One for the future

Nic and I set out today for a visit to Cliffe Fort, built during the 1860s to protect the entrance to the Thames. Now owned by an adjacent aggregate works, the fort was abandoned shortly after World War II when it served as anti-aircraft battery to defend the approaches to London.

It now lies derelict and is subject to flooding, not that it mattered as we were not able to gain access upon arrival as the road was closed. Workers we spoke to on the site assured us that the closure was temporary, and that means of entry would soon be re-established. Slightly disappointed, we decided to return at a later date.

In the mean time here is a photograph of a dredger arriving at the nearby Brett Aggregates processing wharf.



24-70mm f/2.8 AF-S Nikkor. 1/320 second at f/8. Matrix metering. ISO 160



© 2017

Normans Bay

Normans Bay, East Sussex, oddly has nothing to do with where the Normans landed during their invasion of England in 1066. Although the actual spot is still disputed by historians it is clear that it wasn't here as the location was underwater at the time.

It is, however, a peaceful and remote spot that can be tricky to find, since everywhere you go is signposted 'Private This', or 'Private That'. Whether or not that is the case it is probably enough to discourage all but the most determined casual visitor.



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

Top: The beach. 1/2000 second at f/3.2. Matrix metering. - 0.67 EV compensation. Polarising filter. ISO 320
Below: Martell Tower detail. 1/400 second at f/5.6. Matrix metering. - 0.67 EV compensation. Polarising filter. ISO 250



© 2017

Always something new

The first time visitor may see nothing but desolation at first glance, but Dungeness never fails to produce something worthwhile for the photographer who is prepared to put in the leg work.

The top image shows the remains of the burnt-out hull of a fishing boat, although quite how that came to be isn't all that obvious. The beach is littered with such vessels; some are working boats, others derelict, but its distance from the waterline suggests it didn't happen at sea.

The second image reminded me of trees in an impressionist landscape, having been sprayed haphazardly onto the side of a large ship container.



12-24mm f/4 AF-S Nikkor. Both images - 1/640 second at f/8. Matrix metering. ISO 160



© 2017