19March
Moments: February 2023
As we are halfway through March already, I have taken a bit of time to look at my work from February. There have been a number of interesting moments on my travels around the county.
I’ve started to write a little more about my images on social media. My aim is to give more context to the images I’m posting. Some of those posts make up parts of this blog. Sorry if you have already read them.
Most of my work in February was in the first half of the month, the weather and the changing of seasons played their part in me not going out later in the month. A trip down the sea defences at Cobbold point started the month, and a couple of walks around the waterfront in Woodbridge before work were part of my output. Seeing the first signs of spring with the snowdrops in a local woodland, a fleeting sunrise on the banks of the river Alde, and a long walk around a local heathland resulted in a few images.
Down on Cobbold Point
On a trip down from Felixstowe to Cobbold Point at the start of the month. The sea defences on the point are a great subject to capture at sunrise, as the sun has the possibility of raising above them.
Although the conditions were far from desirable, it was quite a dull and overcast sunrise. I decided to take some high-key long exposure images. The sea defences on the point are the perfect subjects for this. They are very unforgiving, rigid concrete shapes and lend themselves to a minimalist approach. With the sea rushing in, the water started to envelop the defences, which allowed them to stand alone after capturing a long exposure.
As the tide rises around these famous sea defences, they slowly become engulfed by water. They are such interesting structures, and although they are man-made the sea is slowly claiming them. With seaweed, and limpets slowly using them as a home. However brutal they may seem, nature is taking them back.
Walking around Woodbridge
This was from my walk before work. I’ve found it’s always good to take a moment to stop and breathe before the day starts, more often than not I can easily just keep powering through on an office day. It’s become a great habit from the covid days to get into Woodbridge earlier and take that extra time for myself and enjoy the beauty of the local area.
The great thing about this, I have a weekly view of what has changed, how the light can be a catalyst to the compositions and ultimately a chance to stop for a few moments. I definitely recommend it, if you do go to work in an office or another space, to take that extra time for yourself. It’s a great way to prepare yourself for the day ahead or to mull over the day that has gone before.
Fleeting sunrise along the River Alde
Iken is somewhere I have a real affinity. It’s been one of my favourite haunts, ever since I was young for summer picnics and walks around the footpaths along the River Alde.
A view like this never gets old, and with a fleeting sunrise, it’s a great way to start a day and even better when it’s in a place you love. Every visit reminds me of why I enjoy going back, it’s so peaceful and calm. Just the sound of the wading birds, the wind and the reeds for company. Although the sunrise was fleeting, it was still great to experience the atmosphere that this light brings.
The first signs of Spring
A clear sign of the new season showing itself is the emergence of the snowdrops. There is a patch of them nestled in a local woodland that I have been visiting for years. A perfect place to capture them in all of their glory covering the woodland floor.
Snowdrops aren’t a native species from Britain, it’s thought that they were brought to the country by the Norman monks. They are well known as one of the first flowers to bloom in the spring, and this links to their alpine roots and their ability to withstand the colder weather.
This particular day wasn’t the greatest in terms of lights, it was duller and more overcast. This didn’t stop me from taking the opportunity to capture them in full bloom. It did force me to try and look at more close-up compositions.
A quick dash
After a full-day photoshoot at one of the hotels, I quickly popped up the road to the castle to capture the sunset over the castle. The sky was very clear and the gradual light that was above the castle was really interesting to see. Now that the castle has had its scaffolding removed, it is fair game for some photographs.
Misty moments before work
As I drive into work in the office, my thoughts always go towards whether it is worth taking the camera with me on my walk, more often than not, I have it with me. Having seen the forecast I knew it would be worth it. Although the drive-in was interesting due to the amount of fog across the county. The fog was thick, the temperature was low and you couldn’t see any further than a few metres ahead.
They were great conditions for a walk. I took a small path that leads to the river, it was shrouded in the mist. It’s an interesting feeling walking around an area when it is covered in mist. Naturally, it’s a little darker, the wider views are few and far between. It seems to show you these compositions that usually wouldn’t work. It brings out those things that seem insignificant to become the stars of the show. Bringing separation, depth and a unifying tone to an image.
I took the path along the railway line, and that takes you towards Kyson point. It’s a great little walk that takes you along past the view down the river, and back towards the tide mill.
A five-mile walk
To end the month, I went on a walk around a local heathland. My aim was to get a few miles under my belt. I hadn’t really been out for a long walk for while, so the aim was walking over the photography. I still had a camera with me, so I did take the opportunity to capture the woodland as walked.
The light did start to break through the cloud, there were some chances to see the woodland floor light up. And a chance to capture the trees using the infrared filter.
I hope you have enjoyed my quick round-up of last month, I soon will be reviewing the whole year that will be out in a few weeks do look out for that on my social channels. Do you have a favourite image from my post?
Some of the locations haven’t been named to protect their habitats. Although they are public places, I feel I have the opportunity to remove the chance of increasing footfall.
