102 years, and counting...

The blue plaque attached to the front of this Bournemouth seafront beach hut commemorates the first council-owned hut. The 7x7 foot "shed" - (number 2539) along with others, nearby - was built in 1909, and although some more modern pieces have been added over the years, the structure is largely original. It is the oldest public beach hut in the UK.

There are some 20,000 of these huts around Britain's coast - 1900 of which are situated along Poole bay, Dorset. This British institution is a development of the Victorian bathing machines, and by the 1920s they were firmly established as part of the seaside holiday experience. The huts are still rented out to tourists on a daily, weekly or yearly basis - £12, £55 and £1,375 respectively. There is, however, a five year waiting list for the privately owned ones.

24-70mm f/2.8G AF-S Nikkor. 1/160 second at f/6.3. ISO 200

© 2011

Dinner time...

I spend most of the morning, and some of the afternoon, by the river in the Stour nature reserve - armed with a super-telephoto lens - but the only action I get is a fly-past by a cormorant. There was a kingfisher darting about, but unless it perches on something, you've got no chance of photographing one with a long lens.

I had packed up and was making my way home when I spotted the grey heron (photograph), eagerly eying-up a potential catch. As its attention was firmly centred on its next feed, I was able to get relatively close without spooking the bird. One strike: one meal.

300mm f/2.8 AF-S VR Nikkor with TC-14EII converter. 1/800 second at f/4.5. -0.67 EV compensation. ISO 400. Hand held.

© 2011

Starting over...

Taken by the side of the Dorset Stour, today, the photograph shows the emergence of willow catkins. Hazle catkins have been hanging from the trees beside my local river for a week or two, releasing their pollen to the wind, and some insect life is also evident as the days grow noticeably longer and warmer. I have, as yet, to see any frog spawn in the ponds, but no doubt it's there.

Estimated to travel from south to north of the UK at 8 miles (13km) a day, Spring may well be early, and although February can still bring harsh conditions, it is a sign of things to come. Snow drops are visible at the side of country roads, and for the first time this year, daffodils are beginning to flower here and there.

105mm f/2.8D Sigma macro lens. 1/1250 second at f/10. -1 stop EV compensation. ISO 640

© 2011

Feed the birds...

Today, there is almost spring in the air, as the clouds roll away and the sun shines. There has been evidence of the approaching season for a week or so, with the arrival of crocuses and the green shoots of daffodils. Even the temperature has risen, and for the first time this year I ride without a coat.

I photographed the man feeding black-headed gulls at Sandbanks, Dorset, this morning. Although I was right behind him, he seemed totally unaware of my presence; being totally absorbed in what he was doing. I just wish people wouldn't use bread, as it has little nutritional value for wildlife.

24-70mm f/2.8 AF-S Nikkor. 1/2000 second at f/8. -0.67 EV compensation. ISO 400

© 2011

(Kite)surf's up...

As expected, the winds remain strong for the duration of the weekend, although the sea is not as wild as it was yesterday. Nonetheless, the kitesurfers are out in numbers at the same location, and this time I'm well equipped, lens wise.

Rather than just shoot away I opt to select the best performer, and it's not long before the best of the bunch becomes evident. Although this guy is making some impressive jumps out of the water, it's his moves nearer the shore that produce the most dynamic results.

300mm f/4 AF-S Nikkor and TC-14EII converter. 1/1250 second at f/5.6. ISO 640

© 2011

Fortune favours the brave...

As yesterday, and quite possibly into the start of next week, low pressure and high winds are sweeping most of the country. In spite of this, there are those who are only too keen to take advantage of conditions. Frankly, I'm surprised some people are only too willing to get out onto the sea in 50mph (plus) winds, but they seemed to cope well enough.

I'm only carrying a short zoom lens on this afternoon stroll, so good action shots are out of the question, but I am able to photograph kitesurfers in preparation as they negotiate their way into the waves. If the conditions remain the same, I'll be back again, tomorrow, this time with a telephoto lens.

18-35mm 3.5-4.5D Nikkor. 1/160 second at f/11. -0.33 EV compensation. ISO 400.
Mono conversion in Adobe Photoshop

© 2011

With / without...

From a bright, clam winter's day to heavily overcast skies and strong winds: the UK's weather does it again. With south- westerly winds gusting up to 50mph (80kmh) I am, once again, prowling the shoreline of Poole Bay, Dorset in search of the definitive storm image: once again, I don't find it.

It's easy to simulate bad weather conditions, just by underexposing a stop or so when taking photographs, but angry skies and a bit of flying surf will always be more convincing.

I'm using a clear filter in front of the lens while shooting, as it is easier to remove salty deposits from a flat piece of glass than the curved surface of the front element itself, but it is only during such adverse conditions that I use these acessories. At all other times my lenses are used as the designer intended - sans filtre.
Opinion is (strongly) divided amongst photographers about such practices, and the argument will rumble on ad nauseam, but they do have their uses. It does reduce the risk of scratching a lens element when cleaning in a less-than-ideal environment of airborne salt and sand, and if things get really bad you just take the filter off.  Common sense must prevail from time to time.

50mm f/1.8 AF Nikkor. 1/200 second at f/11. -0.33 EV compensation. ISO 400

© 2011

All Saints, West Parley...

For the first time since mid-October I'm able to have the use of my favoured standard zoom. It's a long story - something I'm not going into, here - but I have missed it when shooting. Its stand-in optic was a Sigma variant of the same zoom range and f/stop, but if the truth be told, the Nikkor blows it into the weeds when it comes down to optical quality and colour rendition.

So, to check that all is well, I return to one of the locations that I found earlier in the week: this time with good light. The photograph is of All Saints, at West Parley, Dorset. Situated next to the Stour river, the main part of the church dates back to the 12th century, whilst the current bell turret dates from the late 19th.

Oh, yes: the lens checks out wonderfully.

24-70mm f/2.8 AF-S Nikkor. 1/500 second at f/11. +0.67 EV compensation. ISO 320

© 2011