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Buildings
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| Photo code |
ex11B04 |
| Caption |
All Saints, Bisham, Marlow, Bucks |
| Author |
W Arthurs |
| Comment |
All Saints takes on an old masters’ painting feeling here. Although most of the subject interest is on the right hand side, the direction of the clouds and water lead us towards the beautifully lit building. I would be inclined to darken the house at the extreme right to avoid a clash of interest with the church. I get a great feeling of actually being there and enjoying the space of the setting. |
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| Photo code |
ex11B10 |
| Caption |
Silloth, Cumbria |
| Author |
Q Barrett |
| Comment |
A strong sense of geometry and design makes this interesting. The eye is constantly pulled between the sky and the flat L shaped kerb stone pattern. This, together with the blandness of the shop architecture, gives a feeling of loneliness and desperation. Maybe a ray or two of light on the shop would lift that greyish area, but what great subject matter for B&W. |
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| Photo code |
ex11B18 |
| Caption |
Soddy House, Donegal |
| Author |
T Cherrill |
| Comment |
This old house has a life-like personality about it with its scruffy roof like unkempt hair, dirty walls like an unwashed face and wild grass like old creased clothing. And yet it is thoroughly likeable. If you could remove the barbed wire fence it would be even better, but I did enjoy a chuckle at this. Even the name is fun. Now let your imagination run riot and convert this to heavy B&W and add a stormy sky, maybe even texturise with grain the size of golf balls! |
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| Photo code |
ex11B26 |
| Caption |
Pitstone, Bucks |
| Author |
J Fitzgerald |
| Comment |
Funny how this would be judged at a camera club competition as needing the left half chopped off, and this would leave it looking just alike any other windmill picture. But as it is we have a feeling of space and the windmill takes on a majestic posture. Just like All Saints at Bisham, I get a feeling of actually being there with the windmill. Again, I think this would become very powerful if converted to B&W and made quite menacing by making it contrasty and dark. |
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| Photo code |
ex11B28 |
| Caption |
Under the Thames, London |
| Author |
J Harrison |
| Comment |
Powerful patterns of lines and circles; great senses of wetness and dank smells and of course the cyclist. I'd de-saturate the green around the light and maybe try it without the cyclist just to see if it still works, but I bet John Harrison waited for ages for him. This is all about lighting and reflection giving excitement and almost making an awful place look good! |
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| Photo code |
ex11B31 |
| Caption |
Edlesborough, Bucks |
| Author |
J Hockey |
| Comment |
What appeals to me about this image is that despite the overall coolness brought about by the snow, the grey of the church's stone structure, the bareness of the tree and the higgledy piggledy headstones, there is a light-hearted and uplifting mood to it. Perhaps a bit more of the tree would help as the image could stand being more landscape format than nearly square. But then we usually want bits chopped off. Judges just can't be consistent can they! |
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| Photo code |
ex11B32 |
| Caption |
Round Tower observatory, Copenhagen |
| Author |
B Hunt |
| Comment |
I just loved this as an example of well seen, simple and well worked composition. It also looks to be technically first class. You know how sometimes you wished this was your own work? Can't suggest any improvement. |
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| Photo code |
ex11B48 |
| Caption |
Grove Farm, a restored medieval manor house, Whelpley Hill, Bucks |
| Author |
T Presland |
| Comment |
Another good example of showing off a building to maximum advantage in its surroundings and giving the building the space that it needs. It might be my eyes, but does the building look slightly leaning to the left? The offset windows may be causing an illusion, but worth a slight rotate to remove doubt. However, the good lighting and a very suitable sky makes this image a candidate for the archives. |
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| Photo code |
ex11B55 |
| Caption |
Wendover clock tower |
| Author |
S McCartin |
| Comment |
This is a simple hand-held, camera-metered shot taken as you can see by the time, after a visit to the pub when my hands were rock steady! I liked the strong S shape of the road and the falling snow caught by the street lamp. It also helps that the lights were on in the clock tower shop and the shop on the corner. Notice the different colour temperatures of the clock tower's tungsten lights and that of the street lights. The mistake of course is having chopped off the top part of the tower. |
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| Photo code |
ex11B56 |
| Caption |
Wendover High Street |
| Author |
S McCartin |
| Comment |
The appeal of this scene was the colours of the early evening winter light when the sky goes from cold blue down to dusty pink. All of this was reflecting off the snow on the roofs and roads. Hand-held and camera-metered, before visiting the pub. |
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| Photo code |
ex11B57 |
| Caption |
Pack Horse and Anne Boleyn cottages, Tring Road, Wendover |
| Author |
S McCartin |
| Comment |
This time taken on the way to the pub in February 2010. Same technique as usual – hand-held and camera-metered. Apart from the driving snow contrasting with the warmth of the pub, I liked the cars almost merging into the road, leaving the buildings to take command; usually difficult in this street scene. |
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| Photo code |
ex11B58 |
| Caption |
Gateshead Millennium Bridge |
| Author |
S McCartin |
| Comment |
I've always wanted to get a shot like this of the bridge. In this case I walked up, down, round, over and back for an hour, in the freezing cold before finally deciding what I was looking for. We were with friends who were "willing" my battery to run out, but in the end they went to the pub and left me in peace. Hand-held at 1/15, f4, 18mm lens, ISO 200. |
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Flora and Fauna
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| Photo code |
ex11F02 |
| Caption |
Snowdrops, Naphill, Bucks |
| Author |
P Davis |
| Comment |
I chose this to comment on because it is a classic style of flower photography, but I have never seen it used for snowdrops. The photography is solid: lighting, composition, especially with the flowers stemming out from the bottom right and the flower heads turning back into the frame. And I do like snowdrops. Delicate little flowers which bring joy to little corners of the garden. |
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| Photo code |
ex11F12 |
| Caption |
Royal Horticultural Society Garden, Wisley, Surrey |
| Author |
J Dryburgh |
| Comment |
I liked Joe Dryburgh's approach to photograph a number of fine buildings and their gardens. Each one shows the lay of the land well, and in particular this one. It has many of the elements of gardens painted by the famous Impressionists, and we are shown as much as could be squeezed in without detracting from a good composition. It is also helpful to see as far as the trees in the background and the sky. It would be interesting to crop the top down to almost the second bridge and add some "impressionist" style, giving it a different pictorial emphasis. |
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| Photo code |
ex11F20 |
| Caption |
Autumn leaves at Cliveden |
| Author |
J Harrison |
| Comment |
I liked these leaves because of the overall autumn feel, but also because it is clear that some (the centre four) are more prominent and seem to stand out, making this a complete image rather than the usual pattern picture. I just wish that there had been a slight gap between the main leaves and the right hand section, as we see in the two dark areas on the left. |
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| Photo code |
ex11F29 |
| Caption |
Floating leaves |
| Author |
T Hyde |
| Comment |
In complete contradiction to what I said in the "Autumn leaves at Cliveden" shot, I really like the pattern of the leaves here. Notice the two main leaf shapes - what are they? Beech and Chestnut? Also, giving this image an edge, are these fabulous colours in a narrow bandwidth of the spectrum. Forgive me for saying that this would have made great wallpaper in the 50s and 60s, but I would hang this in my house to liven up a dull wall! In fact, just imagine a set of four or six like this but in subtly different colour shifts, rather like Tony Hyde's next image. |
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| Photo code |
ex11F35 |
| Caption |
One of hundreds of buffalos in search of food in Botswana |
| Author |
J Johnson |
| Comment |
Absolutely great, well done Judith Johnson. Look at the "chunky" strength of the front buffalo with the clumps of grasses. These are then followed by dusty mid-ground herd; and then finished off with the misty, into the sun atmosphere of the backdrop. I would strongly recommend removing the single blade of grass on the left, darkening the bright bits of grass at the bottom right, and entering this in as many competitions as you can. |
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| Photo code |
ex11F36 |
| Caption |
A very well fed cheetah in Botswana |
| Author |
J Johnson |
| Comment |
This image is chosen only to demonstrate the frustrating behaviour of wild animals keeping in the shade. Look at that beautiful soft light all over the image, except on the cheetah. And guess what, when the sun moves, so will the cheetah. Sometimes you can't win! |
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| Photo code |
ex11F38 |
| Caption |
Whale off British Columbia |
| Author |
R Masters |
| Comment |
There have been many great shots of whale's tails and this is another. The strength is that it fills the picture area well and has a good diagonal flow from bottom left to top right. Now if it was me, I'd try to increase the contrast of the wake and splashes to make them really sparkle out and distinguish themselves from the smoother grey background. Leave the tail exactly as it is though, it is so powerful. |
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| Photo code |
ex11F41 |
| Caption |
Goldfinch |
| Author |
M Mee |
| Comment |
A nice selection of mostly birds from Miriam Mee and this is my favourite. Mainly because I know these goldfinches are out there, but I have never seen one and this is a good illustration. Albeit it is a "bird on a stick or whatever", the brilliant white breast and colourful head and wing detail make it quite a punchy image, nicely set a little to the left. I do hope the detail is not burned out, up there on the head and neck. |
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| Photo code |
ex11F52 |
| Caption |
Crocus |
| Author |
G Patterson |
| Comment |
A pleasant "array" of crocuses, looking almost as if they are lit from beneath as well as above. It is the arrangement that appeals. What I really would have liked is something a wee bit more interesting in the top left: no idea what; but dare I say snow....again ? |
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| Photo code |
ex11F59 |
| Caption |
Roesel's bush-cricket at Dancersend Nature Reserve near Tring |
| Author |
J Scafe |
| Comment |
This brought a smile to my face. A cheeky wee chap looking to be about to leap miles into the air. Although the picture has some obvious layers as you go up it, I quite enjoy the green of the insect reflected in the upper area of out of focus foliage. It works well with the greys. A little more out of focus in these leaves might have been better, but great detail in the cricket. |
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| Photo code |
ex11F72 |
| Caption |
Giant tortoise, Santa Cruz, Galapagos |
| Author |
J Tozer |
| Comment |
It's almost as if Jane Tozer has been hiding, the tortoise has found her and is having a curious look into the lens. This reveals much detail of the animal's skin texture, like it or not. If only a little more above the eye had been included. |
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| Photo code |
ex11F79 |
| Caption |
Lady orchid, Hartslock Nature Reserve, Goring |
| Author |
S Tripp |
| Comment |
Here is good example of just the right amount of out-of-focus background. The previous Monkey orchid has the background a bit too clear and distracting, but this one is right. The orchid head is complete, pleasantly set at a slight angle and not aggressively lit by strong sunlight, but by soft diffused light. I notice a little fall off in focus at the bottom but altogether a good record of the flower. |
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| Photo code |
ex11F81 |
| Caption |
Fly orchid, Homefield Wood, near Marlow |
| Author |
S Tripp |
| Comment |
I quite enjoy the three different planes of focus here. The way-out background, the softish plant head and the clear sharp flower which is further accentuated by its dark warm colours. I think it might have been helped by taking the shot at a more offset angle to separate the flower from the flower head and framing the flower head a bit more to the left. Nonetheless, the whole effect is like an explosion of this tiny flower jumping out from the setting. |
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| Photo code |
ex11F83 |
| Caption |
Grey heron, Barnes Wildlife & Wetlands Centre, London |
| Author |
S Tripp |
| Comment |
Great shot. But please, get rid of the white diagonal line and to a lesser extent the one above it. Then we have a super example of a fairly dull coloured bird shown in exciting back lighting with a well subdued shadow amongst grasses which set the picture alive. |
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| Photo code |
ex11F89 |
| Caption |
Cumbria |
| Author |
Q Barrett |
| Comment |
Nice to get a "seeing eye" picture which I suspect would make a fine print. Strong design, good lighting and interesting snow texture. Needs a title though. How about "Which way next?”. |
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| Photo code |
ex11F92 |
| Caption |
Goat in Cotswold Wildlife Park, Burford, Oxon |
| Author |
A Beck |
| Comment |
It's one of the best animal portraits (if you'll excuse the expression) that I've seen in ages. The goat looks as if it is engaged in discussion with Alison Beck and is a bit disapproving of whatever she has just said. Technically it looks superb: look at the coat tones, and compositionally it is robust. |
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| Photo code |
ex11F99 |
| Caption |
Ashridge Woods, north of Berkhamsted |
| Author |
S McCartin |
| Comment |
Sometimes when you are stuck for a picture and you are surrounded by lots of possibilities, the answer is right in front of you. I saw elephants’ feet here, but also liked the greens and browns and the random scattering of the leaves. But then it becomes hard to choose how much to include and exclude. You have to make a decision sooner or later, and then get the tripod out to allow a big depth of field in this shadowed setting. |
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| Photo code |
ex11F100 |
| Caption |
Bluebells in Wendover Woods |
| Author |
S McCartin |
| Comment |
I guess we all like bluebells but sometimes judges see so many that they have them coming out of their ears (yes and sometimes straw!). So I decided to try my own version and walked about for ages to try and find some dappled light in the right place, from the right angle and with the right arrangement of trees. I was fairly happy with this but on viewing it now feel that, although accurate as far as I remember, it is a little cold in colour balance. It was taken in strong sun at about 3pm. Do give me your thoughts. |
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Heritage and Others
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| Photo code |
ex11H05 |
| Caption |
Resting in The Ashmolean, Oxford |
| Author |
S McCartin |
| Comment |
We were sitting resting our museum weary feet when this bench suddenly became occupied. I thought that they looked the way we felt; sit down, clean glasses, read catalogue to see what we have missed etc. Also like the way the statue seems to be looking down at the group. The guy at the end, keeping himself to himself, is amusing too. So basically a little cameo which would soon disperse, but caught at an interesting moment. The lighting was excellent coming in from large roof level windows. Hand-held at 1/15, f8, ISO400, Olympus Pen E P1 (great little camera). |
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| Photo code |
ex11H06 |
| Caption |
“Good morning, ladies” |
| Author |
S McCartin |
| Comment |
Now this is a big Photoshop fiddle. Here is the truth. Taken in Sidmouth, Devon, the two ladies are copied in from another shot taken immediately before the ice cream man touched his hat, because they were too far away when it all happened. So there we have it: I liked the good old fashioned manners and English seaside feeling to it. |
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| Photo code |
ex11H09 |
| Caption |
50s-style diner in a small town in Nebraska, USA |
| Author |
M Parry |
| Comment |
There's lots in this picture and it is just fun to look around it. Is that a mini juke box on the table? Strong red shapes and oblique lighting give a good base. The central light works well with the geometry of the walls and prints around it. Did we want cowboy eating a burger seated in the corner? I don't know, there might be enough as it is. |
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| Photo code |
ex11H10 |
| Caption |
Restored Victorian urinals in Rothesay, Isle of Bute, Scotland (20p sightseeing entry charge) |
| Author |
M Parry |
| Comment |
This just had to be photographed. I chose this just so that I could tell you of a similar experience I had once. Whilst taking a picture of some huge old china urinals in a New York bar, someone walked in, didn't they, and immediately spun round and went back out again. It was a good thing that I'd asked the bar manager if I could take a picture because the stranger was at the bar obviously enquiring about me! Anyway, this is a well composed shot with very good lighting, but I suggest a crop off the top to lose these bright skylights. |
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| Photo code |
ex11H16 |
| Caption |
Fireworks at Marsworth |
| Author |
L Stephenson |
| Comment |
Very unusual and striking. Strangely enough the solid black sky helps to emphasise the jagged shape of the fireworks. The strong diagonal at 5 to 5 clock hands position gives a sound basis to the otherwise haphazard bursts of lightening like flame. I see this as more like a piece of modern contemporary art and could imagine it as a centre piece at a painting exhibition or in the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition (the one that accepts photographs and is open to the public to enter). |
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| Photo code |
ex11H30 |
| Caption |
Soho, London |
| Author |
Q Barrett |
| Comment |
The colours of the shop name make a demanding entry point to viewing this image. Then we are lead down and left to the merchandise, and then on the blurred figure at bottom left. Finally my eye wanders along the bottom and up unto the shop doorway. Very unusual composition, but works well. Did we need the bloke at all, or should he be further right, and facing the other way? Who knows, are we ever happy? |
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| Photo code |
ex11H31 |
| Caption |
Soho, London |
| Author |
Q Barrett |
| Comment |
It just had to be taken. All the different expressions are hilarious and make this picture. The concentration of her playing with the MP3 player, the one cradling the cup, and the guy on the right; well what has caught his attention? The two blokes on the outside looking in, and the three white coffee cups all well positioned. Was it a camera club outing. It wouldn't surprise me! |
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| Photo code |
ex11H35 |
| Caption |
Gin and tonic in my back garden |
| Author |
A Beck |
| Comment |
Very commercial style of image, and very well done. I guess available light was used and I wish we could have had a bit more light in the lemon to jazz it up to the same contrast as the bubbles. Then I could have tasted the drink. I like the symmetry of the glass shape and the other side of the table, and the texture of the table top. It all has ring of cool and refreshing. |
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| Photo code |
ex11H43 |
| Caption |
Royal Signals display, Henley Show |
| Author |
T Cherrill |
| Comment |
We really get the feeling heat and danger in this shot with these flames and the desert oasis effect against the background coming across well. Colourful and exciting. I know it was probably impossible but if the rider could have been a bit brighter, then it would be technically brilliant, but I suspect that you were too far away to use flash effectively. It may also have been a bit distracting to the rider, right at that point! |
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| Photo code |
ex11H51 |
| Caption |
Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway |
| Author |
J Dryburgh |
| Comment |
I rather liked these five steam train shots from two different railways. Each one is a postcard scene which take us back to when trains were trains and all that. All well composed and showing the setting nicely. Lighting is good enough for the illustrative approach to the set. A good idea for an exhibition entry and an example of the total being greater than the sum of the parts, if you know what I mean. |
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| Photo code |
ex11H52 |
| Caption |
Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway |
| Author |
J Dryburgh |
| Comment |
See above |
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| Photo code |
ex11H53 |
| Caption |
Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway |
| Author |
J Dryburgh |
| Comment |
See above. |
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| Photo code |
ex11H54 |
| Caption |
Severn Valley Railway |
| Author |
J Dryburgh |
| Comment |
See above |
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| Photo code |
ex11H55 |
| Caption |
Severn Valley Railway |
| Author |
J Dryburgh |
| Comment |
See above |
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| Photo code |
ex11H61 |
| Caption |
Foundry worker |
| Author |
J Harrison |
| Comment |
Apt subject matter for B&W photography. I think this is one of these old Victorian village reconstructions and they are fantastic for this sort of image. The image is typical of those scenes where there are dozens of different shots without moving yourself an inch. So as presented it is quite busy, but I find that I always come back to the foundry worker. I think it would help if you darkened the bright sunlit part in the background, then we would not be drawn over to it so much. But a really lovely piece of B&W. I bet it prints beautifully on a textured matt paper. |
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Landscapes
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| Photo code |
ex11L14 |
| Caption |
Near Marsworth, Bucks |
| Author |
L Stephenson |
| Comment |
Freezing cold and makes you want to be indoors. I chose this because it demonstrates how some trimming could give a very strong and even more atmospheric result. Trim the left in by about a fifth of the width. Trim the top down to the top of the tree. Now you really have a solid design and much more concentration on the frozen trees and water. |
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| Photo code |
ex11L19 |
| Caption |
Mill pond, Brewood, Staffs |
| Author |
T Shields |
| Comment |
A good example of the photographer's seeing eye. A scene which most people would pass by in a rush to get home and warmed up. But here we can enjoy the softness of the gentle curve of the river or pond edge with rushes and some bright yellow plants which give a focal point. The depth provided by the other side of the pond is effective because of the mist which gradually makes the trees vanish. Very enjoyable image just as it is. |
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| Photo code |
ex11L20 |
| Caption |
Rhos-on-Sea, North Wales |
| Author |
T Shields |
| Comment |
I defy anyone to suggest trimming this great sky, but try it if you wish. The beauty in this landscape is the rushing to the centre right effect of the composition. All the clouds and the boats draw us in to the busy little group of clouds. Marvellous big sky with good detailed foreground interest. I would try a slight lift in the brightness of the beach area which is a little flat. But I do like the distribution of the boats. On reflection this could also make a really good thin letterbox if you chopped the sky down to the busy clouds and the bottom up to nearly the water. Am I becoming indecisive? |
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| Photo code |
ex11L37 |
| Caption |
On the Chequers estate near Ellesborough |
| Author |
S Tripp |
| Comment |
An excellent shot of Chequers with beautiful frosted trees of subtly varying shades of white and grey. Here I might have shaved a bit off the top and bottom as they are quite bland compared with these tree shapes. The atmosphere is so still and cold looking. |
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| Photo code |
ex11L45 |
| Caption |
Silloth, Cumbria |
| Author |
Q Barrett |
| Comment |
Great B&W image with strong, bold content and structure. Even the tiny figure plays a part. I hate the word, but awesome comes to mind! Could you send me a map so that I can go and take one like it? |
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| Photo code |
ex11L48 |
| Caption |
Chess valley |
| Author |
C Bartram |
| Comment |
It's strange how we love pictures of the snow, but generally don't like to be out in it. This image is slightly different because it gives us a visual trip along the river, enhanced with trees alternating on either side. The depth from foreground to a vanishing point along the river is satisfying. It is if anything a mite flat and would benefit from some artificially introduced sunshine. Maybe just a bit more contrast would to the trick. Good Chilterns stuff all the same. |
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| Photo code |
ex11L57 |
| Caption |
Thornham Marshes, north Norfolk |
| Author |
R Crawford |
| Comment |
Sometimes shooting into the sun gives unwanted flare but in this shot it adds something to the image. However, it could be genuine sun rays. There is quite strong geometry in the composition and the sun reflecting off the glimpse of the water gives us a focal point. The backlighting on the reeds gives interesting detail. I'd be inclined to crop a bit off the top to get rid of the excessively bright sky. |
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| Photo code |
ex11L60 |
| Caption |
Bledlow Ridge, Bucks |
| Author |
P Davis |
| Comment |
Good typical Chiltern landscape here and well photographed with nicely saturated colours of late summer crops and dense green woods. The inclusion of the two trees in the fore/mid ground provides a good link from the grass to the field beyond, but I feel that a little crop off the bottom would balance the near, middle and far distance a bit better. Composition is good as we are taken from the bottom left (after cropping) across the middle distance and on to that corner of field near the top right. |
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| Photo code |
ex11L69 |
| Caption |
The Somme, site of First World War battle |
| Author |
J Fitzgerald |
| Comment |
The precision of the symmetry makes this a successful piece of photography rather than just another record of these scenes. The atmosphere in the picture is very still and calm which befits the subject matter. The foreground speaks for itself, but the more irregular patterns of the fields beyond make the picture more interesting and give it a pictorial quality. |
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| Photo code |
ex11L70 |
| Caption |
Nova Scotia boardwalk |
| Author |
J Harrison |
| Comment |
The dialogue between the sky and the boardwalk is what this image is all about. The boardwalk whooshes us into the picture and then the sky scatters us all around; it works very well indeed. And now the "if only" bit .... a shadow or two on the boardwalk. It is pale and untextured. You might be able to whack up the contrast and mask off the rest of the image to solve this. |
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| Photo code |
ex11L81 |
| Caption |
On the road to Milford Sound, South Island, New Zealand |
| Author |
B Hunt |
| Comment |
An example of a little bit of everything in this pleasing landscape; even some good directional lighting giving depth and contrast. It is one of those pictures which you could imagine was a painting photographed. My only carp is the slightly burned out sky: it would be great if it had some more detail. But I'd still hang it on my wall. |
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| Photo code |
ex11L83 |
| Caption |
Fingest, Bucks |
| Author |
T Hyde |
| Comment |
How typically Chilterns again. I'm sure I've plodded this path and seen this scene many times. Smashing reminder of the beauty around us. The same applies to a later image of Turville by Tony Hyde. |
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| Photo code |
ex11L93 |
| Caption |
Ashridge forest floor |
| Author |
S McCartin |
| Comment |
An exercise in using a different shooting position; in this case low down to give a rushing effect to the leaves. Wide angle lens (12mm) and this time on a tripod to allow big depth of field with aperture of f22. I think the shutter speed was around two seconds. Lighting was poor and the result looks like deep forest dullness. |
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| Photo code |
ex11L94 |
| Caption |
Ashridge forest floor impression |
| Author |
S McCartin |
| Comment |
This was an idea from a friend whose camera has dropped forward during a longish exposure on the tripod head because it wasn't fixed tightly enough. So now we tried to repeat it. I quite liked the result. It is hand-held at about 1/2 second, sweeping the camera downwards whilst pressing the shutter. Sweeping upwards gives a different effect. A bit of practice makes this easy. |
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| Photo code |
ex11L95 |
| Caption |
Reeds: Wendover Arm, part of the Grand Union Canal |
| Author |
S McCartin |
| Comment |
On a freezing morning, walking along this stretch, the water was intense blue and the frost was giving a spooky mood to the shaded area. No special technique and taken with a little pocket Panasonic Lumix set on automatic. |
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| Photo code |
ex11L96 |
| Caption |
The Ridgeway at Hengrove Wood, Wendover |
| Author |
S McCartin |
| Comment |
This scene I did like because of the way the trees roll over the path leaving a sort of vortex composition. I also liked the contrast of blues in the sky with reddish browns on the ground. Did I need a subject about three quarters along the path? You tell me what you think. |
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| Photo code |
ex11L97 |
| Caption |
Squally showers over Glen Etive, Scotland |
| Author |
S McCartin |
| Comment |
Got to admit that I wasn't hiking my way bravely through the rain-swept mountains. We went up to the vantage point in the car, but I did actually get out to take the shot. I have worked on lightening the foreground here as it was too dull when I exposed for the sky which is where the real atmosphere is. This location is behind the famous Etive Mor mountain which we see the back of here on the left. |
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| Photo code |
ex11L98 |
| Caption |
Painting by sunset |
| Author |
S McCartin |
| Comment |
Taken in Holland at Nordwijk on the east coast where there are fabulous sunsets all year round. This is an art class under guidance from the tutor and they are painting the promenade cafes lit up in the glorious low sun minutes before it sinks into the sea. They were oblivious to me so I had time to choose my position so that the sun was behind a canvas and in the right part of the picture. There is a huge dynamic range here but all the light balancing was done in Photoshop on a RAW image. |
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| Photo code |
ex11L101 |
| Caption |
Burnham Beeches, south Bucks |
| Author |
M Mee |
| Comment |
Once more a typical Chiltern woods scene and a beautiful contrast of soft colours (light greens and warm browns). The appeal is the gently rolling ground and the steep banks to the path ahead. This makes for a good visual flow from the bottom left across the image to the slightly lighter bit of higher ground about two thirds the way across. If it had been possible to use a graduated filter to darken the sky, the lighting would change for the better on the lower half of the image. Try hiding the sky with your hand and see. All the same, I'm tempted to put my boots on and go out now. |
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| Photo code |
ex11L116 |
| Caption |
‘Spooky Lane’: an old Roman road at Nettleden, Herts |
| Author |
T Presland |
| Comment |
This caught my eye because of the waterfall effect of the growth on the wall. Very strange, but also interesting. Tom Presland has done a good job of showing this feature well, and it also has some good depth because of the changing light as you look along the path. A great little study in green. Now would a rider on a reddish brown horse be good here, just about to go under the bridge? I think it is fine as it is. |
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