Twistleton Scar – Black Hole Sun
Ah – A chance to go out in Yorkshire again so it’s back to old haunts. Places like Malham Cove have loads of opportunity but I like the mass of ‘ingredients’ that the limestone pavement that Ingleton and it’s surrounds give (I also like that they don’t push you into taking a certain angle or subject). So it’s up to Twistleton and a quick walk up to the scar. The weather was windy and cold but invigorating and apart from a brief moment of nearly getting knowcked over as you crest the edge of twistleton, everything was sublime. Sunbeams were scanning across Hawnby and you could see out to Lancaster and Morecombe Bay (digital snap below – fast moving light and a frantic search for foreground meant no LF of this one).
We then wandered around to the east side of the wall at Twistleton Scar End. I spent some time working around the row of trees on the pavement and also a large hawthorn where we were resting, I’ve posted the black and white conversions below – feedback appreciated.
After a while, I started scouting subject matter to work around the dramatic sky that was developing just over Barrow and just as I started setting up a shot, I started to have trouble focussing. No matter what I did, there was a great big blur over Morecombe bay. I came out of the dark cloth to see the biggest front of rain coming in and the view almost completely obscured!
Nothing for it but to wait it out and get pee’d on. Just as the rain started to abate, the sun poked it’s head out – more rain looked like it was on it’s way and it was gusting 30-40mph. Just as I was about to go back under the dark cloth to check focus, I saw that the wet flat areas of pavement were picking up reflections from the low angled sun but, unfortunately, the best bits were about 200 ft to my left. Another quick move, setup and recompose and I was again waiting for the rain to stop and wiping the lens down every few minutes – a frantic setup often leads to compromises and I focussed this one by eye (no loupe) and took two exposure readings (the edge of the sun – around an EV13, and the foreground, around an EV8 for the mid-tones) and dropped a 3 stop hard grad in place and crossed my fingers.
I managed to get four frames off, a Provia, an Astia and two Pro160S’s. The main picture is the Astia which came out very well and is sharp as I could expect (the pavement is spot on, the horizon is OK and the tree itself is a bit blurry from the wind I think), although a little underexposed, it seems to capture the feeling I wanted (at least for me).
Driven back off the hill by the wind and rain just as the sun set, it was a dark walk back to the car with head torch battery slowly failing, but a very satisfying way to get back in the photography driving seat.
I’m a bit of a colour junky but the B&W of the trees works for me. I particularly like the first of the two images. The composition with the re-occurring forms all equally spaced looks good..
Saying that – I just looked again and now I don’t know which one I prefer! I like the way the second tree is clinging onto the rocks!
Thanks Gary – I think I prefer the second shot but the first seems original and more ‘me’ somehow
Great sunburst shot Tim, shame you didn’t get time to do an LF shot of it. I prefer your panoramic B&W (6×12?) shot of the trees, a very nice arrangement. They have a pleasing communique about them like ancient siblings, weathered and beaten by the elements (I said with finger on chin looking up in deep wonder). I think I would prefer it with the warm tone of the second B&W shot though. The last photograph’s a corker too, I like the way the foreground rock thing points towards the tree!
Thanks Sean – I’ll try toning the first 6×12 b&w..
I’ll definitely be back for that last shot – the path of the pavement pointing at the tree is too good to miss..
Hello Tim et al.,
Just looking at the B&W shots, I think the first works better: the composition is wittier and maybe even more dramatic. I feel that the second one suffers from a problem you highlighted in your recent composition-for-beginners post: the tree is not well enough defined at the base. The root has similar tones to the rock – which may be good for it suggests an organic relationship – but the trunk is not separated enough from the background rock – which might benefit from being darkened. Just my way of doing things and no obligations.
Best regards,
Charles
Thanks Charles, I think I agree with you. I might try doing some manly black and white dodging and burning and repost ..
Tim
I like the B&Ws. My preference is the first one. The foreground tree in particular grabbed my interest and I particularly liked the twigs shooting out on the right of the trunk like bristles, all standing to attention. Would have preferred more separation between the distant trees – presume this could not be achieved? I would also have liked the sky to have been darker to increase the tonal range of the overall composition – but would the trees then stand out as much? Think I would be very tempted to go back under different conditions. Just my humble view.
I do like the "pointy pavement" one; nicely "seen" as they say.
Rgds
David
Thanks David – These were mostly sketch shots so I think a revisit is definitely called for… (for the B&W and the pointy pavement).
Greetings Tim,
Definitely the first b&w is the stronger and for me works well, but in neutral grey as here please, rather than warm toned. I used to enjoy using warm tone bromide papers for my b&w prints, especially of people and close-up nature subjects, but there are some subjects which are best left neutral. I would have preferred some more contrast and a darker more threatening sky – to strengthen the starkness of the scene.
The second subject is good, it has grown on me every time I go back to it! Charles rightly points out to the organic fusion between the tree and the rock – quite intriguing, almost surreal. Perhaps lighten it a little to make the textures and tones in the bottom half come out more?
By the way what’s this about manly (sic) dodging – a new hobby perhaps ??!!! Looking forward to seeing some videos of that…
Best wishes, Adam
Having sat up there in March this year with the yashicas.. med format, one colour one mono, a almost non existant sky didnt help me either, these have just reinforced my need to get back and do it a wee bit better than i had, wonderful scenes in these and a pleasure to view.
That last shot is awesome !