English Castle -- Bodiam with M2 and Voigtlander Ultron 35mm

[Lilserenity]

I was quite pleased with this photo but as ever always looking for ways in which other people view my compositions.

This one is of Bodiam Castle near Hastings, East Sussex. (Most of my photos are inevitably of E Hampshire and E/W Sussex seeing as it's my back yard so to speak!)

This was taken with a Leica M2 shortly after sunrise a couple of weeks ago, Voigtlander Ultron 35mm lens at f/11, Kodak EBX 100 and a Hoya 81B filter (via 39 to 52mm stepping ring)

Other than that, this is the full frame and is as taken (or scanned in) so I've not cropped it.

 

[Platinum RF]

great image, I like it

 

[FrankS]

I like this picture. Pleasing (to me) composition and lighting. I was there last summer while on vacation, and the lighting then (mid day) wasn't nearly as interesting as yours. I stood on the south east corner and used some arching trees to frame the castle. My sister in law lives near Hastings.

 

[maddoc]

The symmetry between the castle and it's reflection in the water makes a good juxtaposition and I like the tones and light here. Since you wrote that it was taken at f/11, sunrise and 100ISO film, did you use a tripod for this photo ?

 

[Lilserenity]

I like this picture. Pleasing (to me) composition and lighting. I was there last summer while on vacation, and the lighting then (mid day) wasn't nearly as interesting as yours.

I think I've been to Bodiam about 10 times at least and this was the first time I turned up before sunrise and before the castle opened properly to the public (I was there with permission mind!) and like you I struggled with the castle in mid day lighting, it seemed somewhat flat and...

I stood on the south east corner and used some arching trees to frame the castle. My sister in law lives near Hastings.

...the only corner it has worked from was the South Eastern corner It has the fortune of having trees arching over the view to give a natural aperture. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lilserenity/2947594702/in/set-72157603757965643/ -- taken last summer from the SE corner with my C330F)

 

[Michael Markey]

I agree ,great image. The light on the castle walls.Timeless.

 

[Lilserenity]

The symmetry between the castle and it's reflection in the water makes a good juxtaposition and I like the tones and light here. Since you wrote that it was taken at f/11, sunrise and 100ISO film, did you use a tripod for this photo ?

Thanks for the comments, the only think I'm a little miffed at and I think it's the mounting has slightly obscured the last fraction of the full frame is the reflection is slightly cut off at the bottom. Ahh well.

I did use a tripod, although as the light improved (or not as you might argue!) I mostly worked hand-held as I usually do. Tripods are fine but they can be a pain, you loose the fluidity that a small camera like a Leica gives you.

 

[Lilserenity]

great image, I like it

Thank you, that's very kind.

 

[Lilserenity]

I agree ,great image. The light on the castle walls.Timeless.

Thanks, it was worth the early start (4am out of bed, 5am in the car, 5.30am everyone picked up and by half 6 we were over the other side of Sussex)

I'm not a natural early riser but I am getting better as I love photographing early morning light, from the cold warmth orange sunrise of winter to the sweaty hazy green sunlight of summer. (I know, very peculiar to describe sunrise light like that, it's an impression I got after spending a month in London watching the sun come up most days 4 years ago...)

 

[Nikon Bob]

Very pleasing image to view and as you say it definitely worth the extra effort to be there at that time of day.

Bob

 

[Mauro]

A great image: congratulations!
I visited Bodiam Castle during my summer holidays in Hastings, but I have never saw such a fascinating light.
You picture push me to go back to the lovely East Sussex...very soon, I hope!

 

[MCTuomey]

very nice light, yes. i also like the inclusion of the small tree, camera lower left.

i's likely my age but i enjoy tripod use. slows things down pleasantly - a good change of pace sometimes. especially when you have outcomes like this picture