The image above was taken at sunrise on May 1st-a grey and misty morning.
Contact: [email protected]
Don't forget to click on the gallery images to enlarge
Contact: [email protected]
Don't forget to click on the gallery images to enlarge
Wednesday 31st May:
A cloudy morning was followed by a warm and sunny afternoon and up at Bosigran it was beautiful. I didn't mean to make yet another trip up there but a few days ago I now realise I left a Fujifilm extension tube somewhere on the cliffs. No sign of it so I assume someone has picked it up, luckily it's not that expensive, it's just annoying. I called in the Climber's Club but no sign it having been handed in.
Today the spring flowers are just showing the first signs of going over but they've lasted for weeks. The beautiful weather and half term has brought a lot of climbers to the area and it's lovely to see so many youngsters with their climbing mums and dads. Couldn't resist a little bit of climber photography this afternoon, it always looks spectacular from the top of the cliffs.
A cloudy morning was followed by a warm and sunny afternoon and up at Bosigran it was beautiful. I didn't mean to make yet another trip up there but a few days ago I now realise I left a Fujifilm extension tube somewhere on the cliffs. No sign of it so I assume someone has picked it up, luckily it's not that expensive, it's just annoying. I called in the Climber's Club but no sign it having been handed in.
Today the spring flowers are just showing the first signs of going over but they've lasted for weeks. The beautiful weather and half term has brought a lot of climbers to the area and it's lovely to see so many youngsters with their climbing mums and dads. Couldn't resist a little bit of climber photography this afternoon, it always looks spectacular from the top of the cliffs.
Tuesday 30th May:
What a glorious evening on yet another visit to Bosigran. We did drop down into Sennen Cove earlier but it was like one of those beach scenes from the Med. with the car park full and people end to end. A quick retreat and we headed for the peace and quiet of the north coast cliffs. With no rain or strong winds the spring flowers are still in superb condition.
We only met half a dozen people including another Laurence (see Weds. 24th May) but this Laurence had no paintbrushes just a mass of ropes and other climbing equipment. He and his mate had just finished their climb and Laurence was just waiting for him.
While I was clambering around with the camera Alison was busy with pen and ink sketching the sea stack and flowers.
What a glorious evening on yet another visit to Bosigran. We did drop down into Sennen Cove earlier but it was like one of those beach scenes from the Med. with the car park full and people end to end. A quick retreat and we headed for the peace and quiet of the north coast cliffs. With no rain or strong winds the spring flowers are still in superb condition.
We only met half a dozen people including another Laurence (see Weds. 24th May) but this Laurence had no paintbrushes just a mass of ropes and other climbing equipment. He and his mate had just finished their climb and Laurence was just waiting for him.
While I was clambering around with the camera Alison was busy with pen and ink sketching the sea stack and flowers.
Monday Evening:
A photowalk around the headland at Bosigran The sea was blue, the wind had dropped and the climbers were all finishing their climbs and heading back to the Climbing Club or their old converted camper vans.
A photowalk around the headland at Bosigran The sea was blue, the wind had dropped and the climbers were all finishing their climbs and heading back to the Climbing Club or their old converted camper vans.
Bank Holiday Monday 30th May:
Photography is quite difficult at the moment, clear blue skies, easterly winds and a calm sea don't make for ideal conditions. This morning I went over to Marazion at 5a.m. with sunrise due at 5.20. It was all quite grey to begin with, not a cloud in the sky to catch any colour and then as the sun rose a short spell of orange light hitting the Mount before it became too harsh. A few reflections but the breeze just enough early on to roughen the surface of the sea. I've edited the pre sunrise images in black and white and then switched to colour as the sun appeared. All images handheld with an old Fuji X-T10 and Viltrox 23mm lens.
Photography is quite difficult at the moment, clear blue skies, easterly winds and a calm sea don't make for ideal conditions. This morning I went over to Marazion at 5a.m. with sunrise due at 5.20. It was all quite grey to begin with, not a cloud in the sky to catch any colour and then as the sun rose a short spell of orange light hitting the Mount before it became too harsh. A few reflections but the breeze just enough early on to roughen the surface of the sea. I've edited the pre sunrise images in black and white and then switched to colour as the sun appeared. All images handheld with an old Fuji X-T10 and Viltrox 23mm lens.
Sunday 28th May:
The latest Sunday morning edition of Passing Pickle with hazy blue skies and a north easterly breeze just keeping the temperature down.
The latest Sunday morning edition of Passing Pickle with hazy blue skies and a north easterly breeze just keeping the temperature down.
Saturday 27th May:
Today is the first day of Cornwall Open Studios week when hundreds of creative people open their studio doors to the public. With so many to choose from it's difficult to know where to start. This morning we made our way up to Bosulval Studios, near Newmill, to visit two creatives, Annabel Wilkes a printmaker and Sam Davey a black and white photographer. At Bosulval Studios there is a community darkroom and Sam is one of a number of photographers that use the facility. You can see in the images they even have a special machine for printing doughnuts!
When we arrived Annabel was busy in her studio putting the finishing touches to a cake that was for participants in an afternoon printing workshop she was running. Alison returned later for the workshop and brought me home a piece of the cake! Annabel runs a lot of workshops and art retreats and you find out all about her and the workshops on her website. https://www.annabelwilkes.co.uk/about
On the way home we had a quick walk down the lane, over the wooden bridge and across the meadows into the north end of Trevaylor Woods. The wild flowers in the meadows are looking beautiful and the area is surrounded by hawthorn trees in full blossom.
Today is the first day of Cornwall Open Studios week when hundreds of creative people open their studio doors to the public. With so many to choose from it's difficult to know where to start. This morning we made our way up to Bosulval Studios, near Newmill, to visit two creatives, Annabel Wilkes a printmaker and Sam Davey a black and white photographer. At Bosulval Studios there is a community darkroom and Sam is one of a number of photographers that use the facility. You can see in the images they even have a special machine for printing doughnuts!
When we arrived Annabel was busy in her studio putting the finishing touches to a cake that was for participants in an afternoon printing workshop she was running. Alison returned later for the workshop and brought me home a piece of the cake! Annabel runs a lot of workshops and art retreats and you find out all about her and the workshops on her website. https://www.annabelwilkes.co.uk/about
On the way home we had a quick walk down the lane, over the wooden bridge and across the meadows into the north end of Trevaylor Woods. The wild flowers in the meadows are looking beautiful and the area is surrounded by hawthorn trees in full blossom.
Friday 26th May:
Really warm today and with the UV forecast to be very high, we stayed in the cool until late afternoon before making the trip up to Cape Cornwall. With such bright conditions I began making images in black and white before adding an extension tube to my lens and looking for more intimate scenes.
All the images today were made using my old Fuji X-T10 with the 18-55mm lens. The extension tube added to the lens for the intimate scenes was the Fuji 11mm.
Really warm today and with the UV forecast to be very high, we stayed in the cool until late afternoon before making the trip up to Cape Cornwall. With such bright conditions I began making images in black and white before adding an extension tube to my lens and looking for more intimate scenes.
All the images today were made using my old Fuji X-T10 with the 18-55mm lens. The extension tube added to the lens for the intimate scenes was the Fuji 11mm.
Thursday- Late Afternoon:
Yet another warm day with hardly a cloud in the sky but just a touch of haze. I drove up to Bosigran for about the fifth time in a week or so. It is so beautiful on the cliffs at the moment I'm just trying to take advantage before the very dry weather starts to brown and fade the spring flora. Plenty of climbers on the cliffs and on Commando Ridge but I ignored them for a change and concentrated on the landscape and flora.
Yet another warm day with hardly a cloud in the sky but just a touch of haze. I drove up to Bosigran for about the fifth time in a week or so. It is so beautiful on the cliffs at the moment I'm just trying to take advantage before the very dry weather starts to brown and fade the spring flora. Plenty of climbers on the cliffs and on Commando Ridge but I ignored them for a change and concentrated on the landscape and flora.
More intimate scenes
Thursday 25th May:
Watching the sun rise from Penzance Lighthouse Pier and one or two other images.
Watching the sun rise from Penzance Lighthouse Pier and one or two other images.
Wednesday Evening:
What an interesting evening up at Bosigran. I've got some lovely flower images again but they will have to wait until tomorrow because another, more interesting, opportunity arose. Down on the cliff edge I met local artist Laurence Dingley who was in full creative flow on a superb oil painting of the flower covered cliffs and sea stack. https://laurencedingley.com/
What an interesting evening up at Bosigran. I've got some lovely flower images again but they will have to wait until tomorrow because another, more interesting, opportunity arose. Down on the cliff edge I met local artist Laurence Dingley who was in full creative flow on a superb oil painting of the flower covered cliffs and sea stack. https://laurencedingley.com/
Laurence was kind enough to let me to take images of him in action and it's difficult to imagine a more beautiful and dramatic backdrop. Laurence moved down to Cornwall from the Midlands eight years ago and now spends a lot of his time painting seascapes especially along the north coast of west Cornwall. His daughter, he hopes, is going to create a new all bells and whistles website in the near future. Meanwhile you can contact Laurence and see more of his work by using the link above. Thank you Laurence.
Wednesday 24th May:
A beautiful warm and sunny morning saw us donning shorts and wandering down for another chapter of Project Pickle.
Raspberry and coconut today.
A beautiful warm and sunny morning saw us donning shorts and wandering down for another chapter of Project Pickle.
Raspberry and coconut today.
Tuesday 23rd May:
Much lighter wind today so we made a return trip to Bosigran to take advantage of the spring flowers. This time I began by concentrating on the little valley where the stream comes down. Last summer, during the heatwave this stream dried up completely but at the moment there's plenty of water coming off the moorland above. Alison was sketching and painting nearby and pointed out a pair of great tits that were going in and out of a hole in a granite wall. I set up the tripod put a longer lens on and waited. I was rewarded with some lovely images of the tits landing on top of the wall before doing a loop and coming in like bullets carrying caterpillars before using their wings to brake when they were just a few inches from the wall. The images below were taken at 4,000th and 8,000th of a second so it's something you wouldn't see with the naked eye.
Finally as I was starting to pack up I noticed a lone free climber over on Commando Ridge so couldn't resist a few of my favourite silhouettes.
Much lighter wind today so we made a return trip to Bosigran to take advantage of the spring flowers. This time I began by concentrating on the little valley where the stream comes down. Last summer, during the heatwave this stream dried up completely but at the moment there's plenty of water coming off the moorland above. Alison was sketching and painting nearby and pointed out a pair of great tits that were going in and out of a hole in a granite wall. I set up the tripod put a longer lens on and waited. I was rewarded with some lovely images of the tits landing on top of the wall before doing a loop and coming in like bullets carrying caterpillars before using their wings to brake when they were just a few inches from the wall. The images below were taken at 4,000th and 8,000th of a second so it's something you wouldn't see with the naked eye.
Finally as I was starting to pack up I noticed a lone free climber over on Commando Ridge so couldn't resist a few of my favourite silhouettes.
Monday 22nd May:
This morning it was lovely and I was in my shorts and t-shirt. This evening over at Marazion, despite the sunshine, I was dressed up with a coat and woolly hat. A few brave souls having BBQs on the beach but all wrapped up as if it was winter. Cloudless skies and harsh light didn't make for great photography but the gigs were out which added some interest to the scene. Some colour and some black and white below, find the colour a bit too vibrant for my taste really.
This morning it was lovely and I was in my shorts and t-shirt. This evening over at Marazion, despite the sunshine, I was dressed up with a coat and woolly hat. A few brave souls having BBQs on the beach but all wrapped up as if it was winter. Cloudless skies and harsh light didn't make for great photography but the gigs were out which added some interest to the scene. Some colour and some black and white below, find the colour a bit too vibrant for my taste really.
Sunday Evening:
Just a little photo walk from Treen, past the campsite, down to Pedn Vounder and back through the fields.
A beautiful early summer evening.
Just a little photo walk from Treen, past the campsite, down to Pedn Vounder and back through the fields.
A beautiful early summer evening.
Some more images from Saturday Evening
Sunday 21st May:
This morning I had a 9.30am eye test at Specsavers so I took my old Fuji X-E1 with me. A bright and warm morning as I walked through Penlee Park around town and then in for my test.
"A few little issues Mr. Maddern but normal for a man of your age."
After the test I walked down to the harbour, along the seafront and finished with coffee and rhubarb and vanilla cake at Pickle on the Prom. Exciting morning!
This morning I had a 9.30am eye test at Specsavers so I took my old Fuji X-E1 with me. A bright and warm morning as I walked through Penlee Park around town and then in for my test.
"A few little issues Mr. Maddern but normal for a man of your age."
After the test I walked down to the harbour, along the seafront and finished with coffee and rhubarb and vanilla cake at Pickle on the Prom. Exciting morning!
Saturday Evening:
Just got back from an evening visit to Bosigran hoping to have some better light on the beautiful display of flowers. I went up thinking that it would be chilly in the northerly wind but when I arrived the wind was dropping away and the sun was really warm. By the time I reached the cliffs I was positively hot. A lot of climbers still on the cliffs and several groups just on their way back up to the climbing club or their cars. Just a couple of images below to whet your appetite but time for bed as I'm a bit knackered after clambering around for two hours. Yesterday's images had a cold atmosphere to them, despite the flowers but you can feel the warmth in this evenings photographs.
Just got back from an evening visit to Bosigran hoping to have some better light on the beautiful display of flowers. I went up thinking that it would be chilly in the northerly wind but when I arrived the wind was dropping away and the sun was really warm. By the time I reached the cliffs I was positively hot. A lot of climbers still on the cliffs and several groups just on their way back up to the climbing club or their cars. Just a couple of images below to whet your appetite but time for bed as I'm a bit knackered after clambering around for two hours. Yesterday's images had a cold atmosphere to them, despite the flowers but you can feel the warmth in this evenings photographs.
Saturday 20th May:
What a beautiful morning down on the seafront with Pickle Caravan Cafe enjoying a brisk trade. Coffee and carrot cake in the sun with the promenade a constant stream of passers by.
What a beautiful morning down on the seafront with Pickle Caravan Cafe enjoying a brisk trade. Coffee and carrot cake in the sun with the promenade a constant stream of passers by.
Friday Afternoon:
We drove up to Bosigran this afternoon and were greeted by cliff sides covered in wildflowers and a good swell running. The scene was spoiled by the lack of sunlight and the chilly northerly breeze. Below are three similar compositions but with sunshine promised tomorrow a return visit is on the cards. For those that may be interested in the technical details the three images are all one second exposures and taken using a polariser and six stop Kase magnetic filter on a fujifilm X-T3 and 18-55mm lens.
We drove up to Bosigran this afternoon and were greeted by cliff sides covered in wildflowers and a good swell running. The scene was spoiled by the lack of sunlight and the chilly northerly breeze. Below are three similar compositions but with sunshine promised tomorrow a return visit is on the cards. For those that may be interested in the technical details the three images are all one second exposures and taken using a polariser and six stop Kase magnetic filter on a fujifilm X-T3 and 18-55mm lens.
Friday 19th May:
Very dark as I walked along the seafront. It should have been sunrise but a thick bank of cloud meant it was delayed for half an hour. Eventually, at 6 o'clock, the sun appeared above the cloud and for a while the world lit up but gradually a light northerly breeze picked up and a veil of cloud moved across to cool things down again. There seems to be more and more cold water swimmers converging on Battery Rocks everyday as temperatures rise. The sea is not that warm yet as witnessed by the high pitched screaming coming from those gingerly entering the water at the end of the rocks.
Very dark as I walked along the seafront. It should have been sunrise but a thick bank of cloud meant it was delayed for half an hour. Eventually, at 6 o'clock, the sun appeared above the cloud and for a while the world lit up but gradually a light northerly breeze picked up and a veil of cloud moved across to cool things down again. There seems to be more and more cold water swimmers converging on Battery Rocks everyday as temperatures rise. The sea is not that warm yet as witnessed by the high pitched screaming coming from those gingerly entering the water at the end of the rocks.
Very dark at official sunrise
Eventually the sun appeared
Thursday 18th May:
Yesterday warning lights started flashing on my car dashboard so today my Yeti had to go into the garage for a set of diagnostic tests. The Skoda garage is in Helston so I dropped the car off and then spent nearly three hours wandering around the town with an old Fuji x-T10 and a 50mm prime lens. The photowalk began at St Michael's Church before leading me down to the boating lake and up through town and into the local Cornish Life Museum. All very interesting and something a bit different To be honest it was a bit too hot for a town walk, I even had my first ice cream of the year.
And the car-well nothing wrong with the car itself-it was the sensor that makes the warning lights come on that had gone wrong and wouldn't you know it they are very expensive!
Yesterday warning lights started flashing on my car dashboard so today my Yeti had to go into the garage for a set of diagnostic tests. The Skoda garage is in Helston so I dropped the car off and then spent nearly three hours wandering around the town with an old Fuji x-T10 and a 50mm prime lens. The photowalk began at St Michael's Church before leading me down to the boating lake and up through town and into the local Cornish Life Museum. All very interesting and something a bit different To be honest it was a bit too hot for a town walk, I even had my first ice cream of the year.
And the car-well nothing wrong with the car itself-it was the sensor that makes the warning lights come on that had gone wrong and wouldn't you know it they are very expensive!
Wednesday 17th May:
Another beautiful day with light winds and sunshine, far from ideal photography conditions. After lunch we drove up to Cape Cornwall where the Little Wonder Cafe was doing a brisk trade in ice creams. The light was a little hazy here which helped me really, just taking the edge off the glare.
I began down on the pebbles and boulders to the left of the slipway capturing the scene and movement of the water over the rocks. As the tide threatened to cut me off I made my way up the slipway to the bank by the sheds which is covered in mesembryanthemum which has gorgeous flowers of varying colours from yellow to reds and pinks. Lots of bees out in the sunshine and on this bank it was really warm. Quite a few people going for a quick swim, some taking taking longer to get used to the cold water around their legs than they actually spent in the water.
Another beautiful day with light winds and sunshine, far from ideal photography conditions. After lunch we drove up to Cape Cornwall where the Little Wonder Cafe was doing a brisk trade in ice creams. The light was a little hazy here which helped me really, just taking the edge off the glare.
I began down on the pebbles and boulders to the left of the slipway capturing the scene and movement of the water over the rocks. As the tide threatened to cut me off I made my way up the slipway to the bank by the sheds which is covered in mesembryanthemum which has gorgeous flowers of varying colours from yellow to reds and pinks. Lots of bees out in the sunshine and on this bank it was really warm. Quite a few people going for a quick swim, some taking taking longer to get used to the cold water around their legs than they actually spent in the water.
Tuesday 16th May:
At half past six this morning I put an old Fujifilm camera in my pocket and walked along Penzance seafront to the harbour and back. An absolutely beautiful day with hardly a breath of wind and wall to wall sunshine. Plenty going on, especially at the harbour where the Scillonian passengers were dragging their luggage from their cars to the ship. A very large group of students from Exeter University arrived in coaches ready for an end of year project on the Isles of Scilly. At least the crossing should be flat today so not too much sea sickness hopefully-this crossing is notorious for it.
At half past six this morning I put an old Fujifilm camera in my pocket and walked along Penzance seafront to the harbour and back. An absolutely beautiful day with hardly a breath of wind and wall to wall sunshine. Plenty going on, especially at the harbour where the Scillonian passengers were dragging their luggage from their cars to the ship. A very large group of students from Exeter University arrived in coaches ready for an end of year project on the Isles of Scilly. At least the crossing should be flat today so not too much sea sickness hopefully-this crossing is notorious for it.
Monday 15th May:
A morning visit to Tony's Wood at Sancreed to see if the bluebells were still in full bloom. It was a bright and breezy day with the sun finding its way between the trees and lighting up patches of the woodland floor. This is a small area of woodland with small twisted moss covered trees and narrow paths winding through the undergrowth. A variety of wildlife around the area with jays, red kites and cuckoos to name just a few of the species I saw in the space of an hour.
A morning visit to Tony's Wood at Sancreed to see if the bluebells were still in full bloom. It was a bright and breezy day with the sun finding its way between the trees and lighting up patches of the woodland floor. This is a small area of woodland with small twisted moss covered trees and narrow paths winding through the undergrowth. A variety of wildlife around the area with jays, red kites and cuckoos to name just a few of the species I saw in the space of an hour.
Sunday 14th May:
A constant stream of cyclists passing this morning, many with numbers on their backs, so some kind of organised ride going on-probably for charity I expect. One minute the sun was out and it was warm and then a few minutes later the temperature would drop as the the sky clouded over. Among other things, a little bit of fun with double exposures this morning.
A constant stream of cyclists passing this morning, many with numbers on their backs, so some kind of organised ride going on-probably for charity I expect. One minute the sun was out and it was warm and then a few minutes later the temperature would drop as the the sky clouded over. Among other things, a little bit of fun with double exposures this morning.
A little bit of black and white as the sun disappeared
Later on Saturday: Pickle shadows and just a bit more.
Saturday 13th May:
Up and out just after 5am for a quick drive down to Long Rock beach. With low tide coinciding with sunrise I was hoping for some reflections in the wet sand but unfortunately there was not a cloud in the sky and at sunrise that's always a spoiler. At this time of year the sun rises well to the east of St Michaels Mount and as it was quite hazy the Mount never really caught the early light. When I arrived the half moon was above the Mount and later a lady on a horse came down onto the beach so it wasn't a complete waste of a trip. The horse was a young stallion and as she got him out of the horsebox he was very alert and on edge. The young lady kept talking to him to keep him calm and after quite a time she mounted and walked him slowly down onto the sand.
Up and out just after 5am for a quick drive down to Long Rock beach. With low tide coinciding with sunrise I was hoping for some reflections in the wet sand but unfortunately there was not a cloud in the sky and at sunrise that's always a spoiler. At this time of year the sun rises well to the east of St Michaels Mount and as it was quite hazy the Mount never really caught the early light. When I arrived the half moon was above the Mount and later a lady on a horse came down onto the beach so it wasn't a complete waste of a trip. The horse was a young stallion and as she got him out of the horsebox he was very alert and on edge. The young lady kept talking to him to keep him calm and after quite a time she mounted and walked him slowly down onto the sand.
Friday Afternoon: Same place -different angle
Friday 12th May:
What a beautiful day, sun at last, lighter winds and the seafront busy even on a working Friday. Coffee, fruit cake and half an hour watching and documenting the passing people, never gets boring.
Cake and coffee devoured a walk along the seafront past the Jubilee Pool with its water aerobics in full swing and around the harbour with beautiful light and colour. So much everyday life to document, some people at leisure others having to work- seems a long time ago having to be somewhere at the same time every day. Thank goodness for old age pensions.
What a beautiful day, sun at last, lighter winds and the seafront busy even on a working Friday. Coffee, fruit cake and half an hour watching and documenting the passing people, never gets boring.
Cake and coffee devoured a walk along the seafront past the Jubilee Pool with its water aerobics in full swing and around the harbour with beautiful light and colour. So much everyday life to document, some people at leisure others having to work- seems a long time ago having to be somewhere at the same time every day. Thank goodness for old age pensions.
Thursday 11th May:
An afternoon trip to Praa Sands on a blustery but warmish day. The usual steady stream of dog walkers dotted along the beach and a few surfers at the eastern end where we were. An occasional glimpse of the sun but not as often as I would have liked. I scrambled over the boulders at the eastern end of the beach and although the swell was small there was some water movement in the gulleys between me and Rinsey Head.
An afternoon trip to Praa Sands on a blustery but warmish day. The usual steady stream of dog walkers dotted along the beach and a few surfers at the eastern end where we were. An occasional glimpse of the sun but not as often as I would have liked. I scrambled over the boulders at the eastern end of the beach and although the swell was small there was some water movement in the gulleys between me and Rinsey Head.
Wednesday 10th May:
A trip back up to Pendeen lighthouse this afternoon but this time along the coast path and down onto Portheras Beach. No direct sunshine but at least the rain has gone and down on the beach it was out of the wind. The swell was not enormous but there was enough to enable me to capture some movement around the rocks as the waves rushed up the beach and then receded back out. In the two hours I was there just two couples came down and then a lady, older than me, with her equally old dog wandered across the beach enjoying the feel of the sand and water on bare feet.
A trip back up to Pendeen lighthouse this afternoon but this time along the coast path and down onto Portheras Beach. No direct sunshine but at least the rain has gone and down on the beach it was out of the wind. The swell was not enormous but there was enough to enable me to capture some movement around the rocks as the waves rushed up the beach and then receded back out. In the two hours I was there just two couples came down and then a lady, older than me, with her equally old dog wandered across the beach enjoying the feel of the sand and water on bare feet.
Tuesday Evening:
Well I said rain was forecast and boy they weren't joking. From noon onwards we had torrential rain accompanied by thunder and lightning. As it began to clear late in the afternoon we drove up to Pendeen and the roads were like rivers. By the time we arrived at the lighthouse the sun was appearing through the clouds, what a change. We walked down to Boat Cove where it was really lovely out of the wind. On the way down we met two German hikers and they had been walking the coast path right through the bad weather and looked just a little wet!
I spent the first hour down on the little beach catching the waves coming and going around the black rocks, some have steel rings in where I presume ropes went through to help pull up the boats. As the tide came higher Paul, a local man, appeared behind me with his lovely 15 week old puppy Sky. As usual with dogs I meet I couldn't resist trying to capture her in action.
Well I said rain was forecast and boy they weren't joking. From noon onwards we had torrential rain accompanied by thunder and lightning. As it began to clear late in the afternoon we drove up to Pendeen and the roads were like rivers. By the time we arrived at the lighthouse the sun was appearing through the clouds, what a change. We walked down to Boat Cove where it was really lovely out of the wind. On the way down we met two German hikers and they had been walking the coast path right through the bad weather and looked just a little wet!
I spent the first hour down on the little beach catching the waves coming and going around the black rocks, some have steel rings in where I presume ropes went through to help pull up the boats. As the tide came higher Paul, a local man, appeared behind me with his lovely 15 week old puppy Sky. As usual with dogs I meet I couldn't resist trying to capture her in action.
Tuesday 9th May:
A pretty wet day forecast but I was up early and checking outside it was grey and misty but still dry. As I drove over to Marazion I couldn't resist stopping by the harbour as the air was still and the lights from the Scillonian were reflecting beautifully. Over at Marazion there not the slightest sign of a sunrise and in fact as you looked across the bay Penzance was gradually disappearing. To start with the Mount was clear but within half an hour the top half was largely hidden. Not a breath of wind on the beach but it is due to pick up later.
A pretty wet day forecast but I was up early and checking outside it was grey and misty but still dry. As I drove over to Marazion I couldn't resist stopping by the harbour as the air was still and the lights from the Scillonian were reflecting beautifully. Over at Marazion there not the slightest sign of a sunrise and in fact as you looked across the bay Penzance was gradually disappearing. To start with the Mount was clear but within half an hour the top half was largely hidden. Not a breath of wind on the beach but it is due to pick up later.
The mist rolled in
Monday 8th May:
It was pouring with rain when I woke up this morning but just after seven it eased and just turned to a drizzle. I went for a walk down to the seafront and there in the mist was a cruise liner-later I found out it was the Greg Mortimer on its Jewels of the UK cruise. https://www.aexpeditions.co.uk/ship/greg-mortimer/
It was pouring with rain when I woke up this morning but just after seven it eased and just turned to a drizzle. I went for a walk down to the seafront and there in the mist was a cruise liner-later I found out it was the Greg Mortimer on its Jewels of the UK cruise. https://www.aexpeditions.co.uk/ship/greg-mortimer/
Within minutes the mist became thicker and the Mount was lost from view completely and the ship was only barely visible. As I walked along the promenade capturing black and white images you could see small boats bringing passengers ashore and when I got round to the harbour it was a hive of activity. The Gry Maritha and Scillonian loading up ready to depart for the Isles of Scilly and meanwhile a small fleet of inflatable boats was bringing cruise passengers ashore for excursions, probably to St Michaels Mount and Lands End. Not sure their visits will live up to the brochure photographs today! I see looking at the ship's website that she cruises all over the world including Antarctica.
A series of images taken later on Sunday morning entitled "Passing Pickle" all taken from a sedentary position.
Sunday 7th May:
When I go for a photo walk I'm never quite sure what the results will be. Often when walking locally I end up with variations of images I've shot before. This morning I started off up above the harbour by the Abbey Hotel. The Met Office forecast promised a lovely sunrise but no sign of that at all as I wandered down onto Abbey Slip and over Ross Bridge to the floating dock. It was here I met a group of four men aboard the Bristol Pilot Gig Cutter Marguerite. Built in 1893 and working as a pilot boat until 1911 she has now been beautifully restored. The ship was enroute from Padstow to Falmouth and the men-my sort of age- had put into Penzance as they "needed a rest." Not a breath of wind this morning so as I documented her leaving no chance of seeing her in full sail. At the end of May she will in St Mawes alongside other cutters for a bit of friendly racing around Carrick Roads.
When I go for a photo walk I'm never quite sure what the results will be. Often when walking locally I end up with variations of images I've shot before. This morning I started off up above the harbour by the Abbey Hotel. The Met Office forecast promised a lovely sunrise but no sign of that at all as I wandered down onto Abbey Slip and over Ross Bridge to the floating dock. It was here I met a group of four men aboard the Bristol Pilot Gig Cutter Marguerite. Built in 1893 and working as a pilot boat until 1911 she has now been beautifully restored. The ship was enroute from Padstow to Falmouth and the men-my sort of age- had put into Penzance as they "needed a rest." Not a breath of wind this morning so as I documented her leaving no chance of seeing her in full sail. At the end of May she will in St Mawes alongside other cutters for a bit of friendly racing around Carrick Roads.
Below: Marguerite under full sail
Saturday Evening:
We left a warm Penzance with the sun making a welcome appearance but up at Levant the conditions were somewhat different. The fog was actually good news in photographic terms giving atmosphere to the mining buildings and providing a soft white light to photograph the flowers that somehow thrive amongst the industrial waste. The fog had caused the swell to pick up against the rocks below, although at times you couldn't see the base of the cliffs. Every now and then the sun threatened to break through but the fog rolled back in everytime. Levant provides so many photographic opportunities that it is often difficult to know which way to point the camera but at least today wide views along to Pendeen Lighthouse were off the list.
We left a warm Penzance with the sun making a welcome appearance but up at Levant the conditions were somewhat different. The fog was actually good news in photographic terms giving atmosphere to the mining buildings and providing a soft white light to photograph the flowers that somehow thrive amongst the industrial waste. The fog had caused the swell to pick up against the rocks below, although at times you couldn't see the base of the cliffs. Every now and then the sun threatened to break through but the fog rolled back in everytime. Levant provides so many photographic opportunities that it is often difficult to know which way to point the camera but at least today wide views along to Pendeen Lighthouse were off the list.
Saturday 6th May:
Yet another dawn with no sight of the sun as I walked along the seafront at 5.30 this morning. Damp grey and misty but only a slight breeze and very mild. A few joggers and dog walkers already already out and about but otherwise quiet and peaceful.
Yet another dawn with no sight of the sun as I walked along the seafront at 5.30 this morning. Damp grey and misty but only a slight breeze and very mild. A few joggers and dog walkers already already out and about but otherwise quiet and peaceful.
Friday Late Afternoon:
"Can't sit down so have to keep walking"- meant another photowalk, this time heading the opposite way and ending up in Newlyn. One of the busiest shops in the town is Jelberts where there is often a long queue for a tub or 99. It was near closing time and so relatively quiet but still the local benches were occupied by ice cream eaters. I had a wander towards the harbour to document the variety of shops and the commercial activity around the fish market. All relatively quiet and the harbour itself had a lot less boats moored up than normal, I presume they are out for the weekend and will be in for the first market next week.
"Can't sit down so have to keep walking"- meant another photowalk, this time heading the opposite way and ending up in Newlyn. One of the busiest shops in the town is Jelberts where there is often a long queue for a tub or 99. It was near closing time and so relatively quiet but still the local benches were occupied by ice cream eaters. I had a wander towards the harbour to document the variety of shops and the commercial activity around the fish market. All relatively quiet and the harbour itself had a lot less boats moored up than normal, I presume they are out for the weekend and will be in for the first market next week.
Newlyn wander
Friday Afternoon:
A bad back is keeping me local today as sitting in the car aggravates things. Just before lunch I had a wander along the seafront to the harbour and back. The tide was out and now the wind has swung south west making things a little warmer and bringing folk out into the fresh air. Some kind of musical water aerobics with dumbbells going out in the geothermal pool. Pickle the caravan cafe still doing a roaring trade.
A bad back is keeping me local today as sitting in the car aggravates things. Just before lunch I had a wander along the seafront to the harbour and back. The tide was out and now the wind has swung south west making things a little warmer and bringing folk out into the fresh air. Some kind of musical water aerobics with dumbbells going out in the geothermal pool. Pickle the caravan cafe still doing a roaring trade.
Friday 5th May:
Walking into town at 9am with my old Fujifilm X-E1 in my pocket.
Walking into town at 9am with my old Fujifilm X-E1 in my pocket.
As I walked past the harbour the Scillonian was reversing out with the helicopter already on its way
Into the town
Thursday 4th May:
A return morning trip to St Agnes on a grey day with heavy rain due by lunchtime. We drove right down to Trevaunance Cove and used the local council car park-just has an honesty box. A moment of sun as we parked the car and watched three fit ladies set off on a run along the coast path. Down on the beach the BBC had just finished interviewing a representative from Surfers Against Sewage about the lack of investment by South West Water to keeping our beaches clean.
Apparently the CEO took home £800,000 last year despite hundreds of sewage discharges into rivers that pour onto our beaches. The company was fined £2.1 million.
After a couple of hours here we explored a bit further east and found our way down narrow, steep roads and a rocky track to Trevellas Cove where the remnants of hundreds of years of mining activity was all around. Will go back here for a longer visit soon.
A return morning trip to St Agnes on a grey day with heavy rain due by lunchtime. We drove right down to Trevaunance Cove and used the local council car park-just has an honesty box. A moment of sun as we parked the car and watched three fit ladies set off on a run along the coast path. Down on the beach the BBC had just finished interviewing a representative from Surfers Against Sewage about the lack of investment by South West Water to keeping our beaches clean.
Apparently the CEO took home £800,000 last year despite hundreds of sewage discharges into rivers that pour onto our beaches. The company was fined £2.1 million.
After a couple of hours here we explored a bit further east and found our way down narrow, steep roads and a rocky track to Trevellas Cove where the remnants of hundreds of years of mining activity was all around. Will go back here for a longer visit soon.
Trevellas Cove
Wednesday 3rd May:
A strong and chilly easterly wind, largely dull grey skies and a relatively calm sea didn't inspire confidence for great photography today. Late afternoon we drove up to Pendeen lighthouse and scrambled down the grass and rocks to the west of the car park. Down under the lee of the cliff it was really sheltered and the grass banks were a carpet of tiny blue flowers (spring squill) and clumps of thrift and sea campion. It never ceases to amaze that as you get down near sea level thrift and other plants still manage to survive in tiny nooks and crannies where all summer they will be roasted and in autumn and winter pounded by the sea. With a little sun the scene today would have been even lovelier.
A strong and chilly easterly wind, largely dull grey skies and a relatively calm sea didn't inspire confidence for great photography today. Late afternoon we drove up to Pendeen lighthouse and scrambled down the grass and rocks to the west of the car park. Down under the lee of the cliff it was really sheltered and the grass banks were a carpet of tiny blue flowers (spring squill) and clumps of thrift and sea campion. It never ceases to amaze that as you get down near sea level thrift and other plants still manage to survive in tiny nooks and crannies where all summer they will be roasted and in autumn and winter pounded by the sea. With a little sun the scene today would have been even lovelier.
Black and White
Tuesday 2nd May:
Last night I took one of my old Fuji cameras over to Marazion and got some nice images-unfortunately I didn't have a memory card in the camera! To make up for this schoolboy error I went back over this morning well before sunrise to be greeted with a solid wall of fog. I was tempted to move back to Penzance but once before this happened to Alison and I and when the fog cleared, as the sun rose, we had lovely conditions. This morning, after waiting for a hour, the Mount castle just appeared above the fog and over the next half hour the rest of the Mount was revealed. Only one other photographer there (Helen Dickson) to take advantage of these lovely and very different conditions to the norm.
Below I've started by posting a set of six images showing the sequence of events, ending with a beautiful hazy blue sky morning. I can never resist adding people to images so I've also posted images of Helen in action.
All images this morning taken handheld with a Fujifilm X-T3 and with 23mm and 50mm prime lenses.
Last night I took one of my old Fuji cameras over to Marazion and got some nice images-unfortunately I didn't have a memory card in the camera! To make up for this schoolboy error I went back over this morning well before sunrise to be greeted with a solid wall of fog. I was tempted to move back to Penzance but once before this happened to Alison and I and when the fog cleared, as the sun rose, we had lovely conditions. This morning, after waiting for a hour, the Mount castle just appeared above the fog and over the next half hour the rest of the Mount was revealed. Only one other photographer there (Helen Dickson) to take advantage of these lovely and very different conditions to the norm.
Below I've started by posting a set of six images showing the sequence of events, ending with a beautiful hazy blue sky morning. I can never resist adding people to images so I've also posted images of Helen in action.
All images this morning taken handheld with a Fujifilm X-T3 and with 23mm and 50mm prime lenses.
Just one in black and white
Photographer Helen Dickson
Monday May 1st:
Out at dawn on May 1st but no sign of the sun. A lot of activity on the seafront as Penzance Morris were out celebrating Beltane-(Beltane is the Gaelic May Day festival). The Scillonian sailed early this morning to start bringing the gig rowers back from the world championships on the Isles of Scilly. A double sailing today, so back at lunchtime and then a quick turnaround and off again. A real hotchpotch of images below but the morning kind of felt like that.
Out at dawn on May 1st but no sign of the sun. A lot of activity on the seafront as Penzance Morris were out celebrating Beltane-(Beltane is the Gaelic May Day festival). The Scillonian sailed early this morning to start bringing the gig rowers back from the world championships on the Isles of Scilly. A double sailing today, so back at lunchtime and then a quick turnaround and off again. A real hotchpotch of images below but the morning kind of felt like that.