Robin Hood Way - Photography Week 13 (2017)

This set of images is a continuation of a project to document aspects of the Newark and Sherwood landscape using the Robin Hood Way as a guide to new locations and points of interest.

On this occasion I selected Section 16 of the Robin Hood Way, Haughton to Whitewater Bridge (1), but only managed to cover a third of the walk. There were several long waits for the light to change with some stubborn cloud in front of the sun.

Most of the photography centred around a large oak near to the path and two others further away - one which looks to be dead. The compositions include a couple of monochrome versions as I am yet to determine any particular style for the project:

Trees in the landscape will probably be one of the defining features of the project. At this stage though, it simply as case of establishing potential subjects and decided the type of conditions that might suit them best e.g. time of year or different weather conditions. These are some of the other tree compositions on this section of the path:

The same approach applies to other features of the Robin Hood Way including points of interest. On this particular stretch is the remains of the 11th century Houghton Chapel (2) notable for its Norman architecture. Currently, it looks like there is restoration work taking place at the site which I have recorded below.

Finally, some record shots of the path which will be a subject covered by the project. Again, it is a case of establishing compositions that can be revisited in different conditions and at different times of the year.

(1) Robin Hood Way. 4th Edition. Revised 2012. Robin Hood Way Association.
(2) http://www.nottshistory.org.uk/articles/tts/tts1931/haughtonchapel.htm

Hoveringham - Photography Week 8 (2017)

The River Trent is currently a gap in my attempts to document aspects of the landscape in the Newark and Sherwood District of Nottinghamshire.

Last year, I spent time visiting some of the locks and weirs and there was one successful landscape taken near Gunthorpe. This year I want to continue to build the portfolio and a walk from Hoverinham towards Hazelford was a good opportunity to explore an area that I have only briefly visited in the past.

The focus for my initial shots was the high tree-lined bank on the Kneeton side of the river. The first image successfully shows the nature of this part of the Trent - aided by some pleasant sunlight. This is followed by a series of different compositions which includes trees on both banks. In some of the shots the river is excluded or only partial visible presenting a more subtle representation of the Trent. I think the falling and fallen trees say something about the power of the river but some of the others studies may only be relevant to the topic if viewed as part of a large panel:

Historical events play a part in telling the story of a place and the memorial to the lost crew of two crashed Lancester bombers is one such example. Sadly, 14 men were killed whilst carrying out separate training exercises in the area in 1945 (1):

Like many of my photographic projects documenting the Newark and Sherwood landscape including the River Trent, will remain open ended. I have a target in mind but completion is reliant on identifying the right compositions and being able to capture them a different times of the day with the 'right' lighting conditions. My recent Robin Hood Hill posts are good example of this process in action.


(1) http://www.nottinghampost.com/bygones-wartime-crash-site-unearthed-hoveringham/story-12219979-detail/story.html