Bike (part II)...

During the past week I've pondered the question of a second bike that would cover rougher terrain with greater ease. By Friday I was done with pondering and paid a visit to my local bicycle emporium for a hands-on approach. I'd researched the subject on the internet, and spoken to a number of knowledgeable people as to what would be suitable, so I already had a good idea of what I was after - which turned out to be a cross-country model (big tyres; disc brakes - all that stuff).
Although my fitness level has increased somewhat since the beginning of the year it is something of a setback having to adjust to a new riding position, and in particular the item that passes as a seat - laughingly called the saddle. This lethal-looking sliver of metal and plastic turned out to be something of a wonder as it is far more comfortable than it looks, borne out by the 30-odd miles I've ridden on it since I took delivery, yesterday afternoon.
Eager to get the bike settled in as quickly as possible I'm up before dawn and riding to Christchurch harbour where I photograph the boats at 6:25 am on a falling tide. Christchurch Priory is in the distance.

70-200 f/2.8 Sigma lens. 1/400 second at f/8. ISO 640.

© 2009

Far Corfe view...

With the promise of good spring weather in conjunction with feeling somewhat adventureous I try for my first goal since buying a bike, and cycle deep into the Dorset countryside to Corfe Castle. It's a 32 mile (51.5 km) round trip via the Sandbanks-Studland ferry, some of which is cross country.
Now, it's rarely the case that I can drive to a location, get out of the car and start shooting: the best images are always some distance off the beaten track. Buying a hybrid bike was intended to give me the flexibility which other forms of transport lack, but I'm beginning to realise its limitations. The paths that I'm now encountering are demanding a full-blown mountain bike - the tyres are much wider, and more suited to off-road conditions that I never though I would encounter. The best laid schemes o' mice an' men... Oh, well - time to spend some more money (woo-hoo!).

24-70 f/2.8 Sigma EX DG lens. 1/50 second at f/11. -0.33 EV. ISO 400.

© 2009

Preening gulls...

It is reported that work on the Boscombe surf reef is due to restart next week. A visit to the area this afternoon reveals that all the extra sand is ready, and equipment is on site - now it's up to the weather.
Since there was nothing new to photograph I continue on to Poole harbour despite the threat of rain (it doesn't). It's there that I make a series of casual shots of Herring Gulls (Larus argentatus) busy preening themselves, almost oblivious to my presence just a few feet away. This noisy and familiar bird can become quite bold in human presence, especially when fed regularly. This is not a practice that I endorse as there is enough food in the environment to support these animals, and the feeding of these birds by hand can make them become a nusisance to others.

70-200mm f/2.8 Sigma lens. 1/1250 second at f/4. ISO 200.

© 2009

Agglestone rock...

The Easter weather forecasts have - as per - been somewhat hit or miss. Consequently I ignored the forecast for Easter Monday and got caught out; the dawn broke clear. But I was none the wiser as I was still asleep. Nevertheless my camera bag was packed ready to go at a moments notice, and it was on my bike at the earliest opportunity, travelling west for the Sandbanks ferry.
Once across to the Studland peninsula I head for Godlingston heath to photograph the Agglestone - also known as the Devil's Nightcap. Listed as one of 25 things to see in Dorset before you die the Tertiary sandstone rock, once anvil shaped, perches on a conical hill on the heath, but in September 1970 erosion made the block topple to the southeast. Legend has it that the 17 foot high, 400 tonne rock was thrown there from the Isle of Wight by the Devil. The story goes that his target was Studland church, Corfe Castle or Old Harry Rock. However, it's clear he missed.

First image: Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 lens. 1/320 second at f/5.6. CPL. ISO 400.
Second image: 12-24mm f/4 Nikkor. 1/160 second at f/8. CPL. 0.6 grey grad filter. ISO 400.

© 2009

Boscombe surf reef - Easter update...

Photographed from the pier yesterday afternoon the image shows the current state of affairs with the Boscombe surf reef and allied projects. Sand from the eastern end of the beach continues to be graded and stockpiled, but as yet there is no sign of the barge used in conjunction with the filling of geo-textile bags anchored on the sea floor.
The structure beginning to take shape in the foreground is one of two RNLI lifeguard lookout stations (there's one already on the west side of the pier). The RNLI are on duty along the eight miles or so of beach, keeping a watchful eye on bathers and surfers alike.
The Overstrand area (left) is nearing completion, and will contain a restaurant and café (Urban Reef) as well as shops (including Sorted Surf Shop), although Boscombe Spa Village still show signs of major work to the north of the site.

Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 EX DG lens. 1/640 second at f/8. ISO 200. Polarising filter.

© 2009

Filters - who needs 'em?

After a number of years the photographer tends to amass an array of contrivances and gadgets; some useful - some not so, in the pursuance of the ideal image. The useless ones that inevitably crept into the inventory have long been eliminated, but there are those that while still useful have fallen out of favour.
One such item is the polariser. At one time this versatile filter had a permanent residency on the end of all my lenses, irrespective of whether the scene would benefit or not. But this light-sucking device, along with tobacco grads and starburst filters eventually fell by the wayside as technology - and good taste - prevailed.
So today I decide to shoot with one, just to see if they really are as indispensable as I once thought, and attach it to a 24-70 zoom lens and head for Poole harbour. Although useful for reducing unwanted reflections and increasing white cloud/blue sky contrast I now find the filter a fiddle to use with a lens hood in place (I never shoot without one) and the constant need for it to be reoriented every time I change from landscape to portrait format, otherwise the effect is lost. That, plus the fact it guzzles around two stops of light, will make me think twice before attaching one to the front of my lenses in future. That's not to say that this accessory has no place in my bag: it does - Photoshop still can't simulate the effect these filters have on a scene - it's just that I'm used to working without one, and for low-light photography they are a non starter. How the mighty have fallen.

Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 EX-DG lens. 1/160 second at f/11. + 0.3 EV. ISO 500. Polarising filter.

© 2009

Dawn grasses...

Viewing the online weather forecast at 5 am gave an inkling of hope for good early light, although the cloud bank moving in overnight from the west was always going to be a risk to proceedings. Nonetheless I'm on my bike and heading for Christchurch harbour, Dorset, and Mudeford sandspit in particular to photograph the boats, an hour later.
As so often happens with passing fronts the conditions are unpredictable, and today was no different: the light I sought never happened. Still, all was not lost - it rarely is - and I come across grasses growing on the sand dunes, backlit by the sun.

300mm AF-S f/4 Nikkor. 1/1600 second at f/6.3. 1.4 TC -14E II. + 0.67 EV. ISO 500.

© 2009

Impressionable Herons...

Early morning light - in my opinion the best of the day - now starts at 6:30 am, and rather than shoot the predictable sunrise etc. I opt for something more creative. Once the sun broke the horizon I began to scan the sky for flying birds with the intention of capturing movement rather than detail. A pair of grey herons obligingly fly low over Christchurch harbour, and I pan the camera to keep them in frame, firing off several shots using a slow shutter speed. The result is more impressionistic, but by allowing all movement to blur it produces a pleasing variation from the norm. This technique can be hit or miss, and you never know what you have until the files are uploaded to a computer, but it can be worth the effort whilst waiting for suitable conditions for more conventional photography.

300mm AF-S f/4 Nikkor. 1/10 second at f/11. +0.67 EV. ISO 200.

© 2009