Northumberland Landscapes - Kielder Woodland I

[caption id="attachment_5691" align="aligncenter" width="950"] Woodland on the shoreline of Kielder Reservoir (I)[/caption]

 

Kielder

On the hunt for Northumberland landscapes again, we headed out to Kielder Water in the Northumberland National Park.

It's a huge landscape consisting of the Kielder reservoir and surrounding forest park.

We had little time here, as it was an hours drive to get there, so it was more of a scouting mission for a later visit but it went quite well anyway.

We started off with the cake and coffee, first this time, in the Tower Knowe Visitors Centre. I know, I know, it's usually last as a kind of reward but we like to mix it up (rock 'n' roll baby).

After food we headed down to the shoreline, time was passing quickly so we only had a short while to explore before heading back to the dam to try and get something there as well. The woodland along the shore is very photogenic and we soon came across the scene you see in the main image.

Sort of "Lord of the Rings" style.

Click.

 

More Info

Kielder also hosts the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park and was awarded Gold Tier Dark Sky Park status by the International Dark Skies Association (IDA) in December 2013 – the highest accolade the IDA can give. If astro photography is your thing you really can't miss this place.

Also, at the heart of the Dark Dky Park is the Kielder Observatory, astronomy facilities at there best.

 

The Shot

Still had to stand in the water for this one but the shot itself wasn't too technical. Shot with a Canon FD 28mm on a Sony A7r.

 

Links

Wikipedia - Kielder Water

Kielder Water website

Visit Northumberland - Kielder Water

 

Getting there ...

Northumberland Landscapes - Warkworth Weir

[caption id="attachment_4680" align="aligncenter" width="950"] Warkworth Castle over the weir on the River Coquet, Northumberland[/caption]

 

Warkworth

We've been to Warkworth, looking for Northumberland landscapes, a good few times, it has an iconic castle that's a magnet for photographers.

This time, however, something was different. The tide was just right to show off the weir whilst revealing a small patch of barely submerged land below it. The cogs started turning!

Wellies were in the car boot so out they came and into the water we went. Now then, I wouldn't recommend this as it was very slippy and the tide was coming in fast, on your own head be it (seriously)!

Getting below the weir afforded a nice view of the castle and village up the River Coquet. We took the shot and got out before the water came over the top of the wellies.

Click.

Drained the tripod then off into Warkworth for a bite to eat.

 

The Shot

As you can see, the water was very fast moving so it took a little while to get the tripod settled and stable and a short-ish shutter speed prevented any movement caused by the tide buffeting the tripod legs.

 

Links

Wikipedia - Warkworth

Visit Northumberland - Warkworth

Warkworth Website

 

Getting there ...

There is a layby off the A1068 (Beal bank)

Northumberland Landscapes - Morpeth Viaduct

[caption id="attachment_4669" align="aligncenter" width="950"] Morpeth viaduct crossing the River Wansbeck in Northumberland[/caption]

 

The Viaduct

A recent spell without transport allowed us the chance to find Northumberland landscapes in the more local area of Morpeth.

Following the River Wansbeck right through Morpeth we found a crossing just before the mill on the Whorral Bank, crossed over and kept going.

To our delight, there was a huge viaduct hidden along the valley. I had heard of the viaduct but was unsure of its location and wasn't expecting to run into it today.

The sun was providing dappled light through the trees and the river was lazy so the refelections were looking particularly good beneath the viaduct.

Click.

One of the more hidden Northumberland landscapes.

The Shot

It was very calm that day and there was little wind to upset the surface of the water. The River was lazy and the clouds were not moving so a long exposure would have provided no obvious benefit.

 

Links

Wikipedia - Morpeth

Northumberland Cam - Morpeth Viaduct

 

Getting there ...

You can park in Morpeth and follow the river or there is a layby on the main road, under the NHS Health Centre as you leave Morpeth, just before you start to climb up the Whorral Bank.

Canon FD Buyers Guide | Vintage Lenses For Video

I’m often asked about good lens options for M4/3 & Sony E-mount cameras. Most people are hoping to save quite a lot of money when building a vintage set, so this guide will concentrate on affordable lenses with a price tag no higher than $300 per lens (I’ll also share a full set option for under $500 at the end of this guide). It’s important to note that this guide is written with M4/3 & Sony E-mount users in mind (these lenses will not work well on Canon EF cameras without expensive mounts).

Source: Canon FD Buyers Guide | Vintage Lenses For Video

Northumberland Landscapes - Mortuary Chapel, Alnmouth

[caption id="attachment_4156" align="aligncenter" width="950"] Mortuary Chapel, Alnmouth, Northumberland[/caption]

 

Northumberland Landscapes - Alnmouth

We recently visited St.Cuthberts Cross, Alnmouth to grab a shot across the Aln Estuary and the cross itself along with other Northumberland landscapes.

On our way back down from the top of Church Hill we took a different path to shelter from the wind and came across this ruin on the shore. It is the Mortuary Chapel built in 1869 as part of a plan to re-open the cemetery on Church Hill.

Atmospheric place!

 

The Shot

It was very windy and a storm was coming so, to minimise camera shake, a fast exposure was selected. A long exposure was out of the question as ghosting and camera shake would probably occur to an unacceptable degree.

That said, a remote shutter release and tripod were still used. Live view was enabled so mirror lock-up was not necessary (in case you don't know, when you use live view to compose the mirror is already locked up so you don't need to worry about that, useful for landscapes)

 

Links

Derelict Places - Mortuary Chapel

Wikipedia - Alnmouth

 

Getting there ...

Scottish Seascapes - Wick Stack, Pettico Wick

 

[caption id="attachment_2974" align="aligncenter" width="633"] View across Broadhaven Bay, Pettico Wick, Scotland[/caption]

Seascapes

Returning home from a Scottish photography trip we decided to come down the A1 along the coastal route looking for seascapes.

As we neared St.Abbs towards sunset the sky began to colour and a fantastic sunset was in the offing. Racking our brains for a nearby location, we came up with Pettico Wick, Broadhaven Bay.

We had wanted to visit this one for a long time and hadn't really been able to justify it, but we had to move quickly.

Heading into St.Abbs we were disappointed to find the sought after location was not actually here, frantic googling got us the name "Pettico Wick" and more googling got us a map, off we went. We weren't too sure of the maps authenticity when it came to crossing farm land, avoiding livestock and driving along a narrow track but we persevered. Glad we did!

The jetty and stack were bathed in pink sunlight by now but the sun was really low and in danger of disappearing below the cliff tops as we ran down the path to the jetty and set up the camera.

Just in time. Darkened over within two minutes of the shot as the sun dipped behind the cliffs.

Back to St.Abbs for coffee and cake ..... as you do.

 

The Shot

The clouds weren't moving but the sea was a little choppy so a 10-stop filter was used to smooth it out a little (always useful with seascapes). With no time left to calculate the hyperfocal distance focussing a third into the frame got the shot.

 

Links

This print is available to buy in the seascapes section of our shop

Take a look at another seascapes blog entry - Longniddry Wreck

Wikipedia information on Pettico Wick

Getting there ...

Scottish Seascapes - Longniddry Wreck

[caption id="attachment_2957" align="aligncenter" width="950"] The wreck on the beach at Longniddry, Scotland[/caption]

 

Seascapes

So, we were aimlessy driving along the southern coastline of the Firth of Forth, Scotland, looking for promising seascapes.

Alright, alright, don't twist my arm! We were specifically heading to Longniddry where we knew a wreck on the beach would be revealed if the tide was right. You can't fail with seascapes if you have a wreck to include in the shot.

We were lucky, the tide was going out and the ribs of the wreck were just beginning to show above the water, not long to wait.

The sky was nice and moody and the clouds were moving quite fast.

We don't know much about the wreck, to be honest, so if you have any information please drop us an email or leave a comment.

 

The Shot

The tripod was jammed well down in the sand to dampen vibrations from the water arounf the legs. A 10-stop filter was used to give a long exposure to make the most of the receding tide and the fast moving clouds.

We took two or three exposures just to make sure one of them had captured the water and the clouds sufficiently well.

 

Links

This print is available to buy in the seascapes section of our shop

Take a look at another seascapes blog entry - Stag Rock

Tripadvisor - Longniddry

Wikipedia information on Longniddry

Visit Scotland - Longniddry

 

Getting there ...

We took the A198 from the eastbound A1, then along the B1348 Links Road to a carpark signposted "Bents No.1", a sandy path lead down to the beach from there, once on the beach turn left and walk a couple of hundred yards along the beach and around 100 yards out. If the tide isn't that far out yet, you'll just have to wait :-)

Lake District Landscapes - Loughrigg Tarn

[caption id="attachment_1485" align="aligncenter" width="950"] Late afternoon at Loughrigg Tarn[/caption]

Landscapes

On a more sedate landscapes photographic trip to the Lake District we visited Loughrigg Tarn.

Surely it must be one of the most picture-postcard, photogenic spots in the Lakes.

Followers of our landscapes work will know that we simply cannot pass up a "sun through the trees" shot, so when the opportunity presented itself late one afternoon we had to stop and set up the gear.

The sheep obligingly positioned themselves for foreground interest and the shot was in the bag.

As always, coffee next!

The Shot

Into the sun so the camera was positioned to hide the sun behind a branch whilst still capturing the landscape required, it can be fiddly ti set up but the effect is worth it. When the sun moves out slightly from the branch a flare will occur ..... click.

Wait a minute or so and, bingo!

Links

A walking route

Wikipedia information on Loughrigg Tarn

Visit Cumbria

Getting there ...

We turned off the A593 onto Ellers Brow, parked in the carpark at the top of Mill Brow Wood and walked to the Tarn. You can also drive up Foulstep from Skelwith Bridge to the same carpark.

Lake District Landscapes - Cockley Beck Bridge

[caption id="attachment_1480" align="aligncenter" width="950"] Under Cockley Beck Bridge[/caption]

Landscapes

Hunting for more Lake District landscapes again!

This place is a little more involved to get to than some of the other places we've been, in the Lake District, but is definitely worth the effort.

Landscape photography can be all consuming but you need to stay safe in remote areas so check for local advice before setting off, if it has been snowing or the weather is particularly bad as, I believe, the passes can be closed for safety. Also, if your clutch is "dodgy" be careful on the passes!!

Driving down from Wrynose Pass, where Wrynose Bottom meets the road to Hardknott Pass, will bring you to Cockley Beck.

A picturesque stone bridge crosses the River Duddon here. When the river is flowing well it produces a nice cascade right under the bridge that can't be seen from the road.

Feet wet for this one.

 

The Shot

We crossed the bridge and parked up, I climbed over the wall and down to the river to get this shot of the cascade.

The light was difficult on this one so this shot is a composite of three shots (brackets) to make the most of the landscapes beyond the bridge. It was hand-blended using luminosity masks and colour-range masks before being polished in Nik Color-Efex

 

Links

Wikipedia information on Cockley Beck

Info on walkthefells.net

Cockley Beck Farm & Cottage

Check out one of our other Lake District Posts from Birks Bridge

 

Getting there ...

Lake District Landscapes - Autumn Bridge

Landscapes

[caption id="attachment_1470" align="aligncenter" width="950"] Autumn crossing of Skelwith Bridge, Lake District[/caption]

The Story

A hiking trip, doubling as a landscapes photography trip to the Lake District brought us to the Skelwith Bridge area.

Parking in the National Trust carpark, we walked down through what I believe to be Bridge How Coppice (speak up if I'm wrong) and followed the River Brathay towards Skelwith Bridge.

About 300 yards from the main bridge and Chesters By The River we came across this amazing, contemporary, footbridge crossing the river. The camera had to come out!

It was Autumn and the trees were lovely colours so we spent a while here before heading down to Chesters for, guess what, yep, coffee and large pieces of cake.

 

The Shot

Used  a tripod here, low down, and hyperfocal focussing to keep everything nice and sharp. Had to wait for a clear period as there were a lot of tourists hiking past.

The Processing

The shot was processed in Adobe Lightroom and Nik Dfine, RAW Pre-sharperner, Nik Color Efex

 

Links

Check out our other landscapes post from Skelwith Bridge

Wikipedia information on Skelwith Bridge

Chesters By The River

 

Getting there ...