Cape Cornwall - Photography Week 30 (2016)

Having not posted for six weeks, I was in two minds about restarting the photoblog from the current date or whether to continue from where I had left off. In the end I decided it was best to persist with the format until the end of the year and then review the whole idea of photoblogging.

Originally I had set out to capture a record of the images that I take - either good, bad or indifferent - in order that I could plan to improve my photography. Over the last year or so it has provided an opportunity to review virtually every image that I have taken rather than selecting one or two for display on photography websites.

I have learned during this time that slowing down and taking fewer photographs is the best way of achieving a quality output whilst acknowledging that photography is a fun activity where getting out of the house and seeing things is more important than the final results.

All in all, I guess the photoblog is jumble of images taken for fun with a few self labelled "good-ones" thrown in. As an aside, it has also highlighted  how difficult it is to write more than a couple of sentences without making endless mistakes - missing words, misspellings, poor grammar, cringe worthy ramblings and the realisation that I should have paid more attention at school!

So.....on to the photos from week 30 (25th to 31st July) when it was still warm and sunny (although, as I sit at the PC, October is not doing a bad job of keeping summer alive).

These are a selection of images taken on a family outing to Cape Cornwall which started with a walk to Kenidjack Cliffs. The path follows the line of the cliffs to Kenidjack Valley and the remains of the Boswedden Mine dating from the mid 19th century:

Climbing to the top of Kendidjack cliffs there are views back to Cape Cornwall and then towards the Botallack Mine. Using a large lens I could focus in the Crowns' engine houses at Botallack:

As we all took a rest and enjoyed the weather I spent a few minutes studying the lichen covered rocks and finding some mini-gardens, textures and patterns:

The last part of day was more photography driven with a stop at Porth Nanven. I had particularly wanted to visit this venue at low tide but unfortunately I was hampered by a loss of light and quite a few other visitors. My compositions were limited at times but this set shows the huge photographic potential of this cove - another visit will be required I think...

Best of the Rest - Photography Week 4 & 5 (2016)

These are a selection of the photographs taken during photography weeks 4 & 5 that haven't been included in other posts.

Cape Cornwall

Trying to get to Porth Nanven for the first time, I took the wrong turn in St Just and ended up at Cape Cornwall. It wasn't really an issue and I decided to stop and look around. I took a couple of record shots at Priest's Cove, climbed up to the Heinz Monument, and had a look at St Helen's Oratory.

Helford River

A walk along the coastal path from Durgan to the mouth of the Helford River proved to be more spring-like than the forecast suggested. I aimed to get one picture which that represented the conditions and the picturesque nature of the area:

The warming low sun picked out the rustic tones of some leafless trees:

Two shots of the same tree (first captured in week 48, November 2015). From the front it looks like an ordinary tree but from the side its shape matches the angle of the hill - possibly shaped by the wind:

A boat house on the river:

Two record shots at the mouth of the Helford River:

Godrevy

Seals viewed from the top of the cliffs at Mutton Cove near Godrevy Lighthouse using a 400mm telephoto lens:

Clipstone Forest (East Midlands)

Quarry metal fence in misty conditions, using a low depth of field and emphasizing the muted tones in post processing:

Later, with clearer light, two pine tree compositions:

Rock Abstracts

A week rarely goes by without an abstract rock composition or two. The first was taken at Maenporth and the second along the Helford River and then lastly a small selection from Chapel Porth:

Falmouth

Harbour mooring rings, rope, and a brightly painted café door:

Botallack Mines - Photography Week 15 (2106)

Inspired by the mine buildings on the cliff at Wheal Trewavas, I decided to make the longer trip to the Crown Mines at Botallack.

Being unfamiliar with the location I left plenty of time to explore the surroundings. I had expected good light all afternoon but it clouded over for a couple of hours. This prompted me to walk along the coastal path towards Cape Cornwall. A helpful walker mentioned great views from Kenidjack Cliff.

Sure enough, the views where spectacular in both directions although I had to wait longer than I had intended for the light to break. Passing the time I took a couple of shots of the cloud formation blocking the sun:

The extended stay on the cliff at Kenidjack meant that I had run short of evening light to capture my pre-prepared shots of the Crown Mines. As I mentioned in a previous post, I try not to rush about with camera. Even on a first visit to a location planning one or two compositions is better than firing off hundreds without thought.

I made it to one of the planned compositions with some light still available. I have included the preparation shot of Wheal Owles taken earlier in the afternoon to show the difference that light makes  to a composition. Ideally, I would have liked the sunlight to have been a little higher in the final shot.

Preparation Shot

Mono Version

Final Version

In more hope than expectation I made it back to the Crown Mines. There was just enough strength in the direct light for one shot. Again, I have included the preparation shot from earlier in the afternoon.

Preparation Shot

Mono Version

Final Version

Had I got back to this point sooner I would have had light on the mine buildings for my final shot of the day. Instead I had to make do with an afterglow effort - always another day I guess!