I can't believe that when I was taking photographs for my first assignment we were in the depths of winter and, although it has been a dry and mild one, in February we had deep snow, freezing temperatures and fog. Even three weeks ago the countryside was very wintry, but over the last three weeks spring has arrived and I have begun capturing and filing images of this new season for my portfolio. As mentioned in my last blog I opted to use my local area of the North Lincolnshire Wolds and coast for this assignment and also for the portfolio as I was very familiar with the area and the quick and easy access meant that I could reach any location within half an hour.
In my last blog I listed and discussed the images that I had in my short list. I have now made my final selection from that list and they are included below. Although they have been taken over a period of a couple of months during January and February, I have arranged them as if they had been taken during the course of one winter's day from sunrise to sunset.
I took this first image at Messingham Sand Quarry, a local wildlife trust nature reserve that I visit regularly in the summer for butterfly and, especially, dragonfly photography. I know the reserve well and thought that it would provide images that typify winter with the abundance of reeds which at this time of year are brown and dead looking. Unfortunately on this morning it was not cold enough for ice. I chose this shot because I love the colours in the winter sky as the sun is rising and am pleased with the reflection of the sky in the lake. I saw my first ever otter playing in the lake shortly after taking the shot. I think that the tall reeds in the left foreground complement the higher tree line to the right on the horizon.
This is also a sunrise image taken at nearby Worlaby. I had taken photographs from this spot before and knew that it had potential for mist in the valley, a spot I visit regularly to photograph the short eared owls that gather there during the winter. I had been keeping my eye on the weather forecast and selected a morning when clear skies and mist were predicted. I framed the shot so that the church occupied the intersection of thirds and I placed the horizon a third of the way down. I made the sky area smaller than the land as the interest is in the church and the misty valley.
Early in the morning after one of the February snow falls I went out into the Lincolnshire Wolds a short distance from home to take snow pictures for project 25 and also hoping to secure winter images for this assignment. I selected this shot as I felt that it had a cold wintry feel to it especially as there is a grey rather than a clear blue sky. I framed the shot so that the hedge began in the bottom right and then snaked in a pleasing s-shape, hopefully leading the eye into the shot to the wood and distant hill on the horizon. The hedge also provides good perspective.
This is also a sunrise image taken at nearby Worlaby. I had taken photographs from this spot before and knew that it had potential for mist in the valley, a spot I visit regularly to photograph the short eared owls that gather there during the winter. I had been keeping my eye on the weather forecast and selected a morning when clear skies and mist were predicted. I framed the shot so that the church occupied the intersection of thirds and I placed the horizon a third of the way down. I made the sky area smaller than the land as the interest is in the church and the misty valley.Early in the morning after one of the February snow falls I went out into the Lincolnshire Wolds a short distance from home to take snow pictures for project 25 and also hoping to secure winter images for this assignment. I selected this shot as I felt that it had a cold wintry feel to it especially as there is a grey rather than a clear blue sky. I framed the shot so that the hedge began in the bottom right and then snaked in a pleasing s-shape, hopefully leading the eye into the shot to the wood and distant hill on the horizon. The hedge also provides good perspective.I chose this shot as the strong side lighting gave texture to the snow, emphasising it's banked nature. I also liked the dark brooding sky.
One morning whilst we had snow, we also woke to thick fog. Thinking that this would provide more and different winter pictures, I visited a local wooded parkland area. I had photographed this scene a few weeks before but, although in the middle of winter, the bright late afternoon light and leaves still clinging to the beech trees didn't provide a wintry enough atmosphere. This morning was different, however, snow and fog providing the missing ingredients. I chose this particular avenue of trees as I felt that, as they disappeared down the hill, they provided perspective despite the fog. I think the fact the we cannot see the far distance because of the fog lends a sense of mystery to the shot.
All of the above shots are morning images but now we move onto mid afternoon. This picture is taken at another local nature reserve close to the Humber Bridge, a location I also know well from my nature photography. I chose this shot as it conveys a feel of winter: bright, cold winter sky; dead, winter reeds and ice and snow covered water. I like the way the s-shaped curving pattern of snow on the left of the ice and the curve of the reeds leads the eye to the pond dipping platform on the opposite side of the pond. Bare trees emphasise the wintry feel.
A mid afternoon shot of pilings from the old cement works jetty on the Humber Bank with the bridge in the distance. Again a cold clear sky and snow on the pilings tell us that it is winter. I like the fact that I have been able to include the moon in the shot. I carefully framed the image so that I didn't obscure the bridge pillar to the right.
Another image of the Humber Bridge with a wintery feel. I took the picture because the lines in the snow reflect the direction of the bridge and the post, which I have placed on a third, mirrors the bridge pillars. Perspective is provided by the bridge.
A late winter afternoon shot here, again with snow, so obviously winter. I framed the image so that the hedge leads the eye to the wood which occupies the top right of the picture and also provides linear perspective. I placed the solitary tree to the left on an intersection of thirds.
Another late afternoon shot, this time taken on the coastal marsh. The dead reeds and dry, dead grasses tell us this is winter. I have included this picture because, to me, it typifies the Lincolnshire coastal marsh: big skies, flat countryside and long straight drains. I am particularly pleased with the sky and like the way the drain provides perspective. I am also pleased with the reflection of the sky in the still water.
A shot taken just before sunset late on a January afternoon. It had been rather a dull afternoon and uninteresting in the way of light but, as often happens towards sunset the sky began to clear and the sun put in a late appearance. This is one of my favourite views of a local valley, Irby Dales, just outside Grimsby. The bare trees give a wintry feel and I like the way that they snake towards the wood on the opposite hill side.
Finally a typical Lincolnshire sunset. To me Lincolnshire means big skies so I have included a lot of sky in this image to emphasise the wonderful clouds. I have placed the horizon low in the picture as the foreground is silhouetted but I have included the silhouettes of the skeletal winter trees.
Another late afternoon shot, this time taken on the coastal marsh. The dead reeds and dry, dead grasses tell us this is winter. I have included this picture because, to me, it typifies the Lincolnshire coastal marsh: big skies, flat countryside and long straight drains. I am particularly pleased with the sky and like the way the drain provides perspective. I am also pleased with the reflection of the sky in the still water.A shot taken just before sunset late on a January afternoon. It had been rather a dull afternoon and uninteresting in the way of light but, as often happens towards sunset the sky began to clear and the sun put in a late appearance. This is one of my favourite views of a local valley, Irby Dales, just outside Grimsby. The bare trees give a wintry feel and I like the way that they snake towards the wood on the opposite hill side.
Finally a typical Lincolnshire sunset. To me Lincolnshire means big skies so I have included a lot of sky in this image to emphasise the wonderful clouds. I have placed the horizon low in the picture as the foreground is silhouetted but I have included the silhouettes of the skeletal winter trees.