December 2012 – Camera Artist

Title:
Dorset Shoot

Brief:
Need to get an early morning eerie look to the castle. It has to be very early to get the Sun rise further to the east of the ruin. So need to position on the west mound.

Gear:
Landscape gear

Lighting:
Natural Light

Learning:
– Eat better before heading out on a trip like this
– If using satnav, be sure it’s one you trust, better yet have a map
– Need to hit that gym and do some exercises, you’ve got to be fit

Notes:
Dec 7th 2012
It was an early start for Mike and I getting up at 03:00 and being ready to leave at 04:00 (only mad men). With only a cup of coffee and toast as nourishment, we set off headed towards the M3 in a spitting rain condition (not a good sign). By the time we hit the M27 wipers were on full and we were in heavy rain.

At just passed A338 which is the Bournemouth turn off I was dependant on a memory of the area I had seen on a map and Satnav. With our meeting point schedule for 05:45 we had plenty of time for getting lost (and we did). Satnav got us lost losing its way or understanding of the roads in the area. Seems like it worked better when held by my passenger anyway. After ignoring and following my nose and memory Satnav picked up again the scent for our destination and we arrived at Corfe Castle on time.

It was not as cold as expected, in fact not as cold as we would have wanted in order to get that eerie mist around the ruin. But we did have a welcoming crescent moonlight that created a silhouette of the ruin, which immediately presented a picture making opportunity. We had plenty of time to get up the adjacent West Hill which was to be our shooting location.

The climb effort got us by surprise, just how fit you need to be. Looks like the authorities have anticipated the photographer or painter and have made a stairway to almost the top. Careful where you tread, mud and large sharp rocks are all about. There’s evidence of sheep too, so that change of footware when returning to the car is mandatory.

You can set up pretty much as high as you dare really. The moonlight was superb as it served as the ideal modelling light in anticipation of the Sunrise. No mist or fog, but that was not going to stop hitting the shutter button when the eventual moment would arise.

Nov 27th 2012
PB has suggested this and the take up has been very good. MC should be coming with me in the morning. But this is an all day shoot as well.

Plan for 7th Dec 2012

1. Corfe castle at Dawn – be there for 5.45am – 6am, as we will need to find suitable access path.
2. Breakfast
3. Scope out Durdle door locations and / or any others
4. Lunch
5. Kill time
6. Set up at Durdle door – opportunity for around 3 – 4 separate shots
7. Drive back

Outcome:

My other shot I placed here, Durdle Door images were a washout as the wind and rain sent us away to our vehicles and on our way home.

Month: December 2012

How it all ends

Dorset Project

Men

Ansel Adams – Exhibition UK