The Lake District

[StuartRae]

Hello all,

I've just got back from a week in the Lake District, but alas, no photographs of mountains, waterfalls and purple heather.
My knee is completely shot; hurts like b****** and makes rather sad crunching noises. It was difficult enough to hobble up to the bar to buy another pint of Black Sheep, so I was confined to barracks while the others went walking.
On Monday Fred took me to the seaside and bought me an ice-cream, and on Friday we all went for a drive along the Solway Firth, so I only have shots of beaches, waves and seagulls. I doubt that they are worth posting.

Regards,

Stuart

 

[Asher Kelman]

Hello all,

I've just got back from a week in the Lake District, but alas, no photographs of mountains, waterfalls and purple heather.
My knee is completely shot; hurts like b****** and makes rather sad crunching noises. It was difficult enough to hobble up to the bar to buy another pint of Black Sheep, so I was confined to barracks while the others went walking.
On Monday Fred took me to the seaside and bought me an ice-cream, and on Friday we all went for a drive along the Solway Firth, so I only have shots of beaches, waves and seagulls. I doubt that they are worth posting.

Regards,

Stuart

Stuart,

I just spot your name and already see landscapes and weathered stone walls and a peaceful way of life most of us have never seen. Sorry about your crepitations. You might need to have the little buggers removed by arthroscopy, which is a routine procedure! Wish you better!

At least the ice cream was perfect, for sure.

"only have shits of beaches, waves and seagulls"? Stuart, this would be fine. We'll find something we like, for sure!

Asher

 

[John Angulat]

"only have shits of beaches, waves and seagulls"? Stuart, this would be fine. We'll find something we like, for sure!
- Asher

Hi Stuart,
I'm quite sure Asher's typo was unintentional.
Nevertheless, now we must see these images!

 

[Asher Kelman]

"only have shits of beaches, waves and seagulls"? Stuart, this would be fine. We'll find something we like, for sure!
- Asher

Hi Stuart,

I'm quite sure Asher's typo was unintentional.
Nevertheless, now we must see these images!

ROFLWL would be a severe understatement. I was in stitches and feared I'd have my first heart attack. I was imagining Stuart ducking the bombardment coming from all sides!

So however they are, we've earned the right to see the pics!

Asher

 

[Andrew Stannard]

Hi Stuart,

Sorry to hear about the knees, must be frustrating as well as painful. Post those other images - the solway firth sounds good to me.


Regards,

 

[StuartRae]

Thanks for the kind wishes chaps.

Here are some shots taken at St. Bees, which is the start (or end) of Wainwright's Coast to Coast walk.

As promised, a wave.

The sandstone cliffs of St. Bees Head.

And looking south along the beach (and therefore almost into the sun). The misty patch centre left is spray blown ashore by the stiff breeze.

Regards,

Stuart

 

[StuartRae]

And some more taken at Silloth on the Solway Firth.

The Scottish hills on the other side of the Firth.

The three amigos.

The promenade.

Regards,

Stuart

 

[Andrew Stannard]

Hi Stuart,

Thanks for being persuaded to post! Some lovely images in there - really like the seagulls, the promenade and the views south from St Bees to the cliffs.

Both locations look well worth of a visit at sunset - did you hang around until later in the day, or retire for another pint of black sheep? Btw - had a pint of Wainwrights Bitter the other day, a lovely tipple if you get the chance.


Regards,

 

[Asher Kelman]

And some more taken at Silloth on the Solway Firth.

Regards,

Stuart

.

Stuart Rae: Silloth on the Solway Firth: The Scottish hills on the other side of the Firth

Stuart Rae: Silloth on the Solway Firth:The promenade​

Stuart,

I'm so impressed with these two scenes. They are splendid views. I have been poring over them. I wonder about the amount of beautiful sky. In the first, removing 5.5 cm and 2 cm in the second, add impact to the pictures .

Asher

 

[StuartRae]

Hi Andy,

really like the seagulls...

Here's one that decided to take off just as I pressed the button. Amazing legs!

Both locations look well worth of a visit at sunset - did you hang around until later in the day, or retire for another pint of black sheep? Btw - had a pint of Wainwrights Bitter the other day, a lovely tipple if you get the chance.

Sunset would have been great, but the lure of the Black Sheep and steak pie in the King George IV dragged us away.
I've had Wainwright's in a bottle (Sainsburys sell it) but not on draught. Now that you mention it, I may have a bottle in the fridge...............


Hi Asher,

You never fail to find something of interest in the most ordinary of photographs. We owe you a great deal.

I wonder about the amount of beautiful sky. In the first, removing 5.5 cm and 2 cm in the second, add impact to the pictures .

Thanks. It works very well. I have to admit that I'm not the world's most talented cropper.

Regards,

Stuart

 

[Asher Kelman]

"One item": Unity in a Photograph" - removing diverting beauty

Stuart,

Imagine we have a surfeit of beauty in the sky!

And some more taken at Silloth on the Solway Firth.

The Scottish hills on the other side of the Firth.

The Lake District: The Scottish Hills On The Other Side of the Firth

Original​

Now removing the beauty of the sky to allow the photograph to be become "one item" of art. Here's an example of the general approach. No changes in presentation have been made to the rest of the picture. Likely one would reconsider these elements in the new form.

The Lake District: The Scottish Hills On The Other Side of the Firth

Top of sky cropped away​

Just another way of looking at this magnificent scene and thinking more about the bold strokes nature gives us.

Asher

This image will get cropped very slightly more as the cloud server updates. It holds a version that has been accessed a few times to be ready for the next request.

 

[John Angulat]

"...I doubt that they are worth posting." - Stuart

Ahhhh! Ask and you shall receive!
And so much for your doubts about posting worthiness.
These are delightful captures!
I'm most pleased by the gulls - excellent shots!

 

[Asher Kelman]

Stuart Rae: Silloth on the Solway Firth:The promenade​

This picture could be presented in so many ways. In one, with ,much of the foreground removed, the folk on the left on the boardwalk would become more important. Alternatively one could remove sky. If both stay them it's about the sky with stochastic nature versus the architectural work of man below and the people on the right could go.

Or, as it is, this is enjoyable! Still you have splendid choices. This can only happen when you shoot wide, as you have done.

I'd say, "Frame wide but shoot wider!" I love the idea of being able to work with compositions, like this, sitting down with a fresh cup of PG Tips tea or a glass of wine and then begin, anew, the work of the photograph. Having extra real estate is princely!

Asher

 

[StuartRae]

Thanks to everyone who has commented.

Special thanks to Asher for his insight and optimism.

.....you have splendid choices. This can only happen when you shoot wide, as you have done.

But not as wide as I could have. I'd just swapped the 17-55 f/2.8 for the 70-200 in order to photograph the gulls, so this shot is at 70mm. I suppose that's one advantage of the bloated MP count of the 50D - you have a lot of pixels to choose from.

Regards,

Stuart