The Daily Grind rides again...

Earlier in the week I had taken the decision to no longer continue with this blog, and left a post saying as much. What I didn't anticipate was the startling public reaction to the termination, and two comments from readers flooded in in protest, and to express their sorrow - and one of those is from someone whom I know.

So, as a gesture to the heartfelt outcry I agree to continue this blog, and post today's photograph of Stanpit Marsh ponies, with Christchurch Priory in the distance.


24-70mm f/2.8G AF-S Nikkor. 1/160 second at f/9. + 0.67 EV compensation. ISO 400. Polariser

© 2011

Marsh pony...

I change my initial plans at the last minute, and visit Stanpit Marsh in Christchurch Harbour, Dorset, instead of a local nature reserve. It's the first time I've been there this year, and as last year, it is host to Glossy Ibis, except this time there are (apparently) three. I only see one.

No, it's the ponies that live on the marsh that get my attention this time around. I come across an official-looking chap, complete with binoculars and clip board, mumbling out loud and waving his biro around in a broad arc in an effort to count the number of the aforementioned creatures spread out before us. He is becoming exasperated by the fact they are continually on the move and they are mostly all the same colour. He makes four counts while I'm stood with him, but he can't decide whether the tally is 14 or 15. I count 15 twice, which is enough to convince me I was right the first time, and tell him so. We eventually concur, and he writes the figure in one of the columns on a form attached to his clip board.

"How many should there be?" I ask him.
"I don't know" comes his reply.

70-200mm f/2.8 Apo Sigma lens. 1/1600 second at f/5.6. - 0.67 EV compensation. ISO 400

© 2011

The Twin Sails Bridge...

The Indian summer experienced by most of the UK at the beginning of the month has long gone, but in some parts of the South, at least, we are still getting relatively good weather with temperatures remaining in the high teens Celsius: still bike weather.

Yesterday, whilst out riding, I unexpectedly happened upon the construction of a new lifting bridge being built in Poole, Dorset. I knew construction was underway and had made loose plans to photograph the process, but what with one thing and another it had slipped my mind. As a result the camera lens I was carrying was totally unsuitable for the job.

Today started clear and sunny, so I took the opportunity to return to the site, this time tooled-up with the right glass. The two 65 tonne leaves of the Twin Sails Bridge, each operated by two hydraulic rams, are not quite identical at this point, but the bridge is not scheduled to be opened until January of next year. When operational, the bridge will take two minutes to open, with a planned 3,500 lifts a year.

12-24mm f/4 Nikkor. 1/500 second at f/11. ISO 200

© 2011

...to leave the world behind

Red sky at night, as the old saying goes, usually means fine weather the following day, so I pack my camera bag with three lenses the night before and set the alarm clock for 6.00am. I’m up before the alarm goes off, and a quick look out of the window suggests I might be lucky. A swift breakfast, then on the bike and pedalling into a stiff(ish) breeze. By 7.00 am I’m stood on the beach at Canford Cliffs, Poole Bay, facing East and wait for nature to do its stuff. It doesn’t. 

The time of sunrise comes...and passes, and nothing spectacular happens; it’s all grey cloud and the camera remains idle. Instead, I choose that moment to deliver a message to a distant friend. A cormorant flies low across the waves, and I suddenly become aware of a song that has surfaced of its own accord and is playing through my head.  At this instant the sun illuminates the broken cloud and I make the shot. 

Magic can happen.

24-70mm f/2.8G AF-S Nikkor. 1/400 second at f/8. - 0.33 EV compensation.ISO 400

© 2011

New post; no photo...

A (very) rare post of text only, but it is to draw your attention to the Links section of this page (right), and in particular the heading:
Richard Brewer: Photography - an occasional series.

This is a new feature to the blog and it will contain images only, principally operating as a gallery of subject-related themes.

The first in the series is British Birds and Waterfowl, and features some of my favourite photographs taken since 2008.

Flight Lieutenant's memorial...

It was recently announced by Bournemouth Council that a permanent memorial will be dedicated to Red Arrows pilot Flt. Lt. Jon Egging, who died shortly after a display over the sea front in August when his Hawk jet crashed into fields near the local airport. At the time of writing no firm decision has been made as to what form it will take, but the townspeople are being invited to add their input. It is hoped the tribute will be in position for the start of next year's air festival.

Whilst researching the subject I came across a seemingly little-known story of another pilot who also lost his life during an air display at the Dorset (then Hampshire) town, and today I was able to locate his memorial on Bournemouth's East Cliff and photograph it. 

The small plate, set into stone, has the inscription:

                                         
In memory of

Flt/Lt John Henry Green DFC, a Canadian wartime pilot with the RAF. Lost his life on 17th September 1947 when his Spitfire crashed into the sea between Boscombe and Bournemouth piers during a flying display in aid of the RAF benevolent fund, and to mark the anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

24-70mm f/2.8G AF-S Nikkor. 1/250 second at f/11. - 0.33EV compensation. ISO 400

© 2011

Heave ho, me hearties!

As predicted last week, the UK appears to be experiencing an Indian summer, with sunshine and temperatures of up to 28º C - 15º above normal for the time of year - and expected to last until early October. After a cloudy start to the day the clouds roll away and I ride to Poole harbour to shoot with a fast telephoto.

The idea is to concentrate on detail in the landscape; preferably something out of the ordinary, and it's a weather vane on top of a house in Sandbanks that catches my eye. The figure is of the fictional pirate Captain Pugwash: the main character of a British children's comic strip and TV show originating in the 1950s. He's seen here brandishing a cutlass to lay claim to a treasure chest on a tropical island; his ship Black Pig in the distance. The title of this post is one of his (many) catch phrases.


300mm f/2.8 AF-S VR Nikkor. 1/3200 second at f/5.6. -0.33 EV compensation. ISO 400

© 2011

Adobe Photoshop and the digital age...

Over the past month or so I've had several discussions (and disagreements) with another photographer as to whether or not digital photography takes away the soul of an image, and whether or not it's the best thing since sliced bread: he maintains it is not. I don't care.

Today, digital imaging proved its worth from my perspective, as it enabled me to produce a useable photograph using the wrong lens for the job. The paddle steamer PS Waverley made its final appearance at Bournemouth during the South Coast excursion season, and by way of a change I opted to get some shots from a higher angle than sea level, using a super-telephoto lens to record the ship's arrival at 1.00pm. Unfortunately, local atmospheric conditions - the bane of long focal length optics - were producing images with poor resolution and weak colours: I needed to shoot when my subject was much closer than intended.

From my vantage point on the West Cliff of Bournemouth I was unable to accommodate the full length of the Waverley with a 300mm lens once it tied-up along side the pier: I was just too close. I could have moved back the distance required, but as the stop-over was for a mere 15 minutes I had precious little time to re-locate and reframe... so I shot a panoramic.

I alway shoot in the RAW format, but for this technique I switched the camera to its fine jpeg setting, purely to keep the final file size down to something manageable. I needed to make all the exposures identical, so I switched the camera to manual and shot the sequence in portrait format (upright), overlapping each exposure by roughly 30%. Once opened on my computer I had seven frames that needed to be stitched together by software (Adobe Photoshop) - the results of which can be see in the first photograph. After that I processed the image as I normally would, but in this case I cloned-in a bit of sea at the bottom of the picture and cropped out the bent horizon and sky (below).

The process produced a final image 70cm wide with a file size of 116mb, and the detail in the original is such that when zoomed in I can clearly identify individual passengers waiting to embark from the pier.

300mm f/2.8 AF-S VR Nikkor. 1/400 second at f/11. - 0.33 EV compensation. ISO 400. Monopod.

© 2011

Well, it surprised me...

Having drawn a blank in photographing the PS Waverley on Sunday, the weather conspires once again the day after, and sailings are cancelled. Time is running out as tomorrow is the last day of the South Coast excursions. Not only that, but I understand that future visits are doubtful due to operating costs; this may be my last chance.

Having checked the Waverley's web site yesterday I deduce that my last (and only) chance for some images now is on Thursday - no sailings, today -  although the weather forecast doesn't look too promising. It's in the lap of the gods.

Despite a brisk westerly wind I decide to take a mid-day bike ride along the sea front of Poole Bay, Dorset; camera bag loaded for the first time in weeks, but nothing in mind to shoot... when I come upon the scene above. To my total surprise the aforementioned steamer is pulling up along side Bournemouth Pier as I arrive, shortly before 1pm. The light at this time of day is too brutal to get anything moody or pleasing, but I make a number of photographs as insurance against tomorrow's possibility of a no-show because of weather.

In this instance I use the RNLI lifeguard station and its attendant quad bike to add some interest and compensate for the less-than-photogenic lighting. I was also informed by a fellow photographer, whom I struck up a conversation with on the beach, that the Waverley was scheduled for a visit today; it was advertised it on its web site.

Missed that one!


24-70mm f/2.8G AF-S Nikkor. 1/320 second at f/11. - 0.33 EV Compensation. ISO 320. Polariser

© 2011

I see no ships...

It is at this time of year - and this week in particular - that the PS Waverley, the only seagoing paddle steamer in the world, makes several excursions along the South coast. Time for some shots.

Having missed the departure from Bournemouth pier this morning (it was raining), I elect to do some early evening photography as the ship returns. It will be better light, anyway.

Once the excursions are underway all details are removed from the sailing schedule on its web site, so I'm forced into guessing what time this will be. Experience tells me roughly 6 - 6.30pm, so I'm cycling along the seafront at this time from Bournemouth to Sandbanks, keeping an eye out for the Waverley to hove into view on the horizon...but it doesn't happen.

Eventually I check the departure and arrival times at the entrance to the pier, and a notice informs me that today's sailing had been cancelled due to bad weather. Okay, it did rain and there were winds of up to 25mph along the coast, but surely it wasn't that bad? Still, better safe than sorry; I'll try again tomorrow (weather permitting). Oh yes, the photograph is a token shot whilst waiting on the beach at Canford Cliffs, Poole.


24-70mm f/2.8G AF-S Nikkor. 1/200 second at f/11. -0.33 EV compensation. ISO 320. Polariser

© 2011

Seasonal Limbo...

As mentioned in my last post, summer officially came to an end on 31st August. With the autumn equinox nearly upon us next week, it leaves me wondering what these three weeks of seasonal Limbo might be called.

Having ridden out the remnants of Hurricane Irene, which manifested itself only as brisk winds in the South, I return to Throop, Dorset, for some casual photography. Today's photograph was taken from the footbridge of the weir that crosses the Stour at this point, and I make no attempt to conceal the electricity pylons that straddle the landscape, using them as part of the composition.

As with the nearby millpond in my last post, the river itself has also been allowed to return to a more natural state, with far more weed and reeds evident than in all the years I've been going to the spot. I'm sure there is a good reason for deliberately letting the waterway get to this condition, but everyone I speak to locally is as mystified as I am.


24-70mm f/2.8G AF-S Nikkor. 1/125 second at f/11. - 0.67 EV compensation. ISO 250. Polariser.


© 2011

Carpeted swans...

Although I heard someone on the radio mention the other day that the end of August is the end of summer, the beginning of September belies that statement. Clear skies and temperatures reaching 23˚C are the order of the day, and I'm not going to waste it. I've spent too many days inside recently, pursuing other creative interests; it's time to get out.

Packing my longest lens I jump (figuratively speaking) on my bike and head for the countryside, and specifically Throop Mill, Dorset. Although I have waterfowl in mind I'm not intending to shoot anything serious, as it's the middle of the day and the sun is high overhead: not the best light.

For reasons best known to those who manage the area, the millpond has been allowed to become carpeted with (duck?) weed, which at first glance makes it look as if it has been grassed-over; the surface looks solid enough to walk on. It's not, of course, born out by two mute swans paddling their way across. It's obviously harder work for them to move, but they seem to be quite adaptive to the situation.


300mm f/2.8 AF-S VR Nikkor with TC-14EII converter. 1/1250 sec at f/11. -0.67 EV compensation. Monopod. ISO 400.

© 2011

Tributes...

Photographed today, these are some of the floral and written tributes being left for Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging (Red 4) of The Red Arrows, at Bournemouth town hall.

The Facebook page set up to inform the local council of the townspeople's wishes to have a permanent memorial erected for the pilot appears to have had good effect, and they have responded positively. However, nothing will be decided upon until the council have consulted with the family and the RAF.



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

© 2011

Bournemouth Air Festival, 2011: Day 4...

The final day of the Bournemouth Air festival, and despite the excellent weather the crowds are noticeably thinner than during the past two days. This is undoubtably due to the absence of The Red Arrows, such is their pulling power, grounded for the time being until investigators can determine the cause of yesterday's tragic accident.

As full a program as was possible took place after pilots and the RAF expressed a wish to continue, but rather than post photographs of today's displays, I include photographs taken over the 3 days of flying.

The Breitling Wingwalkers, Friday. The only formation wingwalking team in the world.

  One of (the four) Blades, Sunday

 The Tigers Parachute Display Team, Saturday.

De havilland Sea Vixen, Sunday, with undercarriage retracting and arrester hook deployed.

  Tornado GR-4, Sunday.

De havilland Sea Vixen and Hawker Hunter (aka Miss Demeanour), Sunday, flying in formation.

Although the fourth Bournemouth Air Festival can be considered a success - it is already set again for 2012 - events were overshadowed by the crash of The Red Arrows' Red 4 and the death of Flight Lieutenant Jon (Eggman) Egging, shortly after displaying in front of an estimated crowd of 300,000.  There was a minute of silence at 1pm on the seafront before today's events started, followed by a spontaneous round of applause from the spectators.

All images: 300mm f/2.8 AF-S VR Nikkor with TC-14EII converter.

© 2011

Red 4...

In memory of Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging - Red 4 (bottom aircraft) flying in the group known as "The Enid".                                                                                 

20th August, 2011 - Bournemouth Air Festival.

© 2011

Bournemouth Air Festival 2011...

Yesterday was a non-starter: a total wash-out due to atrocious weather conditions and flooding. Today, the second of four, was very different and normal flying was possible without interruption. Although sunshine brought back the multitudes (as well as the aircraft) there were several notable omissions from the usual lineup of crowd pleasers - the Avro Vulcan being the most notable - grounded for the time being due to a leaking fuel tank. Also missing this year was the Eurofighter Typhoon, currently flight restricted due to a spares shortage, but the Battle of Britain flypast comprising an Avro Lancaster escorted by a Hawker Hurricane and Vickers-Supermarine Spitfire helped to make up for missing displays.

There was, of course, the public's favourite - the Red Arrows (pictured) - this time able to give a full display (the first of 3 over the weekend) as opposed to last year's truncated performances, again marred by poor weather.


300mm f/2.8 AF-S VR Nikkor with TC-14EII converter. 1/2500 second at f/9.  -0.33 EV compensation. ISO 640.


© 2011

It's been quite a while...

It's been quite a while since I've posted on my blog, essentially because I've not taken a photograph since May! Other considerations - some unavoidable; some pressing; some not so -  have taken precedence over the past 5 weeks or so, and to be honest summertime is not my favourite season for shooting, anyway.

Anyway, to (hopefully) get things back on track, I include an early morning image taken on Bournemouth seafront.


24-70 f/2.8G AF-S Nikkor. 1/500 second at f/8. -0.33 EV compensation. ISO 200

© 2011

Blue boat...

Although not exactly first light, today's photography was taken during early morning at Sandbanks, Poole Harbour, Dorset. Arriving just as the sun began to burn off the dawn mist, I'm drawn by the reflection and emerging blue sky - effectively cutting the scene in half - and highlighting the boat at low tide.


24-70mm f/2.8G AF-S Nikkor. 1/640 second at f/11.  -0.33 EV compensation. ISO 200

© 2011

Under mother's wing...

Getting successful wildlife images often requires the photographer to have (at the very least) a basic understanding of the behaviour of the animal in question, as well as anticipating the moment a good image will present itself.

This particularly applied to today's photograph of a Greylag gosling under its mother's wing. Possibly one of the same family I photographed last week - there are several in the same area -  a parent bird sat by the waterside with its wings partially extended, offering its young a protective wing.
Several took up the option, and it was just a matter of time before one would poke its head through the plumage as it became more crowded below. All I had to do was to wait for the right moment to shoot.

The photograph also benefits from being made with the subject in open shade, which helps to saturate colours and allow more detail to be shown. Direct sunlight would have drastically lessened the quality of the picture.



300mm f/2.8 AF-S VR Nikkor with TC-14EII converter. 1/400 second at f/8.  -0.67 EV compensation. ISO 640

© 2011

One of nine...

Today's photograph is of a Greylag gosling (Anser anser) - the ancestor of most domestic geese -  and is the largest wild goose native to the UK.  Although common in lowland areas all year round, they can sometimes be seen in suburban parks such as this one at Poole, Dorset. This particular gosling has 8 siblings

300mm f/2.8 AF-S VR Nikkor lens with TC-14EII converter. 1/1000 second at f/5.6. - 0.33 EV compensation. ISO 400

© 2011