Wheal Betsy, a photo from Devon, England

Photographer's Note

I wonder how many people have driven along the A386 Okehampton to Tavistock road and looked down at the skeletal remains of the old Wheal Betsy engine house.

As previously noted this ruin is the old engine house of a once prosperous tin mine - Wheal Betsy. There is no doubt that this was an early mine, it has been suggested that the mine was opened in 1740 although it may have been earlier. The main lode associated with the mine runs N - S and was worked for about three quarters of a mile where it yielded lead, zinc and large amounts of silver.

tyro, No_One, holmertz, ourania trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

Matyas (0) 2015-07-04 1:37

Hello Leslie! Mysterious ruins. Superb landscape. Fantastic clouds. Original Black and White work. Good exposure, capture and cut. Sophisticated effect. Splendid take. Regards!

tyro (30513) 2015-07-04 1:56

Hello Les,

An interesting note about the tin, lead, zinc and silver mining here and a beautiful photograph to accompany it.

The ruined shell of the Wheal Betsy engine house is perfectly placed in the frame, nicely balanced by the crooked tree to its right and with a lovely distant view of the hill beneath a wonderful sky. This is another of your fine black and white renditions, perhaps a little more "high key" than usual but with lovely tones and contrasts, fabulous textures seen in the old stonework, and exquisite details and clarity.

Beautiful!

Kind Regards,

John.

P.S. I've seen quite a few images of the Devonshire and Cornish tin mining engine houses here on TE. As they seem to lack any form of "winding gear", I presume they were not built to carry miners down the mineshafts - were they simply used as pumps to drain water out of the mines?

Royaldevon (85932) 2015-07-04 2:02

Hello Leslie,

People will immediately be linking this with 'Poldark'!

It's a photograph that conjures up a sense of mystery and a desire to investigate this ruin! The wispy trees give a nice diagonal link to the very well positioned engine house set against the backcloth of the moors.

I can't believe there is an A road so close. It all seems miles from anywhere!

Have a lovely w/e,
Bev :-)

No_One (4) 2015-07-04 2:43

Hi Les
A fine industrial ruin,looking at it today is hard to imagine this place as a bustling give of activity. You placed the building perfectly in the frame and as always your black and white treatment works perfectly to create a fine mood
Cheers
Noel

holmertz (102700) 2015-07-04 2:50

Hello Les,
The building looks quite well preserved, not really like a ruin. It is still impressive, partly due to the empty and "wild" surroundings. The tree in the foreground has a very picturesque silhouette and the thin clouds are very attractive. This is again a fine B&W photo with an appealing greyscale.
Kind regards,
Gert

npecanhuk (79329) 2015-07-04 5:20

Hi Leslie!
Very beautiful black & white picture!
Sharpness, exposure, horizontal format and composition are all excellent features!
TFS - congrats,
Cheers,
Neyvan

Sergiom (117241) 2015-07-04 5:47

Bonjour Leslie,

Cette photo est bien la preuve que l'on devrait faire plus de photos en noir et blanc. Il ressort un côté très dramatique de cette composition, surtout au niveau du ciel et de cette formation de nuages.

Bon samedi

Serge

ourania (51103) 2015-07-04 11:25

Hello Les,
a fascinating description of a still and quiet scene, the ruined building standing lonely within a vast, deserted setting. You produced a sharp, deep, consistent image in which building, landcsape and sky are equally important and interesting. I like very much the richness and controlled brightness of the grey tones. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a great evening,
Ourania

emka (158156) 2015-07-05 12:47

Hi Les, it is your unique style - marvelous English landscape in black and white. Interesting ruins, beautiful sky, nice dry trees. beautiful picture.

WArm regards Malgo