2016 Project 52 - 4th Quarter by Geoff F

[joebranko]

Very nice series. The flash seems to have worked admirably!

[Shadowman]

Nice flash series.

[Wavelength]

I really enjoyed watching these images.....

[IzzieK]

Geoff --in this series especially #1, I can't help but notice the dog's nose strategically at the back of the woman. Knowing how my brain function, it was the first thing I noticed and I promised that I am going to give you a hard time about it once we got our internet back. Well...we got it back just now at 3:36am, so here I am... (OK, 'nuf before Dave throws me out of here...)

Anyway, I am not bothered by the busy background...all properly exposed...

[Geoff F]

Here is a photo of the ruins which I took 3 years ago Bruce. The foliage gradually overwhelms the area then has to be cut back. Later on, after some winter die back, it should return to looking in a similar condition.



That dog, Izzie, actually belongs to someone else but for some reason it took particular interest in what this helper was doing. I took several shots intentionally including the dog but eventually chose the other one because of those two figures in the background. Here is another angle of the same scene.



It is one of those friendly animals which becomes 'anybody's dog' at these meetings. Here it is intently watching another person working. Possibly hoping for a rabbit to be uncovered.



This is the dog's actual owner and the event organiser.



And another of the helpers.

[IzzieK]

You know, I am always amazed at your shots of these happenings and photographing these events, amongst your other volunteer work. You are such a busy bee. Not many people do what you do...and be involved. I also admire those people whom you photographed because they are not there to be pretty either but do a job maintaining your environment. I wish you and your group good luck in your work. Winter is going to be here soon and it will be difficult to do anything then. Keep it up. I had followed your photography adventures for the most of three years now...

[Dave Humphries]

I am struck by the apparent 'job lot' purchase of those long (red) handled loppers in the fifth shot of post #19 Geoff.

I guess it is unavoidable, given the poor level of ambient daylight, but these, while well exposed for the subjects, do tend to look like a 'midnight forest working party', which just seems odd.

I looked at the EXIF of the first of the series and conclude that it wasn't really possible for you to use a slower shutter speed to get more ambient (in background) without spoiling them with subject movement blur.

That said, like Izzie, I commend your and the group's activities and they need to be shown, especially in the local community to hopefully encourage others to take an interest and help out, something I'm sure you have in hand.

Dave

[bnnrcn]

Very nice shots Geoff I thought that they were night shots like Dave did.

[Geoff F]

Thanks for the comments. It is almost like night under the dense tree coverage; until the leaves fall in a few weeks time.

The organisation supplies most tools and protective gloves, but the gloves soon get rather grotty so most regular helpers bring their own.

Because it is held mid week (Thursdays) this means we are mostly retired people and unfortunately our numbers are reducing. The wildlife trust gets younger part time staff from universities during the holiday periods and those who are looking for some temporary employment to enhance their CV before applying for full time jobs somewhere in the Environmental sector.

It seems strange to me to think when I was that age people took similar jobs, which entailed a lot of outdoor physical effort, because they were unemployed and didn't have better qualifications; now they need a degree or similar educational standards to obtain this sort of employment.

[IzzieK]

It seems strange to me to think when I was that age people took similar jobs, which entailed a lot of outdoor physical effort, because they were unemployed and didn't have better qualifications; now they need a degree or similar educational standards to obtain this sort of employment.

This was the same with me in my time, but then I was living in a third world country at the time. England is hardly third world and it has come to this? I want to add something more but it will/may become political, so I will zip my trap...

BTW, I had not heard the word "grotty" for a long, looonnngg time.

[Geoff F]

Week 42 - Wonwell Beach

I visited this site in the Spring but keep well clear during the busy times because there is just roadside parking for about 10 cars at the end of a narrow lane. This time I looked more towards the upstream and surrounding areas.

Cattle grazing with Dartmoor in the distance. This is about the most we get in the way of autmn colours.



7D with Tamron 24-70 1/400 F11 Iso 400. Another merge of Raw files. The cattle kept moving downhill and mostly pointed their rear ends towards me, is that a sign of contempt!

Looking upriver from the beach.



Canon 70-300 lens. 1/320 F11 Iso 200. Manual merge of 3 HDR hand held shots.

Another angle.



Looking across the river towards the ruins of a stone landing quay and lime kiln.



24-70 lens. 1/200 F11 Iso 200

Ruins of beachside building.



1/800 F11 Iso 200

[Geoff F]

And one quick snap.

[Shadowman]

Nice series.

[joebranko]

I love the composition of your "quick snap". It captures the mood beautifully!

[IzzieK]

I prefer #1 and the snap in this series, Geoff even if all of them are very well exposed. #1 is a good example of the environment, an overview of the scene. To comment on your contempt comment, thanks for the early morning laugh... maybe they are trying their best not to get poked by your lens...

[Geoff F]

The first scene was a bit of a gamble because I hadn't been to that spot before. A steep overgrown path leading through the woods so I did a bit of exploring. Tried several other shots but without the foreground subjects they didn't really work, although one with a field gate in the foreground was just about acceptable.

[Cantab]

Geoff, the ruined stone buildings in the last two photos of post #31 appear to be different buildings. Is that correct? It's curious (at least to me) that both buildings are in a tidal area.

[Geoff F]

Week 43. Coming from an insect photo site I took a little detour along the coast path to see if I could find any angles on returning fishing boats. More a case of scouting out positions and angles for another day but managed a few acceptable shots like this one.

Claire Louise



7D with Sigma 150-600 Sport lens. 1/640 F8 Iso 200

Then as I was driving past this beach I noticed there was a nice afternoon light on the old castle at low tide so I put on my boots and tried a different angle.



Tamron 24-70 lens. 1/500 F11 Iso 400.

As I was walking back I noticed a couple of people and a dog digging bait, with a good reflection, so without any thinking time I just aimed and shot. In hindsight, I should have used a wider aperture and faster shutter but this shot works better than the others because there was less subject movement. By the time I managed to think about camera settings they had moved on and the moment was lost.



1/200 F11 Iso 400.

[joebranko]

Another beautiful series Geoff!

[IzzieK]

All good ones, Geoff...I particularly like the last one. That was really something!