This trip was my fifth to the lakes. I have still not mastered the way to get the best results from a one week trip. I now think the key is to be in the right place at the right time but of course this is easier to state than do. The weather was pretty helpful, showery and ever changing. I did only one really early morning start and that was a trip to Wastwater arriving about 7 am. The results were fairly rewarding as the rain ceased at about 8 and then the sky and general lighting changed rapidly and dramatically for a few hours. Although the camera was pointing for the most time in the one direction, the view was ever changing through a range of dramatic scenes giving scope to capture a location looking very different over a period of a few hours. I did explore a range of areas over the few days that followed the Wastwater venue; I intended to stop my car when I saw something that I thought might make a good or interesting picture. Again it sounds easy, however so many good potential shots were spotted from the road but were not to be had for a number of reasons. Often the road was narrow and it would be a hazard to stop. At other times a white van would be on my tail and prohibit a stop. Sometimes I would stop safely but some way from the viewpoint only to find that by the time I had assembled the kit and walked back to the spot the light had changed and the shot was lost. All very frustrating. Anyway I reckon made the best of what was on offer, I tried to be intelligent about my plans and routes etc but I remain convinced that a lot of luck is still needed to get the best from a trip despite the planning that one tries to do. Follow this link to see what I managed to spot and capture this time. http://www.tonesshots.com/galleries/mostrecent/Cumbria%202012/
A workshop in Liverpool
This weekend I joined two other experienced photographers and a professional who provided location advice and tuition in the Liverpool area. We were mainly looking for industrial landscapes in preparation for an upcoming competition. The Friday weather was Ok(ish) but lighting was a bit flat. However on the Saturday morning we were treated to some very interesting golden lighting which provided a rapidly changing and developing set of photo opportunities around the New Brighton area. The afternoon was less good but a visit to the cathedral showed some great promise for a future visit. Here is a link to a selection of images from the trip. http://www.tonesshots.com/galleries/mostrecent/liverpool/
Westbury on Severn bell restoration
This series of documentary style images is the third since the project started. The slideshow on the web gallery is intended to tell the story of the bells being returned from factory refurbishment and refitted in the bell tower which itself has been updated and strengthened. Here is the link to the web slideshow. http://www.tonesshots.com/galleries/mostrecent/Westbury%20Bells%203/
A trip to the Lake district October 2011
This is the first trip that I have used my new blog facility to describe and discuss. I have twice before visited the lakes to take pictures but this is the first time since acquiring a really good camera and some excellent lenses. I stayed in the Hydro hotel in Bowness on Windermere which is a fine central location and a nice photographer friendly hotel. The do not have a problem with my going out early and was happy to exchange the breakfast I missed each day with a healthy packed lunch. Also they did not charge me a single person supplement. – more –