capable of displaying at this time of year.

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Boscombe pier progress update...

The image, shot today, shows the stage of the replacement of the decking of Boscombe pier. Also visible is the framework of the new wind break which runs the length of the neck. Despite the scheduled October re-open date, there's still some way to go before the end of the pier is removed and the planned 'T' section is in place.

The latest information available re: the artificial surf reef is that "...it has been delayed", but construction has been given the go-ahead, and will start in the autumn.

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Down by the seaside...

So, it looks as if the weather experts have got it right. On the south coast of the UK (at least) it looks like an Indian Summer, just as they predicted, after the wettest summer on record this year. This has drawn people out and onto the expansive beaches, but despite the rarity of blue skies and sunshine, there are those who are determined to keep in the shade at all costs whilst sun-bathing.

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Paddle Steamer Waverly...

Waverly, the last sea-going paddle steamer in the world, made a visit to the UK's south coast today, and is seen here tied-up along side Bournemouth pier.

Launched in 1946 and designed for the more sheltered waters of the Firth of Clyde, she is now operated around the coast of Britain. In 1999/2000 the steamer underwent a two stage re-fit financed by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and was completed in 2003.

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Boscombe Spa Village development update...

For the first time since construction began last October, something resembling a building begins to take shape on the site of Boscombe Spa village. Shot just after mid-day today, the image shows a girder framework rising at the western end: one of many more to come.

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Low tide at Boscombe pier...

I returned to photograph the progress being made on Boscombe pier, today. The removal of the end of the structure is nearing completion. In addition, the wind-break, that runs the length of the neck has been replaced, and new planking replaces the decaying timbers that make up the deck of the pier. The re-vamped 'T' section design is due to re-open in October this year.

At the time of writing, there is still no evidence of the planned surf reef being constructed.

© 2007

Heads up...

It's August bank holiday weekend, and the weather looks good, so I'm up and out by 5:30 am to beat the traffic. At this time of year, it's traditional for the majority of the population to jump into vehicles and head to the coast, thus clogging-up the highways of the country.
I decided to head to the New Forest again (said I wouldn't, but I lied) to have another attempt at photographing the ponies. This time, conditions were ideal. Low, raking light... and mist! I fired off a few token shots before the sun appeared over the horizon, but the ponies were still having it their own way, and not co-operating. Then, just as I was deciding to move to another location, they cross the road to where the mist and heather is most photogenic and start to present the image opportunities I'd been waiting for. At last, something other than feeding shots.


© 2007

The return of the Red Arrows...

Weather forecasts for the area were vague and conflicting, but the clouds stayed away long enough over Poole bay today for the RAF display team the Red Arrows to perform their annual exhibition in front of tens of thousands of people lining the cliff tops and beaches. There are some new additions to their repertoire this season, and the formation flying was as slick as ever (no surprise there). Quite simply, a world class act that's second to none.

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Time to move on...

Despite numerous pre-dawn starts in the New Forest, the shots of the ponies that I have in mind remain elusive. It's not that I'm being unsuccessful in getting any images, it's just the fact that the good light only lasts for an hour or so after sunrise, during which time I have to find my subjects and hope that they perform for the camera. Of course, they don't...at least not while the lighting is good. Therefore, I've decided to wait for autumn and winter to continue the pony project. At that time of year the useable light lasts all day, giving greater opportunity to photograph the images I want.
The image of the foal, shot against the dawn light, was made on Rockford common, shortly after 6:00 am today.

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More New Forest ponies...

The storms that were forecast to sweep the UK during the night didn't happen, and the wettest summer since records began is given a glimmer of hope for the coming week. Whilst this good weather window continues, I'm planning to take advantage of whatever early morning light is available with further visits to the New Forest, primarily to photograph the variety of ponies that seem to have appeared this year. The early evening shoot didn't go as I'd hoped today: the ponies were "thin on the ground" at my chosen location, but I'll try again at dawn tomorrow. Can't waste all this light.

© 2007

Hey...over here...

With further threats of torrential rain and flooding across the UK this weekend, the southern half of Britain promises to have good weather. For the second consecutive day, the dawn breaks with clear skies in the New Forest, so again I take advantage of the light to get shots of the wild ponies.
Having sought, and taken, advice on how to get the attention of these animals, I stand up to my knees in the heather as the sun rises, making all sorts of clicking, whistling and rustling sounds to make them look at me before I shoot. Nothing works. They only look in my direction when I move to get a better angle, or they just raise their heads anyway. Patience is obviously the answer ( I knew that, but short cuts are always welcome). I think they ignore me deliberately.

A break in the weather...

It's been a while since I've been able to get out with a camera. The weather in the UK has been unsettled for weeks, with many parts of the country suffering flooding. However, today's dawn was clear, so it was a trip back into the New Forest to get some pony images under early morning light. The problem with photographing these animals, is getting their attention. It's easy to shoot away as they graze for food, but this is not particularly desirable for producing good portraits. They only look up occasionally (usually when I'm maneouvreing into position, thus missing the shot). I need to find a suitable way of getting their scrutiny when I'm ready to shoot, other than clearing my throat (which doesn't work, anyway) or by any other means at my disposal.

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New Forest family...

The sky was clear at sunrise, and there was a low-lying mist covering the heather: conditions were ideal for some moody shots of the New Forest ponies feeding at dawn, but they're not to be seen anywhere. For nearly an hour I wait for them to make an appearance from the cover of the trees where they'd spent the night, and eventually the family in the image wander into view. I manage to get three or four shots before they head off in a different direction that I'd hoped for. Oh, well. Maybe another day.

© 2007

7/7/7...

This date only occurs once a century, and some consider it to to be lucky because of its number content.

The image of Canada geese was shot at Cadman's Pool, in the New Forest at 7:00 am today in an attempt to increase the chances of a good result.

© 2007

It was 50 years ago today...

To paraphrase The Beatles' Sgt.Pepper album, it was 50 years ago today that Lennon met McCartney at the Woolton Parish Church Garden Fête on Saturday 6th July, 1957...the rest we know.

Boscombe pier develpoment seems to have to slowed to a snail's pace, as there is little visible progress, although I'm sure something is going on. I was informed by the local surf shop that despite the objections lodged by local fishermen, the town council is behind the construction of the artificial surf reef. As one surfer said "Let's wait and see".
Ditto.

© 2007

The Baddest Blues Band Ever...

Today was the last day of the Bournemouth Music Festival, and it featured a performance from The Baddest Blues Band Ever. The line up: Rob Koral-guitar, Zoë Schwarz-vocals, Si Genaro-harmonica, Malcolm Creese-double bass, Steve Darrell Smith-Hammond organ and Dave Wallace-drums, played a fine set as the sun came out for the afternoon crowd in the town square.

All images © Richard Brewer 2007

From bad, to worse...

The British hope for a Wimbledon title this year evaporated as Andy Murray pulled out because of injury, Gordon Brown becomes Prime Minister, and just as I think things can't get any worse, the Spice Girls announce they're reforming...

I continue the week in the New Forest with a dawn shoot. The clouds stayed away long enough today to give some good, low light, which accentuates the colour of the ponies coats. The bracken fern is optional.

© 2007

A morning in the New Forest...

Today, I spent the morning in the New Forest, photographing the ponies. They were more in evidence than yesterday, and finding the more photogenic mother and foal combination was a piece of cake. The little guy in the image was very vocal as I approached, and appeared to enjoy the attention, just as long as I kept a reasonable distance.
Photographed near Cadman's Pool.

© 2007

A walk in the New Forest...

The sun has managed to put in an occasional appearance today, so I took the opportunity to visit the New Forest again, this time concentrating on the wild ponies that are a familiar feature where ever you go. Although these animals are prevalent, it was surprisingly difficult to find any that were reasonably accessible for photographic purposes, but perseverance finally produced results.

© 2007

Rainy day, dream away (part 2)...

The weather along the south coast of the UK is worse today than it was yesterday, although not as bad as the rest of the country apparently, which has had severe weather warnings, and is awash with flooding in many places.
Inspired by the conditions, I decided to take my camera back to the sea side, and capture the British determination to have a good time in the face of adversity. Photographed on Bournemouth pier today, this man was the only soul prepared to brave the elements in pursuit of a good time.

© 2007

Rainy day, dream away...

After a brief spell of sunshine here on the south coast, it's back to the (persistent) rain again here in Dorset. Since summer kicked-off a few days ago the weather has reverted to type, and the forecast promises more "unsettled weather" for the next few days.
Since today is the first anniversary of starting this blog, I was determined to photograph something, and decided to return to the seafront with a fast lens and photograph whatever passed by.

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Pier progress...

Shot during late afternoon today, the work on Boscombe pier renovation focuses on the metal frames that will support the wind-break along the length of the new structure. All the other materials being removed are transported by barge to nearby Poole harbour for disposal.

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Summer solstice...

So, it's the first day of summer in the northern hemisphere, not that you'd know it here on the Dorset coast, although the wind has dropped to gale force today, and the rain is nice and warm. It's all probably down to global warming: I do my bit, so it must be the others.
The image was shot at around mid-day today, and shows Boscombe pier undergoing refurbishment, in the distance.

The surf reef, scheduled for construction this year, now has had objections lodged by local fishermen (rolls eyes), and could delay or prevent the reef being constructed. The artificial reef, crucial to the development of the area, must be built this year or the sand that's already in place may be washed away during the winter, thus increasing costs if it is eventually built at a later date. What these people don't appear to comprehend, is that the reef will be a benefit to marine life, as well as the local economy. Plus, why have they left it until this late stage to register a protest? Still, it's their sea, so I suppose it's alright to object.

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Boscombe pier demolition...

The demolition of Boscombe pier, Dorset, progresses at a slow, but steady pace. The outer pilings have now been removed and disposed of by barge, leaving only concrete stumps visible. The image shows the current stage of the work, with the Isle of Purbeck in the background.

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Woo-hoo...

After many months of weighing up the pro's and con's of two telephoto lenses (one a prime, the other a zoom) I finally took the plunge and plumped for the former, in the shape of a Nikkor 300mm f/2.8. It arrived shortly after 9:00am today, and after a quick browse of the user manual, I headed into the New Forest, Hampshire, to try it out.
My targets were the fallow deer that reside there, just to get something interesting to assess the lens with. Some people shoot brick walls to check sharpness or distortion, but what's the point? (unless that is why you bought the lens in the first place). The image was shot wide open and with a x1.4 teleconverter attached. The size and weight of the optic makes the whole camera more stable in the field. I can see this piece of glass getting a lot of use...sorry, this post wasn't meant to turn into a lens review.

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Same species, different family...

The clear weather is holding for southern UK, so it's up at 3:30am to get the best of the light, and down to the river. This swan family (there are eight cygnets in total) is a different one from what I have been photographing recently, and were swimming in open water on the Stour, just before 7:00am today.

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One of seven...

The 7 Mute swan cygnets, hatched and photographed two weeks ago, are doing well. The image, shot early today, is one of several that were on the nest as I arrived. Reed growth over the past few weeks has made it difficult to see all of the nest, and to get unobstructed views for photography.

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Rare, it seems...

After yesterday's persistent rain, the dawn broke cloudless today. So, up at 4:00am and down to the river to see what was happening. My first stop was the swans nest (photographed last week), but it was deserted. I was informed by a dog-walker that there are seven cygnets at the site, meaning that all the eggs hatched and the contents survived.
So, drawing a blank, I decide to concentrate my attention on damselflies. Several species were present, but the one photographed here is something of a rarity, it seems. I have identified it as a Scarce Blue-tailed damselfly (Ischnura pumilio), that at one point was thought to be extinct. It's mostly the destruction of their habitat that reduces the numbers (isn't it always?), but this site would appear to be secure for the foreseeable future.

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Boscombe pier renovation...

The work on Boscombe pier continues, and the Mermaid theatre that once stood on the end has now gone. This is part of a six month renovation which will shorten the pier and make it into a T shape. The foundations are also being strengthened and the planking replaced. Work should be completed by October.

© 2007