Musings In Monochrome

Inquisitive sheep on Dartmoor

2010-02-09T01:41:00.000Z

Another, maybe the last, from my recent shoot on Dartmoor.

Got any hay?

Inquisitive Sheep on Dartmoor

I first noticed these sheep as I was walking around looking for potential shots and at various points of view for those shots. You can see how I got on in my last few posts. As an aside, this is a good hint for photographers looking to up their game a little—your feet can improve composition dramatically. Don't just stop, take a photo and move on. Instead, walk around a bit and see how the various compositional elements interact in the scene and then choose the one that works best for you.

Anyway, each time I walked past the fence, the sheep were a bit closer. Eventually they were close enough for me to pay attention to them and, as I did, talking to them all the while in a low encouraging voice, I got great eye contact and this lovely little interaction. A genuine look of curiosity from the front sheep, while the back one, though a little unsure, was still interested enough in what was happening to throw this backward glance.

(An observation from looking at the back sheep... when all you have are cloven hooves, you learn to put up with stuff that otherwise might drive you mad!)

Anyway, I hope you like it and got something of the interaction with the sheep; and hopefully, for a moment you might even have been transported there.

comments / critique / feedback always welcome :)

Another view of Merrivale Tor

2010-02-06T20:33:00.000Z

I'm just going through the last of the shots from my recent outing to Dartmoor during the thaw. I've got a cute shot of some sheep that I hope will make it through the digital darkroom.

Tor and outbuilding

Merrivale Tor View

If you've seen my recent postings, you'll know that Merrivale is near Princetown in the heart of Dartmoor. I'm not sure what the hut on the left is, but it's fairly close to some farm buildings so is no doubt to do with that.

I relaxed my normal rules for this shot. I rarely do landscape shots without something remarkable (to me, anyway) to include for compositional purposes. In this case though, I just wanted to make a good shot of the Tor and put it in context, more of a record shot than my usual.

comments / critique / feedback always welcome :)

Last of my recent pony shots

2010-02-05T23:48:00.001Z

As promised here's the next, and last, of the pony shots from my recent outing to Dartmoor at the end of the melt from the recent Winter snows.

The gorgeous Dartmoor Pony

I think the light, though harsh, worked a little better on this shot than my other recent postings. Here it's angling in through the gorse bushes, giving nice highlights, especially across the face, mane and neck.

Grazing Pony - full body shot

These are such lovely creatures—I don't know the Exmoor's so well but the Dartmoor Pony is tranquil and gentle, if you respect their space. Sometimes they approach you, hoping for food, but feeding them is a no-no.

For a time there were many accidents involving ponies on the roads of Dartmoor. Because well-meaning folks were feeding them, the ponies had learned to associate cars with the possibility of free food. As soon as they'd see a car approaching, they'd amble onto the roads, and often quite unexpectedly—it's surprising how many ponies can appear from behind a gorse bush only big enough to conceal a large rabbit!

It's all common sense to the locals but visitors to our fine County didn't realise the feeding was leading to a problem. So signs and fines went up and eventually the number of injuries to ponies (and sheep) went down.

It's a lovely sight, to be walking on the moors for the joy of it and to round a patch of gorse and see these natives of the moors. Just one of the pleasures of living in this part of the world, and long may it continue :)

comments / critique / feedback always welcome :)

A Dartmoor Pony in profile

2010-02-05T02:30:00.000Z

Makin' good progress, only a couple more to do from this photo shoot...

Hmmm... what's be happenin' here?

Profile of a Dartmoor Pony

Not quite suspicious but definitely a cautious glance. These ponies are semi-wild and run free on Dartmoor. To the surprise of many visitors, they're not timid at all, though feeding them is strictly forbidden, as it encourages them onto the roads when they see cars, increasing the chances of accidents.

In this shot, taken during the thaw from the recent snows, as well as the cute profile, I wanted to capture the shagginess of the winter coat and its textures.

Actually, I think the next one due out of the digital darkroom will really do their coats justice. You can be the judge when I post it here in the next couple of days.

comments / critique / feedback always welcome :)

Three more shots from Dartmoor

2010-02-03T20:55:00.000Z

I said in my post the other day that I'd been working in the digital darkroom. These shots have made it through and out the other side.

I'd love to get your feedback on your initial impact.

Distant Haze

Houses on Dartmoor

Looking towards Tavistock and some distant hills and tors of Dartmoor. Houses nestle amongst some trees beyond a large expanse of prickly gorse, in an otherwise deserted landscape.

Grazing ponies

Grazing Dartmoor Ponies

Shooting into the sun can be quite challenging as this shot proves. Often, the loss of detail caused by the high contrast ruins the shot but in this one I think it suits and complements the composition.What do you think?

A Dartmoor legend

...and now for a bit of fun :)

There is a legend on Dartmoor of a headless horseman—well this is the lesser known one of the headless pony!

The Headless Pony of Dartmoor

No, not a trick in Photoshop, just a bit of luck and some careful positioning of your photographer!

comments / critique / feedback always welcome :)

Valentines day cheeky wishes voucher

2010-02-03T16:25:00.002Z

Have some cheeky fun with your Valentine!!

A customisable wishes voucher

This Valentine Voucher entitles the bearer to one of the Valentines Wishes on offer...
(available wishes are fully customisable by the giver)

...or how about the voucher as part of a Valentines Card? The voucher is printed on the inside and again is fully customisable with the choice of wishes the giver wants to include.

I will love you until... Valentine Voucher card by HightonRidley

comments / critique / feedback always welcome :)

A question about fine art answered

2010-01-31T00:25:00.001Z

I got a question from a photography student just starting a module on fine art photography. Basically asking me what I thought was meant by fine art and why it applies to my work.

Thanks for your question, Dan...

My answer

Hi Dan,

To me, fine art is all about trying to say something specific with your artistic vision -- sometimes it's called artistic intent. Some folks may have a whole series exploring their vision / intent until they have come up with their final piece that represents it. For some, the series is the piece.

It's not really important if others understand all of your intent, though. An example; in this one:
http://www.highton-ridley.co.uk/blog/2010/01/during-melt-on-dartmoor.html my intent was to represent the harshness of Dartmoor and the fact that, in minutes, the weather can change from clear to can't-see-your-hand-in-front-of-your-face.

There's all sorts in the image that speaks of both. The local and global contrast; no snow apart from in the lee of the walls; soft sky; the granite wall - you don't get much harsher than granite. Angle-iron: harsh; clear fields, sharp, pointy tor. Cultivated fields, impossible-to-cultivate tor. The composition - the finger of wall pointing straight at the tor; no subtlety there.

Yes, context helps but I think the image stands alone without knowing Dartmoor.

Dan went on to say he couldn't see what Tracy Emin's bed was all about and this was my reply:

Re: Tracy Emin's bed - I think it's self-serving (i.e. pretty much a "self-fulfilling prophecy"). I dont think it's so much about the visual impact, it's all about what the various scattered items represent in terms of her life experience associated with them. By self-serving I mean that if it wasn't by her, people wouldn't look beyond the rather crappy visual impact to what lies beyond.

That piece of "fine art" lies almostly entirely in the associations it triggers in the viewer and not in the "prettiness" of the image. Not really aimed at the average punter but at the cognoscenti who "know" where to look for the artistic intent; i.e. they know the context.

A stark example of what I mean. Imagine a really, really, famous artist with instantly recognisabe, say, paintings. They produce an empty canvas. The congoscenti might say "Oh, they were going through an "xyz" time in their relationship with their public and lover. The emptiness of the canvas represents... blah, blah, blah."

Here, context is everything and, if you don't know the context, it's just a blank canvas. For me, this isn't fine art; for me, there has to be enough of merit that it can stand on its own without context. Knowing the context adds more, but it must be able to stand alone.

All my opinion and not necessarily having any bearing on other's reality.

I hope my views help you develop your own, whether you agree with mine or not ;)
Cheers,
Mark

Wikipedia says of Fine Art Photography:

Fine art photography refers to photographs that are created to fulfill the creative vision of the artist. Fine art photography stands in contrast to photojournalism and commercial photography. Photojournalism provides visual support for stories, mainly in the print media. Fine art photography is created primarily as an expression of the artist’s vision, but has also been important in advancing certain causes. The work of Ansel Adams in Yosemite and Yellowstone provides an example. Adams is one of the most widely recognized fine art photographers of the 20th century, and was an avid promoter of conservation. While his primary focus was on photography as art, his work raised public awareness of the beauty of the Sierra Nevada and helped to build political support for their protection.

I'm really interested to hear what other people think of fine art and context. Over to you :)

comments / feedback always welcome :)

Wowee! I made it as a nominee in the 5th Annual Spider B&W Awards!!

2010-01-26T00:31:00.004Z

I was dumbfounded to find out I made it to nominee status in the 5th Annual Spider B&W Awards!!

Haystack and Tracks

I'm over the moon about it because the winners get chosen from the "nominees". Here is the image, it got chosen for the Nature category:

Haystack and Tracks

...and here is the Spider Awards page it's on.

I didn't get chosen as a winner though :( so that means I just got pipped at the post! but who cares? A nominee! Woohoo!!

comments / critique / feedback always welcome :)

Another from Dartmoor in thaw

2010-01-24T21:04:00.002Z

Another fresh out of my digital darkroom

On the road out of Princetown

This was the approach road to the shot I posted the other day. I'm standing in a lay-by with the last of the snow. What remains is to be found only in the lee of the granite walls that lazily zig-zag across the moors here.

Merrivale Tor Approach, Nr Princetown, Dartmoor

I'm stood right next to a big pile of dirty snow that was probably cleared off the road, judging by the amount of gravel in it. The jumble of rocks atop the hill in the distance is Merrivale Tor and Princetown is a few miles behind me as I took the shot.

I'm an image tart...

I must admit to bringing my image-tart approach to bear on this one. Only small changes but they had a big impact. So what am I confessing to? I cloned out an aerial on the house, a signpost at the end of the road and, horror of horrors I extended the left hand wall a little at the end to close off the left hand turn there. Why?

The aerial and the signpost were signs of the outside world and I wanted to emphasise the isolation of the place—if you go there you'll know what I mean about its isolation.

As for extending the wall on the left hand edge; the road comes to a t-junction and the walls curve left and right. Unfortunately, even though it was very small, the curve of the left turn and the lighter road surface took the eye out of the shot to the left.

By extending the curve of the left hand wall, instead the eye gets pushed back in to where I want it to go. A typical journey through the shot probably follows the lead-in lines, lingers on the puddle of meltwater and sky's reflection, follows the snow/wall, hits the road, gets curved in again to the small house and then on to the tor.

Which is nice because that's just what I wanted, each major feature visited by the eye in turn :)

Contrast masking

I learned a new technique earlier today that I used for (one of the layers on) this image. Many thanks to Peter Cox for his informative tutorial on contrast masking, a technique brought over from the days of the wet darkroom. In short - take a copy of the background layer (on your out-of-the-camera shot in Photoshop), desaturate the new layer, change the blend mode to overlay, invert it, apply huge radius Gaussian Blur, done :)

comments / critique / feedback always welcome :)

A Dartmoor pony in the wild

2010-01-23T22:09:00.002Z

As promised a few posts ago [@Shadow: happy now? :-)]

Dartmoor in thaw

Here's a shot of a Dartmoor pony in the wild, taken on my recent trip up onto Dartmoor.

These ponies run free for most of the year and, even though considered "wild", they still belong to the various farmers on the moors. Every year they have a foal roundup and allot the new foals to the correct herds/farms.

Dartmoor Pony in the wild

Lighting conditions were difficult in this shot. It was during the start of the thaw from all the recent snow in the UK and the air had a very clear crisp quality. In the bright sunlight, even though the sun was quite low in the sky, it lead to very contrasty shooting conditions for black and white, too much even for my tastes—besides, it was in all the wrong places!

So, I finally did battle in the digital darkroom and eventually (after two sessions!!) tamed and bent the lighting to my will. I hope you like the finished shot :)

comments / critique / feedback always welcome :)

Life on Tharsis

2010-01-22T22:07:00.001Z

A warm as toast abstract this time. What is it? Answers on a postcard please....

Life on Tharsis

I had a fanciful exploration in my inner vision today. In it I ventured onto Mars and followed the landscape to a mountainous region called Tharsis.
Approaching from the southern plains, I could see a series of plateaus extending as far as the eye could see. And I could see they were dotted by strange patches of light. My curiosity at such a sight pulled me on faster and, as I got closer, just in the lee of the first, the soft glow resolved itself into this strange vista.

Life on Tharsis

At first I couldn't believe my eyes. I'd found a strange form of brachoid life growing within small islets of light. By some freakish effect unique to this area, the very slow lava flows become capped by a semi-transparent glassy mineral and are veined through by a latticework of dark bands.

The brachoids only seemed to be growing where the illumination from the hot bubbling lava below was brightest, and even then, only in well-defined small areas such as this one.

Where did you go in your inner vision today?

comments / critique / feedback always welcome :)

I made some sales through my Zazzle store

2010-01-20T21:59:00.001Z

I'm finding the creative work on Zazzle rewarding, almost in it's own right and, bonus, I make sales, too!

It's not always my fine art that sells...

Here are some of my sales in the last few days, not a black and white / art photo amongst them!

Lose it at the weekend - poster

DJ on the decks - birthday card

Salsa dance fun

Daddy from Princess birthday card & verse

My sales pitch...

All are customisable with your own words / pictures. See how easy it is to do on my Zazzle store: HightonRidley

I've got lots of blank cards with a selection of my artwork ready for your own message, have a look and let me know what you think. ...And for kids you might like gifts and cards from my Spudpeeps range.

If you're the type who likes to say the extra special things on a greetings card, you should probably see my Thinking of You, Thank You and Inspirational ranges.
I've even got a Gothic range, for those whose tastes tend that way. And if you're a romantic at heart, see everything with traditional poetry.

If you like what you see, you'll probably want to spread the word and tell friends and relatives alike, I'm sure. Folks do like to hear personal recommendations because there's so much dross and so many scams around—so help them out and let them know.

Go on, right now - strike while the iron's hot! :) If you twitter, then click the tweet button, or maybe you do lots with stumbleupon - click the Stumble It button. It all helps, so thanks in advance!!

Own a piece of my affordable artwork

...on something useful. Remember, the very best of my shots are available on items to suit all pockets. If you find an image in my galleries you like, there'll be a panel next to it showing all items available with that image. I know that many, many of my followers really like my work, and if you are one of them, you'll find something affordable to own, whether t-shirt, poster, card or mug.

I love to read your feedback and you can be sure I take it into account as my art progresses...

comments / critique / feedback always welcome :)

During the melt on Dartmoor

2010-01-19T01:28:00.001Z

Here's another one that worked out ok from my outing onto Dartmoor the other day... what do you think?

Merrivale Tor

Just up the road from Princetown I spotted this opportunity. I was looking for shots that captured a bit of the winter character of Dartmoor and so I had my "shot radar" working overtime. I spotted this scene developing as I drove, luckily their was a stopping place just round the corner from where my radar first started "pinging".

Merrivale Tor on Dartmoor, near Princetown

I tried a few different points of view and this is one that worked out well, I thought. How about you?

When I saw how it combined the tor, open moor and granite walls, snowy in their lee, I thought this was the one to go for. Dartmoor in winter can be so harsh—and that's when the weather's pleasant! So "harsh" is what I wanted to emphasise with the shot, which I hope I've achieved.

And typical of the real, non-postcardy view of the world that I prefer, it was good to see some jury rigged fencing, together with some nameless metal-tubing thingy, carelessly cast off to one side—being "stored outside" in farmer parlance!

It was quite a difficult shot to tame in the digital darkroom and I had a couple of false starts. Finally I hit on a method that brought out the image with the impact and visual qualities that first grabbed my attention.
What do you think?

comments / critique / feedback always welcome :)

I apologise in advance...

2010-01-17T22:17:00.001Z

...for the birthday card verse I wrote—it's a right groaner (you can avoid it by reading no further!)

From a Pretty Pink Princess to her Mummy

(or Mommy)

I love my Mummy because...

She helps me play dress-up, I get to use makeup,
We giggle and laugh a lot.
She chooses the dresses, the shoeses and tresses,
And ties up my hair in a knot.

She's now my hand-maiden, with eyes of black raven,
And maybe a hint of a witch,
In dreamland at Camelot, I rule and I'm Queen a lot,
With Mummy to see there's no hitch!

Copyright 2010 HightonRidley

What did you think of my cheek, rhyming "shoeses" with "chooses" and "Queen a lot" with "Camelot"? Anyway, here's the card I wrote it for:

And while I'm on about my Zazzle store, I did another Potato Patch character - Spudpeep Paddy, who is the first aider there. If any of the other Spudpeeps have an accident, he sorts out any cuts, bumps and bruises.

see all my Spudpeep Paddy items in my Zazzle store

You may now punish me in the comments for my dreadful rhyming!

comments / critique / feedback always welcome :)

The snow is retreating

2010-01-16T01:53:00.000Z

Here's another shot from my trip to the moors the other day.

It's all melting

A little frost was left in the areas sheltered from the worst of the snow. A little way off you can see the snow still lying in the more exposed spots.

River on Lee Moor

This was taken heading from Cornwood up towards Lee Moor. It's quite typical of the rivers of the moors here in Devon when they pass through a fold or contour of land. This gives the shelter that allows the trees to grow in the otherwise exposed, inhospitable landscape of the wind-swept moors.

comments / critique / feedback always welcome :)

On the margins of Dartmoor

2010-01-14T00:02:00.001Z

I've been struggling against something in the last couple of months—I think it's been a desire to hibernate—but finally managed to get out with my camera today.

Waiting for...

I've been waiting for the weather to clear enough to let me get up into Dartmoor safely, while at the same time wanting enough snow to attempt some wintry captures.

Approaching Lee Moor from Cornwood

I was quite surprised to find that where I expected there to be lots of snow on the margins of the moors, only the sheltered spots seem to be retaining snow. On top of that, the weather forecasts have been pretty poor—when we were told to expect more snow, instead we got melting sunshine, pah!

Ok, I haven't yet got up into the moors proper, so maybe tomorrow. There's a definite margin/snow line as it gets more exposed heading up onto Dartmoor so I'll cross that on the next outing and see what possibilities that reveals. I'm hoping the Dartmoor Ponies will somehow feature.

comments / critique / feedback always welcome :)

A group shot in the potato patch

2010-01-03T00:36:00.000Z

I think this was their New Year Party!

Spudpeep Group Shot

Here's the Spudpeep folk so far, hanging out in a corner of the Potato Patch where they live.
From left to right we have Spudgirl Daisy, Spudman Yeehaw! and Spudpeep Bounce.
I think Yeehaw likes Daisy. What do you think?

See the kids gear, gifts and cards they appear on over on my Zazzle Store

If you leave a reply, do you mind being both brave and honest? If that's ok, rate them on a cuteness scale of 1-10, ten being puppy-cute and one being "stick to photography"!!

comments / feedback always welcome and actively sought :)

Happy New Year! from Spudgirl Daisy - my latest Spudpeeps character for children

2009-12-30T21:02:00.001Z

Happy New Year!—this message brought to you by...

Spudgirl Daisy

I'm pleased to introduce you to Spudgirl Daisy. She is the official artist of the potato patch and is always busy with banners, pamphlets for tourists, t-shirts and so on - she does them all! Spudgirl Daisy likes flowers and bright colours. Do you see the red and yellow daisy she's wearing?

See the kids gear and gifts she appears on over on my Zazzle Store

I'd love to hear what you think of her....

comments / feedback always welcome :)

Another Spudpeep - meet Bounce!

2009-12-26T17:41:00.001Z

Spudpeep Bounce

Here's another of the Spudpeeps folk that live in the potato patch. Spudpeep Bounce is lots of fun and likes to bounce everywhere. If you can't get there by bouncing, Spudpeep Bounce just might not turn up! And being so bouncey, a special tumble-proof hat is a must. Do you see it?

See the kids gear and gifts he appears on over on my Zazzle Store

comments / critique / feedback always welcome :)

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-24T15:42:00.001Z

Merry Christmas to all my readers!
Have a really great time and here's hoping for a prosperous New Year to you.

Spudman Yeehaw

My new character comes from a series I have planned, called the Spudpeeps of the Potato Patch. And he says "Happy Christmas", too!

I've been drawing these characters for years, mainly for personal amusement. Back at school and college I used to sneak into empty classrooms and draw them on the chalk / whiteboards. I've even been known to do it in meeting rooms in my business life! Ever the child, hehe!

Spudman Yeehaw is a delightfully friendly chap. He loves horses and wants to ride one someday. He runs around all the time pretending to be a cowboy and being very helpful in a clumsy sort of way. Sometimes things end up in more of a pickle after he's been helping!

He even features on some of my cards and gifts over at my Zazzle Store

comments / critique / feedback always welcome :)

Desiderata Poster - love it or hate it?

2009-12-16T14:25:00.003Z

This just goes to show...

I Have Time

I took this picture ages ago now and returning to it recently, I wondered why it's not proved more popular. My artistic intent was to use it to portray a sense of facing the future, one with portent and hazard but with a feeling of being in control of your own destiny.

A serene horizon shows the outlook is potentially good but the overhead clouds curling down, almost reaching for you (the pillar), acts as an omen, warning of the potential danger that lies all round.

I processed it with that in mind, going for heavy contrast and lots of grainy, dirty noise in the sky. Maybe it was lacking something else? This is the one:

I Have Time

As I said, its not done so well in views, comments or with real-world galleries. But I was confident in its 'worth' as an image so I scratched around in my head for ideas and Desiderata (that great verse, starting "Go placidly amidst the noise and haste...") came to mind.

It's a wonderful verse, imparting great wisdom from a father to his son. Written in the 1920s it was, and still is to this day, great guidance for any teenager.

There's such a great fit between my artistic intent for the image and the verse, that I put the two together for a poster in my Zazzle store ...and a couple of days later I sold two!
Here it is with the verse in place.

Desiderata poster by HightonRidley
More Inspiration Posters

Yaay for me!

The lesson? Don't give up on an image that you feel is great. All you have to do is find the right venue and audience. Like that's easy! lol, but at least you know where to put your effort.

comments / feedback always welcome :)

The Photgraphic Aspect - Mark Alan Meader

2009-12-14T13:41:00.002Z

Short and sweet this time...

Mark Alan Meander

...has produced a stunning bw image: In The Twilight Zone, which you can see on his blog

It's a beautiful quality of light and there's so much interest in the shot. The lead-in and leading lines take your eyes through a journey of gorgeous texture, contrast, light and shade. Exquisite!

I've seen so much that is good but, sadly, not astonishing, lately that it's kind of deflated the creative urge in me. But this image from Mark has picked me right up again. Thanks Mark!

comments always welcome :)

Another verse, Gothic this time...

2009-12-11T19:42:00.002Z

Well, I don't know if I'm any good at this 'ere poetry, but needs must when the devil drives!

Folley's Dream

I created a poster that felt like it needed a verse. I was feeling a bit gothic and came up with:

In fright she fled
From love foreseen.

The fears she felt,
The tears she shed
- blood red! My heart!

In flight from Folly's Dream

Folly's Dream poster with verse by HightonRidley
Shop the other artwork at zazzle.co.uk

comments / critique / feedback always welcome :)

New Zazzle Promo Panels and more poetry

2009-12-09T13:14:00.003Z

I'm finding the Google Gadget I called Zazzlit! very useful in my publicity drive and I've been trying my hand at more poetry with another verse, for a Christmas Card this time.

New Zazzle Promos

As promised to my Zazzle community, I've just added another three panels, one for Christmas (HRXms), one for Hanukkah (HRHnk) and one for New Year (HRNyr) gear. See the promo page and its top product lines.

Christmas Card and Verse

Cathedral Stained Glass - Christmas card by HightonRidley
Make custom note cards at zazzle

Here's the verse:

In lowly manger gathered they,
Who, led by star to holy crib,
Brought gifts of Olibanum,
Gold and Myrrh

And, joining feather, hide and wool,
Gave praise to God for our Lord Jesus
Born to save us all

More poetry - well, a card verse...

2009-12-08T23:55:00.003Z

I actually did this a couple of days ago but haven't found the time to post about it. Giving you plenty of time to recover from my last verse! Hehe!

Another card verse

I wanted to do some Thinking Of You cards for my Zazzle store. Again I had to write a short verse for the sentiment. What do you think, is it up to scratch?

It's been too long since last we met
Since strolling where
our feet would lead
And chatting all the while

So, friend of mine, here's hoping soon
Our paths again will cross, and
Once again we'll chew the cud
Until the time to part

Copyright © 2009 Highton Ridley

Here are the cards that the verse is in:
create & buy custom products at Zazzle

So, what do you think of my little ditty? I'd love to get some feedback...

comments / critique / feedback always welcome :)