The Awesome power of the sea

Day 16

-6 June 2009

I'm glad I waited for this evening to find a subject to photograph. It was worth waiting for, in my opinion. The hot, summery days have been swiftly replaced by strong winds, and choppy water.

Whilst I stood to watch the rhythm of the sea, follow its patterns and crashing waves against the sea walls, I marvelled at its power. How deceptive the oceans are, that one day a pair of feet can sense the coolness of the water and the wet sand on a hot day; and on the next day command the power to pull a person into the ferocious waves in a blink of an eye. There were three young lads, aged around thirteen, wandering along the promenade and daring the sea to clutch at them and pull them in. They were dressed in their swimming shorts and nothing else. I was bloody freezing just looking at them. I warned them about staying away from the edge, but they wouldn't listen. They were in awe, too. I hope they will be OK.

So my justification for desaturating the images is...um...well I like them like this! Actually the sky is really bleached out, not a storm cloud in sight, and I get annoyed by skies like that, they are so boring. And I find that if you take the colour away from an image, the brain has to work harder to process the picture, so giving it more to say. At least that's one theory, anyway. The other is that I just like monochrome!

Daisy Chain

Day 15

05 June 2009

Another trek up to our fast-becoming regular haunt to make daisy chains. It feels as though we're on top of the world up there, it's right on the top of Swanage, and the sea and bay views further into the park are stunning. It's a really special place to go. Again, we made daisy chains, had a snack, messed about looking for the gruffalo, and then came home for tea. Fantastic day!

Post

Day 14

04 June 2009

Another evening wander about the place to find something to catch my eye. This post was warm with the last of the sunlight gently bathing it with its golden rays. Here it stands, observing the disarray before it: weeds have taken over here but the post, being old and rusty, once purposeful, now observes stiffly and without use. I hate to draw an analogy, here, but it does remind me of British politics and the leader of our country...hmmm.

Here is the original, just to show what it was like before I tampered with the image. Not sure which one I like better.

Railway Platform

Day 13

03 June 2009

Another beautiful day, despite the forecast suggesting rain.

I took a photo almost identical to this a couple of years ago, and decided to come back today to try again. The sun was at just the right angle to create the long shadows, and a light orange hue over the platform which I've exaggerated a bit, granted, but in my mind that's what I could see through the camera, if you catch my drift?

I wanted to create a dream-like quality to the image, to take advantage of there not being anyone else around to walk about on the platform (although I mentally see an image of a woman dressed in 1940's clothes, smoking a cigarette, the wafts of smoke penetrating the orange glow of the setting sun, luggage by her side, waiting: Gawd, what's that all about, then?!), and to give a feeling of a more simplistic time that doesn't seem to exist, anymore.

Telephone

Day 12

02 June 2009

I managed a walk about today. Just me and my camera, strolling around in the late afternoon sun. Bliss! Ok it was only a 15 minute walk, but in that time I saw and photographed a lot. I had forgotten how much pleasure I used to get from wandering the streets, taking photos of buildings, and everyday street furniture, such as this telephone box. Swanage seems to have managed to hold on to the red boxes, but I wonder how long it will be before they are replaced? I hope it won't be for a long time - they are a charming example of true British quaintness.

During my walk I also passed some public gardens. This poppy caught my eye too, so here it is!

The Fairy's Meadow

Day 11

01 June 2009

After playgroup this afternoon, we went for a walk up to Durlston Country park. It has been so hot again, today (not that I'm complaining). We found a wonderful little meadow, full of daisies. We talked to the fairies, asking them to chase the mozzies away; then we made daisy chains, jumped about, had a snack, a monumental tantrum, and then came home!

Inside a cool church on a hot hot day

Day 10

31 May 2009

This scene caught my eye, today, as I witnessed my Godson (yep, I am now officially a Godmother) being christened. Jesse was a good boy and didn't cry but he did give everyone a laugh as he soaked the vicar with the font water and then tried to pull off his glasses as well!

Frustratingly for me, I couldn't take any photos as we were watching, because I had my hands full with my own little ones.

And I'm not even that impressed with this photo. It's badly framed, and doesn't really show the viewer what the images in the stained glass are.

Must try harder!

However, the dappled light through the window, the bright images and the shadows which give a bit of contrast caught my attention on the way out of St Mary's church in Swanage.

Definitely must try harder.