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Dartmoor Storm


Dartmoor Storm
Photo Information
Copyright: Miles Herbert (CaptiveLight) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 516 W: 61 N: 277] (1131)
Genre: Landscapes
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-05
Categories: Trees
Camera: Canon 40d, Sigma 10 - 20 EX DG, Digital ISO 100, Lee Filter System
Exposure: f/16, 1/20 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-06-02 0:08
Viewed: 552
Points: 18
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
On Saturday I went up to Dartmoor National Park in Devon for the day, well, the initial idea was to go there for the day anyway. When we got there the weather was beautiful, scattered fluffy white clouds, deep blue sky behind them and warm ... so we decided to sit on the rocks and have lunch first.

Having had lunch we went back to the car to get the cameras, and noticed that the sky up the valley was starting to look a little grey, but looking at the wind direction, that little shower posed no threat and should go off in the opposite direction. Off we went with the cameras.

Having set up and taken about a dozen shots, we started to notice that it was getting VERY grey up the valley, so started to walk back to the car, where along the way I came across this tree,, which I have photographed before, and I just couldn't resist trying to get a shot of it against the last of the sunshine as the clouds closed it. The others went back to the car a few hundred metres away whilst I stayed waiting for THAT moment when the clouds were in the right place.

As the first drops of rain started to fall I clicked the shutter, hastily took the filters off, replaced lens covers and stuffed everything into the camera bag as the heavens opened into what seemed to be the heaviest rain that I have ever seen in the UK. Rather then stay out in the rain I found a little rock over hang and sheltered under that until the rain eased off a little about half an hour later.

By then the little moorland roads had become rivers as the rain continued... so we decided that enough was enough and drove home again.

1/20th sec @ F16, ISO 100, Pattern Metering. Lee 0.6 Hrd ND Grad, B&W Kaseman Circ Polariser.
shakerz, mala-zaba, briddl, shabsslg, SunToucher, vanderschelden, Janice, hester has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Stunning! Well worth the wait and the effort. The tree looks very exposed to the elements and it's dark silhouette combined with the storm clouds add a great deal of mood to the image.
TFS
Elizabeth

Hi Miles,
A picture really captive. The composition is successful.
TFS
Eric

Very Gothic image from your odyssey, the poor tree seems to oppose a resistence to the rage of the elements...
Impressive.
Wishes by Diana

Dear Miles,

On TN I am little biased towards animal photoghraphy and seldom comment on landscapes. This picture really reminds me of THB by Sir Doyle & his moorland portrayal in devon. Quite like the risk & chance factors in the note.

tfs,

Subhayan.

Impressive! How lucky we are that you stayed there to get this shot. It was worth all the trouble you had there. It is perfect and everybody who has ever been to the Dartmoor knows that it is a very typical scene you show us here. You've done a great job.
Thanks for sharing.
With best regards,
Britta

Hi Miles,
I loved the story that came with this photo. It gives that great feel of being as well. The story of 'waiting for the light' suits the photo.
The tree is a wonderful specimen with a great silhoutte. The fact that is stands all alone and has a stunning view is the best bonus you can have. The filtered light by the heavy clouds is perfect and gives that feeling of storm comming.
I can't help feeling that the landscape part of the photo is a little dark, but I have to note that it could as well be my office monitor.
Anyway, your decision to wait for the moment paid of with this stunner.
TFS,
Niek

Hello Miles,
Well done. Well composed landscape.
TFS
Annick

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3452 W: 144 N: 5895] (17468)
  • [2008-06-03 0:41]

Perfect timing Miles. What an awesome image. The tree is perfectly shaped for the storm clouds in the BG. You couldn't have planned it better.
And I enjoyed reading your notes and I could even see you sheltering under the rock.
Thank you
Janice

  • Great 
  • hester Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1471 W: 18 N: 2981] (10944)
  • [2008-06-25 12:23]

Hi Miles

This looks dramatic even from the thumbnail. Beautifully composed and with bags of atmosphere.

TFS

Karan

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