Topping Arthur's Wife's Brow.

[John 2]

One of the steam specials beginning to build speed once more after climbing the curiously named Arthurs Wife's Brow near Preston in Lancashire. Googled it but couldn't find anything that would explain the name.

[Werner]

Quite an exciting shot. I'd love to see that in sepia.

[Mike Buckley]

Marvelous composition, color, detail and three-dimensional appearance.

[Manfred M]

+1 to Mike's comment.

All I can say is that some English place names are extremely creative. There has to be some history here, but I suspect the only way to get it is to spend some time in a pub with an older local.

[DanK]

nicely captured and processed.

[Craigie]

One really nice image there John.

[Geoff F]

+1 to Mike's comment.

All I can say is that some English place names are extremely creative. There has to be some history here, but I suspect the only way to get it is to spend some time in a pub with an older local.

The trouble is that the more beer you buy the more bizarre the explanations become.

Is there a local history society?

Anyway, an excellent photograph.

[madcrow]

+1 for Mike's comments. That is one awesome, image you can be justifiable proud of it.

[Donald]

My compliments as well.

The processing has indeed given it, as others have mentioned, a 3D effect. A very impressive image. Excellent angle; i.e. composition.

I don't know if the bridge does run uphill from left-to-right, but to be honest, in my opinion, it doesn't matter.

[Manfred M]

The trouble is that the more beer you buy the more bizarre the explanations become.

Is there a local history society?

Anyway, an excellent photograph.

And there is a problem with that?

[Shadowman]

Nicely captured.

[Wandjina]

A really wonderful photo, Mike ... well done

[John 2]

Thanks all for the feedback.

Werner, I have converted some steam engine shots to sepia for a series but not this one for some reason. I might just add it to the set.

Donald, the road that crosses the line is still climbing the Brow at that point, hence the angle.

As to the history, I have researched a bit further (not yet in the local pub). The line is cutting through the Hoghton Estate at that point. The stately home on the estate is Hoghton Tower where on a visit to Sir Richard Hoghton the first Baronet, James I, doubtless in his cups since he was being "right Royally entertained", drew his sword and Knighted the joint of meat he was enjoying. He dubbed it "Sir Loin" from which we get the sirloin of beef.

Sir Richard seems to have been a bit of a character in his own right. On one occasion when the nearby Town of Preston elected as it's Mayor, an individual that Sir Richard wasn't fond of, he rode into town and physically kicked the Mayor out of his office and suggested that the Town elect someone else. To be fair, true democracy in England was still a couple centuries away and so.....

He also apparently "...having confined his wife and daughter..(?)" spent most of his life living with his mistress with whom he had "..seven bastard sons.." one of whom was called Arthur. Sir Richard clearly acknowledged his illegitimate offspring because Arthur became Arthur Hoghton of Kirkham, another nearby Market Town and eventually married an Anne Waring. There the story runs out. There is no record of Arthur being the Arthur in the name Arthur's Wife's Brow but it is the only fairly tenuous connection between an Arthur of note and the area in question that I have been able to find. I might in time, research further.

Thought the above might of some interest.

[NorthernFocus]

A really well composed and executed image, John. Excellent angle that you chose for this shot. I rarely like border effects but this is one of those times. Overall nicely done.

[bje07]

+1 to Werner's and Mike's comments, and Donald's and John's. Sepia or monochrome B&W ?

[Wavelength]

Such a beauty....

[John 2]

Thanks Dan, Jean and Nandakumar.

Dan, I like to finish my images much as you might finish a print by mounting it. But I know it's not everyone's cup of tea. Glad you liked it though.

Jean, I might try a sepia version. If I do I will post it.

[bnnrcn]

Great image John But I'm a bit confused, haven't you posted this image before Well , may be I remember wrongly

[Cantab]

Thanks Dan, Jean and Nandakumar.

Dan, I like to finish my images much as you might finish a print by mounting it. But I know it's not everyone's cup of tea. Glad you liked it though.

Jean, I might try a sepia version. If I do I will post it.

John, a very enjoyable photo.

Is the border a prepackaged one in Photoshop, etc. or one you created for yourself? Unfortunately, I suspect the latter!

[John 2]

Thanks Binnur, Thanks Bruce.

Bruce, It's home cooked in Photoshop. If you have PS, add any border you have in mind e.g. a Stroke line, copy your image, increase the size of the canvas to what ever suits you, add a Stroke line to the canvas at this point if you want one. Next, paste back the copied image which will become a top layer. Finally, with the top layer selected, open up Layers/Layer Style and then Drop Shadow. In the dialogue box that appears, set the required shadow angle and move the sliders to get the effect you like. It's important to add any stroke line to the canvas before you create the top layer because it will produce an odd 3D effect (which you might like) if you don't. If you forget, flattening your image before adding a Stroke line to the canvas will avoid this.

Binnur, I don't think you have seen this particular shot before. I might have forgotten to move it across to my "Posted" file but I don't think so?? I have carried out a search on the forum under it's catalogue title (i.e. the title I used before I thought of this one) but nothing has come up. However, it's a favourite spot because of the absence of overhead wires etc. and this particular engine is based locally and we see a lot of it - working hard because of the incline. You maybe thinking of one of the following which I have posted before.: