i m a g e o f t h e m o n t h - 2 0 0 8
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DECEMBER 2008
Bamburgh Castle
As with all my photography and even more so when photographing any iconic scene I always as a matter of principle never look at other photographers work, instead I always like to put own stamp on such a location as Bamburgh Castle, here photographed at dusk.
Canon 5D MkII - 24mm TS-E f3.5L lens - f/16 @ 3 seconds - ISO100 - Lee 105mm Circular Polarising Filter - Gitzo G1548 Tripod.
NOVEMBER 2008
Autumnal birch canopy
This extensive birch woodland in the Peak District National Park has over a number of years provided me with countless opportunities from intimate close-ups of the micro fauna through to expansive vistas.
This image is composed of 3 separate images stitched together using Realviz to produce this panoramic format image a far cry from my Hasselblad Xpan II days.
Canon 5D - 90mm f2.8 TS-E lens - f/8 @ 1/15 sec. - ISO100 - Lee 105mm Circular Polarising Filter - Gitzo G1548 Tripod.
OCTOBER 2008
Red Deer stag
Distinctive, simple, graphical silhouettes have always held great visual appeal and this red deer stag photographed at sunset is no exception. I find that silhouettes are a great way of producing evocative images under less than favourable light conditions.
Canon 1D MkII - 500mm f4L IS lens - f/5.6 @ 1/90 sec. - ISO200 - Gitzo G1548 Tripod.
SEPTEMBER 2008
Crowden Brook
Several days of heavy rain and the normally crystal clear waters of Crowden Brook in the Peak District National Park had turned reddish-brown as the cascade of water became laden with tannin, produced as the rain water filters through the peat. The following day the waters were opaque as peat sediment particles mixed with the flowing water.
Canon 1Ds MkII - 24mm f/3.5L TS-E lens - f/16 @ 1/3 sec. - ISO100 - Gitzo G1548 Tripod.
AUGUST 2008
Chiltern Gentian - Gentianella germanica
This very rare wildflower belongs to the Gentianaceae (gentian family). Flowers are actinomorphic and bisexual with fused sepals, petals and epipetalous stamens alternate with the corolla lobes. There is a glandular disk at the base of the gynoecium, and flowers have parietal placentation. Easily overlooked the delicate mauve-pinkish flowers appear in mid to late August where it grows on secluded areas in the Chiltern Hills. The flower was chosen as the county flower of Buckinghamshire.
Canon 5D - 180mm f/3.5L macro lens - f/16 @ 1/8 sec. - ISO100 - Gitzo G1548 Tripod.
JULY 2008
Marbled White - Melanargia galathea
This splendid male marbled white butterfly was photographed in a grassland meadow near the village of Bix, Oxfordshire as it momentarily landed on a grass seed head before taking flight.
Canon 5D - 180mm f/3.5L macro lens - f/11 @ 1/15 sec. - ISO100 - Gitzo G1548 Tripod.
JUNE 2008
Wolf Spider - Hogna radiata
The Wolf Spider - Hogna radiata is one of Europe's largest spiders with a body length up to 25mm and leg-span of 15cm being the norm for females. Its highly contrasting light and dark markings make these ground-living animals almost impossible to detect when they remain still on a sand or gravel substrate by day. Abundant throughout the Mediterranean region, they hunt at night for mole crickets, beetles and even juvenile moorish geckos have been known to be taken.
Canon 5D - 180mm f/3.5L macro lens - f/16 @ 1/4 sec. - ISO100 - Gitzo G1548 Tripod.
MAY 2008
Sanderling
The salt pan lagoons and tidal sand bars of the Algarve's, Ria Formosa are a rich bio diverse ecosystem that forms a gateway between North Africa and Southern Europe. A place where countless thousands of waders find refuge during the spring and autumn passage migrations. Lying flat on the wet sand for several uncomfortable hours a succession of various waders including dunlin, curlew sandpiper, kentish plover, redshank, little stint, avocet, black-winged stilt and this sanderling resplendent in its summer plumage walked towards my lens.
Canon 1D MkII - 500mm f/4L IS lens - f/8 @ 1/125 sec. - ISO 200 - Gitzo G1548 Tripod.
APRIL 2008
Dipper on moss-covered waterfall
I originally made a similar composition in 1997 using Fuji Velvia at a time when I was new to photography, the resulting image was widely published. However, over the years the transparency had become damaged, so I decided that I would attempt to recreate the image via digital capture. After an almost 5-hour wait the dipper eventually posed momentarily, though long enough for me to fire off several frames remotely from over 50 metres away using a remote control device.
Canon 5D - 70-20mm f/2.8L IS lens - f/11 @ 1/6 sec. - ISO 50 - Gitzo G1548 Tripod - Canon LC-3 Remote Control Unit
MARCH 2008
The Mystical Wood
Woodlands shrouded in mist behold a magical, almost mystical feel and photographically something I can never resist pointing my lenses at. This image taken near the village of Hathersage, Peak District National Park, England.
Canon 5D - 70-200mm f/2.8L IS lens - f/11 @ 1/15 sec. - ISO 100 - Gitzo G1548 Tripod.
FEBRUARY 2008
Grey Seal at sea
Though the vast majority of grey seal photos are land-based, I was determined to capture a series of images of grey seals in their natural harsh environment, the sea. In order to do this I simply waded out to a safe distance and positioned my tripod just above the surface of the seawater and waited for a seal to come close and inspect what this curious creature was sharing their habitat.
Canon 1D MkII - 500mm f/4L IS lens - f/6.3 @ 1/750 second - ISO 200 - Gitzo G1548 Tripod.
JANUARY 2008
Drake Mallard
A considerable fall of snow allowed me to approach this drake mallard duck with ease as he was intent to eating almost anything he could find. This opportunity allowed me to compose a more unusual image of the familiar.
Canon 1D MkII - 17-40mm f/4L lens - f/8 @ 1/125 second - ISO 200 - Handheld.
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