Start of winter on Dartmoor

We've been having a bit of an Indian summer here recently, meaning the weather has been sunnier and warmer than usual for this time of year.

On the day the clocks go back

Start Of Winter On Dartmoor

The clocks went back for winter at the end of the 25th / start of the 26th October and this day was quite typical of the recent good weather. I was passing through Dartmoor on a visit to the Duchy Square gallery and saw this. I just had to stop off and capture the wonderful sky that was blanketing the view, looking west towards Tavistock and Gunnislake.

Oh, and the trip to the gallery went well, delivering the pony triptych (print) and Fencing In The Dunes (40x26inch canvas). I met a really interesting lady working there called Sarah, who did her fine art degree in London. I'm hoping to be able to have a chat about her experiences and thoughts about what makes art fine etc.

comments / critique / feedback always welcome :)

Stumble It!

Seeking New Horizons

Another from the "promising" pile in the digital darkroom that I finally found the time to process.

"Devon Expressway" approaching Plymouth

Seeking New Horizons

Driving westwards down the A38... as an aside, calling it the "Devon Expressway" was far cheaper than turning it from an "A" road to a motorway—that's the way the powers that be think down this way sometimes! ..so, as I was saying, I was driving along, watching the sky "improve" as the weather worsened and threatened to get real bad.

It got good enough to deserve a stop and a capture, and I was lucky enough for a lay-by to turn up at the right time. I really liked the overpowering dark clouds in the middle distance, with beautiful skies beyond on the promising horizon. The progression of low, scudding clouds that seem to be sharing the same journey, adds to the overall feel of an exodus to the hope of new beginnings.

comments / critique / feedback always welcome :)

Stumble It!

Winter Seafront Stroll

Here's another from my Felixstowe trip that I wanted to share with you.

HDR enhances the sky

Once in the digital darkroom I could see that although the composition was exactly as I wanted, the sky left a bit to be desired. It was a bit washed out and not nearly carrying the drama that I saw in person — eyes are so much better than cameras!

Anyway, I put the shot through my trusty high contrast HDR workflow and it turned out quite peachy. I had to take steps to remove the noise that got introduced (I use noise ninja) and I also had to lighten the dark outline around the light coloured jacket that appeared as a result of the HDR. But no worries, I am very pleased with the end result.

Compositionally, I used and abused the rule of thirds, used lead-in lines and hopefully wrote a story with the way the elements interact. I'll let you be the judge :)

As always, comments, critque, feedback welcomed

Stumble It!

Inner Peace

Bagged another couple of shots driving back to Plymouth from Staines on the A303. The weather went from overcast to sunny to fog-bound to sunny again, all in the space of a handful of miles.

I kept pulling over into lay-bys and side roads whenever an opportunity seemed to be developing.

These are the first two out of the digital darkroom and I've still got another couple to process, when I can get some time.

Hope these cut the mustard for you :)

Stumble It!