Unit 208, theme1 -Charlie Waite photographer.

I have decided the first photographer I am going to research is Charlie Waite .
 Charlie Waite has been taking landscape photographs for over thirty years. Charlie  was born in 1949 in England and has been one of the most popular and successful  landscape photographers of all time .Charlie  is most famous for producing 6x6 square format images using a Swedish  medium -format camera called a Hasselbald .
 Charlie Waite began his working life as an assistant stage manager at the age of  17 after leaving school with no qualifications .Charlie then went on to study for two years before coming an actor in theater and television. Whilst working in television Charlie  decided to shoot photos of his fellow actors and took a years course in photography at Salisbury college of art in Wiltshire. Charlie Waite was no stranger to photography at this time as he was first introduced to photography by his father at the age of 11 and  this had left a great impression on him. This spurned Charlie on, and Charlie continued  to take portraits of his fellow work mates and eventually took to landscape photography during his spare time.
 This lead to Charlie Waite's first commission, whilst viewing a house for sale. The seller happened to ask Charlie  what he did for work, on telling the seller part of the truth "that he was a landscape photographer", the man explained that he was a publisher and was in need of a photographer to help illustrate a book he was working on. This turned out to be a book for the national trust on walks around Britain, Charlie Waite the landscape photographer was born. During Charlie's time as a landscape Photographer ,Charlie has written and  produced images for around 27 books. Charlie has also exhibited his images and lectured in many countries .Starting his own a company in 1994 called Light and Land, Charlie Waite continues to promote the art of photography by tutoring in many locations all around the world.

Unit 208 ,theme 1-Charlie Waite book

I have brought one of Charlie Waite's books , The making of landscape photographs - A practical guide to the art and techniques . I like how he criticizes his  own work, if he is not happy with a photo he has taken he states why ! he also gives handy points to watch when he has taken his photos, so that you might consider these when taking your own .

Unit 208 theme 1- Nature And Landscape.

This set of images where taken at my Dads field I told my mum where I was Going and it was right opposite a fiends house so I was safe .
I took camera ,extra batteries and XD card, bag and lens cloth.

New Seed.
ISO   1600  1/340  8 
This shot was taken in my dads field  at the side of his pond , I saw this water iris starting to shed its seeds ,I like the color of the dying flower and its seeds , the texture of the water with wind blowing across it.

 Osmaston  .B&W.
ISO  200  1/350  4.5
In this shot I have captured the texture of the raked field in the fore-ground, the grass meadow in the mid-ground and small group of trees in the back-ground. I do think that trying to get extra into the shot by taking the photo with the draping tree in the front was probably not a good idea, and would have been a better photo without . 

Osmaston std.
ISO  200  1/350  4.5
As above but in color in this photo again this would of been better without the draping tree ,although i do love the color and the lines and texture in the photo.

In Preparation .
ISO  200  1/250  4.5 
In this picture I tried to capture the texture and lines,there is also light and dark tones in the soil . This picture is slightly exposed.  

At The Edge. 
ISO  400  1/1000  3.2

Low Level.
ISO  400   1/100  4

In Line. B&W.
ISO   400  1/1000  4

In Line . std
ISO  400  1/000    5

Rubble and Stubble.
ISO   400   1/1000   5.6

Hog Weed skeleton.
ISO 1600  s/s  1/1000  f8 
For this shot I got under the weed skeleton so as to get a blank canvas ,the sky ! as stated in the TV program, How To Take Stunning Photographs. I like the shape form and pattern the the weed head make as you look into the picture.

                                                                  

unit 208 theme 1- Osmaston

Osmaston is very close to where I live and it a beautiful location with a lake , wood mill and waterfall, so I decided to nip off with camera in hand , I had my mother with me again for health and safety reasons ,camera ,bag ,extra batteries ,XD cards ,lens cloth ,brolly and phone.

Tree lined .
ISO  
In this photograph I like the shape of the trees that line the track, the tonal range of the trees in the distance, the line of the fence that leads your eye further down the track. 

Flying High.
ISO 200   1/1000   5.6
Whilst down by the lake in Osmaston there were a lot of gulls and some water fowl ,once one bird moved they all moved so I  had a go at catching a picture of a bird in flight. I  managed it but didnt  really get what I wanted , I have watched programs on TV and I observed the birds in flight as it suggests but I wasn't fast enough or close enough  .The shape and the color in the picture is ok.

Reflections.
ISO
 In this shot I walked up a bank and took the photograph down on to the water, I think the reflection produces good shape and color from the sky. I also like the fact that the water side of the shot is in shadow with a little illumination from the refection ,the line of the fence separates  bright sunshine and the texture of the grass.  

Tall Trees.
ISO 200   1/000  5.6
I like the color the sun produces when it his the leaves on the left ,also the lines and shapes of the trees and the texture of the bark and the fallen  red leaves .

Waterfall.
ISO
This waterfall is just next to the wood mill in Osmaston , Ive shot this photo in color before and fancied it in black and white ,I think it is slightly over exposed . I like the way the bough of the tree falls into the picture, the texture of the brick work, the leaves and the tones of grey color throughout the picture.

                                                                        

Unit 208 theme 1 -Lovely Lathkill Dale.

I chose to go to Lathkill Dale for its picturesque scenery ,there is water ,waterfalls and a long walk in the middle of nowhere ,so health and safety is paramount .On this trip I took my mother ,no tripod as I haven't got one ,a camera bag , spare charged batteries ,lens cloth ,extra XD cards , brolly and phone .We kept to the path way at all times .

.

Cascading water.
ISO  200  1/125  3.2
I love the water cascading down the steps of the waterfall ,the water here is so clear and further up the river the the water disappears under ground from time to time. 

Run Dry.
ISO 100    1/30    3.5 
 In this shot the river has gone to ground  ,last time I saw this view the river was at the top of this gate. I shot this image in black and white because this gate and its features are old and I thought it would look more authentic. Although there is no color in the photo you can still see the texture of the leaves and the wooden gate. The blur to the right of the photo is a tree ,I should of moved the camera more to avoid this or even add the tree in, it wouldn't of hurt, this again would of added more texture and depth of field. 

 Wooden Bridge.
ISO 200  1/30   3.2
This bridge is over the dry river bed ,I like the shape of the bridge from this angle, it leads the eye to the other side. I like the tonal range of the trees in the back-ground and leaves on the tree that boughs over the bridge also the texture of those leaves on the floor .

Fighting Through .
ISO 200   1/320  5.6
In this shot I climbed down to the river bed  which luckily was not flowing  fully across .The water was fighting its way through a build-up of leaf ,stick and mud debris as autumn begins to turn. There is texture and lovely rich colors in the moss and fallen leaves and silver tones in the flowing water. 

Wispy  Sky
ISO 200   1/160  5.6
I love the clouds in these wispy sky photos which show beautifully against the bright  blue color of the sky. There is texture in the stone in the fore-ground and shape in the trees in the mid-ground and the color in sky in the back-ground , so the rule of thirds applies.  

Wispy sky 2
ISO200   1/250   5.6
The sky looks like its been painted with fine brush strokes. again texture ,shape and color.

 Piece- full  River Lathkill.
ISO  200   1/40     8 
This picture is one of the first you see after turning off Conksbury bridge on to the path next to the river. In this shot I walked onto a wall that passes through the water to the middle of the river I checked that it was not slippery first and got as low as I dare so as not to fall , my mother was stood at the edge with my bag . I like the reflection of the trees and sky the dark green color and the texture of the stones and mosses on the right ,the skys reflection on the water acts as visual path that leads your eye up the river.

Wispy sky 3
ISO 200   1/320   5.6
A little different to the other wispy sky photos ,taken very low to the ground  ,but still  a beautiful blue colored sky and texture from the glass.

                                                     

UNIT 208 THEME 1 -Ilam and the ruins of Throwley hall

Strange Looking !
ISO  100  1/250  f6.4
I was walking past the church in Ilam and saw this tree with its slim tall trunk and wide canopy ,I thought it looked like a giraffe with a hat on! I like the shape of this tree the lines of the tree and the different tones of black and grey that b&w photography gives you.

Under Cover.
ISO 200 1/50 6.4
In Ilam still ,it was a bright day and this tree spreads its self  widely across the grass, as I went under the canopy the color of the leaves became brighter and the shape of the tree darker and the texture of the orange leafy carpet  became more apparent. I like this picture for the trees lines, shape, colors  and textures of all the leaves.

Branching out.
ISO 200  1/50 6.4
This is the same tree as above but a different angle , the branch appears to be reaching out  for the light again I like the texture ,color lines and shape.

Stone Steps.
ISO  400  1/40  6.4
These step rise up through the woods on the other side of the river in Ilam,  some contain  fossils that are clearly visible where shoes have worn in to the stone. As you can see this was quite a dark area and I have tried to get the light right ,the texture of the leaves is evident and the shapes of the steps curve into the rise and through the trees. I would of liked the photo to have been a little brighter .

Foot bridge.
ISO  800  1/100  3.3
In this photograph I decided to take the shot in black and white and at low angle, I like, the lines and shapes of the fence either side of the foot bridge this draws your eyes to the focal point, the gate at the end . I think this shot could of had a little more clarity .

The river Dove-Ilam.

ISO  1600  1/320   6.4
In this photo I have got the smooth water on the left and the texture of the falling water on the right of the shot , your eyes follow this line across the water on to the other side and up the zig-zag path. The rule of thirds applies. I am not over happy with this shot again the clarity is not right and the picture is slightly over exposed. 

Lovers Walk.
ISO 800  1/100  3.3
The trees is this shot carry on right to the end of the path,  I like how they line the walk way on the left and the fence on the right , both leading your eyes along, I also like the contrast of color of the leaves on the trees and the leaves on the floor . The texture of the leaves and the bark is strong . 

Off  The Wall .
ISO  800  1/140  3.2
For this shot I climbed the wall and sat on it so I lined the camera up so that I could shoot along the wall. I have got the texture of the wall central ,the texture of the grass on the right and the texture of the leaves on the left. The shot could of been better if I had lined up the wall more as it is slightly off centre.

 Step into the dark.
ISO  100  1/14  5.6
I like the way the steps curve into the darkness and they make you wonder what is at the top. I think the ISO gives the atmosphere in this shot this photo has texture and form.

Red carpet.
ISO  100 1/50  3.2 

Over the edge.
ISO  100  1/125  3.2 
In this shot  i've captured the smoothness of the water before it  falls over the edge  ,I like the the way the water is forcing weed to follow. 

Add caption
ISO  200  1/125  3.2
I shot this  through some trees which has framed the picture, the picture is split into thirds  the 1st 3rd is the smooth calm water, the 2nd  3rd  is the rushing water over the edge and the last 3rd  is the water breaking on it way down river. 

A bit of ewe time !
ISO 800  1/200  3.5 
In this shot you can feel the texture of the wool, the picture is clear , has good form and the rule of thirds apply.

Throwley Hall
 ISO 200  1/400  3.3 
The Ruins of Throwley Hall seemed perfect to photograph after visiting Ilam , the weather was starting to turn ,I think this adds to the photo . I like the tones of the sky and  the way the Hall sits comfortable on the hillside.

                                                            

unit 208 theme 1 -Stanton moor and Robin hoods stride.

                                                                  Fly  Agaric .
                                             ISO64  1/25  f8 
I thought these were fantastic specimens ! We were walking through Stanton moor in Derbyshire looking for mushrooms and came across these fly Agaric. I thought they would make a good photograph nestled in the grass, with the texture of the leaf litter in the foreground and lush green moss growing on the tree root in the back ground. I  lay on the grass for this shot as I wanted to get eye level with the subject, I also wanted to get the texture of the white on the fungus cap .

The gate keeper.
ISO 400  1/50    f 8 
I just glanced over my shoulder and caught this fella keeping his eye on me, then I notice the stone circle called nine stones in the back-ground .The rule of thirds applies vertically in this photograph. 

Stone Ridges.
ISO  400 1/50 f8 
These extraordinary ridges are found on the top running down vertically on a really large rock that balances on the top of robin hoods stride ,I have no idea what has made the deep gorges in the grit-stone rock but they look intriguing . I love the texture and the lines created in this stone.
 

In-between. b&w
ISO 400  1/50  f8
On the way back from Stanton moor we stopped off as we saw a set of rocks  high up on a hillside called robin hood stride on the lime stone way and decided to investigate , I liked the look of this tree growing in-between the rocks  leading to the top of the ledge ,the picture has not really turned out how I would of liked , probably  better in b&w if I was to choose (may be slightly over exposed) Again rule of thirds applies. 

In-between. std
ISO 400  1/50 f8
AS above but in colour.