Weekend working...

I pay an early morning visit to the site of the Boscombe surf reef, this time to photograph progress with the sand being stockpiled to the east of the pier. The loads from the dump trucks are being consolidated into several large piles by excavators (photo) for grading. The refinement is achieved by sifting the material on an industrial scale to remove sharp objects that may damage the geo-textile bags that give the reef its shape.
Whilst the large scale workings were all too obvious there were a number of lesser projects that largely went ignored, but are essential nonetheless. One such undertaking was maintenance of the local beach huts (bottom image) for the forthcoming summer season. These seaside cabins need to be kept in good condition by their owners, as prices are soaring. Nine of these 8ft by 11ft huts, that have no electricity or running water, have recently been snapped up by buyers, paying £40,000 for a 25 year lease. The huts do, however, command an uninterupted view of Poole bay.

Lens: Both images - 85mm f/1.4 Nikkor.
Top image: 1/640 second at f/6.3. +0.33EV. ISO 320. +0.9 ND Grey graduated filter.
Bottom image: 1/2000 second at f/4.5. ISO 200.

© 2009

Boscombe artificial reef - update...

For the past two weeks or so there have been signs of the resumption of activity on the Boscombe surf reef, Dorset. Work was suspended last November; colder sea temperatures encountered by divers, and dwindling hours of daylight were the reasons given at the time.
Initially the beach was fenced off from public use, but this week the heavy plant has again taken up residence adjacent to Boscombe pier.
Today I photographed excavators filling dump trucks with sand at Portman ravine, which is then transported nearly three quarters of a mile along the beach to where it is being stockpiled. This material has to be graded before it is fit to be pumped into the geo-textile bags which give the reef its shape, anchored to the sea bed. The remnants of the original pile were bulldozed flat shortly after work ceased during the autumn, and winter seas washed it away.
Costs of the artificial reef have more than doubled since construction began, largely due to the late start and bad weather last year, and there is still no guarantee the final outcome will be as expected.

85mm f/1.4 Nikkor. 1/500 second at f/8. ISO 200.

© 2009

Beach replenishment update...

The beach replenishment at Southbourne, Dorset, is now well under way, and the operation draws its usual crowds to watch the process. Both images, made this afternoon, show the dredger Crestway in action, pumping material ashore through flexible pipes to be distributed by the bulldozers and excavators featured in recent posts.
The Crestway, a trailing suction dredger, is delivering mostly shingle that has been removed from licensed sites off the Isle of Wight, which can be seen in the background of the top image, along with The Needles rocks and their lighthouse on the horizon. The second photograph illustrates how the floating pipeline is attached to the ship, which is initially hauled into place at the bow with a crane before pumping starts.

Both images: 300mm f/2.8 AF-S VR Nikkor with x1.4 TC.
Top image: 1/2500 second at f/5. ISO 320
Below: 1/2000 second at f/5. ISO 250

© 2009

Master of flight...

The Wessex Hang-gliding and Paragliding club were out in force over the cliffs of Poole bay, Dorset, this afternoon. At one point there were six aloft simultaneously, each displaying their prowess as masters of the air, but they were eclipsed by the arrival of a Kestral (Falco tinnunculus) in search of a late afternoon meal (bottom image).
I have been keen to photograph this falcon for some time, but as is often the case it makes an appearance when I am ill equipped, lens wise. Today was no exception: My longest lens was at home. Despite this, an image is better than no image, so I shoot with what I have on the camera. I'm constantly amazed at this birds ability to hover motionless while scanning the ground below for a potential meal. True masters of flight.

Both images: 70-200 f/2.8 EX Sigma lens.
Top: 1/1000 second at f/5. ISO 200. +0.3 exposure compensation.
Bottom: 1/1600 second at f/5.6. ISO 200. +0.3 exposure compensation.

© 2009

Beach replenishment - latest...

Although the equipment has been in place for at least the last 16 days there is little, if any, evidence of the DEFRA-funded beach replenishment at the Southbourne-Hengistbury Head site in east Dorset. I've visited the area for the past three days and as yet have to witness any activity, although the support vessel MCA Ailsa was in attendance yesterday (top image). Once work began the team was scheduled for round-the-clock duties, though none of this has been evident and plant remains idle (bottom image). Admittedly, the weather was unpredictable today and may be a plausible reason for the delay, or maybe I've just turned up at quiet moments, such as tea and fag breaks, and missed the main event.

Top image: 70-200 f/2.8 EX Sigma lens. 1/1000 second at f/11. ISO 200.
Bottom image: 12-24 f/4 Nikkor. 1/400 second at f/8. ISO 200.

© 2009

The Bramble Bush Bay...

The Sandbanks peninsula and Studland, on opposing sides of the entrance to Poole harbour, Dorset, have been serviced by a chain link ferry that has been run by the Bournemouth-Swanage Motor Road and Ferry Company since July 1926. Although restrictions were imposed on the service during World War II (at one stage being taken over by the military) the ferry has remained in operation ever since.
The image shows the ferry landing on the Sandbanks shore this afternoon - the third such vessel to be commissioned for the job - and the first to be given a name. The predecessors were simply called Ferry No. 1 and Ferry No. 2, both of which were steam driven. The one in operation at present is diesel-electric powered and has been crossing the mouth of the harbour since 1994.

12-24 f/4 Nikkor. 1/320 second at f/8. ISO 200. +.33 exposure compensation. 0.6 neutral density grey grad filter.

© 2009

Neptune gets a refit...

Work continues during the spring-like weather on the regeneration of Boscombe seafront, Dorset. Today's image shows builders active with the renovation of the Neptune bar with Boscombe Overstrand and Boscombe Spa Village - still under its crane - in the background.
Work on the artificial surf reef is due to start again next month, with construction costs beginning to spiral up (and up, I shouldn't wonder).

Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 EX-DG lens. 1/180 second at f/8. ISO 100.

© 2009

Memorable gates at AFC Bournemouth...

The chance passing of the Fitness First Stadium (formerly known as Dean Court), the home to my local football team, revealed an unexpected surprise. The gates (image) were once at the entrance to the South End and Main Stand, at the south west corner of the ground, before the venue was completely renovated in 2001. They are now set into a wall and lead nowhere, and commemorate the forming of the supporters club in 1957 (left portal) and the club's Diamond Jubilee in 1960.
As far as I was aware there was nothing remaining of the old ground - save the odd steel post that once supported the Brighton Beach terrace at the eastern end - so it was welcome to see that someone had the foresight to keep something that linked the past to the present.

Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 EX DG lens. 1/125 second at f/5.6. ISO 400.

© 2009

Poole parasurfer...

Riding a bike is one thing, but transporting photographic gear as well is something else. Although I have a number of bags and cases to move equipment around (currently 9) none are really suitable for transporting large lenses on a bicycle...until now. I recently invested in the Think Tank Glass Taxi back pack, which will hold a 300mm f/2.8 lens (hood reversed) with a pro DSLR attached. There is also room for a small lens or two, but that's about it.
Having secured a monopod to the side I set off, primarily to test its practicality whilst riding. Although my initial intention was cross on the Sandbanks ferry to Studland, Dorset, I'm instantly captivated by the parasurfers in Poole harbour once I arrive, and stop to photograph them instead. Although I don't possess the focal lengths needed to pull in all the action, fitting a x1.4 tele-converter allows me to get some useable images when the subject passes close enough (photo).

Oh, yes, the bag is fine.

300mm f/2.8 AF-S VR Nikkor with x1.4 TC-14E tele-converter (VR off). 1/1600 second at f/4.5. ISO 400. +0.3 exposure compensation.

© 2009

The best time of day...

With a better than good chance of useable light, it's on the bike and along the coast to the southern tip of the entrance to Christchurch harbour, Dorset. The sky looks promising before I leave the house, but cloud from the east threatens to scupper my plans as I cycle along in the pre-dawn.
I arrive at the eastern tip of Mudeford sandspit at around 7:00 am, which gives me time to get into position and wait for the sun to break the horizon. I decide on a wide angle shot and select a neutral density grey graduated filter to hold back the sky. Although not as spectacular as I would have wished, the sun breaks through the cloud bank at 7:23 am (top image) and I only manage four shots during the minute or so the sun is visible before it is again obscured by the cloud. When it re-appears it is too high in the sky - and too strong - for the effect I am after.

The second photograph, shot shortly after 8:00 am, shows heavy plant moving sections of pipe into position at Hengistbury Head in preparation for beach replinishment, last done at this location during the winter of 2005/6. Whilst the beaches to the west are replinished with sand, shingle is used here as it is less prone to longshore drift.

Top image: 12-24mm f/4 Nikkor. 1/100 second at f/8. ISO 400. 0.6 Neutral density grey grad filter.
Bottom image: 12-24mm f/4 Nikkor. 1/160 second at f/8. ISO 200. +0.67 exposure compensation.

© 2009

End to end...

Poole bay, Dorset, and its seven miles of sand beaches is book-ended by two natural harbours: Christchurch to the east, and Poole harbour to the west. Last week I featured the entrance to the former, and today made a visit to the latter. Poole harbour, created at the end of the last ice age, is a flooded valley and lays claim to being the largest (or second largest, depending on your location - there are others) natural harbour in the world.
Despite its size it is very shallow, with an average depth of 48 cm (19 inches), and it was necessary to dredge a deeper main channel for larger vessels to use the harbour.
One such ship is seen in the image as it approaches the 365 metre wide harbour entrance at Bramblebush bay, presumably on its way to France.

12-24mm Nikkor. 1/80 second at f/10. ISO 250. +0.67 exposure compensation. 0.6 neutral density grey grad filter.

© 2009

The Mudeford Run...

The cold spell continues across Dorset, and with high atmospheric pressure and low tides predicted, conditions were conducive for an early start. Leaving the house before dawn, I cycle along the coast to Mudeford Sandspit at the entrance to Christchurch harbour. Photographed from the southern shore shortly after sunrise today, the image shows the Mudeford Run - the narrow entrance to the harbour - that can produce currents up to 9 knots on a spring tide ebb. Had the tide been in, I would not have been able to shoot from where I did.
Yet again, the bike proves its worth by allowing me to get into position with the minimum of fuss. It is fast becoming my favourite photographic gadget.

12-24mm f/4 Nikkor. 1/160 second at f/8. ISO 250. 0.9 neutral density grey grad filter.

© 2009

Still cold...

With daylight hours increasing noticeably it won't be too long before the sun begins to rise inland along the south coast of the UK. Taking advantage of what good light is available, between rain - and in some places, snow - I again return to the seafront to photograph the dawn. The Met Office predicted clear skies, and I decided on the location the night before, as I did the lens that I used. This is one of two third party zoom lenses I own (these are a throwback to the days of film), mainly to give it some exercise (yes, they do need it).
So it was on the bike before sunrise, and braving a temperature of -3˚C, I cycle to Hengistbury Head, Dorset, to see what nature had to offer. The image shows the sun rising over The Needles, Isle of Wight.

Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 EX-DG lens. 1/200 second at F/7.1. ISO 400. +1.0 exposure compensation. 0.9 grey grad ND filter.

© 2009

The big freeze...

Much of the UK has been subjected to heavy snow, and naturally it has caused disruptions on roads and airports. Even so, it is something of a rare occurence for it to snow in my neck of the woods due to the Hampshire basin, which tends to produce different weather patterns from those generally forecast for the south.
So it's off to the park and my local bandstand to photograph this atypical phenomenon. Although nowhere near as bad as some parts of the country, a light dusting of snow is, indeed, big news for us.

12-24 f/4 Nikkor. !/50 second at f/10. ISO 400. +0.33 exposure compensation.

© 2009

Cold spell (slight return)...

The UK braces itself again for another cold spell, with snow expected along the east coast tonight. Temperatures in Dorset are expected to drop to -3˚C, and with winds gusting up to 30mph, it will feel colder still. However, enough of the weather forecast: it's back to the beach for some imposing images as the sun breaks through the cloud. Again, the conversion to mono suits the subject better than full colour, lending further drama to the scene.

85mm f/1.4 Nikkor. 1/200 second at f/8. ISO 200. +0.3 exposure compensation. Conversion in Photoshop.

© 2009

A foaming head...

Yet again, the bike proves its worth and allows me to respond and get into position quickly, this time for a dawn shoot at Hengistbury Head, Dorset. The wind had dropped since yesterday and the was sky clear, but there was still a strong sea running along the coast of east Dorset. With those conditions it was just a matter of waiting for the rising sun to appear between the broken cloud on the horizon to illuminate the scene above.

85mm f/1.4 Nikkor. 1/125 second at f/8. ISO 320. +0.67 exposure compensation.

© 2009

January sky...

Today's post is just for the sake of putting up an image. The weather forecast was for heavy rain, so consequently I tailored the day to accomodate the conditions, but as so often happens things turn out differently and I only had to tolerate the odd shower. The photograph shows clearing rain clouds over Purbeck, Dorset, during late sfternoon.

85mm f/1.4 Nikkor. 1/640 second at f/8. ISO 320. +0.67 exposure compensation.

© 2009

Squirrels in the park...

It is at this time of year that the grey squirrels in my local park are starting to take an interest in each other with the view to mating, and although I observed several pairs active in this respect it is next to impossible to follow them with a telephoto lens. Because they move so fast from tree to tree, I concentrate on individuals not quite so dynamic. Even so, I still have to react quickly to get any images worthwhile, enticing them with nuts to get them to co-operate for the camera.
Also visible in the park on this fine winter's afternoon are the early signs of the approach of spring, as crocuses push their way above ground, and daffodil shoots become visible.

300mm f/2.8 AF-S VR Nikkor. 1/2500 second at f/3.2. ISO 400.

© 2009

Bike...

I've had a bike for a week, now, and it's proving its worth. It enables me to react to changing scenery and light far quicker than when driving a car. OK, I'm restricted as to what I can carry on my back, and have to be more selective with which lenses to take with me, but that's no bad thing. As yet I've still to overcome the problem of transporting my 300mm f/2.8 lens around (it weighs six pounds on its own), but there are back packs available to carry just such optics. It's just a matter of when...
So, back to quicker response times. I saw the beginning of the effect (above) once I looked out of the door, and although I could have reached a suitable location just as quickly with a car, getting into position on a bike was far more convienient, enabling me to capture the fleeting pre-dawn light that would have disappeared whilst parking. The image of Hengistbury Head, Dorset, was shot at 7:45 this morning, 20 miniutes before sunrise (again, displaying the advantages of fast lenses).

Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 lens. 1/100 second at f/4. +0.3 exposure compensation. ISO 800.

© 2009

Frozen beaches...

For the better part of the week the UK has experienced conditions colder than parts of Iceland and Greenland, and as a result the sea has frozen at the edges of Poole harbour, Dorset, and in particular around the exclusive Sandbanks peninsula. Largely due to the low salt content and shallow depth, this is still a rare event, but as the cold snap ends and temperatures climb to around 6˚C today the ice has retreated somewhat before I can get to the area with a camera. The image, shot this morning, shows what remains of the ice, with Brownsea Island in the background.

12-24 f/4 Nikkor. 1/250 second at f/11. ISO 250. 0.9 neutral density grey graduated filter.

© 2009

Branksome Chine, Dorset...

The almost Sisyphean task of preserving and maintaining the seven miles of beaches of Poole Bay, Dorset, continues at Branksome Chine. Photographed today, the image shows work on the Long Sea Outfall Replacement project at a cost of £3 million to Wessex Water, which replaces the 110 year old outfall. New groynes are being built adjacent to the site to reduce the effects of longshore drift.

12-24 f/4 Nikkor. 1/40 second at f/11. ISO 320. 0.9 neutral density grey graduated filter.

© 2009

Goodbye, Farewell and Amen...

It's on a crisp winter's afternoon that my local Woolworths, a store chain that traded on Britain's high streets for almost 100 years, closed its doors for the last time today. A victim of the current recession and unable to find a buyer, the closure will result in 27,000 workers loosing their jobs nationwide.
Known (amongst other things) for its "pick-'n'-mix" sweets and child clothing line, "Woolies" at one time even had its own record label. The Embassy label featured cover versions of currect pop songs of the day, and sold at a fraction of the price of the major label releases (naturally).
The image shows the Boscombe branch, one of 815 outlets, trading on its last day. Sadly, I have to be content with exterior images as I was refused permission by the management to photograph inside.

12-24mm f/4 Nikkor. 1/100 second at f/8. ISO 320.

© 2009

Winter sun...

The current cold snap in the UK is forecast to extend into next weekend, but despite the low temperatures and clear overnight skies there is little in the way of ground frost for me to point a lens at. So I return to the sea in the hope of capturing the sunrise as it breaks the horizon. Again, cloud banks that must extend to France and beyond obscure the event, producing images as seen here. At least it's not raining.

85mm f/1.4 Nikkor. 1/2500 second at f/4.5. ISO 400. + 1.0 exposure compensation.

© 2009

Hats off to...

Although the new year dawns with a heavily overcast sky I venture out into the great outdoors on the first day of 2009 in search of images to get the year rolling. Having taken numerous photos of various potential subjects, it's on my way home that I come across the discarded party hat of a reveller from the night before. It's my policy not to stage photographs when recording things in the environment, and this is no exception. The hat is as I found it, but to get a suitable angle I draw the odd glance from passers-by as I have to lay flat on the ground to frame the image with some sort of relevant background.

Incidentally, it is 1963 years ago today (46 BC) that Julius Ceaser introduced the 12 month, 365 days - plus a leap year every four years - reformed calender.

50mm f/1.8 AF Nikkor. 1/400 second at f/2. ISO 400. -0.5 exposure compensation.

© 2009

It's a ship...

Temperatures remain low, even for December in many areas of the UK, and although the high pressure that was dominant over the south for the past week has now moved away the conditions remain settled.
The image, shot today, shows an occasional break in the clouds as the sun highlights a passing ship. I decided a mono treatment of the photograph was more appropriate as there is little colour variation in the original image.

85mm f/1.4D Nikkor. 1/1250 second at f/4.5. ISO 200. +0.5 exposure compensation. Converted to monochrome in Photoshop.

© 2008

Boscombe surfers...

Today's plan was to photograph the sunrise with a super-telephoto lens - except that the conditions were not as I was led to believe. At 4:30am the sky was clear, but by the time I was ready to leave the house three hours later, the sky had unexpectedly clouded over.
Sunrise for this time of year at my location (Lat. 50˚ north) is shortly after 8:00am, but cloud on the horizon obscured the event. I did take some token shots once the sun broke over the cloud bank, but by then it was too high for the images I had in mind.
I eventually wandered toward Boscombe pier, where some surfers were active on the west side. This gave me my best photo opportunity of the morning, and although the surf was nothing special I get a number of action shots from my vantage point on the pier head.

300mm f/4 AF-S Nikkor with x1.4 TC. 1/1000 second at f/5.6. ISO 400 (all images).

© 2008

Coastal erosion...

A recent report by the National Trust tells of around 200 miles of south-west England's coast that is crumbling into the sea, but despite this the National Trust is intent on letting nature take its course. This natural action of both wind and waves has had a similar effect on the graded sand that was being used in the construction of Dorset's artificial surf reef. The pile was bulldozed flat during mid-November after work on the site was suspended, and now it is beginning to disappear due to longshore drift. I can only surmise that the sand will have to be re-graded once construction resumes again in April 2009 - adding to the overal costs, no doubt.
The image, shot just after sunrise today, is of frost covered sand at Southbourne, Dorset.

12-24mm f/4 Nikkor. 1/160 second at f/11. ISO 400.

© 2008

Dorset knob...

Having spent the last few days peering through the viewfinder at the grossly distorted images of ultra-wide angle lenses, I make use of the remaining good light of the weekend by photographing with a 50mm lens. This focal length produces a normal perspective very much like the human eye sees, and it's ideal for detail shots as it has the ability to close focus. The use of such prime optics requires forward planning, as well as some contortions on behalf of the photographer, but the results can be worthwhile if you are prepared to get in tight.

I concentrate on the door handles and paintwork of the local beach huts on the Dorset coast, lit by the late afternoon winter sun, as these can make interesting subjects, especially the ones that show the results of weathering such as the image here.

50mm f/1.8 Nikkor. 1/60 second at f/10. ISO 200.

© 2008

Still something fishy...

OK, as I said in yesterday's post, too much fisheye can become overindulgent, but this chunk of glass is a breath of fresh air to my photography; so indulge me. With an angle of view of 180˚ it becomes easy to include various body parts in the image, such as my feet or arms, so it requires careful handling to get good results. But on the plus side, the depth of field is huge, so images from just a few inches from the lens to the end of the universe are sharp!
The photograph was taken on Boscombe pier this morning, looking east.

10.5mm f/2.8 Nikkor fisheye. 1/250 second at f/11. +0.5 exposure compensation.

© 2008

Boscombe Manor update...

After a year's break work has started on the renovation of the exterior of Boscombe manor, Dorset. The image shows the current state of the work where the rendering has been removed, exposing the original brickwork. As well as a medical centre, the site will also contain several residential appartments.
The building, which dates back to 1801, is the former home of the son of poet Percy Bysshe Shelly (hence the building being known locally as Shelly Manor) and his wife, Mary. She is best known as the author of Frankenstein.

18-35mm Nikkor. 1/320 second at f/8. + 0.5 exposure compensation. ISO 200.

© 2008

"Fishing" on Boscombe Pier...

A break in the erratic weather gives me the opportunity to use a new acquisition to my lens collection, so it's off to the local pier in the search of some graphic images. Fisheye optics have limited appeal, and persistant use can quickly diminish the impact of such lenses, but used judicially they have a place in the photographers bag. One virtue of such extreme optics is the fact that I don't have to worry unduly about converging verticals or level horizons as the distortion inherent in the lens banishes the straight line, except for those at the centre of the image. There is software available to correct such aberrations, but that would be boring, would it not?

10.5mm f/2.8 Nikkor fisheye. 1/100 second at f/13. +0.5 exposure compensation. ISO 200.

© 2008

Stormy weather...

Snow is falling across much of the UK this weekend, but so far has not made it to the southern coast. Instead we are being subjected to strong winds and heavy showers, interspersed with periods of blue sky and sunshine. Not being deterred by such conditions (in fact I rather enjoy them) I set off along the seafront at Boscombe in search of images. As is the norm there are the usual individuals who are prepared to brave the conditions, whether it be cyclists or joggers, but Boscombe pier was deserted when I arrived to shoot the above image this morning.

12-24 f/4 Nikkor. 1/500 second at f/8. ISO 400. The image was converted to mono in Photoshop.

© 2008

Home from home...

Overcast weather conditions are forecast to be prevalent over the weekend, so it's time to get in close and shoot detail rather than the bigger picture. It has always fascinated me how some people who own beach huts along the Dorset coast try to make them extensions of their own homes by adding personal touches to the exterior, as well as what goes inside them. As part of an ongoing project I include two examples shot this morning of just such decorations; one simple, one a touch more flamboyant.

Top: 85mm f/1.4 Nikkor. 1/160 second at f/4.5. ISO 400.
Below: 85mmf/1.4 Nikkor. 1/160 second at f/5. ISO 200.

© 2008

Boscombe surf reef delay...

The construction of the Boscombe surf reef will now not be completed until next year. Adverse weather conditions set the project behind schedule from the start, and now with fewer hours of daylight and colder sea temperatures it is being deemed unsafe for divers to continue working at the site. I was advised today that next week will see the final sessions on the reef before work stops for the winter, whilst the remaining sand pile is being levelled by a bulldozer (image).
Work on the surf reef, which covers an area the size of a football pitch, is now expected to be resumed in April 2009, with completion by September.
A plus side to the project is the proliferation of marine life that began to establish itself on the reef after the first few days of the geotextile bags being lowered into place.

Nikon D300. 85mm f/1.4 Nikkor. 1/250 second at f/4.5. ISO 320.

© 2008

The humble 50mm f/1.8 lens...

This autumn seascape was shot today using the humble 50mm 'standard' lens. At one time this much maligned lens usually came as standard (hence the name) with every SLR camera you bought, but in recent years has been superceeded by a short range zoom lens, giving the first-time photographer more flexibility. Zooms were more exciting to use, and as their quality improved the 50mm lens fell out of favour. This, however, is a mistake. Both Nikon and Canon produce these lenses, and the f/1.8 version that I used here is an absolute bargain. Currently costing around £77 the lens is small, lightweight and comes into its own in low light. Stopped down, it produces excellent sharpness from f/5.6, and costs so little (compared to other prime lenses) as they are easy to manufacture. All in all, worth every penny.

Nikkor 50mm lens. 1/1600 second at f/5.6. ISO 200.

© 2008

A flying duck...

I have recently upgraded my camera body, but it was not until today that I had the opportunity (or the light) to see what it could do. So, deftly dodging weather fronts, I head to one of my favourite locations in the New Forest, Hampshire, to photograph everything that is autumn, and hope for good light.
One of the reasons for the upgrade was for the superior focus tracking of moving subjects, and it's the ducks at Eyeworth pond that are the subject of my lens. Of course, ducks merely bobbing around on a lake are no real challenge for any auto focus system, so I needed to get them airborne (and flying towards me) to get the shots I'm after. This usually works with the promise of an easy meal, so I entice them with wild bird food (not bread - it does them no good whatsoever) to my side of the water. It took several attempts to get the birds on the right flight path before I got anything useable (top image), and the AF system coped well, bearing in mind that I also added a x1.4 teleconverter to increase the reach of the lens.

Top image: Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 AF-S VR lens with TC-14E converter. 1/1250 second at f/4. ISO 320.
Below: Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 AF-S VR lens with TC-14E converter. 1/320 second at f/5. ISO 400.

© 2008

Dyslexic builders..?

Time restrictions prevented me from processing the majority of yesterday's shoot, but as good dawn light was not forthcoming today I decide to spend the time editing the images. The photograph is of the show apartment on-site for Boscombe Spa Village, complete with the legend "Welocme to Honeycomb Beach"[sic]. It would appear that the recent bad weather has dislodged several of the letters of the word 'Welcome' and someone has made an attempt to correct the problem (albeit without total success - the 'O' has come adrift again). Unfortunatey, sometimes you can be too close to the situation and not see the bigger picture! I wonder how long it will be before site management see it and have it corrected.

Nikkor 12-24 f/4 lens. 1/125 second at f/10. ISO 100.

© 2008

Return of the beach huts...

Six colourful beach huts (at least that's what they seem to be) have appeared in front of Boscombe Spa Village during the last week (photo). The original huts were removed during the early stages of construction and relocated east along the seafront near Portman Ravine. Now that the front of the development is finished it remains to be seen if these cabins are a permanant fixture or just a temporary measure.

Nikkor 12-24 f/4 lens. 1/60 second at f/10. ISO 100.

© 2008

Boscombe pier approach sculpture...

Late afternoon, today:
A construction worker brushes sand between the flagstones at the base of the sculpture that has become a feature of a new roundabout on the approach to Boscombe pier, Dorset. Also part of the regeneration scheme, the modern art sculpture, at an all-in cost of £70,000, is made from of a single piece of granite sawn in half and polished, and depicts the rising and setting of the sun and moon. The piece was designed by aclaimed British artist Simon Hitchens.

Nikkor 12-24 f/4 lens. 1/180 second at f/11. ISO 200.

© 2008

Eyeworth pond...

Although unsure of this morning's weather forecast I decide to chance it and drive the twenty-odd miles to Eyeworth pond, in the New Forest. It's still dark when I arrive, but this gives me time to check camera settings, take in the mood of the location and to drink coffee. There's a low mist on the water as the dawn begins to break, creating an ethereal setting, but the wildfowl are absent. I make the usual token shots of some distant ducks, but it's becoming evident that the 300mm lens is not going to be enough on its own, so I attach a x1.4 teleconverter to give myself more reach.
It is past eight in the morning before the sun begins to light the surface of the pond, and by now there is more activity from the local wildlife. Oddly, it's the coots that are to the fore today, whilst the ducks keep out of range for anything like frame filling images. Although the trees lining the pond are yet to produce their full autumn display, there is enough colour in their reflection to make the above image of a coot more than just an average photograph.

Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 VR lens with Nikkor x1.4 TC. 1/400 second at f/5.6. ISO 400.

© 2008

The best zoom - your feet..

The colours and smells of autumn are beginning to kick-in, and photographic opportunities abound when the light is good. Today, I take advantage of what threatens to be the best light of the weekend in east Dorset, and decide to travel with minimal equipment. This consists of an SLR body and 50mm standard lens. Being deliberatly restricted by just one focal length compels the photographer to work much harder for images (no zooming with the lens - none of that stuff), but in my opinion produces better results as I am forced to use my feet to find the angles.
This is evident from the image here, where I had to get low with the camera to shoot the grasses against the afternoon sun. Had I had the option of the various focal lengths a zoom lens offers I wouldn't have been working so hard to find pictures, and may well have passed this option by.

Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 lens. 1/2000 second at f/8. -0.33 exposure compensation. ISO 160.

© 2008