Tranquil

I have visited this spot at Glenridding on Ullswater a few times. Last year I visited early morning when it was -6 C there was a thick fog and the edge of the lake was frozen. These boats were barely visible.

On my most recent visit there was a light breeze and the surface of the lake was  covered with small, even ripples. The light was not very good because of the low cloud but I had came here with a particular image in mind. I wanted to get  a nice even image with a degree of symmetry and I knew that I needed a good reflection. I used a 2 second exposure and I layered two ND filters to flatten out the ripples and create a smooth surface for the reflection and then in Lightroom I have adjusted the contrast to bring out the detail in the sky.

Overall I am really happy with this image and it is pretty close to what I had set out to achieve when I set out at the start of the day. I also got to try out a technique for long exposure that I hadn't really tried before so I would say it was a successful day out.

Silver Reflection

I love black and white photography and this superb shot of Skiddaw and Derwent Water is a good example of why I love it so much. 

Landscapes don't always lend themselves to black and white because the colours are usually really important. In this image the sky was a beautiful blue and the snowy fells a brilliant white (have a look at the picture I posted on 27th January to see what I mean) so it would look great as a colour image too. However it also works exceptionally well in black and white with the shiny reflection and the crisp lines.

Mirror Image

So today I got to go out and play and conditions were perfect.

When I started with my first DSLR my favourite lens was a Sigma 10 - 20mm super wide angle zoom but when I traded up to a full frame camera the Sigma would no longer fit as it used an EF-S mount rather than the EF mount on my current camera body. I have wanted a replacement for some time and having saved a bit of cash I was able to treat myself to a Canon 17 - 40mm f4 L series. 

What a lens... It is now my new favourite lens and I am definitely going to get some use out of it.

I went down to the upper Derwent Valley in Derbyshire and took a stroll around the Ladybower reservoir, one of a number of connected reservoirs in the valley and as you can see from today's picture the water was mirror calm and the winter sun (following a very cold clear night) gave a perfect light.

This shot was one of the last of the day although I have a number of good images to share.

Just a word of advice always check the settings on your camera at the start of any shoot, and throughout the day too. Unfortunately I had somehow altered the resolution and didn't realise until it was too late and I have a number of nice but poor quality images that I cannot use. I know I can go back another day but I will be lucky to get such good conditions the next time. Oh well never mind eh! Enjoy this shot and the others that I will share...

Eagle Island

This is Eagle Island, although that is probably not its official name. The three dead trees just left of centre were the favourite perches for the beautiful eagles that frequent this spot and fish in Marie Louise Lake. The tallest tree just right of centre was also another favourite perch for a juvenile eagle. Sadly there were no birds in residence on this particular evening.

On my last morning camping here my daughter and I paddled out to the island and I got some great shots and we were able to watch one of the eagles fishing for its breakfast, such a remarkable sight. Also my daughter pleaded with me to let her go onto the island, I agreed but only reluctantly as the wind was getting up and it was an effort to get in close and stay steady enough for her to get out of the canoe.

She was gone for a little while but she returned triumphant having reached the tree where the eagle was sat and collected a feather. I was really proud of her for her adventurous spirit and really touched when we returned to camp and she presented me with her trophy which is a lovely souvenir of our fun times on the lake.

This picture was taken in the evening and as you can see the lake is mirror calm providing a perfect reflection of the island and with the sun behind us the detail is spot on.

A Trick On The Eye

So today I have a question for you, can you tell which of the above images are reflections and which are not?

Obviously the second and third pictures are reflections, but what about the other two?

Well the truth is all four pictures are reflected images of trees along the banks of the canal. It was remarkably calm in places and so the reflections have a really clear quality and actually make better images than the trees themselves. 

Mossy Rocks

I love the colours and textures in these rocks and I like the contrast between the fast flowing water in the first picture and the mirror smooth water in the final image.

6 views of Pen yr Ole Wen

Here is another selection of images from Saturday's walk in Snowdonia.  

Having walked up to the path which leads around Llyn Idwal I stopped to take the first 3 images above, I actually set up the camera on my tripod in the river to get the angle that I wanted, I think it paid off because I am really pleased with these shots. 

Pen yr Ole Wen is the southern most peak of the Carneddau  and stands at 978m. Walking around the lake there were several good vantage points to capture the reflection of the peak and at times the lake was mirror calm so I was able to get some near perfect images.  As well as the sharp reflections I love the way the wispy clouds are rising through the valley in the centre of the first few images. 

I've been walking in this area many times but looking at these pictures I realised that I have never actually walked in the Carneddau and I guess that I will have to plan an excursion one of these days.