Clear signs of Spring 5 - # 09/48

"Follow the light". The Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park is gradually re-awakening. The Magnolias have flowered; we now wait for the Azaleas. The tiny streams are flowing freely with fresh water draining from the natural springs in the Park.

I confess to de-saturating the greens and yellows and increasing visibility of the natural reflection of the sky in the stream. (Perhaps I should have left the green and yellow tones as they were. I was most interested in the effect of the stream and the path of light when I took the photo). When playing about I was surprised to see the effects achieved just by a very tiny alteration in the White Balance.

Camera: Olympus E3. Lens: Olympus 9 - 18mm set at 9mm and locked at f6.3

Ham House Stables - # 09/42

Just for a while we'll move back to the original roots of Richmond upon Thames DP with some traditional, uncomplicated, simple, standard "touristical" photos.

Recently we have had some quite dramatic lighting effects as the fresh and very clear Spring sunshine competes with the grey clouds.

Here is a view across the old kitchen gardens of the 17th Century mansion, Ham House, towards the old stable block. The old gardens were cleverly constructed so that the walls created a micro-climate that trapped the warmth of the sun and excluded the wind. Fruit trees populate the warm walls and vegetables flourish in the central plots of earth. The garden now serves the kitchens in the cafe, providing fresh vegetables for the menu.

I immediately appreciated the grouping of the old roof lines and the shapes of the trees. On the right is the 19th Century Florentine style chimney that served the (then very modern!) heating systems.

Version 2 - # 09/41

I'm still dithering, so here's the colour version of yesterday's. Which do you prefer?

Study in curve, shape, structure and tonal effect, with cobweb - # 08/239

I couldn't resist trying to capture this vision as the bright sun streamed through the cellar window.

Squares and diagonals - # 08/233

Walking through the gloom of Ham House (shutters closed before being opened for the daily influx of visitors) I came to a door into a room flooded with natural light. The chair has been up-ended for repair by a skilled restoration expert. I was immediately struck by the multitude of patterns in the floor, panelling and the chair. The sunlight (coming through special UV resistant blinds) creates a special kind of illumination, giving the interiors a special quality that I love to capture. Here we see the preservation of 17th century heritage as a daily task.

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 Equinox: when night is as long as day - # 08/224

The great tower at Canary Wharf..... No. 1 Canada Square......an icon of the City of London; at the heart of the world market for financial derivatives, share issues and currency trading.

The sun sets, and casts a powerful light upon an institution that faces "interesting times".

The tower is about 13 miles from Richmond Park. Sometimes it is obscure and indistinct. Sometimes it stands in a glaring light.

Camera: Olympus E3. Telephoto at equivalent of 400mm. Sunset

Capturing September attempt # 32 - # 08/220

This a tricky task. After weeks of solid cloud the sun appeared. The rain has made the bushes and meadows lush and overwhelming. The drainage ditch is attractive; water running fast. The pebbles of the man-made banking make a good foreground. The pink wild flowers at the back are drenched in sunlight and the yellow bush further back is almost washed out even to the human eye because of the brilliant evening sun. The foreground is dark.

It's worth capturing, as you glimpse it from the river bank. The vision sucks you in and you enter the slightly slippery riverside undergrowth to get a good look at the drainage ditch on the far side of the tow path. The pink flowers are beguiling and the ripples on the clear water are delightful.

The human eye can take it all in, and sort it out, but the camera cannot cope with so many contrasts.

The camera is set up on the tripod. I chose a very low ISO, set the aperture at F22.0 to capture the depth of field, and set a shutter speed that gave a "correct" exposure for the brilliant, sun-drenched meadow at the back. I used a flash gun "off camera", holding it by hand on the left to light the tree and the dark shadowy bank of the stream.

The result is not quite as lovely as the one seen by the human eye, but it's as near as I could get to it.

The security camera - # 08/210

........ A rather fine looking example of the species with special sensors and technologically advanced "illumination" systems mounted in the two side pods.

It stands on the margin between a rather fraught looking "enlightened" Left peering towards the ever increasing "darkness" and murkiness that is developing on the Right. The source of "enlightenment" is not obvious, and we cannot see what is hidden within the "darkness". Is there actually a silver lining?

Britain is highly advanced in the technology and application of electronic and remote surveillance techniques and has lived with a very real "terrorist threat" far longer than America. Nevertheless, I am still left with the sense that we - all of us in the "enlightened" West - seem to be observing and worrying and confronting rather than solving the problem. Perhaps the camera needs to turn and peer in the other direction.

Enlightenment - # 08/185

See! The door that once barred our way to brilliance and clarity of mind now stands open, and knowledge beckons. At the end there flickers the promise that we may dine with the gods; become as they are, and know Truth. But we hesitate.

Slabs of light, areas of colour - # 08/173

The archivist is setting up to make a digital photo record. His assistant is at the computer cataloguing as he goes along.

I was captivated by the way the light reflected from the wooden floor and by the contrasting slabs of light and shade, so I felt bound to capture the vision.

Light and shadow - # 08/160

Less grey, less abrasive - # 08/126

Still with shape, tones, hues, line etc. here is some light relief from yesterday's "monster".

It's the formal 17th century so-called "Cherry Garden" at Ham House. There's not a cherry in sight....and don't ask me why!

Pots with light, and tapestry behind - # 08/124

Richard of http://zurich.dailyphoto.forthmedia.com/dailyphoto/ imagines that I spend my time walking about in the dark wearing a headlamp. He's right. It's my method of catching magical moments as I lurk in my overalls and protective gloves, too horrible to be seen.

I went through a week of agony about this shot. Should it be in B&W? I think colour is the right choice, but it looks good at whatever the decision.

Light shining through ferns - # 08/101

Walking through the Water Garden in the Isabella Plantation , Richmond Park I enjoyed the way the sunlight shone through the lush, green ferns. B&W makes it look like a huge, mysterious jungle.

Studies in glass 3 - # 08/84

After yesterday's magnificence this may seem a bit of a let down. The tiny 13th / 17th century church of St. Peter's, Petersham, is flooded with light. These interesting "box" windows face west. I had to close down the aperture to prevent the volume of light overwhelming the camera. The photo suggests a dark interior; actually it's brilliant, as you saw in my posting of a few days ago. The old architect solved his problem in the days when weak candles were the only means of artificial lighting. Notice the candle holders placed in the windows.

Party mood - # 325

I admired the seasonal displays and special lighting effects in a local shop window, but the outcome of the photographs made me think more a science fiction film.