Photographing the light...

There were none of life's insignificata to fend off today, and the intended early start was no problem. As predicted by the weather people (makes a change) the day dawned with heavy mist, and by 7:30am I was already walking the New Forest in search of suitable subject matter; and today it didn't disappoint. Having made a number of "warm-up" shots while the rising sun began to burn off the mist, I eventually come across a mare and her foal (image) and begin to shoot in earnest. From my point of view, early starts and light like this make it all worth while. Although to a large degree the subject plays a major role in the image, it's also just as valid to photograph the light, which can make or break a picture. In this case, it works.

Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 lens. 1/640 sec at f/2.8. ISO 250.

© 2008

Baby jenny...

I'd originally planned a pre-dawn start today, but what with one thing and another, it all came to naught. So, it was into the New Forest, but much later in the day: late afternoon, to be precise. I was after images of ponies drinking from the local water hole (it always pays to have a predetermined objective when going out shooting - it helps to focus one's energies), and set myself up in a suitable position. I waited over an hour for two ponies to wander over and drink, during which time I managed three shots before the pair left the scene - and that was it...gone!
I was just on the point of packing up and going home when I hear the distant braying of donkeys, so I decide to search them out and make them the subject of my lens (it always pays to be flexible, or have a contingency plan). I find a mother with its "baby jenny" (image), and fit a wide angle zoom to get some up-close and personal photographs. I had no choice really, as she insisted on standing right next to me, and I had to work quickly to make some space between us to get her in the frame. It's the use of such a lens at its widest setting and at close quarters that produce the comical effect. These images turn out to be the best of the day.

Nikkor 12-24 f/4 lens. 1/80 sec at f/9. ISO 125.

© 2008

Spot the pony...

Today, I decide to pay an early morning visit to the New Forest; my first visit for some months, as I tend to give the summer a miss - too may people around. Autumn colours there are now advanced, with the bracken and silver birch trees both beginning to give displays of golds, reds and browns, mixed in amongst the greens.
I made the decision to travel light, and only packed a 70-200 f/2.8 zoom lens for photographic purposes. This proved to be a mistake, though not a disasterous one. It's the first time I've used this lens to shoot images of ponies, and whilst it is capable of good results, and allows greater freedom of movement, it doesn't lend itself to being shot wide open. It needs stopping down to get the best from it. In other words, I prefer the shallow depth of field that my 300mm f/2.8 produces, giving the pictorial effect that I'm after. This, of course, is off-set by the considerable size and weight of the lens, but as we all (should) know: quality comes at a price.

Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 lens. 1/750 sec at f/4. ISO 200.

© 2008

Railway "staff"...

I've decided to base myself at Corfe Castle, Dorset, for the week, primarily to shoot images of the heritage railway, but also to learn something about the running of a single line system.
Several times over the past two weeks, I've seen a pouch with a hoop passed to the fireman of a steam train by the signalman as it enters a section of line. This is called a 'staff' which contains the 'token', which the driver needs to enter the next section of track. Each token is specific to the section of track to which it belongs, and gives the driver the authority to enter the next section of single track, knowing it is clear of other trains, whichever direction they may be running.
The image shows the signalman holding the staff aloft for collection as 80078 enters Corfe Castle station this morning. The castle is clearly visible in the background.

Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 lens. 1/250 sec at f/8. ISO 200.

© 2008

Autumn equinox and heritage railway branch lines...

Today, it is the first day of autumn in the northern hemisphere, and paradoxically we are experiencing something of an Indian Summer here in Dorset. So, with little hope of photographing anything seasonal I decide to revisit the heritage railway at Swanage.
It runs through the Isle of Purbeck, and in particular, Corfe Castle, where the images were shot. The area was serviced by rail from the 1850's until 1972, when the line was closed and the track lifted. But by 1975 plans were formed to relay the rails and operate the system as a working museum.
The atmosphere of a bygone age created by the volunteers lends itself to a sepia treatment of the images, rather than full colour, and was achieved in Photoshop.

Image 1: Milk churns - Nikkor 12-24mm f/4 lens. 1/80 sec at f/4.5. ISO 400.
Image 2: Corfe Castle station - Nikkor 12-24mm f/4 lens. 1/180 sec at f/9. ISO 125

© 2008

Last of the summer whine...

I've said it before, and I'll say it again; once spring has come and gone, there is little that inspires me from a photographic point of view. Admittedly, there is that special light that can only be found at 5:00am on a summer's morning, but it is only fleeting (assuming that it happens at all). After an hour or so the light just gets too brutal as the sun climbs its near-vertical way up from the horizon. By contrast, once autumn is here the angle is far more genteel, allowing for all day shooting, especially during the winter months. That said, it's just two days away from the autumn equinox in the northern hemisphere (22nd), and at last seasonal differences are becomming evident. Some tree leaves are already turning to golden browns and reds, and dawns are somewhat cooler than of late, with the occasional nip in the air. My time of year is coming round again. Nice.

The image was shot at low tide on Boscombe beach, shortly after sunrise today.

Nikkor 12-24 mm lens. 1/60 sec. at f/8. ISO 320. 0.9 grey grad ND filter.

© 2008

Boscombe Surf Reef construction (latest image)...

The construction of the artifical surf reef off Boscombe beach, Dorset, continues while the fine weather persists. The image, shot today, shows the barge anchored at the end of the pipeline (outlined by the marker buoys) being used to pump sand into the geotextile bags. The reef is esentially a ramp that will affect the way waves will break, doubling the number of good surf days per year.

Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 lens. 1/200 sec at f/8. ISO 100.

© 2008

Swanage Grand Steam Gala (day 3)...

Although not originally part of this weekend's schedule, I make a last miniute decision to visit the Purbeck based restored steam railway for some more images. This decision was influenced by yet again another poor weather forecast (I really should know better by now), and conditions turned out more favourable than I expected. Today, I shot up-line from yesterday's location, between Corfe Castle and Harmon's Cross, again using a long telephoto, and occasionally a x1.4 teleconverter. The first image, however, was shot with a moderate wide angle lens and shows Eddystone on the first run of the day. The second image is of 30053 - Drummond M7, which spent a number of years in the USA until 1987. I'm reliably corrected by track-side enthusiasts that it's not smoke that exits the chimney of railway engines, but exhaust, and this photograph shows the engine "clagging" (identified by the pillar of smoke...I think).

Top: Nikkor 18-35mm lens. 1/500 sec at f/8. ISO 250.
Below: Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 lens. 1/1000sec at f/3.2. ISO 125.


© 2008

Swanage Railway Gala weekend...

This weekend sees the three day Swanage Steam Gala, with four steam engines being run continously. These include fare-paying passenger trains, and one freight train with the engines being rotated for the chore. Two of the images, shot at Norden station, depict two of the numerous volunteers that made proceedings run smoothly: one a driver, the other a guard who is seen here manually changing the points (one of several responsibilities the position encompases). The other image is that of 34028 "Eddystone", the 'West Country' pacific class locomotive, which is currently owned by Southern Locomotives Limited, photographed between Corfe Castle and Norden stations.

Image 1: Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 lens. 1/1250 sec at f/2.8. ISO 160
Image 2: Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 lens with X1.4 TC. 1/750 sec at f/5. ISO 400.
Image 3: Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 lens with x1.4 TC. 1/160 sec at f/5. ISO 400.

© 2008

Bournemouth Air Festival OK'd for 2009...

It's been reported that Bournemouth council are already making plans to stage a second air festival for August 2009, due to the overwhelming success of the inaugural event. It has been estimated that around 750,000 people descended on the town during the four days the event was held. Perhaps next year we will get the Avro Vulcan!

The image is of the Eurofighter Typhoon, shot yesterday afternoon, just as it started to rain.

Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 lens. 1/1000 sec at f/2.8. ISO 200.

© 2008