Extinction (Star Trails Over Jurassic Coast), Dorset

Extinction (Star Trails Over Jurassic Coast), Dorset, originally uploaded by flatworldsedge.

First of a set from Friday night down at Winspit Cove in Dorset. I almost didn't bother due to a heavy mist and sporadic rain, but after the thirty minute walk down to the sea it had cleared somewhat. The retreating cloud picking up light pollution created a nice contrast to the rising stars in the blue twilight.

I'll be uploading another few images from the same set, all with different outcomes as the twilight blue vanished very quickly and this is the only shot to feature it. The scene was very dark, and even this 723 seconds at f/8.0 and ISO400 didn't bring out anymore than the skies colour and the mist of the sea. Usually I end up desaturated images, but this one needed a boost as well as some fill light and brightness to lift it. I also tweaked the WB so the light pollution came out more pink than its starting orange.

There's a little bit of a blur to the ridgeline from wave surging around the tripod. This is another shot that relied upon my new wellington boots, as I spent most of the shot ankle deep in surf. It was quite worrying, in fact, as the roar of the incoming waves is overwhelming and the darkness conceals their size. As you hear the deafening tide thrashing towards you, you have no idea if this is going to splash your ankles or come plunging over your shoulders to drag you back into the deep.

Viewing on black does lift this one another notch. Hope everyone's had a great few days whilst I've been away and look forward to catching up now I'm back.

See Extinction (Star Trails Over Jurassic Coast), Dorset on Flickr for extra notes.

Golden Fleece, Dorset

Golden Fleece, Dorset, originally uploaded by flatworldsedge.

Just back from a weekend in Dorset at my Grandfather's, and this is the first image to be ready. It cost me a set of sunset pictures over Kimmeridge, but the sight of these sheep under the falling sun demanded a stop and leaping of stile.

They're at the foot of the hill near Steeple, and behind those hills is the Jurassic Coast and all manner of wonder, such as www.flickr.com/photos/flatworldsedge/5092591483/ taken the following evening.

Stands out viewed on black. Hope everyone has had a great weekend.

Update: Explored #106. Many thanks to everyone who has commented, fav'ed and viewed. I massively appreciate the attention and insights offered. Thanks to all! Well worth missing Kimmeridge on this occasion.

See Golden Fleece, Dorset on Flickr.

World's Edge (Old Harry Rocks), Dorset [Cross Processed]

World's Edge (Old Harry Rocks), Dorset [Cross Processed], originally uploaded by flatworldsedge.

Last one in a quick set of uploads of experiments. This is a landscape shot from the same series of Purbeck's Old Harry Rocks as World's Edge (Old Harry Rocks), Dorset, treated with a cross processing effect in Lightroom 3.

See World's Edge (Old Harry Rocks), Dorset [Cross Processed] on Flickr.

World's Edge (Old Harry Rocks), Dorset

World's Edge (Old Harry Rocks), Dorset, originally uploaded by flatworldsedge.

So first of all, I promise not to mention UWA lenses in this one. Other than to say this is taken from a razor thin prominence and it would have been lovely to get more of the sea in. The landscape version pushes the sea to the point it flares - a very nice effect. Sacrificing the bottom of the cliffs though, was too great a price to pay.

This is taken at the Isle of Purbeck's superb Old Harry Rocks; en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Harry_Rocks.

Fortunately it's another easy one to get back to post-Xmas armed with a non-crop body to go for the wider angle. I reckon I'll try this again pre-dawn for a cool self portrait shot. For now, the figure in the frame is a kind passerby who agreed to take 30 seconds out of her afternoon to go and stand where directed. People prove very agreeable if you ask politely, which is a nice surprise.

See World's Edge (Old Harry Rocks), Dorset on Flickr.