2019 Project 52 by Geoff F - 1st Quarter

[Geoff F]

I haven't decided on a specific theme for this year's challenge so I will start with these shots and see if any of them settle into some sort of pattern by week 52.

Week 1 - We have had a lot of dull grey weather so far this year which hasn't been conducive to outside photography but there was some improvement under thin cloud today which encouraged me to visit a nearby bird hide.

A general view of the estuary on my way to the hide. Still not ideal clear light but I had a go anyway.



7D with Tamron 24-70 lens. 1/200 F11 Iso 400

And a few birds from the day. Curlew.



Sigma 150-600 Sport lens. 1/400 F8 Iso 400

Greenshank



Mallard



1/250 F8 Iso 400

Oystercatcher



1/640 F8 Iso 400

There was quite a few Teal around but most kept their distance and the few which came close enough were at a difficult light angle so I had to over expose to lift the shadows a bit. This is the best of several attempts.



1/160 F8 Iso 400

[Shadowman]

Nice series, some colorful subjects within the drab weather.

[Cantab]

Geoff, I was particularly envious of your curlew and greenshank photos. They turned out well despite the birds' probably being quite some distance from you -- or were you hiding in the hide?

[Geoff F]

Yes I was in the hide, Bruce. Although some birds kept their distance these walked past quite close so I was able to completely fill the frame at 600 mm and actually had to zoom out a bit with some shots in order to include the reflection.

[skitterbug]

Geoff - Good series! Your images make me look forward to being outside again! Hope the weather cooperates with my wishes!

[Cantab]

...I was able to completely fill the frame at 600 mm and actually had to zoom out a bit with some shots in order to include the reflection.

Now I'm really envious!

[Geoff F]

Week 02 - Dartmouth Coast. Another sunny day so I had a look at a headland just outside Dartmouth Harbour.

Dartmouth Castle and the harbour entrance.



7CD with Canon 70-200 lens. 1/400 F11 Iso 200

Kingswear Castle on the other side of the harbour.



1/1000 F9 Iso 400

Newbrook entering the harbour



Sigma 150-600 Sport lens at 320 mm 1/500 F11 Iso 400 handheld

[Geoff F]

Behind the Newbrook is Inner Froward Point.



Canon 70-200 lens 1/160 F11 Iso 200. Merge of three exposures.

[Cantab]

An enjoyable set of photos. In the Kingswear photo there’s a large concrete structure near the right side of the image. Is that a WW II gun emplacement?

[Geoff F]

Yes Bruce, like most UK harbours and beaches there would have been a number of defensive gun sites. On the outer edge of Froward Point you can just make out some more substantial gun emplacements. Dartmouth would have been substantially defended due to the naval college and the establishment which housed agents that were landed into occupied France by MTB's.

[joebranko]

Nice set. I especially enjoyed Newbrook Entering the harbour

[Geoff F]

Thanks, Joe. Here is another image of the Newbrook. Originally I thought that because the tide is low there is too much rock showing but on reflection I think it just about works. There is an option to crop tighter at the bottom and just show part of the rock but I think having a bit of sea in front of the rock gives a better overall scene.



Canon 70-200 lens. 1/250 F11 Iso 400. Merge of 3 exposures.

[Geoff F]

Week 03 - Scenes from the coast path. There was a patch of brightness appearing in the sky so I quickly nipped over to a nearby part of the coast path to see if there were any possible photographic scenes; but by the time I got there the light had changed to dark cloud inland and a strange light through 'holes' in the clouds when looking seawards. However, I had a go anyway.

Prawle Point in the distance.



7D with Tamron 24-70 lens. Merge of 3 exposures. Middle shot 1/250 F11 Iso 400

Choices. Tried several angles and size ratios but finally thought this image worked best.



Canon 70-200 lens. 1/200 F11 Iso 400. Merge of 3 exposures.

Dark Choices. One of those 'This won't work, but I will give it a go anyway' situations. Edited for a dark moody type of scene.



Tamron 24-70. 1/500 F11 Iso 400 Merge of 3 exposures

The old signal tower. Had several attempts with differing camera angles and settings before getting that bit of cloud in the required position.



Canon 70-200. 1/250 F8 Iso 400 Merge of 3 exposures

Can we come home with you. There are a mixture of various cattle breeds around this area which help to keep the grass under control.



1/250 F8 Iso 400 Merge of 3 exposures.

[Geoff F]

And while I was photographing other scenes



'I can smell some chocolate biscuits in this bag' !

1/100 F8 Iso 400

[joebranko]

Thanks, Joe. Here is another image of the Newbrook. Originally I thought that because the tide is low there is too much rock showing but on reflection I think it just about works. There is an option to crop tighter at the bottom and just show part of the rock but I think having a bit of sea in front of the rock gives a better overall scene.



Canon 70-200 lens. 1/250 F11 Iso 400. Merge of 3 exposures.

Perfect timing to capture the Newbrook in perfect position relatine to rock outcrop.

[joebranko]

Week 03 - Scenes from the coast path. There was a patch of brightness appearing in the sky so I quickly nipped over to a nearby part of the coast path to see if there were any possible photographic scenes; but by the time I got there the light had changed to dark cloud inland and a strange light through 'holes' in the clouds when looking seawards. However, I had a go anyway.

Prawle Point in the distance.



7D with Tamron 24-70 lens. Merge of 3 exposures. Middle shot 1/250 F11 Iso 400

Choices. Tried several angles and size ratios but finally thought this image worked best.



Canon 70-200 lens. 1/200 F11 Iso 400. Merge of 3 exposures.

Dark Choices. One of those 'This won't work, but I will give it a go anyway' situations. Edited for a dark moody type of scene.



Tamron 24-70. 1/500 F11 Iso 400 Merge of 3 exposures

The old signal tower. Had several attempts with differing camera angles and settings before getting that bit of cloud in the required position.



Canon 70-200. 1/250 F8 Iso 400 Merge of 3 exposures

Can we come home with you. There are a mixture of various cattle breeds around this area which help to keep the grass under control.



1/250 F8 Iso 400 Merge of 3 exposures.

Lovely set. 'Prawle Point' is outstanding!

[Urbanflyer]

Fun to see another part of the world! Thanks for sharing!

[skitterbug]

And while I was photographing other scenes



'I can smell some chocolate biscuits in this bag' !

1/100 F8 Iso 400

I enjoyed the harbour views! Especially the two of the Newbrook. And I laughed when I came to this one! Delightful indeed!

[Geoff F]

Thanks for the replies, Joe, Judith and Sandy.

I think that doing more with bracketed exposure merges is going to become my main theme this year. All these merges were from hand held shots.

[Cantab]

Thanks for the replies, Joe, Judith and Sandy.

I think that doing more with bracketed exposure merges is going to become my main theme this year. All these merges were from hand held shots.

Geoff, my recollection is that you use Photoshop for merging bracketed exposure shots. Does PS tolerate much hand held movement/wobble?

P.S. I enjoyed all your most recent shots.