Loopy - Short Quayside Project

Loopy

Loopy

Suspended / Banned
Messages
2,167
Name
Lynda
Edit My Images
Yes
I've decided to do this for two weeks before the mornings get too light and I have to get up at stupid o'clock.
Basically, the location is governed by how far my 14 year old dog with a gammy leg can go for his early walk.
I'm also moving soon, so the quayside won't be as accessible for walks so this is sort of a last record of the immediate area for me.

I'm always taking photos of the sunrise but never keep any when the light isn't so great. So, as a little project to myself I've decided to record the light for a fortnight.

Day 1. 17th March 2010

Started to rain as I stepped out of the house - not so good for the first day.
Half an hour walk is not long enough to see the changes in the sky. I thought that there was no chance of any colour, but, as I turned into my street and away from any potential photo, the clouds broke a wee bit and some lovely pale peach light threaded through the cloud. You'll have to imagine that. This was what I got. :(

74534c71.jpg
 
Day 2 18th March 2010

Well another flat grey morning, but I have to post the picture or I'll just not bother taking them and this is also about me having some discipline with the whole take, process, post routine.

The sun did try to poke it's face out but it didn't try hard enough.

e64866cb.jpg


So, even though I said that this mini project was about the light, I've had a bit of a play and tried on old feel.

0b1106c5.jpg
 
What an interesting idea - I've never thought of doing just a short project like this, and your reasons for the timing make perfect sense.

I imagine there will be mornings when you wish the weather would be more co-operative, but the location looks full of possibilities.

#1 is lovely, tranquil and hinting at the busy day to come. :clap:

You've just posted day 2 while I've been typing this! I can well imagine you were urging the sun to show itself a bit more, but I like it as it is and I love the second shot which, apart from the wind thingies has the look of a 1930s postcard. :D I'm in 2 minds about the foreground - it also looks good with this cropped out to make it a 3:2 ratio.

Look forward to day 3. :thumbs:

Jean
 
Hi and ta.

Agree about the foreground in the 2nd shot. It was a quick edit but I'm hoping that after the fortnight I will be more equipped to make better decisions in a short period of time.
I'm going to try to post before I go to work, otherwise it will not be worth it by the time I get in.

It's just started raining here so, fingers crossed it will have stopped by the morning otherwise it will be a photo taken on the phone.

I should really warn people not to attempt photos in the area when I've set myself a project as you can almost be guaranteed poor weather.
Same goes for holidays. I'm steering clear of the 1st Easter week, so if anyone's coming to Northumberland then the weather should be great!:cool:
 
Day 3 19th March

Woo hoo, the light was better this morning.

This is on the way to the quayside. I know the shapes and comp are poop but by the time I'd walked to the water, shuggying dogs and picking up dodahs the light might have gone.

b244d555.jpg


Another on the way. Again, there are things in the foreground that I might have removed given time, but this was just to show the way the early sun illuminates the bricks of the buildings.

0ac86e51.jpg


At last, at the quayside properly. The sky was lovely just to the right too but the foreground is really messy. But this is what makes it worth it.

0a0d9135.jpg


And finally, meet the critters that get me out of the house so see this.
This morning I had a spare 5 minutes so I actually sat on the decking and just watched the sun while I scratched their ears. You can't buy that anywhere.

7c339f39.jpg
 
At last - your perseverence has paid off and you've got light! :thumbs:

This is a goregoue set, and I like the stark contrast between the sky and the fencing in the first one.

You're right about the light on the brickwork of the old Custom House - and there's not much you can do about street furniture without a lot of pping.

A lovely sky in the third one - and three obliging birds to set it off. :)

Lurchers are great dogs - and these are no exception! I bet they love their early morning walks. It's nice to meet them at last. :)

Jean
 
Tomorrow might be more about the light at about 11am. Had a bit of poptonight
 
Bah! Maybe this wee project should be about the lack of light.
Peshing down and I wasn't hanging around.

1c9896c2.jpg
 
Well the weather had started to brighten at teatime so I thought I'd nip down and see what it was doing at the quayside. Change of view.

34bc3fab.jpg


50549826.jpg
 
What an interesting project and a great set of photos. Are these taken in Blyth? That is the only place that I can think of in that area with the wind turbines.

I just love the reflections in the last ones and the bright umbrella in the previous one.

This is so interesting - why don't you continue longer than 2 weeks?

Jenny
 
Thanks Jenny.
Yes, they're in Blyth.

I set myself a target of two weeks because I was going to try to get the early light each morning when I walk the dogs. Tonight's photos are a bonus as the sky was so good. Hubby is a teacher so over Easter, he'll be walking the dogs and I might get into work on time for a change.

I'm thinking that after that the sun will be quite high by the time I get down there so not much chance of nice warm sunrise colours, as it is, 6.30am is a little too late.

The fortnight project is about taking the image regardless of how good or bad the light is. After that, if I get a good day, I'll still add to the thread.

Of course, the other thing is that I think I will probably be sick of pictures of wind turbines by Easter. I already have a huge back catalogue.

Maybe a fortnight of beach huts will be my next aim.
 
You should be spoilt for choice of subject matter in that area. I come from the North East and just love the coastline. When I visit, which is not very often unfortunately, I make a point of going to the coast but never have enough time to get any decent photgraphs.

Jenny
 
Hi, thanks.

It's interesting that you have both said you like the rainy/umbrella photo when really that was just taken because I'd made it my mission.

Normally I wouldn't take the camera out in the rain (this was with the P&S).

I need to have a think before the next dull morning about what else there is to make it interesting.

BTW jenny, had a quick look at your 52 (intend to look closer when I have time) and I'm loving what I've seen (albeit very briefly). I'm very jealous of your garden. I don't know about you, but I'm finding that limiting yourself to one area really makes you think about what to photograph.
 
Day 5 - Sunday 21st March

Well, didn't have time to take them this morning as I was off to Wallington Hall to take advantage of the National Trusts free weekend.

These were taken at teatime again. I took some photos to do this at about 4 and they were a bit flat. An hour later and the sky was completely different.

I know that it's a really poor stitch, but I'm still using PS7 and I really can't be bothered to blend the different sky tones etc. You get the idea about the clouds.
I've posted at 800px but if there is a different limit for panos then I'll put a bigger one up.

Cheers

37355c24.jpg
 
Yesterday (Sat): The rain was miserabl, wasn't it? You did better than me, and in fact, the dogs looking a bit fed up with the weather and that bright cheery umbrella make a good contrast.

The two reflection ones are excellent. The first one's my favourite, just winning on composition and colour in the sky. :clap::clap::clap:

The pano's a bit small, but it gives a very good idea of what you're seeing, and there a good sky. :)

Jean
 
Day 6 - 22nd March

Apologies for burn out. It was very dull when I left the house so I only took the P&S. The sun had started to break through the clouds when i got to the water.
Still pretty uninteresting though.

1b2654da.jpg
 
Day 7 - 23rd March

Pale peach light just trying to push it's way through. Not the best light but I've used the cloudy white balance and underexposed by 2/3 stop to try to give them a bit more contrast. Not sure if this is the best thing to do, please put me right if there is a better way. :)

a - the light
da3cf983.jpg


b - gate silhouette
8bb80ce2.jpg


c - sun reflecting on one of the panels designed by school shildren
33900888.jpg
 
Wow - the weather is being kinder to you at last, but I have to say, you've really made the most of it. That sky is gorgeous in an understated arty sort of way. It sounds to me as though you did exactly the right thing - any more underexposure and you'd have lost detail in the water and you've retained really good detail in the sky on #1 and #2. :clap:

#3 is a lovely record shot - the light is warm and cheerful and suits the subject. It would also be good to see the panel in a wider context, although I guess you wouldn't get the nice detail and texture you've got here. :)

Jean
 
Liam said:
Great idea for a thread
...you should try a slow exposure to blur the water and then it would be perfect :D
Click to expand...

Hi, thanks, I did on this occasion, but in doing so, I lost the detail of the reflection so I binned them. I might still give it a go with the 10 stop though. I just have to wait for good evening sun again. Might not make it in the time frame I've set.

I am looking forward to next week though when the clouds go forward as then I have an extra hour of darkness in the morning. (Never thought I'd hear myself say that :))
 
Loopy said:
BTW jenny, I don't know about you, but I'm finding that limiting yourself to one area really makes you think about what to photograph.
Click to expand...

I completely agree. I am spending most of my time thinking what I can do that is different. The problem is that I have to do it for 52 weeks not just 2!

I love your day 7 shots, especially the first one. I don't have a clue how to take photos like that - another thing I have to learn!

The pano is a good idea, but a bit too small to see it properly.

Keep it up - only a week left.

Jenny
 
Day 8 24th March

Gah! wet wet wet wet wet wet wet. Humph!

0a770a4e.jpg
 
Loopy said:
Bah! Maybe this wee project should be about the lack of light.
Peshing down and I wasn't hanging around.

1c9896c2.jpg
Click to expand...

You have some interesting shots here but this one is my absolute favourite. It works for me on so many levels. The composition is very satisfying - I like the way the eye is led diagonally through the picture from bottom left to top right, from the dogs through the umbrella and the gate to the turbine. I love the muted colours and limited palette, and the way the red of the dog's collar and the blue of the bench are echoed in the umbrella, itself a wonderful focal point to the whole image. Finally it reminds me of all those hilarious holiday snaps of families doggedly enjoying themselves in the rain.

If you just dealt with the red eye in the nearer dog and removed the small flare in the upper left I think you would have a real winner here - "mad brits / mad british weather" comes to mind!

:clap::clap::clap:
 
Day 8: Well done - although you can see the rain, you've got a good, clear and well-balanced image - there's nothing you can do about the sky when it's lke that! I like the raindrops on the water and the way the red lifejacket thingy contrasts with the drabness of the day.

Day 9:

Sheesh, indeed. :lol:

This is all the more dramatic for seeing it in, literally, better light a couple of days ago. Huge 'well done' for getting out there and taking it, and if it's any consolation for getting soaked, not many people will have photos of that view in such awful weather. Don't the dogs mind the rain? Mine get quite sulky once they're soaking wet. :)

Jean
 
jeangenie said:
Don't the dogs mind the rain? Mine get quite sulky once they're soaking wet. :)
Click to expand...

So long as I have a pocket full of biscuits they don't seem to mind.

When they're soaking, however, it's a mad dash to get them into the kitchen before they dry their selves on you. Black one sticks her head between your legs and dries her head while the other one rubs his face up and down the outside. Smashing!
 
jennyb said:
You really did not pick a good two weeks, did you :shake:
Click to expand...

Nonsense, the weather couldn't have been better (must stay positive, must stay positive). :)

Anyway

Day 10 26th March

Wee break in the clouds and I got all excited, although nothing to write home much about. But if it's an indication of a good evening then I might be back out.

5150d18d.jpg


Although given the colour of the water, I don't think there will be much scope for bonny reflections.

8d7b97ea.jpg


Thanks for looking people. I realise that this is a very dull series of records. It's all about perseverance now.
 
Day 11 27th March.

Well, I'm sure it was beautiful at 6am when I was giving it big zeds.

This was the scene at 8.30 (ish).
CPL and under exposed by 1 stop.

415c906c.jpg


And a little play with the 10 stop looking up river.
10 sec exposure so there's still a bit of movement in the water. A bit light for my liking but I think I'll give this a go again soon now that I've found a place where I don't even need the tripod.

7a03bcde.jpg
 
Well, hopefully you haven't had to wrestle the dogs into the kitchen to be dried off today! :) It's been sunny (here in Hampshire).


Day 10: That break in the clouds did look promising .. how frustrating if it didn't deliver in the evening. :(

Looking at the murky water, I think there's a good shot to be had close in to the supports of the jetty - all that slimy seaweed contrasting with the wood, together with a glimpse of the water. :thumbs:

Day 11: The sky looks good and I like the 'big sky' feel to it. I don't know what else you could have done given the weather, but it would have been good to have a little more detail in the walls/buildings. How far away were they?

Pic 2: I'm getting very fond of this view down the river. :) The colours are good, and there are plenty of interesting angles contrasting with the conical grain stores/thingies. Is that the same container ship as in the earlier shots?
 
jeangenie said:
but it would have been good to have a little more detail in the walls/buildings. How far away were they?

Pic 2: Is that the same container ship as in the earlier shots?
Click to expand...

The buildings were about 250meters away. TBH, I was looking at the clouds and never gave them much thought. (Slap wrist:))

Not the same ship. One was 'Arklow Wind' other was 'Arklow Manor'. I've never looked at that before.

Jenny, the turbines are usually moving quite fast (especially today) but I've been trying to avoid blurring the rotors. I'll give it a go though. :thumbs:
 
Day 12 28th March

Was in a bit of a hurry this morning so only managed a couple of grab shots.

I've had a play with the sky to emphasis the clouds, but it was the light on the fishing lines that caught my husband's eye that I was trying to catch.

bbbf8229.jpg
 
Day 13 29th March

The spots are the camera getting wet. :(

710512d3.jpg


The colours are much better here but that's not what it looked like. The tweaking was in camera. Cloudy white balance and flash.

dcaa0e1b.jpg
 
Day 12: The light on the fishing lines is excellent - you couldn't have planned for that. Well done. And the sky is pretty impressive, too. :)

Day 13: I like the simplicity of the first shot - and the rain spots are perfectly balanced. :D

The second one - that's an awesome sky, but I bet it was short-lived, so well done for getting it.

Only one more day - I'll miss your project, Loopy. :'(

Jean
 
jeangenie said:
Day 12: And the sky is pretty impressive, too. :)

Day 13: The second one - that's an awesome sky, but I bet it was short-lived, so well done for getting it.

Only one more day - I'll miss your project, Loopy. :'(

Jean
Click to expand...

:( Unfortunately, both 'good' skies were tweaked. (I was open about my cheats in the posts:D) I got sick of posting utter poop so thought I'd just post a little bit poop.

And I've decided to carry on with this until Easter then I'll stop and everyone can have their weather back.:coat:
 
I'm glad you are continuing, Loopy. I like the shots for the last couple of days. As Jean says, the light catching on the fishing lines is great, but I did not realise what they were at first. It may have been more obvious if I could see the fishermen.

The last 2 look fairly threatening. Were they morning shots? I guess they were since you are on the east coast. Lovely colours and a bit of tweaking never does any harm.

Jenny
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top