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Reflections 2 'Light in the Darkness'.
Behind the scenes
Since I only work from my own photographs, each series involves a lot of trips out with my camera. Not all of them result in pictures I can use - probably less than half, on average, and even the ones that do produce a great shot normally only yield a couple of perfect ones. I always like to share some of the rest, tales from my travels, because I think it's nice to get a wider understanding of where the work comes from, it's all part of the experience. So, here's 12 of my personal favourites from this year's droplet chasing :)
Aysgarth Falls
One of the furthest trips in search of droplets was to the Yorkshire Dales National Park, about 65 miles by road. The falls are a series of waterfalls on the river Ure, they are small but very beautiful and cascade gently (until it rains heavily) for about a mile.
Stablefell Campsite
I've included a couple of photos of the farm campsite I stayed at for the 2 day trip to the Yorkshire Dales just because it's rather lovely and very typical of that part of the country. The area is dotted with old farm building like this barn, many no longer in use and all gazed at longingly by me as I mentally fitted them out as new studios.
Stablefell Droplets
It was stupidly hot in May, a good ten degrees over anything we'd expected which if you're pale and freckly like me is a lot of sun. Consequently, I took my farm shots at an ungodly hour of the morning after the mist had burned off but while I could still get a droplet to survive long enough to get some photos.
Pet Cemetery
One of my more unexpected discoveries in this series was an old pet cemetery in a park in North Shields. I'd gone hoping to find some good views through the trees - that didn't work out, nothing was lined up quite right but I did have an unexpectedly emotional moment here.
Graves included animals who joined us in war, a wild deer and of course lots of beloved pets including the splendidly named Toodles Leake which has made me laugh every time I say it.
Graves included animals who joined us in war, a wild deer and of course lots of beloved pets including the splendidly named Toodles Leake which has made me laugh every time I say it.
Walker Churchyard
From pets to people - this was the second series that has involved the lovely Walker Churchyard in Newcastle. In the middle of sprawling suburbia, it's a little bit of charmingly rustic tranquility, filled with all kind of trees that support colonies of wild birds.
Walker Parrots
Now I just said that churchyard is tranquil, and it is some of the time but it is also now occasionally hilariously full of squeaky green things. The UK has a growing population of ringnecks that are not native but have made themselves very much at home, much to the amusement and bemusement of the locals.
Marden Quarry
I had two trips out to a former quarry near Whitley Bay that has been turned into a wildlife reserve. The quarry has filled with water and is home to many species of waterfowl including these beauties.
I drove myself absolutely nuts trying to get a good reflection of the birds in a droplet but eventually sanity prevailed. For now.
I drove myself absolutely nuts trying to get a good reflection of the birds in a droplet but eventually sanity prevailed. For now.
St Marys Lighthouse
Again at Whitley Bay, you wouldn't believe the number of times I tried to get a droplet including this thing for you. It's a small island joined to the bay by a causeway you can walk over at low tide.
It is also an extraordinarily draughty corner of the coast and every sheltered spot that I could possibly have managed a droplet for a fraction of a second was facing the wrong way...
It is also an extraordinarily draughty corner of the coast and every sheltered spot that I could possibly have managed a droplet for a fraction of a second was facing the wrong way...
Roker Lighthouse
I spent a whole day in this area south of the Tyne near Sunderland and completely failed to get a single droplet. That's not that uncommon on the coast because you tend not to have a lot by way of sturdier shrubs and trees, or if there are it's on the most dangerous bit of clifftop for miles but I thought this striped lighthouse was worth the Metro fare anyway.
Jervaulx abbey
Back in Yorkshire again at the stunning ruins of an abbey dating back to the 1200's. This particular one is unusual in that it's privately owned and has been allowed to become partially overgrown.
It's a sod to photograph properly, I recommend doing a search online to see it properly and I did not get a good droplet view but I did find so many fascinating little details and corners like this arch.
It's a sod to photograph properly, I recommend doing a search online to see it properly and I did not get a good droplet view but I did find so many fascinating little details and corners like this arch.
Jervaulx Dragon Bench
A well as the stone ruins and majestic trees, Jervaulx has an unexpected number of really fabulous old benches. This one the seat had rotted through, but the old iron dragons tails were standing strong.
Jervaulx Dog Bench
I'm finishing this collection with one of the most intriguing finds from that trip, this faithful dog that formed an arm rest, with its green patina and heavy lichen growth. I would never have found such treasure without you, so thank you :)
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