Castlerigg Circle, a photo from Cumbria, England

Photographer's Note

Hello All

This is my first shot from the recent TE meet in the Lake District with the usual suspects plus Viviane and Chris form Holland. If you want to know why I am posting this shot much after the other attendees, it is a long story but basically I have been to the moon and back in miles travelled in the last 48 hours! Not even Viv and Chris have travelled as far and they came from Holland!

This is Castlerigg Stone circle at around 6.30 a.m. It was built around 4,300 years ago in the Neolithic period. Such circles were thought to be meeting places for prehistoric communities for ceremonial events, or possibly a place of trade for stone tools. No one seems quite sure!

Technically there is a lot wrong with this image - its clarity and grain, a lack of sharpness and is generally not outstanding in quality. It was taken with an 3 stop ND filter and was underexposed by as much so checking for flaws in the WYSIWYG viewfinder on my camera was not really a priority for me. I just wanted to create the sunburst with this technique to see how it looked.

Enjoy.

ikeharel, holmertz, tyro, pajaran, Royaldevon, ourania, jhm, macjake, PaulVDV, kiks trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

jemaflor (135404) 2016-08-09 9:19

Hi Michael,
Congratulations, very well managed, perfect light capture, great result with this sun and these shadows, original presentation for these stones.

ikeharel (105889) 2016-08-09 9:22

Good evening Michael,
Told Beverley already how envy I am with you guys in England, able to have more than just one occasional TE meeting - and keep tradition established on this site so long ago.
Cheers for that.
About the picture: An ancient-wisdom by people in old eras, to erect such a place, and it doe's look attractive and intriguing, photography-wise.
Well done with the sun ahead.
My best regards,
Ike

gervaso (28177) 2016-08-09 9:30

Hello, Michael!

Fantastic capture of the sun with this star effect, and the light over the landscape creates very nice shadows and an interesting perspective! Wonderful composition! Very well done!

holmertz (92842) 2016-08-09 9:37

Hello Mike,
I admit that the sharpness isn't totally perfect, but I am willing to forgive anything for a photo with the sun looking like this and such long shadows from the mysterious ancient stones. Those people thousands of years ago would have gone berserk if they knew what you could do to the sun. Maybe they did anyway.
Best regards,
Gert

jean113 (22029) 2016-08-09 11:11

Hello Michael, there does not seem to be a lot wrong with this shot for me!
The sunburst is beautiful,there are deep shadows from the standing stones and the light has captured the moisture on the grass,dew I guess.And a lovely blue sky!
Thanks for the information.I remember going to Castle Rigg a long time ago,on top of the hill? And a great feeling of space.
Regards Jean.

tyro (30513) 2016-08-09 11:41

Hi Mike,

Very well done you for having the self discipline to get out of your scratcher and get here at 6.30 a.m.! But it has certainly been worth all the effort even if this was the only photograph you took that morning.

The effect of shooting directly into the newly risen sun is stunning, not only with respect to the lovely starburst around the sun itself but also to he glorious long shadows cast by these remarkable stones across the grassy heath.

I love your bold composition. The sky is beautiful and the light on the grass is beautiful, bringing out all its textures perfectly. And, despite what Gert says, I find this photograph to be stunningly sharp, especially when viewed at its "proper" size on "beta" TE or at http://i1.trekearth.com/photos/143761/castlerigg_circle.jpg.

But, as much as the beauty of this very fine photograph, I also have to admire the skill and determination of the photographer. To be able to take a picture like this directly into the sun and trying to work out any meaningful exposure parameters would be difficult enough but with the addition of a 3 stop ND filter the exercise becomes even more complex - especially when it is virtually impossible to see anything remotely like an image through the viewfinder. This is in the realms of Daguerre and Fox-Talbot, old boy!

Absolutely Brilliant!

Kind Regards,

John.

P.S. I presume that you, your car and your caravan are now all safely home following what must have seemed like a whistle-stop circumnavigation of the globe. I hope your little man in Penrith was helpful and that your repairs were fully successful and not to difficult nor expensive. You must relate the full story to me at some time. Take care.

lousat (129945) 2016-08-09 12:27

Hi Michael,the first pic of the meeting is absolutely lovely! What a winner backlight and what a perspective,the 3D effect made by the shadows on the ground is amazing,very very well done! Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

emka (152182) 2016-08-09 23:00

Hello Mike, this rising sun fits the theme perfectly. And it was worth going there early in the morning, to feel atmosphere of this place and avoid many tourists that would come later. Nice to see the same place we visited during this meeting five years ago. We also were in Castlerigg. But we missed waterfalls :(. Warm regrads MAlgo

Royaldevon (75378) 2016-08-10 1:06

Hello Mike,

I have typed a long critique which has just disappeared!!!!

I am pleased to see that, despite all the technical problems that must have been buzzing around your head and a strong desire to see the backs of your eye-lids for considerably longer, taking photographs was your top priority!

I really can't see much wrong with your photograph! It is a fine capture of Castlerigg Circle, where the starry sun is casting piercing rays through the long, morning shadows. Even the details of dew on the grass can be appreciated!
The composition is good as is the sense of mood.

The only tiny problem is a slight haloing around some of the stones, though even that could be as a result of their special powers!

My warm regards,
Bev :-)
For some reason, although my messages said I had 3 critiques remaining, it would not let me enter any critiques last night!!

CLODO (45094) 2016-08-10 2:42

Hi early bird!

I know, I was invited to this meeting, but it was time for our daughter to meet us in Bordeaux.
I know this place where I have been a few years ago, but the weather was rather dull that day.
The framing is excellent with the full stone shadow and the starry sky, and you managed to get correct hues even in the dark areas. I wouldn't complain for this shot, I would have liked to do it

Cheers
CLODO

dta (98542) 2016-08-10 8:32

Hello Michael ,
Megalithic monument are not especially easy to capture . You've done it very well , here , with this superbly managed back light , the long shade , and the stunning starburst sun .
Regards

ourania (51103) 2016-08-10 11:51

Hello Mike,
I think that the effect you wish to capture/create is very attractive, I like the intensity and definition of the sun and its rays, some of them have reached into the foreground. There's a mystical dialoque between the light and the ancient stones, a dialogue that the viewer can watch mesmerized but not understand. I like the textures and the colours as well as the intimate but also timeless atmosphere. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a great evening,
Ourania

kasianowak (15818) 2016-08-10 13:39

Hi Mike
I like the idea of showing the sun as what it essentially is - a star. Long shadows add some mystery to the shot, quite appropriately to the subject matter.
Sometimes we have a choice between technical and artistic quality and I like your choice here. :-)
Best wishes
Kasia

abmdsudi (88537) 2016-08-11 18:04

Hi Mike
Testing the exposure to the limit !!
The bursting sun effect is the icing on the roll with compelling long shadows immensely stretching the feel of depth and perspective. You did well to achieve the best composition subtly! Congrats
Best regards

jhm (202989) 2016-08-12 5:18

Hello Michael,

I like the wonderful sunbeams against a blue sky.
Also the long shadows are pleasant to look at.
But also a wonderful panoramic view about the area.
You create a lot of depth and perspective.
Colours and presentation are wonderful.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

macjake (96157) 2016-08-13 4:02

Hi Mike
i'll get to your photo in a second...but first about your travels.

As a Canadian, living in the 2nd largest country in the world, I often find it interesting hearing about Europeans complaining about car travels. :)

I've heard many people complain about having to travel 1 or 2 hours to get to their destination, etc etc...here in Canada, our country is SO big and vast, we do these trips on a daily basis!!! its very common for Canadians to drive 2 hours a day just to get to work, and we do this 5 days a week!

We don't even think twice about driving 12-16 hours in one car trip - thats no problem at all, lets go! We are very used to it I guess. Infact in Sept i'll probably be driving to Banff Alberta from Vancouver, thats about 13 hours one way - not a problem. Do you know how much land I can cover driving 13 hours one way in Europe!!! heck, that could be 4 or 5 countries depending on location and geography :)

don't get me wrong, i'm not dismissing your recent car travel adventure, not at all. I'm just speaking in general terms about conversations i've had with Europeans and car travel. its all about perspective I guess. Canada is just so big, its part of our culture AS Canadians, to drive long long long distances. We've all done it growing up with our parents, we all have memories of sitting in the back seats of cars as kids, for days and days at a time. Its in our blood :)

ok...enough of that!
as for your photo, you know what it reminds me of right? it looks like a photo taken by Noel. He loves to shoot directly into the sun, he's even said as much.
your wish was to get a starburst effect, well, your wish came true. we can tell its early morning with the wet dew on the grass, and as John mentioned, its a very bold composition. Early bird gets the worm! good on ya for getting this one.

safe travels!
cheers
Craig

PaulVDV (54833) 2016-08-15 3:33

Hello Michael,
In spite of the technical imperfections that you mention I find this a picture with a great appeal.
Of course the subject is in itself very attractive but thanks to the very long shadow on the foreground, reaching down to the viewer, the sun in a nice starshape and the absence of human life this is a very atmospheric shot!
Best regards, Paul

kiks (12805) 2016-08-21 14:31

I found it special this one. There is something about the energy of it that catch me. The long shadows make it even more striking.
Best regards
KIKs

Porteplume (4032) 2016-08-31 8:55

Bonjour Mike!

My last written critique was about Bev's B&W taken the evening before with the wet and moody weather accentueted by he grey tones and see!
The next morning, very early, the sun is there and gives the whole scenery a less frightening feeling. Now we can imagine young girls with flowers in their hair, dancing around the stones and celebrating the Summer!
I like the long shadows striking the wet grass and the starry sun professing a good day! And it was a GREAT day!

This is TE, seeing the world through different eyes! Thank you... 😀
Friendly greetings,
Viviane

serp2000 (47063) 2016-09-10 12:26

Hi, Mike!
I hope you are OK! I am jealous, I don't have enough the time for Trekeart last weeks. But you know the reason ;)
Just outstanding photo! This is a masterpiece! Great! Clever idea and perfect realisation! TFS!
All the best wishes from rainy Urals!
Serghei