On my way home

The few wisps of cloud that were dotted about over the horizon showed some promise for a composition upon my arrival at the beach. But casting a swift 360º look about me as I stood on the shoreline told me things wren't going to get much better, if at all.

Since I had made the effort, I dutifully took a few snaps to validate my being there and headed for home. As always, I keep an eye on my chosen subject for as long as possible, and it was 24 minutes after sunrise that the sky filled-out and became interesting. All I needed then was something of interest for a foreground.

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On the trail of the lonesome... hawthorn

The tree population on Nine Barrow Down is somewhat sparse to begin with. Anything growing is constantly exposed to the prevailing southwesterly, and the few wind-blown specimens dotted about at the eastern end have now blown over, or at least looking the worse for wear. 

But this lone hawthorn, near the burial mounds, still thrives on the exposed hilltop.

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From one Down to the next

Storm Bert blew in and blew out again, leaving turbulent atmospheric conditions in its wake. The perfect time for a walk in the hills. 

This view from the western end of Ballard Down overlooks Giants Grave Bottom (in shadow on the hilltop), at the eastern end of Nine Barrow Down.

© 2024

 

L'heure bleue

There's no doubt in my mind that winter light is the best light for landscape photography, mainly because the sun remains low in the sky all day. It gives an extended 'golden hour', but there's a time that is often overlooked by many that can produce equally appealing images, and that is the blue hour. 

That time between twilight and sunrise/sunset; when photographers pack up and go home (or haven't arrived yet); that time when the landscape is only lit by the sky, will often produce something special.

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In my element

Walking on a daily basis is no panacea, although it certainly has its health benefits. But many psychologists claim that exercise can also be addictive, and I'm beginning to see some truth in that. There are days - especially in poor weather - when I can't resist braving the elements, and roam the local coastline in search of a photograph. 

Maybe it's photography that is the real addiction.
 

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Nature doing its thing

The thin, pale, red glow between the grey cloud bank and the horizon didn't look particularly encouraging at first light today, and the dawn itself wasn't anything to get excited about. But within half an hour of sunrise the clouds part, and nature turns it on as only nature can.

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Weather? What weather?

The stereotypical belief that the British are always talking about the weather may have an element of truth to it, but recently that wouldn't have been the case... because there hadn't been any. For the best part of this month, a blanket of grey cloud has sat virtually motionless over much of Northern Europe.

This afternoon the cloud began to break up over the UK as the high pressure system that kept it there moves away, and we see the sun for the first time in ten days.

© 2024