Version 2 - # 09/41

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

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.

Natural light, Spring foliage - # 08/76

This is the view from my lounge window at this time of year. You can't beat it.

Draw down the blind - # 08/71

Some crave light, while others love obscurity. Light is a healer and also a destroyer. Too much light overwhelms the senses, hides detail and obscures truth. The right amount of light enhances, and just a touch of light in a well chosen place lends a deceptively alluring aspect to corruption.

At Ham House the brilliance of the sun at midday destroys the rich tapestries and delicately patterned marquetry floors. The blinds are lowered and the photographer can play at capturing evocative silhouettes. (I wanted the B&W version but my selection was over-ruled and I had to do it in colour).

Camera: Olympus C7070 WZ

Brentford's gift to the young painter, J.M.W. Turner - # 08/49

Close by the canal dock is a house (now a pub/restaurant called The Weir) where the young Turner lived from 1785-87. Here, inspired by the local countryside and waterways, young Turner started to paint his first water colours. His work is now priceless. Turner was known as "the painter of light" and is regarded as the "Father" of the Impressionist style so wonderfully practised by the great and much loved French painters 100 yrs later.

http://www.j-m-w-turner.co.uk/artist/turner-methods.htm

Imagine my amazement, when, walking a way from the house I turned a corner and was unexpectedly confronted by a stunning sunset reflected as golden light in the waters of the River Brent (now part of the Grand Junction Canal Dock basin).

I have tried to capture that sunset and its reflection in this photograph - a tribute to Turner.

Camera: Olympus C7070 WZ

Mummy, I think I'm developing a chillblain- # 330

Ham Pond. Very cold, brilliant sunshine, confused Canada geese. Sun due South.

It's not all grey - # 322

.....and it's never all Black & White either, although adding "colour" to embellish a scene is a serious crime generally committed by the ruthless English newspaper press who will tear down anything that attracts attention.

Anyway; following that "purple passage" let me say that I liked the play of sunlight bursting through a gateway to illuminate these 17th C court yard cobbles at Ham House. It looked good in colour but I felt it was even nicer in B&W with just a tiny scrap of enhanced shadow.

Dawn mist burning off- # 212

I've moved due east from the low lying Ham Pond (yesterday's post) , and climbed about 30-40 meters higher onto the great acid grassland plateau of Richmond Park.

This snap was taken 40 minutes after the pond shots, and you can see that the mist is already disappearing fast. I was pleased with the photos from around the pond, but I prefer this one.

Gloom is fine under the right circumstances, but on the whole I'm a chap who prefers the light.

There was one big disappointment with this moment..........I had just packed up and was setting off home when, right on queue, a group of deer emerged from the bushes and stood to enjoy their early breakfast in the sunlight. Alas, I could only admire, but not photograph. The moment was lost.