A Blog from the Fog Day

Its a typical Mendip day today - thick fog, windy, rain, a real stay inside day for many people. The wind has been particularly strong recently bringing down the leaves before they have changed colour. I'm heading for a quick visit to Snowdonia later in the week revisting the location of our last workshop with Steve Lewis which was beautiful but very green a month ago.

Earlier this week I was horrified to discover that my transfer of images from iPhoto to Lightroom was not complete when searching for a specific pic of Rosies noses. Life was much easier when I catalogued contact sheets and negatives, no risk if deletion or inadvertently hiding something deep into folders long since forgotten. I find myself hankering for the ease of sifting through a pack of prints and adding favourites to a beautifully bound album, so much more satisfying than struggling with software - hmmmm just having a dinosaur moment:-)

Autumn Photography starts now.........

It seemed that no sooner had last day of August passed than the weather decided it would take a leap into Autumn. Blustery winds with a cool edge to them, Bracken turning golden, Hawthorn and Rowan berries glowing brightly and hanging heavy on their branches, and of course it's spiders web time !

I love autumn almost as much as springtime so its sure to be a busy time with my camera.
My backlog of photos continues to grow and the more there are the harder it is to catch up but I'll be doing my best to write and post once a week throughout the next few months. Another couple of trips to North Wales are pending, mainly to look again at some subjects that weren't as successful as I hoped - partly due to the light and partly technique.

Harry Patch R.I.P 25th July 2009

Harry Patch the only surviving veteran of the first World War died today at the nursing home where he lived in Wells, aged 111 years.

I photographed him last year at the Remembrance Day service held at St Cuthbert's church in Wells and wrote about him in my blog at that time. He was quite a celebrity in the latter years of his life when he finally began to speak of his experiences in the trenches. Maybe this is what he is thinking of in this photo taken after his wreath had been laid at the memorial in the churchyard. I'm honoured that I was able to have taken my pictures of him.

SpeedChoice

When I was caught traveling at 36mph in a 30 zone a couple of months ago I was annoyed - that I had been caught, and more that I was stupid enough to drive above the speed limit when I was well aware of it.

I had the choice of accepting 3 points on my licence and the consequences of this - higher insurance premium etc or attending a SpeedChoice workshop, Still have to pay the fine either way. I jumped at the workshop opportunity and yesterday was my appointed day for attending.

There were about 20 of us in the group and every single person left saying how much they had learned, that we would all change our attitude to speeding and the way we drive in restricted areas, and surprisingly, how much we had enjoyed the workshop. If this was compulsory for all drivers I'm sure it would be a huge benefit to road safety in general.

Decided to do a bit of exploring on the way home from Taunton so diverted to the Bridgwater Canal. One stretch of canal looks much like any other to me, this canal is landlocked so there are few boats to stir up the murky waters and the traffic noise from the nearby M5 was very intrusive.

Raining & Foggy

Yes, today really is a 'Blog from the Fog' day, there has been no let up in the rain since I woke at 5.30am and the fog is with us too.

The rain does at least saturate the colours of everything so the last of the foxgloves really stand out in the gloom. I love to see the elegant curves they make as they begin to go over.

Summer, what Summer ??

Ok I know we Brits are reputed to be obsessed with the weather but its hardly surprising when our seasons are so erratic. After an unexpectedly cold and snowy winter spring brought us some beautiful sunshine, and more recently it has been very hot and humid. At the end of last week it became unsettled, stormy and windy and yet again this morning is grey and wet feeling more like autumn.

I've had some great opportunities for photography this year and the 'green green' of summer is not a favourite time for me so I'm content to look in other directions while nature takes its course and the countryside eventually starts to take on more subtle tones.

Anglesey 26th-29th June

Steve Lewis Workshop Day 2 27th June

Weather - Sunny, at times very hot and humid, not considered great for photography but it turned out very well.

Journey - I like to do the "pretty" route, checking out potential locations for future trips away and generally enjoying the scenery. Being in the campervan means I can take my time, I'm not worrying about being late arriving at a B&B or hotel and being higher up than when driving a car I can see over hedges too :-)

Locations - campsite Brynsiencyn, photography at Newborough, Llanddwyn Island and Beddgelert, my last night at the lovely Rynys Farm campsite.

Summary - Apart from the heat and humidity which I don't enjoy, this was a perfect trip, plenty of varied photo opportunities, good company and once again Steve Lewis was excellent as a tutor and companion. Relaxed, informative,enjoyable and productive photographically.

Conclusion - Some brutal culling of photos is required, need to implement advice given, don't be distracted by unnecessary detail when making the picture.


***** Just after taking this shot I got stuck in the thick black mud which was concealed beneath some sand. I was soon in up to my knees and stuck fast, somehow I managed to protect my camera but got completely (well almost) covered in the mud including my hands whilst trying to extricate myself. To cut a long muddy story short, I walked-?? a couple of hundred yards along the deserted beach before I saw anyone who might be able to help. Some kind people came to my rescue, took my camera, back pack and a bemused Bessie to safety and then hosed me down as I stood in the road.