Park hues - # 118/2011

Still at Pen Ponds, but looking at the colours that appear in the water and the surroundings. This spot didplays a million changes of mood.

Tonal exercises - # 117/2011

At last we're back in Richmond (not sure for how long - there are so many other things to photograph).


Pen Ponds in Richmond Park are an ever changing scene. This shot is not supposed to be representational. I'm experimenting and enjoying the "tonality" presented by the Ponds under varying skies. 

Light on water, Pen Ponds, Richmond Park - # 08/246

A tiny f 22 lens aperture and a high shutter speed broke up the continuous carpet of glare from late afternoon sun to form a sprinkle of magic dust particles scattered across the water. The birds posed in nicely co-ordinated positions and the long grasses parted conveniently to allow the camera a nice low view point. Just for once the camera captured the magic I saw, but that may not be the case for everyone who sees the photo.

Capturing September attempt # 21-019- # 08/225

As the quality of light and the angle of the sun change we see new lighting effects under the trees and the sparkle on the water and even the nature of the mud seems to change.

For other pictures of Pen Ponds in Richmond Park see Year 2007 # 4, 7, 339 & 354.

This is a typical example of how the eye handles contrasts in light and shade better than the camera. Fortunately the blue water is not too much over-exposed. Several attempts were necessary. I hope you enjoy the scene as much as I did at the time.

"The Cruel Sea" in memoriam - # 354

Today there are flood warnings again all around Britain as the foul weather surges in from the Atlantic bringing dangerously high winds and huge quantities of rain.

I'm pleased to say that I captured the scene just as I wanted it......the waves on the pond, the flotilla of little coots toughing it out. They make me think of WWII corvettes on anti-submarine patrol in the Atlantic in 1941.

Camera: Olympus E3

Inverse "hallow effect" - # 329

In a short span this blog has become a place where obscure German electronic particle physicists can rub shoulders and converse comfortably with educationally sub-normal adolescent lads from the sink estates of the Upper Clyde. We are pleased.

This posting is a proto-typical attempt to apply J-W von Goethe's "Colour Theory" in the light of the ideas put forward by F Schiller in his discussion of the genuine (or "gut") emotions aroused by true and honest ("naive") photographic genius as opposed to the bogus emotions excited by mechanistically contrived and therefore morally bankrupt images produced by various practitioners who operate in the B&W space and who, in that way, attempt to manipulate the innocent public (who ask for nothing but an honest quick thrill) through the "sentimentality" of their monochrome creations.

Goethe theorised on how the effect of colours that arise at the margins where the streams of the spectrum meet has a powerful influence on our perception. Newton dealt in the cold science of the spectrum. Goethe takes the science into the mind. My crafty manipulation of the "nearly monochrome" demonstrates that there is hope for the Scottish Lad.

A walk around Richmond Park 5 - # 70

Pen Ponds are in the centre of the Park, and naturally fed by spring water. I could not resist showing two photos, both taken on the same day. I wanted to show how the sun and sky play on the pond and give magnificent natural effects. Brookville DP http://brookvilledailyphoto.blogspot.com/ and St. Margarets at Cliffe DP http://stmargaretsphotodiary.blogspot.com/ will appeciate the birds, but I cannot rise to their level of skill capturing them for you.

Richmond Park - Pen Ponds - #4

This post answers a special request from Tel Aviv Daily Photo. The Park is 8 miles in circumference. It is full of red deer and fallow deer, having been a royal hunting park for hundreds of years. The park is up on a plateau and offers stunning 360 degree 50km distant views of London and the surrounding lands. There will be more, later. It's a wonderful place right on the edge of London.