April Update

Another month has flown by and whilst I’ve captured some more images for the 12in12Photo challenge I have been a bit quieter on that project this month as conditions have led me to a few other locations and particular photos I had in mind. That said the three images I have captured for the project have been some of my favourites captured so far.

1) Headon Warren

Over the Easter weekend I went up to Headon Warren and took a slightly different approach to normal. Previously I have always gone to the top of the headland and tried to find a composition on the top of the hill. On this occasion I dropped down the Alum Bay side of the headland and looked at options on that side. The Gorse was in full bloom and the light was lovely. I really liked this spot with found a composition I was quite happy with. I captured this image with the sun sinking behind the spur of the headland. I like this image but I’m not sure its done yet, I think it can be refined further.

Headon Warren at sunset on Easter Sunday with the Needles headland beyond

2) Brook Down

I really wasn’t happy with my first visit to Brook Down, I had gone to the top of the down and tried and failed to find a shot around the 5 Barrows that top the down. On this occasion I stayed on the side of the down (there is a theme developing here!) and used the view towards Compton and over Compton Farm as the focus of the image. It had been a very changeable weather day with heavy shows and sunny spells. I arrived at my location just as a shower was clearing and quickly captured this shot as the light hit the valley. I’m glad I caught this as shortly afterwards my camera started misbehaving and refusing to take any shots. Fortunately after a good clean it seems to be fine again. I really like this shot and the spot will definitely be the spot I use again for visits 3 and 4. I think I can refine the composition a bit and it may be more interesting in late Summer and Autumn when the Rowan bushes are covered in berries. We shall see!

3) Firestone North Copse

April is Bluebell season right? Well not this year, we’ve had some really cold nights on the Island in April (as well as in March) and it seems to have delayed Spring by a good couple of weeks, however in the final week of April Spring finally seemed to get going. I grabbed the opportunity to head into Firestone Copse to capture the Bluebells one morning with some lovely soft light. I know the path leading through the wood shot is a little cliche for Bluebells but I did like this scene and how the trees fitting into the composition. It was also the best batch of flowers I could find as they still hadn’t peaked. I think Early May will be the peak. I do like the shot overall though and happy to include a Bluebell shot in the project.

So after 4 months I’m really pleased with how the project is going. I’m really enjoying going back to locations and trying to get something better each time I go. I’ve been to most locations twice now, but still haven’t made it to Binnel Bay as keep getting thwarted by closed Paths, I do have a cunning plan that I might put into action this weekend or next. I’m really pleased with some of the images I’m capturing and filling my tracker up nicely.

Away from this project I’ve captured another couple of images that I am really proud of. One was the result of planning and one was by pure chance.

One Sunday morning I was heading out to a location, however as I came down off the downs at the Eastern end of the Island I noticed some fog hanging over Bembridge Harbour so a quick change of plan and drove round to the harbour. I then spent a very enjoyable 1/2 hour stood at the side of the harbour as the fog rolled in and out and the sun rose. Fortunately the fog lifted slightly just as the sunrise light up the clouds above and I managed to capture this image. I really like this shot and I’ve already got it on the wall at home. I’ve also added it as a limited edition print in my store…

The second image was more planned. I recently commented that I had never taken a photo of the Needles, whilst not strictly true as I had captured them from Headon Warren, I had never taken the classic shot of the Needles from the viewpoint above the Old Battery. Mainly because there is only really one place to stand and lots of people wanting to stand there so not easy to set up and take your time over the photograph. However I found a way round that and planned a trip in the early hours of the morning as the nearly full moon was setting over Poole Bay. It worked out better than I imagined with the moonlight being so bright it was almost like capturing a sunset. I also like the fact that I’ve been able to keep the detail in the lights of Poole, Bournemouth and even Swanage on the Dorset coast in the Distance. I’m really happy with this image too and have made this available in store as well.

So overall a really nice month for photography, some great conditions and some images I am really happy with. I’ve also managed to complete my 2020 Newtown Project which was good to close out. Its been nice having some more freedoms and meeting up with a few friends. I still haven’t made it off the Island and as a result haven’t seen family, hopefully that’s something we can do in May, especially as I have my first Jab booked this coming week.

Thanks all

Chris

Landscape Photography by Christopher Cockroft, based on the Isle of Wight