New Images of Northumberland

I added several new images of Northumberland to my web site a few a weeks ago. They included several castles as well as Berwick. Here's a sample. The rest are on the web split between Landscapes and Cities (with a bit of overlap), use this link to see all of the Northumberland images.

Bamburgh Castle and Waves

Bamburgh Castle and Sand Dunes

Beadnell Harbour at High Tide

Lindisfarne Castle and Boat Hut

Lindisfarne Castle and Posts

Berwick Beach Reflections and Lighthouse

Walk in Glen Trool and a Photography Day

Yesterday we walked in Glen Trool in Galloway. It was mainly a grey day but I managed a few waterfall photos. More importantly no rain!

I took a shot on my phone of Merrick, the highest peak in the area, from beside Loch Trool. It was well snow covered,  see photo.

Today was mostly sunny so we decided to make it a photo day. Started with Dumfries then down to Kirkcudbright followed by Brighouse Bay and Kippford. I walked out the half mile to Rough Island from Kippford even though tide only 2.5 hours from high.

Finished the day with a curry and a couple of pints at Wetherspoons in Dumfries.

Snowy Merrick in the background

Coast, Newcastle, Durham Cathedral and Teesdale Waterfalls

Yesterday was a grey day so we started late and headed to the coast south of Sunderland. No photos so made for Tynemouth. Some sunshine here. Photos of castle, pier and Victorian station. Then on to Whitley Bay and St Mary's Lighthouse which is joined to the mainland by a Causeway,returned here closer to high tide too. Spanish City too, a big white domed building.

In the evening we drove in to Newcastle for some dusk and night shots. Started with the bridges over the Tyne then into the city for shots of Central Arcade, Grey's monument, theatre, skyline from Tyne bridge and a few others. Forgot to take photos on my mobile so no pics until my films are processed.

Today again started grey so another late start then walked down into Durham and along river for photos of cathedral. Waited about 40 minutes for some brightness, then the sun came out briefly. Made all the difference.

It looked pretty set as a grey day so we decided to go for a walk. Teesdale is about an hour away and there are lots of waterfalls, great subjects for grey days. We walked about 5 miles in total, taking in High Force and Low Force. The photos here were taken by Jan, including me in one.

Northumberland course day 2

Today we spent the day on Holy Island/Lindisfarne and had pretty good weather all day. No camera again for me.

We started around the huts made from upturned boats, then took pattern pictures amongst the lobster pots before moving to the jetty.

Then around the harbour for shots of the castle and old lime kilns.

From here we went to the Crown and Anchor pub for lunch. The priory and harbour followed before we finished with the classic shot of the castle with old jetty posts in the foreground with waves crashing in behind us. Had to go back for this at the end of the day as tide was too high earlier.

After a quick wash and brush-up it was down to the bar to review the results from the day; lots of good shots.

A quick nip round the corner found us at the Wetherspoons pub for dinner. This was chosen for its position next to the main bridge.

As we saw the light start to fade we made our way down to the bridges to take the lights and reflections between the 2 road bridges. In total we were out for over an hour doing night photography. Everyone had some good shots, probably the best being the early ones before it was completely dark so that we kept detail in the sky.

Tomorrow we do more castles.

Northumberland Course Day 1

Had a full day with clients on our landscape photo course based in Berwick. No camera with me today so that I could give my full attention to the group.

We started in Berwick with bridges and a few town shots, then up behind the old barracks. Nice light.

Eyemouth was next and was good at all locations. Lots of working boats, sunshine and a few reflections. Then pictures of a seal being fed fish in the harbour entrance. This was followed by catching waves crashing against the sea wall.

Lunch was in the Contented Sole with a pint of Speckled Hen. After lunch it was down to the rocks near the mouth of the harbour for the waves and patterns.

Next was down to Coldingham Bay. Here it was great for patterns in the sand, reflections of the clouds on the wet sand wall(see photo), waves and a rider on a horse riding through the sea.

We ended the day at Spittal Point opposite Berwick lighthouse and breakwater. Nice light and tide still going out but didn't stop Andrew from misjudging it and getting wet feet. Fortunately Jan caught it for posterity and it will appear on the web site in time!

Castles and Coast

Today started with snow flurries and a cold day in Berwick.

After a quick wander around Berwick we headed for Bamburgh for the castle, rocks and sand dunes. It started dull but very quickly cleared and had me running back to the car for my camera gear, foolishly left as I scouted the beach.

It was high tide and windy so the waves were crashing over Harkness Rocks. Jolly impressive! Bamburgh Castle was in the background but difficult to get the angle I wanted on the shot for fear of being washed away!

After shots of Bamburgh Castle from the sand dunes we headed for Dunstanburgh and another castle.

The tide was still high and needed care among the rocks but I wanted wet rocks in my foreground so took my chances. Blue sky here but it was heavy rain by the time we had walked around to the Craster side. An April shower!

Called in at Beadnell on the way back. Clear blue sky again. Nice light on the old lime kilns behind the small harbour but low tide so just unattractive mud as foreground. One to go back for.

Late lunch at the Craster Arms here and Black Sheep Bitter on good form.

Last stop was Spittal Point in Berwick. A beach opposite the lighthouse on the breakwater. It was low tide so I could walk out pretty close for panoramics of the lighthouse and waves.

Another good day. Sorry forgot to take any snaps on mobile phone, just 8 rolls of Ilford FP4 120 film. Will take a few weeks to get to them as still a big backlog.

Tomorrow we go north into Scotland.

Lands End and Back

Yesterday was a dull day so walked the Cornish coast instead of taking photos. Nice day for walking, not too warm.

Started near Hayle and walked along beach then cliff tops to St Ives and back. About 9 miles.

Lots of Sandy beaches, lots of people in St Ives but few on coast walk. Lots of up and down. The 2 pics are St Ives Harbour and Carbis Bay.

Checked out some locations for today as forecast good. Then fish and chips on the front at Marazion looking over the sea to St Michael Mount.

Stopped for a drink in Hayle; St Austell Dartmouth Bitter followed by an HSD. Latter best of the two.

Today was a bright day by 9am. Blue sky with a few clouds by the afternoon. Parking car is tricky in lots of these Cornish towns so Jan dropped me off to walk around St Ives. Quite a few harbour shots, not many boats.

We drove down to Marazion and I walked down to the shore east of the village. Good view across to St Michaels Mount well lit by morning sun. I was engrossed in taking photos and suddenly realised I was within 3 feet of 4 Turnstones (waders) then as I looked behind me I spotted another 14 of them, again just a few feet away. They stayed close by as I took my last few shots.

Next was Penzance Harbour, some with St Michaels Mount in the background. Then Mousehole harbour, the prettiest of them all but a bit busy. Still managed some nice shots.

I needed some bright shots of Lands End so this was our next stop. Nice rocky islands just offshore and a sea arch or two.

Last stop was Sennen Cove, a mix of sand and rocks, and lots of people. I took a few around the breakwater wall and rocks then called it a day. Time to go home. It was almost 4pm and our journey would be over 6 hours.

Will try and process films tomorrow after shipping an order I printed on Thursday. I took 13 rolls of Ilford FP4 so should have a few to choose from, so watch this space!

Landscape Photography Course - Northumberland in April

There are still 2 places available on the Landscape Photography course that we are running in Northumberland in April. The dates are Monday 16th to Wednesday 18th April. We meet at the Cobbled Yard Hotel in Berwick on Tweed (TD15 1DJ).

Day 1 is spent in Berwick and the coast to the north (just in Scotland), including Coldingham Bay and the pretty fishing villages of Eyemouth and St Abbs.

Day 2 will be on the island of Lindisfarne with castle, lime kilns, harbour and boats, priory, sand dunes, etc.

Day 3 is around Bamburgh and Dunstanburgh castles and the coast around them, which includes sand dunes, rocky pools and round boulders on the shoreline.

There will also be time for night photography around the old town of Berwick on one or two of the evenings.

The group will be limited to just 5 people with 2 tutors, me and my wife Jan. Suitable for digital and film camera users. The cost is £375 for 3 days tuition in lots of stunning locations and we do all the driving once you arrive.

See my web site for more details: www.davebutcher.co.uk

Berwick upon Tweed in Winter

We came up to Berwick yesterday in the snow and ice. Took 6 hours instead of 4 because of difficulty getting out of Peak District (snow storms and sheet ice on roads), big detour and traffic jams.

We are here planning the landscape photography course that we are running here in April 2012. It will be 1 day around Bamburgh and Dunstanburgh castles, 1 day in Berwick, Eyemouth and St Abbs, and 1 day in the Cheviot or Lammermuir hills.

Good day today, cold and clear. Big waves on the coast at Eyemouth and St Abbs, good for pics. Light went early though, by 3.30pm it was the start of night photography! Main bridge in Berwick looks great with Christmas lights and It's a full mooooon.

Tomorrow we're in the hills, hopefully. They are snow covered so should be good if clear. Will return home via Newcastle for some night shots; I have had a few requests at recent shows for shots from here.

As luck would have it, we found a Wetherspoons pub in Berwick. Just finished dinner and on to 2nd pint. Ruddles bitter and this one, Goodwill Bitter, were both cloudy but tasted fine. Looks like they're rushing them through!

Off to take more night shots soon then back to Travelodge on the north side of Berwick. Jan dozing after large Merlot, will have to wake her carefully!

New Images of Sussex and Surrey

I have just sent 7 images from places on the south coast to be added to my web site. 6 shots in and around Brighton and Leith Hill near Dorking in Surrey. More to come later.

Brighton Pavilion, Sussex
West Pier Ruins, Brighton, Sussex

7 Sisters chalk cliffs, Sussex

Leith Hill, Surrey

Sweden's High Coast

We were very well looked after in the Jamtkrogen Hotel in Bracke. Had to clean the ice off the windows before we could head for Harnosand.

Drove out to beach near Harnosand for a few photos. Lots of silver birch trees behind beach area. Then back to Harnosand and booked into hotel (not taking any chances after debacle yesterday).

We spent the rest of the day driving the High Coast Trail. This runs around lots of lakes, trees and little bits of coast. The changing leaves looked great and really broke up the monotonous greens that you see at the end of summer. Still lots of green conifers too for contrast. Found some typical views for photos and big views and yet more Silver Birch trees.

Had a nice Thai meal just around the corner from our hotel.

Mostly sunny today, just the odd shower around 5pm. A good day for photos.
Dave Butcher

Norfolk Photo Trip

Just on way home from a couple of days in Norfolk with friends.
Today we walked from Cley to Wells. Photographs of Cley windmill, Blakeney and Wells-next-the-sea.
Blue skies and clouds so good light.
Bit of a long day though, don't expect to be home before midnight.
May be a few weeks before they make it onto the web site.
Dave Butcher

Edinburgh Photo Trip

Nearing the end of our second full day in Edinburgh.Lots of sunshine and fluffy clouds.

Sunny spells and windy yesterday. Very wet when we arrived Friday so no pictures until yesterday. Started in coastal village of Cramond for views and boats then on to Victoria Street to meet friends (Bow Bar) and watched Mardi Gras jazz parade before heading off down Royal Mile to Holyrood Park and photos from the top of the crags over the city and Arthurs Seat (local hill). Then over to Calton Hill and Calton Cemetery before retiring to pub (Guild Ford, Cafe Royal and pub on Rose Street). Night shots of castle from the gardens below to finish the day.

Today we started back on Calton Hill as some of the shots work better in the morning. Then the castle from the gardens, this time in daylight. Then back to car and out to coast at Portobella and a few beach shots. Then in to Stockbridge for lunch with friends before walking along Wa(er of Leith to Dean village for some nice river shots and a weir.

Just writing this before joining friends for dinner in the local Indian.

Tomorrow if weather good we will go to Northumberland coast to see what pictures present themselves.before heading home.

So far looks like a good trip with 21 rolls exposed including some good ones. Watch this space for results.
Dave Butcher