Hey, St Jude...

The storm that didn't really happen as predicted - at least where I am - came and went overnight, and although nowhere near as intense as "the big one of 1987", it did kill four people. There has been localised flash-flooding, and the winds did reach 99 mph (159 km/h) at the Old Battery on the Isle of Wight, but damage this time was kept to a minimum. As I said, the main body swept in off the Atlantic during the hours of darkness, so I wasn't able to get out with my camera to take some shots.

Shooting in such conditions can be a challenge - if not dangerous - so maybe it was for the best that I eventually ventured out in the early afternoon to see what was left of Storm Jude. It is not the done thing to name storms as such; something that is the sole reserve of hurricanes, but since it happened on the day of the feast of St Jude, the media has taken the epithet and run with it. However, there is no mention of the other fourteen saints that also share this day for a spot of feasting. I hope they don't mind.

The remnants of Jude are still in evidence,  and whilst the rest of it has swiftly moved on to northern Europe - such is its strength - there is still enough in the tail to produce some dramatic skies as the sun sets over Poole bay, Dorset.



24-70mm f/2.8G AF-S Nikkor. 1/1000 second at f/8. ISO 400



© 2013

Easy drama...

At last I am given a bit of drama. It has either been overcast and raining, or sunshine and blue skies over the past week or so, and although I subscribe to the maxim: 'there is no such thing as bad light for photography', I have been itching to shoot something moody, even if it isn't mean.

The seascape idea is very much on the top of my list at the moment, so once the forecast showery weather started rolling in off the Atlantic I am down on the local beaches as soon as the sun is low enough in the sky.

The tide is also falling during late afternoon, so I walk along the low water line, making photographs as I go. I decide to convert the images to mono whilst shooting as I find the monochrome combination of waves and clouds appealing. However, I go one step further at the processing stage and selenium tone the finished image (above).

Some images are made; some are waited for, and some are walked into, as with the backlit photo of two kite surfers on Boscombe beach. I simply strolled along behind one coming out of the water, and as he set the kite onto the sand and began to dismantle his rig, I took a sequence of images before the sun disappeared behind the cloud bank.

Easy





24-70mm f/2.8G AF-S Nikkor.

Top: 1/8000 second at f/8.  - 1.33 EV compensation. ISO 400
Right: 1/3200 second at f/8  -0.37 EV compensation. ISO 400



© 2013

Leaves on the trees, and a marble count...

It is ridiculously warm, today, and it's set to get warmer as the week progresses. I had intended to shoot the fallen leaves of autumn, but because of the good summer it seems that the trees are hanging on to them for longer. Certainly more so than this time last year. I do get one or two pleasing images, such as the back-lit leaf (above), but soon give up and decide to head for the beach.



It's as I arrive there that the temperature soars, no doubt due to the clear sky and the sun reflecting off of the sea. By the time I reach the beach itself it is so warm I am down to shirt sleeves. There are people sun bathing, and two people can be seen swimming in the sea. Mind you, the water is still relatively warm - having not had time to cool down since the summer - so their quantity of marbles does not come into question just yet. I think we have the makings of an Indian summer.



24-70mm f/2.8G AF-S Nikkor.

Top: 1/1000 second at f/7.1. - 0.33 EV compensation. ISO 400
Below: 1/800 seconf at f/11 + 0.33 EV compensation. ISO 200



© 2013

At a later date...

It's autumn at its best as the weather changes from day to day. Yesterday, warm sunshine; today, wind and rain. Either suits me for picture taking.

The beach of Poole bay is deserted for the greater part of my walk, this afternoon. Now and then a cyclist appears out of the rain and darts by, and one or two others join me on the promenade at various intervals, but otherwise there is little human presence. Even the ubiquitous gulls are notably absent.

I always admire those that wrap-up and get outdoors for the fun of it in such weather, but what does puzzle me is the clothing they tend to favour in the rain. Typically, a waterproof top and jeans; the latter being a bad idea when it's wet as they take so long to dry once the rain stops. Why do they go to the trouble and expense of keeping the upper half dry, yet neglect the lower half? Curious, indeed. Perhaps they are intending to add waterproof trousers at a later date, or when finances allow. Maybe they just don't care. I have no idea. I also saw two people dressed in shorts, despite the coldness of the day. Hardy souls, indeed.

Today's image is of a sticker on a glass window in the windbreak on Boscombe pier. The fan-shaped background is part of the awning on the other side; there to keep the rain off of me - and others - should they be intent on being outside on such a day.


50mm f/1.8 AF Nikkor. 1/100 second at f/7.1. + 0.33 EV compensation.  - 0.7 stop fill-in flash. ISO 200.



© 2013

Unidentified Flying Object...

They said it would be cooler today, and they were right. Not as cold as they predicted, mind, and I soon discovered I was overdressed; and overheating, wrapped-up in fleeces and a woolly hat during a walk along the beach. It is a beautiful autumn day, with blue skies and warm sunshine, and I am shooting with a big lens. Nothing particular in mind; just lugging the thing about for the sake of it.

A sudden disturbance in bushes flushes-out three birds: a robin and two others, all three are small. The robin is defending territory but has its work cut out as no sooner does it chase one interloper away, the other takes its place. I stop and start making photographs; gradually moving closer, and to get better angles.

During this time a man passes me; stops, and says:"Go on then, impress me with what that is", pointing at the bird in the photograph. "I've no idea", I replied. "I'll have to look it up when I get home". I think that he thought I was some knowledgeable bird buff, but I'm not. I just appreciate their beauty.

So, back home; images uploaded... and then the problem begins. I can't find the species on any of the online bird identifier web sites. I tick various boxes that supposedly will tell me what I have here: beak size; body size; plumage colour, and numerous other characteristics that should reveal all... but nothing.

My friend Nic joins the hunt online. She is confident that she will find out what it is, and after twenty minutes or so of searching, she does. It's a Stonechat. When I told the man I had no idea what the bird was, it very nearly remained that way. Thank you, Nic.


300mm f/2.8 AF-S VR Nikkor with TC-14EII converter. 1/2000 second at f/5.6. - 0.33 EV compensation. ISO 400. Monopod


© 2013

Walk the line...

It is a perfect autumn day, here in Dorset: above average temperatures, and just the right amount of cloud in the sky to keep things very pleasant. I also have spring tides at the beach during late afternoon.

At low water I am shooting from a local pier, absolutely determined to make the most of the warm colours of nearby buildings reflected in the exposed wet sand. What I need is someone or something to enter the area to give a focal point to a photograph, but it doesn't happen. Not for a good while, anyway. There are numerous near-misses, but they all miss the mark and the shot doesn't work. Now, if I wanted people to stay out of frame I would have had an endless procession of walkers coming into the picture...  It can be very frustrating at times, which ever way you look at it. Eventually, an obliging paddler ambles along the water line; shoes in hand, and I get something useable. She even has the courtesy to walk back in the opposite direction a few minutes later, but I think I'll stick with this one.


70-200mm f/2.8D Apo Sigma lens. 1/1600 second at f/5.6. - 0.33 EV compensation. ISO 400



© 2013

Drama, and a sense of scale...

The forecast stormy weather this week never materialised in the south. Instead of strong winds and rain I actually got sunshine and a brisk breeze. It is said that it is necessary to check at least three different weather forecasts, and if they are more or less in agreement then what they predict will actually happen: in other words, a "dead cert". Otherwise, it seems, they are just guessing. I was out in shirt sleeves, today, as temperatures are above average for the time of year, touching 20º Celsius in the sunshine.

What I can rely on are tide tables and the time of year. There are several high and low spring tides over the next few days, and autumn brings with it some dramatic skies. Although the tide had already turned when I shot the photos from Boscombe pier, this afternoon, there was still enough exposed wet sand to make things interesting when the light came. The figures give the scenes a sense of scale.

                               

24-70mm f/2.8G AF-S Nikkor. 

Top: 1/5000 second at f/8. - 0.33 EV compensation. ISO 400

Below: 1/1600 second at f/8. + 0.33 EV compensation. ISO 400

© 2013

Four feathers (minus three)...

The forecast bad weather has been postponed until tomorrow, so today I have to be content shooting in drizzle instead of near-storm conditions. I have the idea to photograph images that will lend themselves to split toning in Adobe Lightroom, and set off for an afternoon stroll.

It is always nice to go out with an agenda, although that can often be subject to change, depending on what I come across. Today I'm lucky.

Somebody had found four feathers, and pierced ivy leaves with them, creating an horizontal row resembling clothes pegs on a line. As I am still only using my fastest lens - a short telephoto -  I am unable to effectively include them all. No bad thing as I think a wider shot would have been less effective.







85mm f/1.4D AF Nikkor. 1/160 second at f/5.6. - 0.33 EV compensation. ISO 500. Split toned in Adobe Lightroom



© 2013