Sheep etc.

[Ed Sutton]

I gave yesterday's trial a miss as I wanted to get some work done on my wildlife pond. The weather was great until the afternoon when it started to rain. I was hoping that would pass over before this morning, but it didn't and the forecast proved accurate. The rain cleared around ten thirty so I made up my mind to go to today's trial anyway. It's less than 20 miles away as the crow flies, but being over 1,000 feet higher it has a different climate. Drivig over the tops visibility was much reduced and I though the trial might have been cancelled. It hadn't, but it was on pause. The sheep were being released from the top of the ridge in picture 1, and were invisible when I arrived. The stiff north-westerly soon blew the cloud away, but brought rain.


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Although the layout of the trial field, which was reversed to what I've seen before, was better for action shots with the pen closer to decent vantage points and better angles available, I spent more time looking for scenic shots. Most of which look better at full screen size as details are tiny at forum size. From the new viewpoint I was able to get a glimpse of a former mill town in the picture. The closeness of the rural to the urban in this part of the world is something that interests me which I'd like to make more photos of.

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Because of the rain I stuck with one lens, a telephoto zoom. While it's useful for action, and can be helpful for compressing space to juxtapose two subjects, I'm not happy using it for other sorts of people picture as I can feel the distance and disconnect with the subject. When the rain stopped and it brightened up I switched to a shorter zoom and felt more comfortable with what I was doing.

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One picture I have been after for some time is one that shows a sheep being separated from the packet. Either I've been too far away, the angle's been wrong or everything has just been badly lined up to make a picture. Today I got some better chances and one picture which almost does the job. It's not quite what I'd like to show the dog running between the sheep, but it's my best effort yet. It's these 'nearly' pictures which keep me going back to try and improve on them.

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With the shorter lens I tried to make some 'different' pictures.

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Checking out the scores so far. A quick snap really.
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This last one is a crop of a not very sharp picture. But I kinda like it. I feel like I need to be bolder and make more of this sort of picture - with a shorter lens.
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https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/CIuD8hDueC7I8APRNBFKhBlZfAf7Qmc3oENxQCiixBnhvuMYJGdydAAjEkV8LBCEHyXwK6EcrxFSXLfJj4jil9VxbsilLxF7b9EycBEMEU0s1GowkHnXailVZcjRToNA_LCLFTMkUHe5WJnmCRrkfnH6BvKZLV-dsEckM949CbCiE0nJ73opVdgdhzn1LpiAn1ucNoXVv3iQI78j0iQYtA501tAHxQtkVZ9xkpq4cMT4l8WyW6-jpApCXnLWs6OvsLUqm_UVQ6YWhieUqGT89lCPXhTpnnQ0d03Fdc6w86CLIAlFheZRqcfrjCfz4j-iINWIPVSPAMn5IWnGBMGqECG8PEgMSWVi1AF-UKBVLKG2Rtc68-XmjRZk90WbL_2bJN_oh7JfyHHevSVeuZ_Jrq9kt5FoD9XgN8Fuxlm44JfY8Vu05L6y9z3m2bdIez_m8mY2mtD8IxwW62cHhje0KczK4utJ1o1yEGxYNtmJn5zqoWdxtuNoKXIcFZIQ9rEPL2m8_bYa5YNbXpJ6QzR6lykIQyoP6jfsRZM4_zGE97pd6yAj7M6OQGEc8-SKog1XbBWBLVP2ekD20PBdHTXZrTqUqPF--cR73gmDk4hrRcsUj_LGASFYVY_gHoqrliyy9DPf_Z89Wu948AzNC-I6O14E8HXAtedMK=w683-h1024-no

Tomorrow is a mixed forecast for the first agricultural show of the year for me. I'm going to try to stick to shorter focal lengths. Here's hoping it's not too wet.

 

[Ed Sutton]

Tomorrow is a mixed forecast for the first agricultural show of the year for me. I'm going to try to stick to shorter focal lengths. Here's hoping it's not too wet.

Shorter focal lengths? Not too wet?

I left the show at 12.30. Drenched and cold. Longer lenses are pretty essential when you can't get close to what you want to photograph, and that's usually the case at the sheep pens. I was glad to have put my superzoom in the bag. Of course, when a sheep made a break for freedom and set off around the showground it wasn't on my camera so I have noting worth showing of that incident.

The rain had an effect on my imagination for some reason. I just couldn't see anything out of the ordinary or interesting. Although I got mildly obsessed with trying to make a picture of pink finger nails.

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One picture which I did make with a shortish focal length was of sheep being unloaded, but a bit different to the ones of them running and jumping out of the trailer which I also tried to make.

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Sheep judging is a tricky subject to get anything different from. Again using a long focal length to compress space and close in on the detail made for a bit of a change.

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Not much thought put into these two, but at least it looks wet in them.

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https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/RAwP66Gxi_tYpqZ1wYC5qDfKCgMQQn4yiNXcJggthR-2NKvODHH7EyYPSPAMv9vUZTbSQP-g8mXcHS2LJbzQNa9vW7NcmW5i3ixrDER-t0b31OfsTcOVq6ItTu04pAPYsDpPdq_hrQa67eo1toYGsA81ojb-zk4HzozoQfvUUpejYr2dMsKTq-x3JUrJxCsgG5SdK--lDIxEWnMfj6mC5HBXYuoO1zj9YaLgYE8udM9Xb9ziPd45FFNJzZuSD-KbPwN_y1IPgyrwM-WLWzc3ryYCrtP_jRdA-cd6vN11FVn3ETZ-U6GFNOSMUwacsFgsz4fWmqokJjCKqV6Cfe8TpZc0t3BePMoM4OZAp2wiIaIYioZylvJPZuyU_N1ok6SmZgLXYuAkzKoFlXzwFQ_wnMTBDaBfjKAnwh8Hv1FIlBL6i24ipi_FUYXOqxq5J-ndCzbgoNvzlyPUfWCtJEusoytmaBx7ePaeN9Uk3G8HuRNkMyj0cYptIr1VGsJd-AWtYDbAsWPlJhK0zInf_UxYSVtFXjs6irYftNq5sBLnN4K3f5eWdbpd44zHmtnhAwmGOfmrlEBpx-JtoqATvW4aaR8yCBfI0NYyGlbBO7MO4eLbo1aUgN6ZlxnQJBOf1iRAa5prkAZqKmUseyRPGMPEh8sv4LyrBlRD_=w1024-h684-no

Rain on the lens (hood left at home) was reducing contrast.
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This might have been a decent picture if there weren't too many niggling faults.

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It was fortunate that I'd intended to concentrate on the Lonks as they were first to be judged. If I'd had to wait in the rain I might have given up. As it was I called it a day shortly after they'd been dealt with. It had been dry when I arrived and sheep were being unloaded and titivated. I didn't take many photos that were anything other than records. I'd never seen sponsored sheep before!

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The sheep above are, I believe, Dutch Spotted sheep, one of the increasingly popular breeds these days. A breed which I haven't seen at a show before is rumoured to be the cutest sheep on the planet. The Valais Blacknose which originates from Switzerland. There are plenty of pictures on the web showing their cuteness. I haven't taken any of them! Apparently they are also very friendly. Their owners seem to love them. I didn't ask if they make tasty chops...

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Here's hoping everything is dry and fully functional by the time the next show comes around.

 

[sirch]

Seeing that put an idea in my mind - hands! Farmers often have amazing hands as in second from the left in #3 or the painted nails in #1

That's your next project sorted

 

[Ed Sutton]

Seeing that put an idea in my mind - hands! Farmers often have amazing hands as in second from the left in #3 or the painted nails in #1

That's your next project sorted

Strangely enough when I was processing the pics I zoomed in on the thumb of the same chap in 3 in another frame and had a similar thought!

I have a feeling that I have seen a project like that somewhere or other. Or maybe some pictures of farmers' hands within a project.

 

[sirch]

Strangely enough when I was processing the pics I zoomed in on the thumb of the same chap in 3 in another frame and had a similar thought!

I have a feeling that I have seen a project like that somewhere or other. Or maybe some pictures of farmers' hands within a project.

I'm sure it's been done before many times but what hasn't (except sheep and chickens ;-) ) but perhaps not within the context of farm-hand or dog-handler. All which put me in mind of this, which I haven't thought about for decades...

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihhwiNlb7uU


Good old goolge and youtube, a more than adequate substitute for the sludge at the bottom of my skull that passes for a brain these days

 

[Ed Sutton]

I'm sure it's been done before many times but what hasn't (except sheep and chickens ;-) ) but perhaps not within the context of farm-hand or dog-handler. All which put me in mind of this, which I haven't thought about for decades...

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihhwiNlb7uU


Good old goolge and youtube, a more than adequate substitute for the sludge at the bottom of my skull that passes for a brain these days

There's more to Mike Harding that I suspect most people realise.

Sheep have been the subject of photography and documentary a bit - I have one or two books in that vein. There's quite a bit on Twitter. But a lot of it verges on the twee these days to my mind. But I won't start ranting about that!

I found another 'pink nail' picture from today which I think I prefer. It has a contrasting hand in it too.

 

[Ed Sutton]

It could have been a case of sheep dog trial burnout this weekend with a three day trial starting Friday and a two dayer on Saturday and Sunday. As it was the best weather was on Friday and I stayed home to do a bit of work and finish off refurbishing my wildlife pond! Saturday morning I had a delivery to make and couldn't decided which trial to go to. I ended up at day two of the one closest to home. Yet again in the damp. It really does get me down when it rains at a trial. Naturally enough as the end got closer the rain stopped... Sunday I could very easily have given it a miss when I woke to rain, but as it was a 10am start I went anyway. Another dreary day in terms of weather with brief dry spells between showers. I spent a lot of time sitting in my car just like most others there with my enthusiasm for all things sheep dwindling by the minute.

The sheep for this trial had been clipped, by the look of them and the scattering of wool on the ground it had been very recently. I'll post more pics (and story) from the trial tomorrow as it didn't finish until six thirty and I've only just done with culling the crap from 500 frames, but here are a few of shorn sheep for now.

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[Ed Sutton]

The first two days of the three day Deerplay Hill trial are run individually with the top dogs from each day going through to a tougher challenge on the final day. This event has quite a reputation for really sorting out the best dogs and handlers, being run over rough moorland of sedge and with a couple of streams to negotiate. The sheep are released over a quarter of a mile away from the post at the top of a steep rise. On the first day the dogs gather one packet of three sheep. On the second day two packets of four. Measuring it on Google maps I reckon that for the final day's run the dogs cover well over a mile.

For some unfathomable reason I had focusing trouble on my first visit resulting in a shed load of duff shots. This was affecting distant subjects mostly, which was a b****r as I was trying to get pictures of the sheep release set up to give an impression of the distance involved. Even the better ones are dodgy, but so long as I never try showing them any larger than 5x7 I can probably get away with them! e.g. number 1.

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There is an unusual release set up here. There's a cage for the sheep which descends down a track. When the dog arrives a rop is pulled and the front of the cage swings open to let the sheep out! On the Sunday I solved my focusing issues (by using a different camera) and got some slightly better focused shots. Not much better though.

In number two the release pen is just in shot at the top left. I took this to show the location, the 'gates' of fetch route, some action and the judge's van. The closest four 'gates' are placed at crossing pints of moorland streams.

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The challenge of even this course proved too much for a lot of entrants. Some dogs never managed to find the sheep and a lot retired. This meant that as I'd arrived late I didn't have much close range action to photograph. People were drifting away, and as always when the weather is dour most were sat in their vehicles. Opportunities for other pictures were slim.

There's always a 'dog in a car' picture to be had.

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Or a panting dog pic.
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Pictures of handlers standing around with their dogs would be easy to take, I suppose, but I prefer to have activity in my pictures of people with dogs. I like the tension in a lead. This isn't the best example, but one of my better efforts to date. Something else to keep aiming for.

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I've got a bit bored of photographing the general action but I do keep trying to capture the shedding of a single sheep. It's not easy in a single frame. A sequence shows it better. This wasn't something I thought about in advance or I'd have made a better try at it. This is Jim Cropper, the guy who started the trial back in the 1970s (I think), making sure he got two dogs through to the last day.

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Sundays pics to follow.

 

[Ed Sutton]

I forgot to put in a 'scene setter' in my previous post showing vehicles lined up and the PA and catering trailers. On the Sunday I took Jim a couple of prints from the day before and while I was talking to him grabbed a shot of the PA trailer occupants observing the proceedings and keeping out of the wind. Messed it up though - Jim's out of focus. I'll never make it as a photographer...

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Another shot I would have liked but messed up was the live streaming set up. A bit Heath Robinson if you ask me - an iPhone on a tripod inside a livestock trailer to keep the wind noise down. My main concern was keeping myself off Facebook. Although I didn't succeed when it came to the presentations! When the wind was blowing and the rain falling there were times when I thought of going home to tune in... It goes to show the effect accessible technology is having in unexpected ways. If Carol's hand wasn't obscuring her face it might have worked. That was the only chance I got though as the first run of the day had just started and she wasn't set up.

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As mentioned previously, the weather was a bit grim and I didn't spend all that much time taking photographs. My focussing issues were resolved - which was a relief, but still a mystery. It's not a big deal as I'm trying to steer clear of long range stuff. And although I've overcome my dislike of cropping pictures I relent when it comes to action as I find accurate framing with action. Unless I'm trying for something a bit different.

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https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3uDHWJM_X2MF4kbzIyNL2VGx5GXnEKBsLDIEti5GrRv7j3dbF8YI0VlgRxFapgE2435xTq9xqzHPQ06FQ5RiS5fktmgiG5XYvZK2gGKYYBoHhDK0od7Zdr5V01nBNw6enQcQi6pWxKrp8w3HbIpkI6xr-78B3tuRxzbVYvPvVsPG73xqpQQRPjnW9H2I26E3ZCnfwd4Rd0o5aiR8PRYiH3xOGOB7_9HynM0ST9bfKxFh8G_pQTelBHzTH0G1-uP60o-U_L6aCvCys8P3fxY3qsSWPPxU9nQ0UBBQ1H7nOctW6msu7cpuR-bYPXxx9XvY0ZHTQSPAMUQTCEPpFEBrr98Z1MLHDSCEmhAqBBjd-QZRBabQBNdX0jH7wMELNqn2JPWU1zV37mNqXOQ-CE1g9i51rNZe553fM2-Qi1U95xXXZ5YCTZt7bXK8whBFKtHEomBZmQsr1yd7HHEf7b3XrhsF-TaK989Ntx3Xw9E50jsUHsUj8eaqYBe53ALYCXgpdtDwolDQUVg_95VoxbzAfvZUkYeR7FERmLNgmf1XJHFrKCn8-RDkLiXbTELNO5wGXpIKaDEMKLqSocMREqNqCGEMJmq32yqSCGy7XMrguqT1uVCs4I6XeGbXf4GWzD2X42W0hlkh3ESw4wtsP4KWqmqLkKq6ZX02o=w1024-h683-no

Usually the judge stays in their vehicle, but this time he got out for a better angle, even walking out on to the field at time. This gave me opportunities for something out of the norm like the next two, although I have others. I tried to work out a way to get an angle to show the judge's face, but couldn't quite manage it.

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Both days I wasn't the only one there taking photographs. One of the handlers was taking them too. He was, as you'd expect, concentrating on the dogs in action. In an earlier post I mentioned how meeting another photographer at a trial got me questioning what I was doing. Thinking about it I've met others before and after that encounter. I'm beginning to wonder if it was the individual I took a dislike to and got grumpy about! I had a chat with the chap yesterday, not about gear, but about the problems of photographing sheepdogs. I didn't get grumpy at all.

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People interacting with dogs. Can't fail subjects. Should have got a bit lower, I think. Damn these knackered knees...

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Despite getting there at quarter to ten I stuck it right to the end at six thirty. Which surprised me. Once more the sun came out for the last few runs. There were only 21 dogs running, but a completed run took half an hour. One was disqualified for getting the order of the course wrong and two retired. Apparently the standard was very high this year and usually many more retire and the finish is earlier. I hung around because I was actually interested to find out who won. While I did join in taking the standard 'posing with the trophies' shots (the fat wad of notes being tucked out of sight...) my pictures are no different to the phone snaps which are now all over Facebook. I don't think anyone else got this one. Although I'm not sure why I like it.

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There are more pics on my website, including some I almost posted here. https://photo.dlst.co.uk/albums/deerplay-hill-trial-2019-day-three/

Choosing between good pics and those about which I might have something to say for this thread is always tricky.

Any thoughts most welcome as I'm at a bit of a crossroads with this project. The sheep dog trials in particular. They've been fun and challenging for the last twelve months or so, but I'm feeling a little stale on this front.

 

[Ed Sutton]

I took a 'day off' today more for a look around than take photographs at North Sheep 2019. This is a one day event held every other year by the National Sheep Association. They hold similar events in other regions too. I had no real idea what to expect and just popped my Fuji X100T in a jacket pocket. It turned out to be an enlightening experience. Not much different to many agricultural shows except everything was sheep related and little in the way of non-farming stuff on show. A bit of food and some sheep related products was all. The main exhibitors were breed societies and breeders. Some had made more effort with their displays than others.

Was it well attended? This picture shows less than half the car parking area.
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The Herdwick breeders put on a large and professional looking display complete with stone bridge.

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And themed nibbles. Why so glum looking though?

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Others were a bit more home made. Talking sheep?

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There were other attractions.

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There was also a shearing competition between Young Farmers from Cumbria, Yorkshire and Lancashire. Being biased I was glad I could only get a view of the Lancashire team.

This was tough to photograph as there was a throng in the shed. I had to resort to the Hail Mary approach. This is one advantage of non-DSLRs in my experience - they work better using the rear screen, and they can shoot rapidly and pretty much silently. Getting focus right beats me at times, and today I could barely see the screen. I still managed one or two shots which showed what was going on and how there was team work involved. This frame tells the story better in a set of four, but is probably the strongest of the lot.

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I didn't ask what this was all about!

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I'd guess that was one of the few non-farming folk at the event. However there were a number of school groups being taken round and seeming to enjoy the experience. It's a shame that these days one feels uncomfortable photographing children, and posting any such pictures on-line. I couldn't resist photographing some children interacting with a young farmer in a Swaledale sheep costume! But only from behind. Their expressions would have made for good pictures I expect. Still, the main thing is that they got a glimpse into the farming world. As one of their teachers/teaching assistants said to me, some of them had never seen a sheep before.

Apart from a few sheep dog trials (which I might skip) there are no sheep on my calendar for a couple of weeks. Which is probably a good thing. It'll allow me to clear my head and come back to the subject refreshed. There have been sheep in my dreams recently...

 

[Ed Sutton]

What a bloomin' day. Turned the car into the show field to drive along the track to park up and the gear lever wouldn't shift out of first. I decided to go take my photos then see what was up and if the car was immobile call the AA later. With that in mind I didn't want to stop too long in case I ended up waiting hours to be towed home. As it turned out the car worked OK when I did get back to it. However, when I loaded my photos on the PC I found one body had been set to take small jpegs. Why? I never change out of raw. I must have pressed a button and twiddled a dial accidentally. never mind, there anything worthy of a mega large print in the jpegs - and I know from past experience that 3mp is plenty for a double page spread in a magazine. On here even smaller files will be fine!

Sheep in trailers are always tempting subjects, but making something different of them isn't easy.

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I tried my best to get a shot I envisaged of this Kerry Hill next to it's branded feed bag. This was my best attempt.

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Deep in my Lightroom catalogue is a growing series of pictures of baler twine. For some reason I've neglected the twine at shows. Until today when there was some which matched an ear tag.

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This show is one where access to favourable angles is limited. It wasn't too bad for the judging of the Derbyshire Gritstones, but the Links were judged in an awkward position. I got a bit frustrated to be honest.

Eyeing up the Grits. The jpegs actually needed next to no processing. Which surprised me. Although there's no highlight recovery to speak of and they are a bit over-sharpened for my taste though. I shouldn't have been surprised because for my first nine years of digital photography I didn't know raw files existed!

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Much as I like Gritstones I still prefer Lonks. Horned sheep are more photogenic. There aren't many ways to make judging pictures that are a bit different. But I think this one manages.

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I find it can pay off to let my eyes wander without looking through a viewfinder. That way I sometimes manage to spot something which can be incorporated in a picture. Quite a few of the older hurdles had TAS (Todmorden Agricultural Society) painted on them. Lining the three letters up with something relevant was pretty much impossible. I still tried.

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It was slim pickings for me today. The car worry was holding me back as I didn't want to leave too late and I also wanted to have a look at one running of the sheep dog display - which was either noon or three. The later one would have meant a late call to the AA, so I left the sheep before all the judging was done.

I'd spoken to Elaine, who was doing the displays, by the sheep pens and she said the geese were playing up and the ducks weren't here usual lot. I got to the midday display a little late, just in time to see the geese flying back to the trailer! I rattled off a load of frames of the duck and duckling herding, which went down well with the crowd, but there wasn't much worth saving. If I'd known where the ducks would be herded and what else was to happen I might have fared better.

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I've no shows lined up to go to for three weeks and only one sheep dog trial. Time to have a rethink about this project, or maybe make some plans for another if I can dream something up.

Once again, ta for looking.

 

[Ed Sutton]

Having got fed up of being wet through at events over the last couple of months I bought some new waterproof overtrousers last week. That is probably why I could have done with the sun cream today. I knew from last year that this trial venue can give good opportunities for photos at the pen and single. The problem was not many dogs were getting to that stage this year. Although it was mostly sunny, the clouds often covered the sun at inappropriate times for me. The result was a mixed bag, and nothing much of note. At least I made no technical cock ups today!

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The dogs were grateful for the old stone water trough.

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It had been my intention to look for more pictures that weren't of dogs running or in the back of pick ups, but it didn't pan out that way.

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I think it might have been because there is a three day trial on this weekend that there weren't as many in attendance as I expected. Some had been to the first day of the other trials yesterday, and I might well go to the final day tomorrow myself as there is also a sheep show being held. That might be the end of my trials photography. Part of me would like to get better at the action shots, but that's more a technical/gear related challenge which is not really a direction I want to go and I'm struggling to get anything fresh that interests me.

 

[Ed Sutton]

I rather expected to spend more time in the sheep pens than at the dog trial today at Harden Moss, as the main breeds were the three which interest me most. As far as the trials and things going on I reckon Saturday would have been the better choice, but I was happy to trade a larger crowd, music and bouncy castles for the sheep show! The sheep dog trial is a different set up to the ones I've been to before, with a permanent stand and judges box. Action shots would have been fairly easy to get as the pen is well within range and benches are provided right at the edge of the field. There was at least one photographer doing just that. I didn't take many action shots as I missed most of the runs.

Just a few from the trials. It's been a long day, I took far too many pictures of sheep, and I accidentally deleted a load of them while editing and had to reload them into Lightroom.... More tomorrow when my brain is less fuddled!

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[Ed Sutton]

Seeing that put an idea in my mind - hands! Farmers often have amazing hands as in second from the left in #3 or the painted nails in #1

That's your next project sorted

It wasn't conscious, but I found I'd taken a few 'hand' shots yesterday. Number 3 I am particularly happy with as I've been trying to take a picture which shows the handing over of a rosette for some time and this one is by far the most succesful.

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I see quite a lot of clothing with jokey slogans on the back at shows. Some are mass produced such as 'Crazy sheep lady" and 'I'm not fat, I'm in show condition', but 'Old Tup' was clearly a custom job. As soon as I saw it I grabbed a shot but it was just a snap without any context. Even carefully posed it would have been what I think of as a one-liner picture. Later in the day my brain got into gear.

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Something else changed as the day went on. I don't know what, or if I did it deliberately but I was getting in closer and framing more tightly with a wider angle rather than zooming in. At the moment I'm liking the sort of chaotic nature of the framing of these last three pictures.

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All told I think I added quite a few more pics to my collection of sheep show photos, especially of the Whitefaced Woodland sheep which I haven't had many opportunities to photograph before. In that respect it was worth the trip closer to their native range of the more southerly part of the Pennines. When I started this project all sheep breeds were equal, but now I mostly photograph Lonks, Gritstones and, when I get the chance, Woodlands. Lonks because they are the Lancastrian sheep - and real tough looking, Grits because they occupy a similar range and resemble a hornless Lonk, and Woodlands because they are another neglected breed in the world of sheep photography and I think they are rather good looking as sheep go. There could be an element of Northern pride behind my choices too. The rest of sheeperazzi can stick to their Cumbrian and Yorkshire Herdwicks and Swaledales with their smiley faces!

All thoughts and crit welcome.

 

[sirch]

The old and young hands contrasted work really well for me, they are really well seen and captured. And more really good additions to the project good to see it continuing and developing.

 

[Ed Sutton]

The old and young hands contrasted work really well for me, they are really well seen and captured. And more really good additions to the project good to see it continuing and developing.

Thanks Chris. Although too much credit given for my observational skills! I often find myself and/or other people spotting stuff in my pictures which I wasn't considering when I took them. Maybe there's something going on in my unconscious mind though.

Another quiet week or so ahead before the main run of agricultural shows starts in July.

 

[Ed Sutton]

Sort of sheep related. I took a walk yesterday evening in search of 'lost' farms on the West Pennine Moors inspired by a book I bought last year. The short story is that a combination of economics and pressure from the water company which bought the moors caused farms to be abandoned. One reason for driving the farmers out was to get rid of the sheep as they were thought a health risk to the water supply. Even so there were still people up there in the 1950s, but little remains of most farm buildings today. Most are piles of stone vaguely outlining the floor plan of the houses, outbuildings and yards.

There are still sheep on the moors, which looking one way seem remote.

But signs of industry aren't far away. The mills and dye works also drew people away from the moorland farms.

I guess land use has always been fluid, and farming constantly changing too. Reading that book it was also apparent that diversification for farming families is nothing new. Most had other trades. Some were weavers, but the coming of the mills put paid to that income stream.

Working farms are to be found on the edges of these moors and down from the hill there was a chance for a sheepscape - with goose.

 

[superpippo]

Hi Dave
good to see that this project continues.
Good array of shots, some of them with too much featureless sky which detracts in my view. The latest ones of the Lancashire fells are much better in that regard.
Shot 2 in post#173 is excellent. Lacks a bit of contrast I think and pity that the dog is not just a bit more separated from the sheep, but a really good action shot showing all the elements of trialling with particular connection between man and dog.
Shot 4 in post#174 ' B. Crawshaw' is excellent. Good detail in the shot and a super example of craftsmanship detailing the head of the sheep and the lying dog.

 

[Ed Sutton]

Hi Dave
good to see that this project continues.
Good array of shots, some of them with too much featureless sky which detracts in my view. The latest ones of the Lancashire fells are much better in that regard.
Shot 2 in post#173 is excellent. Lacks a bit of contrast I think and pity that the dog is not just a bit more separated from the sheep, but a really good action shot showing all the elements of trialling with particular connection between man and dog.
Shot 4 in post#174 ' B. Crawshaw' is excellent. Good detail in the shot and a super example of craftsmanship detailing the head of the sheep and the lying dog.

Thanks for the feedback Alan.

I agree about the dog, that's why I keep going back to try and get the 'ultimate' action shot! There's skilled work goes into making the fancy sticks. I regret not spending some time photographing a stick making demo at the latest trials.

 

[superpippo]

Thanks for the feedback Alan.

....There's skilled work goes into making the fancy sticks. I regret not spending some time photographing a stick making demo at the latest trials.

That sounds interesting. I did not know that they did that at the shows.

 

[Ed Sutton]

That sounds interesting. I did not know that they did that at the shows.

There are often stick competitions and stick makers selling, but I can only remember one other demo.

 

[sphexx]

There are often stick competitions and stick makers selling, but I can only remember one other demo.

There has in the past stick making demonstration at GYS, which is on next week, no idea if there will be any though but worth looking if you are going anyway. I seem to remember a trade stand too that does it while selling sticks etc.

 

[Ed Sutton]

There has in the past stick making demonstration at GYS, which is on next week, no idea if there will be any though but worth looking if you are going anyway. I seem to remember a trade stand too that does it while selling sticks etc.

Ta. I might go to Harrogate on Tuesday. But the ticket price is a deterrent!

 

[Mr Badger]

I've just learned today that our local livestock market (which was reputedly the last one in Cheshire) has gone into administration. If you're interested in documenting what may well be the twilight years of regular weekly/monthly local livestock markets as part of your sheep project, then you may need to get your skates on and get round those remaining before it's too late. In the words of a song; You don't know what you've got, till it's gone.

 

[sphexx]

Ta. I might go to Harrogate on Tuesday. But the ticket price is a deterrent!

Yes, prices seem to have got worse and no cheaper day like there used to be. Of course if you want to go all three days (which some do as the “attractions” vary) then it’s cheaper to join the Society and pay £60 pa and get free entry - used to be with family I think but not now it seems.
At least they have the traffic flow around HARROGATE sorted now, I live on the same road (but the Wetherby end) and my parents used to be trapped in the house for 3-5 days on show week!

 

[Ed Sutton]

I've just learned today that our local livestock market (which was reputedly the last one in Cheshire) has gone into administration. If you're interested in documenting what may well be the twilight years of regular weekly/monthly local livestock markets as part of your sheep project, then you may need to get your skates on and get round those remaining before it's too late. In the words of a song; You don't know what you've got, till it's gone.

I'd read about Beeston going into administration, owing farmers money too. Chelford had closed a couple of years back. It seems like tough times for some smaller marts which aren't diversifying. Those which moved out of town to larger premises seem to be doing okay, partly because they have units which they rent out and also because they hold other events. The days of the smaller marts are probably numbered. It's a shame because they really are of value socially. Some hold drop in clinics for health checks on market day, for example.

In the John and Eliza Forder books from the 1990s there are pictures of marts which are no more. There is a touching video of the last sheep sale at Bellingham, some of which is available on Youtube.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEAQEeznXoo

 

[Ed Sutton]

Yes, prices seem to have got worse and no cheaper day like there used to be. Of course if you want to go all three days (which some do as the “attractions” vary) then it’s cheaper to join the Society and pay £60 pa and get free entry - used to be with family I think but not now it seems.
At least they have the traffic flow around HARROGATE sorted now, I live on the same road (but the Wetherby end) and my parents used to be trapped in the house for 3-5 days on show week!

I remember Harrogate being a bit of a bottle neck when I used to pass through on my way to and from fishing the Ouse around York most Saturdays in winter back around the turn of the century. Last time I was there was some six or seven years ago at the Pavilions for a fishing show.

 

[Ed Sutton]

A quick then and now courtesy of Google.

Sedbergh mart 2009 - https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@54.3...4!1sRozT8UObmwXSaAkbQORjjQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Sedbergh Spar 2016 - https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@54.3...4!1sX7G26eLGbZ6_LY5sU6HVQw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

 

[Mr Badger]

Congleton and, I believe, Chelford cattle markets are now under houses. I'd imagine Beeston will soon follow now.

 

[Ed Sutton]

Congleton and, I believe, Chelford cattle markets are now under houses. I'd imagine Beeston will soon follow now.

No doubt.

The increase in direct selling to the large supermarkets on a contract basis no doubt has something to do with the decline of auction trading. Although various regulation changes have played their part. Mind you, all the livestock marts and farms will be gone when the world is turned vegan. Must stop before I rant!

 

[sphexx]

No doubt.

The increase in direct selling to the large supermarkets on a contract basis no doubt has something to do with the decline of auction trading. Although various regulation changes have played their part. Mind you, all the livestock marts and farms will be gone when the world is turned vegan. Must stop before I rant!

Didn’t the changes to regulations of slaughterhouses kill off many of the smaller auction marts because there were fewer and larger slaughter houses necessitating longer travel distances and so on? The smaller slaughterers should have been supported by HMG but they claimed it was against EU rules — which it probably was but I remember a BBC Radio4 Food Program episode featuring a rural slaughter house in France being set up/subsidised by the local council. The French say, wisely, that EU rules are only advisory and I have fair idea about what the Italians would say .

 

[Ed Sutton]

Didn’t the changes to regulations of slaughterhouses kill off many of the smaller auction marts because there were fewer and larger slaughter houses necessitating longer travel distances and so on? The smaller slaughterers should have been supported by HMG but they claimed it was against EU rules — which it probably was but I remember a BBC Radio4 Food Program episode featuring a rural slaughter house in France being set up/subsidised by the local council. The French say, wisely, that EU rules are only advisory and I have fair idea about what the Italians would say .

Probably a combination of the closure of smaller slaughterhouses and rules for the marts too. New legislation always appears to mean increased costs for those affected, with the smaller outfits least able to absorb them. EU regs also wouldn't surprise me, the French always seem to ignore them and the UK enforces them to the letter.

 

[Ed Sutton]

I found out today that Clitheroe Auction Mart is expanding its horse and tack auctions to a monthly fixture as a direct result of the closure of Beeston and the loss of their fortnightly auction. Maybe they noticed an increase in interest for their poultry auctions after Chelford closed.

Nothing to do with sheep, so here's one from today's sheep dog auction at Skipton. Maybe more to follow if I can find anything worth posting.

 

[Ed Sutton]

One step forwards two steps back is how it feels at the moment. I'd gone to the auction with two things I wanted to photograph and I came away without anything of those subjects that really improved on past attempts. Maybe the microchip scanning, but despite arriving in good time I missed out on most opportunities. probably because there weren't as many entries as at past auctions.

1

So it was repetition for the most part. Cute dogs and general views. And not as many shots worth archiving as usual.

2

3

4

5

I thought I'd get a bit Martin Parr when I spotted people eating ice creams. But failed miserably. His style ain't as easy as it looks to copy!

6

On the plus side I managed to avoid using longer focal lengths most of the time. I think the few pictures I did get benefited from that. However, once more I've hit that wall of doubt about continuing. What I reckon I need to do is stop pratting about, narrow things down, and get serious about putting together a proper body of work on a sheep related theme. Commitment? Aaargh!

 

[Ed Sutton]

Knowing that I'd not be able to get in close at the Longridge show today I took the old superzoom. Just as well because the (very) few pictures worth saving needed it either because of range or it's ability to take close-ups. That said I also threw in a 50mm lens more of which later.

I really struggled today. Either I'm jaded or there wasn't much in the way of sheep. There isn't a large sheep section to start with and there were a good few empty pens. Competition in the Suffolk class was nil - one entrant. However, I thought I'd been transported to Craggy Island when the judge for the class turned up. Try as I might I couldn't get a picture which showed his dog collar clearly.

1

Other than that the sheep pens provided more of the usual stuff - sheep being washed, details and so on.

2

3

4

One exhibitor of Herdwick and Shetland sheep put up some information, which is something that could be done more at these shows which the non-farming public attend. This is a graphic of the various markings of Shetland sheep,which have varied fleeces, and the names given to them.

5

This is the breed standard and points for judging of Herdwicks.

6
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/LlGUy6io848rk3TVWjt7WCk6IFJnQGDta-ys0OoFeXuIVSKj2fUZlz77lnZetrmRP_4kg14hP3JTlLCTPW-ZWcd4r1Uzg2-3HLq2vIUP8ZxQLZkkpDs8dh_qmUHaM1XNlTilSAP2Mpy6rXR3CTbMer7E9qyq57oqBYfDG-qsfhjhuQUwytTDD9fgDyrbq1lw---1T7f6ZiiFxj4rPkRP47ytxmzKv8ew2jsXaWaD5lYLvENyr27SGDxW-3P2HsFbRxXgoGkVk6o0CVcsnRdVGn8EisgFXGakc3bk4s1txxms87VMcNmabho4a5p8tNZqGqL6uUaKlH0SrtBthaQjl3FTNMJrTkui9BFRak0KZWDBLts7uj9AISLTAtUZJ-E1I2Z9nsmBybDQ1SRdXvuSdIZYu_SNXny2sTCxXRgkJHEh-IGMhcvvZFG8eTxJuJHK3Z2NGlbLMKbI8ZfNOEQUzEpPszxJIrassObGffPMK1eZWGJ7lG1Gevssq4rLGB7a7jP_nlAyIw97B7xx9NcbuIUMpPeBnp3r-RaN1NpIPSPAMM2AqXC_2Ye8FRzXmp_LYp86Uf73pd3ukYrCnAd0Oc5wmkZ1gsIA1ItJxUMlXHCcI4_yMs7tRxDErw9LB0x-urDMUGxEmlAQQLf3O21c6JtKF3lH5jGyz=w1024-h684-no

There were a couple of other sheep related attractions. Another of the local sheep dog handlers was giving demos in the main ring with geese and ducks. Even without any commands being given collies round things up for fun. It's what they want to do. Must be in their DNA!

7

As last year there was a sheep shearing demo. This year it was promoted better through the PA and it was held in the main ring. To let folk have a good view the were allowed into the ring. At this point I'd dumped most of my gear back in the car because I was knackered (I've developed a foot problem and was starting to suffer with it) and only had the 50mm lens on the camera which I thought might be restrictive so I almost didn't bother going for a look at the shearing, never mind taking any photos. I ended up with the sun in my face but I had a reasonable angle to capture the fleeces being rolled. I like this one because it gives an impression of how large a fleece is and it shows both a sheep being shorn in the frame and the appreciative audience. I'm sure it could be better, I have some frames with light coming through a fleece which is a nice effect but the pictures don't work for me. So I'll take this one for now.

8

I felt a bit flat at the show, although the results are a little better than I thought they would be, and am still contemplating a change in direction.

 

[Ed Sutton]

I bit the bullet, opened my wallet and went to the GYS today. According to the PA commentator there were more breeds of sheep and more individual sheep on show than at any other show in the UK. But I took that as Yorkshire 'modesty'! Seriously, there were a lot of sheep, and good turnouts for a lot of breeds. There were something like eight or nine rings all being judged at once at times, and there are two permanent sheds like the one in the first pic. It was impossible to get a photo which showed the scale of things.

1 (perspective corrected)

I'm a sucker for signs. No surprise the first frame I exposed was this one.

2

Despite getting through the gates before nine the judging of some classes was already almost over, and a lot of the pre-show preparations had been done. So I missed out on some things. There were a few sheep being pampered here and there with classes being spread throughout the day. Forcing myself to photograph other breeds than my favourites I got one or two pictures of sheep on trimming stands, which don't feature at the smaller shows as a rule.

3

4

5

The show rings did give good views, however, and a different experience to the local shows with white coats mandatory for exhibitors and the sheep shown away from the pens.

6

I did manage my first shot of one particular judging task. Not great, but a gap filled for now.

7

I took quite a lot of pics, most rubbish, and reviewing them I realise what I missed out on. I also had a look at some another photographer I've met before tweeted which made me think that my photos look more snaps (or cock-ups) in comparison. They don't look like ones seen in the farming press either. I mean, what the hell was I thinking with number 5?

I'll post more words and pics at some point tomorrow.

Did I mention I like signs?

8

 

[ancient_mariner]

I mean, what the hell was I thinking with number 5?

Number 5 is a visual pun for number 8.

 

[superpippo]

I seem to think that you watch the Guardian's photo pieces so presumably you have seen this :
https://www.theguardian.com/science...great-yorkshire-show-in-harrogate-in-pictures

 

[Ed Sutton]

I seem to think that you watch the Guardian's photo pieces so presumably you have seen this :
https://www.theguardian.com/science...great-yorkshire-show-in-harrogate-in-pictures

There's only so many subjects to photograph.

 

[Ed Sutton]

With there being so many breeds showing it was a good opportunity to see and photograph some I haven't seen before. Back when Britain made its fortune from wool the longwool breeds would have been more widespread. How long is the wool? Something like that of the Lincoln Longwool I would imagine.

1

2

There was a strong entry of Whitefaced Woodlands, but the judging was put back to 3 o'clock by which time I'd left. I find them irresistible subjects for some reason. I'm still mildly obsessed with taking photos of sheep eyes

3

A lot of the photos I took were little more than the same old things in a different setting, or variations on themes. But I suppose the change of location adds to the overall project.

4

5

The final of the Young Farmers Club shearing competition was being held yesterday. It was something I probably should have made an effort to photograph, but I was late to the party and couldn't really see a way to get any closer without getting in the way. Given the elevated stage I was probably not in a too bad position where I did take my snaps from. There was quite a crowd.

6

7

Behind the stage is a sheep handling system to deal with the sheep as they come off the wagons, and again after they are clipped. How many sheep got clipped during the day I don't know, but it was a lot.

8

There are more pics I could post but that would be tedious. In any case, photographs only tell part of the story of these events. The longer this project drags on the more I'm wondering if it needs words to tie it together. Conversations had and overheard really make the experience of a show or sale for me. I don't think there are many bad losers in the show rings but there are plenty of excuses. Yesterday I was told that one judge was out of touch with the way his particular breed had developed since he moved away from the area where it proliferates. That was from someone who's lamb came second... It does illustrate that the sheep we see today have changed, even within individual breeds, from those which grazed decades ago, let alone centuries past. Something else a photograph can't get across easily - unless paired with an older picture.

There's yet another show on Saturday but I'm thinking of giving it a miss in case I get totally burned out before the Royal Lancs. Or maybe I'll go and photograph something other than sheep!