Doing the garden, digging the weeds...

... who could ask for more (there's a clue in there, somewhere).

To celebrate, I set off on the autumn equinox for the Isle of Purbeck (not an actual island), Dorset, with the sole intention of photographing the Agglestone on Godlingston Heath.

The Isle of Wight (an actual island), can be seen 20 miles or so distant on the horizon.


24-70mm f/2.8 AF-S Nikkor. 1/800 second at f/5.6. Matrix metering. - 0.33 EV compensation. ISO 160.



© 2017

Wye, and the North Downs

The weather over the past few days has been something of a landscape photographer's dream; showers and sunshine. The ever-changing light constantly produces photo opportunities, but it's sunset that Nic and I target today; the North Downs the chosen location.

We cut it fine in our arrival, but by the time we march downhill to a favourite spot the light is stunning. The rest is easy.



Top: 24-70mm f/2.8 AF-S Nikkor. 1/100 second at f/8. Matrix metering. ISO 160
Below: 12-24mm f/4 AF-S Nikkor.  1/80 second at f/8.  Matrix metering. - 0.33 EV compensation. ISO 160



© 2017

Checking things out

I have my 300mm f/2.8 lens back, thanks to ACS (Advanced Camera Services), of Norwich, UK. Not only was the repair job handled quickly through their Pro Service (three working days) but they adhered to their email quote, price wise. Quite a feat since they hadn't even had the chance to inspect the damage when they gave it.

To check everything out, Nic and I visit Oare Marsh on the north Kent coast; a wildlife reserve. Not that I was in search of any, but the good weather gave rise to numerous opportunities for a spot of landscape shooting.

A super-telephoto lens isn't the first optic that springs to mind for photographing scenery, but it does give a different slant on things. The characteristic compression qualities found with long lenses can be used to good pictorial effect, such as with the yacht on The Swale, with the Isle of Sheppey in the background.


300mm f/2.8 AF-S VR Nikkor. 1/5000 second at f/2.8. Matrix metering.  - 0.33 EV compensation. Monopod. ISO 160



© 2017

Hello, Goodbye

The Beatles season continues, and although not photographed on the relevant day, it is 50 years ago this week that their third film Magical Mystery Tour was being shot. It is also worth mentioning that Nic's mum appears numerous times in the television film, first aired on BBC 1 on Boxing Day, 1967.

Some of the scenes were filmed at RAF West Malling, Kent. Taken over by the military in 1940, it was finally closed as an operational airfield in 1969.

Although the control tower (below) - now a listed building - doesn't appear in the film, a plaque (top) can be found set into the ground nearby, commemorating events.


Top: 12-24mm f/4 AF-S Nikkor. 1/500 second at f/8. Matrix metering. ISO 160
Below: 24-70mm f/2.8 AF-S Nikkor. 1/320 at f/5.6. Matrix metering. - 0.33 EV compensation. ISO 160



© 2017

Bournemouth Air Festival 2017, and the kite that stole the show

Kestrel

Great War Display Team (well, three of the seven)

The Tigers Display Team


Day 3, and the last one as far as I'm concerned. Thankfully, poor weather forecast for day four will keep me away from it all. Maybe I am being over critical of the events this past few days, and to be fair it is a free festival, but if there is to be a continuation of this annual event then the Council and organisers need to tighten things up somewhat.

Today, the main attraction of the Red Arrows started the day's flying at noon, but there was nothing  in the air after that for the next 100 minutes. Spectators that lined the cliff tops for several miles in each direction were left wondering if there was anything to follow, and many people drifted away after half an hour or so. A shame, really, as there are always top class performances on offer, but there is, to my mind at least, a need to keep a steady stream of flying to keep the interest.

In addition, I really do feel the variety of aircraft needs to be looked into as the four day schedule is beginning to look tired. This year there were no fast jets; the Eurofighter Typhoon was a notable omission, and the Avro Lancaster pulled out for whatever reason a day or so before proceedings started. Even the helicopters were thin on the ground... er, air, with only a Chinook twin-rotor taking to the skies. It is coming to something when, for me, a bird steals the show.


All images: 300mm f/4 AF-S Nikkor with TC-14EII converter



© 2017

Bournemouth Air Festival 2017, Day 2

A Royal Marine

 Mig 15

The Red Arrows, minus one

Tigers Parachute Display Team


Day 2 of the Air Festival, and despite yesterday's set-back I am able to continue shooting by using my spare super-telephoto; a 300mm f/4. Not my first choice lens for such work but the optics are superb and it takes a tele-converter well, so I am back in business.

I start the day's proceedings at the first event; a simulated beach assault by the Royal Marines, but in contrast to other years there are cutbacks; a theme that prevails over the entire weekend. The display used to feature landing craft; support from both ship and helicopter, as well as the storming of the beach to deal with the bad guys, but this time around there are no landing craft or ship dealing with the "pirates".

Whether or not this has anything to do with world events and men and equipment being deployed elsewhere, but it doesn't have the full drama of previous years. A shame.

On top of that the Red Arrows' second display is one aircraft down. The reasons given over the Tannoy is that one of the pilots has food poisoning, and since there is no spare pilot, today there will be only 8 aircraft instead of the usual 9. Professional as ever, but it just doesn't look right to my eye.


All images: 300mm f/4 AF-S Nikkor with TC-14EII converter.



© 2017