Spring time at the seaside

A late March morning begins with an early shroud of mist, with a promise of a warm spring day later in the morning.
Today is one of my single days off work, so a few errands to run before getting out again with the camera.

Ten AM, my tasks complete, the day is mine and within the hour, I am heading towards the East Devon town of Sidmouth.
On arrival, the low cloud is just lifting from the coast, a couple of photos capture the ghost like presence against the cliffs.
I have made previous blogs about my enjoyment of visiting seaside towns post season, but the pre season seaside town has another character.
Many of the hotels and eateries have come out of winter hibernation, with newly painted facades and interiors, awaiting the coming seasons holiday makers, it’s like a freshly laid dining table awaiting the guests.

It seems I am a creature of habit in many of my seaside forays, I like to try to capture as much of the landscape as I can before the peak visiting time, then around lunch time, head for refreshment before a wander into the main town.

Seaside towns offer a wealth of photographic opportunities, long exposure shots for the sea, as well as the town offering the urban textures and colours for some street photography.

Sea front benches offer perfect views to enjoy paper wrapped fish and chips, the smell of freshly cooked chips doused in vinegar tease the taste buds, while those with a sweeter tooth enjoy cone laden treats of dairy ice cream.

Today sees just a gentle wind, the incoming tide laps gently at the shore, while clouds drift like gossamer across the horizon, today is truly a prelude to summer, very much the lull before the storm, for in just a few weeks, Easter will see the first holidays of the year, and this currently quiet town will be transformed into a buzzing seaside haven once more.

 

 

 

One camera one lens,three months in

It is hard to believe that I am already close to a quarter of the way in to this 12 month challenge, so far 2019 has simply flown by.
With winter slowly conceding centre stage to the start of spring, the promise of warmer days and lighter evenings is something to look forward to.

My recent trip to London was so much fun using the one camera, but in a city environment, the 100f was in its element, one could say it was playing a ‘home’ match, but as I have always enjoyed so many different types of photography, the challenge will really begin as I go to more varied destinations.

As spring approaches, my subject matter would often be close up shots of the new show of flora, using a favourite 50mm vintage, or macro lens to get that soft depth of field, this year I will have to be creative with the 35mm F2 lens, likewise with the various vintage car and steam events I like to photograph, my lens of choice would be a wide angle lens.

Since I have embarked on this project, I have found myself enjoying my photography so much more, finding different compositions, experimenting with techniques but ultimately getting to know this camera as I have known no other that I have owned.

On to today’s outing, I had a spare couple of hours to enjoy walking along the River, taking in the first of this years warmer weather after a week of wind and rain.
Considering the 100f is not considered to be a sports or action camera,  I was happy with the results of the skateboard park, thanks Drew for the chance to take some pics.

 

Back on Dartmoor

Saturday morning, a bright start after early rains, so set off early to a favourite breakfast haunt, Ullacombe Farm.
Appetite satiated, just a few minutes drive and arrive at the car park of Haytor, one of the most popular destinations of Dartmoor.

The tor stands majestically at the top of a small incline, it is only once I reach the top that the wind hits, the forecast storm is due later in the day but the wind speed is already significant, so much so, it is a challenge standing still enough to take photos!

The destination is Haytor quarry, used during the 1800-1900’s, the granite from which was taken for the building of London bridge, it is also from here that part of the ‘granite tramway’ is still in evidence, the tramway was designed to carry granite from the local quarries and taken to Teignmouth for shipping.

The construction began in 1776 and was built by George Templar, this route is a recognised walk called the ‘Templar way’

For a few moments the quarry is devoid of the usual traffic of sightseers, so I am able to get a few long exposures of the water, depicting a scene of peace  and tranquility, a far cry from the industry that once existed here.

Highlight of my day, was watching from a distance the Dartmoor ponies grazing, as I move closer, they look up, and perceive no threat, so carry on business as usual, except the smallest of the group who decides that I need further investigation.
The next few minutes are spent further building trust, as he allows me to pet him, nudging me for more if I dare to stop, then he turns and returns to the equine fold to tell all .

As the morning turns to noon, more walkers arrive, keen to take in the scenery of Dartmoor, it is my cue to head back home after another enjoyable Dartmoor trip

 

 

Hello

A city break

With a few days of last years holiday left, I decided to revisit London for the first time in around 30 years.
It was about the time that I had started to become interested in photography, and had my first film camera, a Praktika LB2.
If I am being honest, my photos were woeful from this excursion but I knew that I would return in the future.

Thirty years later, I am armed with my X100f and a heap more knowledge about my hobby, so was looking forward to completing as much of my photographic bucket list as possible.
My coach had left Exeter at eight thirty, reaching the Victoria coach station just before 1pm, a 15 minute walk to find my hotel in the Pimlico area, where I was checked in and ready to take some shots just a few minutes later.

I had been very fortunate to pick a day of blue cloudless skies, the temperatures were the highest recorded in February for some years, spring had arrived early

While I had put together an itinerary of sorts, the first afternoon was always about strolling along the River Thames, taking in the iconic landscape and enjoying rediscovering the city.
I had an idea in my mind that I would walk the North side first, then the south the following day, I ended up meandering both sides like a drunk snail, walking one side to the other.

I had packed my large tripod, thinking I would need it for some low light shots later that evening but decided to leave it at the hotel, knowing that I had another full day on the Wednesday if I could not get away using the mini tripod I carried in my bag.
My decision was rewarded with several low height walls with pillars big enough to accommodate the small tripod.

Wednesday morning dawned with more blue skies and sunshine, my first point of call was a cafe just 5 minutes from the hotel which opened at 7am, where my full English breakfast  was cooked to order and served piping hot, along with a cuppa and toast.
This has to be the first time I had eaten breakfast to Copland’s fanfare for the common man but certainly very uplifting.

My route this morning was to keep to the north side, passing Buckingham palace and the national gallery, finding a few good shots along the way, especially by the national gallery where lines of people went about their day.

The sun was creating some wonderful shadows, between the pillars at Somerset house, the light and shadow created a celestial zebra crossing on the concrete, right at the end of the light one of the staff was opening the building.

Reaching St Paul’s cathedral for the second time in as many days, I carried on to London city where I had wanted to capture Leadenhall market and the LLoyd’s buildings.

The day was slipping by very quickly, I was happy with the shots I was getting but there was still the matter of one more iconic building to fulfil my personal goals, the Tate modern staircase.
It is just one of those photos that I have wanted to capture for myself, now was my chance.
The gallery was not overly busy, so I was able take some time to stand and stare at one or two of the exhibitions,  admiring most, while in my ignorance not ‘getting’ some of the others, then to that staircase …

I like the simplicity of the first image but it really does need the human interest, so I was happy to patiently for a few minutes to get some other shots.

My plan to walk everywhere enabled me to find parts of the city I may not have otherwise seen, perhaps another time, I will use the tube or buses more, either way, I still have so much more to see on future trips.
Yes, I will return, I came to London with a thousand ideas, I have returned with a million more, I went as a stranger, and returned having met some wonderful people that made me feel very welcome in their home city.