The Old Eight Bells Shop sign

Using big, professional camera equipment for everything is fine and dandy, but for a good number of years now I have been considering having a smaller kit for those times when I want to travel (very) light. There are also the times when I want to shoot for the fun of it and not be constrained by the sheer weight of it all.

Enter the Olympus 4/3 (Four Thirds) system. This week I picked up a body and three lenses for an offer I couldn't refuse, and today put it to use by wandering around a nearby town, shooting at will. Neither the camera body or lenses are pro spec, but the fact that it weighs nothing at all, and is really tiny, made it a joy to use.

Whether or not I get taken with the format remains to be seen - and an electronic viewfinder takes some getting used to - but I have an idea this camera will go with me to places other systems cannot reach.




Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mk III with 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Pancake lens. 1/200 second at f/11. ESP metering. ISO 200



© 2019

Pushy

Everything that is going to turn green has turned green in the Dorset landscape, whilst The Church of St James - known locally as The Cathedral of Purbeck - appears to push its way through the foliage at Kingston.



24-70mm f/2.8 AF-S Nikkor. 1/250 second at f/8. Matrix metering. ISO 100



© 2019

It's all about the sky

Shooting around mid-day during the summer months isn't my idea of good landscape photography, but as long as I've got a good sky to deal with I'm beginning to warm to it.

The meteorologists refer to it as "fair weather cloud", and the shadows it creates gives shape and texture to the undulating hills that lead down to the Jurassic Coast of Dorset.



24-70mm f/2.8 AF-S Nikkor. 1/320second at f/8. Matrix metering. Polarising filter. ISO 200



© 2019

Green and blue

The 12th century twin towers at Reculver: It's a place Nic and I have visited on numerous occasions, but this is the first time we've had access to the beach at low tide. The last few steps leading down to it are severely worn away by wave action but notably growth free, which is more than I can say for the rocks piled up as a sea defence. I use a polarising filter to take the shine off the seaweed, and to saturate the colours.




24-70mm AF-S Nikkor. 1/125 second at f/8. Matrix metering. Polariser. ISO 200



© 2019

Outside the Boilerhouse

The Boilerhouse Gallery - adjacent to Corfe Castle railway station - is a place I have been aware of for a while but yet to venture into. Formerly the old milk depot, the building now houses the work of 8 local artists. Art work on sale inside and out ranges from cards, driftwood and photography, to jewellery, textiles and pottery (and many points in between).

The photograph is a detail of a sculpture outside the gallery, but an online search failed to identify the artist.



85mm f/1.4 AF Nikkor. 1/2000 second at f/1.4. Matrix metering. ISO 50



© 2019

Underhill: off the beaten track

The bridleway along the top of Nine Barrow Down, Purbeck, provides stunning views of the surrounding countryside up to 27 miles distant, as well as a good many subjects on the path itself.

It's also good exercise to climb 500 feet above sea level to reach the top, but the Underhill path is equally interesting for a photographer. An alternative route running parallel to the Down (but without the climb involved), this little-used path runs almost the full 3¾ miles from Ulwell to Corfe Castle.



85mm f/1.4 AF Nikkor. 1/250 second at f/1.8. Matrix metering. + ⅔ EV compensation. Mono conversion and toning in Silver Efex Pro 2. ISO 50



© 2019