I have visited the location, below, every summer for the last four years or so. It’s littered with dry stone walls and meandering paths, zig-zagging among long grasses and green waist high bracken. Something about this place draws me back. Although, on each visit I’ve failed to make any photographs I’m happy with, every trip here has brought a familiarity. Treading the paths has brought a little more knowledge; bringing a connection to place and a stepping stone to capturing a picture.
The evening looked promising and I spent time wandering and looking for compositions. I had nothing particular in mind and I find the practise relaxes me into the steady flow of enjoying the walk and picture making. I have always liked these stone walls that cut their way through the fields, broken once in a while by old stone gateway posts. There is a lovely connection between the stone of these walls and the imposing gritstone edge high above. No doubt they are of the same; crafted from skill and hard work, both serving and being part of this wonderful landscape.
I settled on this scene, the grasses and bracken look just right, with the stone wall leading the eye through the picture. I knew the sun would set to the left of the picture and create some much needed side light. There was one problem. I felt for this picture to fully work, the sky needed drama as it took the top half of the view. As I stood with camera in position, above me the sky was clear blue. I decided to wait it out, but as the sun become lower it looked like, once again, this location would offer no results for my efforts.
Reluctantly I packed up and headed back to the car. Driving away I noticed a change, clouds had begun to build. Cursing my lack of patience I returned, hurrying back to my intended spot. With minutes before the sun disappeared behind the hills, I managed to take this frame. Although rushed and initially thinking I missed the light, I was reasonably happy with the end result. I often tell clients to have patience with a scene, something I didn’t adhere to here. However, with an element of luck and familiarity of the place it just about paid off. Next time, however, I will have a little more patience.
