35mm colour landscapes [1] The Other Side of Wicklow Gap

The Wicklow Mountains in Eire is Dublin's playing fields. But it's also the source of its power. Tucked up out of view from the mountain crossing known as Wicklow Gap is Loch na hOnehon (Lough Nahanagan) and the manifestation of the Turlough Hill Pumped Storage Scheme (1968). The scheme is for the storage of hydro electric power and dozens of these towers rake north west through the valley of the King's River. They represent the other side of the mountains. The part they'd rather you forget. This shot looking north was taken at sundown. It does not include a sky. The background is the southern slopes of Carrignagunneen.

I call this blight even though in beautiful light. All thoughts and

opinions gratefully received. Thank you.

Beautiful. I seem to find pictures of "things" more interesting than people pictures. I like the colour in this one, and how the light plays off the wires. I've always wanted to visit Ireland.

blight and silver... angle of view is very interesting (did u climb the pole?). did you crop the picture?

Reminded me a bit this suspension in fog

Its extraordinary how one element can skew how you view an image. But for the orange pall in the sky, I could as easily view this as a sign of progress or a positive statement of industrial achievement. But there's that pall, thick and acrid looking. I can almost smell sulfur as I look at this. Your image recasts for me the still on-going and raging debate about the meaning of progress and its scars on the land. You see the powerlines as they tear across the land but then what else can the people do who receive this vital power? I don't take a stance on the issue here, but merely am trying to describe the loaded nature of your image. Very powerful stuff, Phil. In my estimate, one of your best.

Very nice. Used a cokin coral filter I assume? Just kidding... The foreground to background depth in this shot is unusual for a 300mm, which tends to flatten everything. The little ear of the foreground pole in the top right makes the shot. And the light of course. Not sure if it is supposed to glorify power lines or make them look terrible, but I do know that without them you couldn't read this comment.

Interesting. In all, great shot.

Phil, I think the structure on the right is too domineering. I suggest trimming some of it, not all of it, but some of it. I don't think you need to show so much of it to make the point it makes. What do you think? I can even see it taken all the way out and still the picture is a winner.

What to say, what to say...

 

First off- I'm in love with this. The color, it must be. I can't bear to look at anymore pictures from across the pond- or else I might just jump on the next flight over. I've been looking st Sean Drivers portfolio, he has some nice english landscapes.

 

Oh, but back to the image at hand. I agree with Mr. Burgess wholeheartedly. You could probably crop out that pole and get away with it-long as you kept everything else. I haven't figured out how to crop out one single thing yet, though. Hopefully you have.

 

I would be hard pressed to believe that's water down there, but it sure looks like it to me, as if waves are coming up under the poles. Their is symbolism there, but hell if I know what is. That's Marcs department.

 

Something else is nagging me here. But, oh I just can't pin it down. I want more focus, I want more color.

 

My two favorite things are despite the way that these lines seem so hodgepodge'd together, running criss cross applesauce, up over and between,(Yes, I am enjoying myself.) There is that absolute straight line right down the side of the left side of the frame. Nothing bothers it, or interrupts it. It is still, it is sublime neverending. Beautiful. (*wipes a tear away*)

 

My other favorite thing is the frame. Tiny bit of white, surrounded by black. Not to much of either color. The same amount on every side. I know that's entirly square of me. Honestly, I don't know if I'm a Liberal or a Conserative sometimes. Perhaps a Conserative Liberal. Yeah, baby- nothing scares republicans more.

 

 

Oh, my- was I just complaining about long- winded posters over at Dougs place? Hee Hee Hee. I sure hope he doesn't come back here...

Phil .....congrats!!

very wonderfull

What a great shot, lovely colours, simple idea and i would leave the shot as is. Well done.

a spider web!

Beautiful. I also see a spiderweb. Lovely colors.

Got back from the weekend to find this is a good deal more popular than I thought it would be. Its got to be the colour. The Old Scottish thick cut marmalade I smeared over the trannie before scanning. Thing is, this view only looks like this at the right time on the right sort of day. Most of the time its raining. Its what makes Ireland green. So most of the time these things blight the landscape.

 

I dont take a stand against the pylons. I am well aware of their utility. I just state the obvious and would expect most people to agree. This place would be grander without them. Yet sometimes they can appear attractive. I was simply photographing to illustrate the dilemma Andy picked up on. Clearly the light helps here. But on the other hand, as Andy also says, the perspective haze through the low, warm light introduces the omen of a health hazard.

 

To deal with questions, no Robert, I didnt climb the pole. At first because I didnt expect thered be somewhere up there where I could balance my tripod. And I suppose what swung it was the presence of a conspicuous sign clearly marked Danger Of Death. You get this perspective because this is a view from near the top of the pass and so the pylons are seen as they drop down the valley of The Kings River. I missed out the nearest two pylons from the frame and then cropped in a bit more from the right to remove an excess of the pylon you see on the right and a shade in on the left to give a smooth line to that margin. Doug and Erin, may be I could crop in a bit more from the right. Where to precisely run the knife along the RHS caused me the most trouble. I looked at cropping it out all together but figured the pylons in the distance were sited on fairly flat ground and the near one gave the viewer a sense of elevation. Glad youve found a frame you like at long last Erin.

 

Well noticed Kai about the misleading lens information. It wasnt set to the long end but to the short end. Still telephoto though at around 100mm.

 

Thanks again.

I find this to be a very rare shot with excellent artistic implementation. Congratulations for this unique work.

Wonderful image... so realistic and yet so dreamy!

Great use of the industrial landscapes that abound the country side.

I have a feeling if you'd taken this picture from a different angle it would not have worked. Nice job!

Very nice. The light against the wires is fascinating and the color very warm and interesting. Well done.

 

Saw a similar scene to this (with totally different background) and thought of taking a photo, but alas, didn't have a camera!

Hanging wires usually ruin a good landscape photo. So why not make the wires the subject? The reflection of the wires and the overall color has turned this mundane subject into a very appealing photo. Nice job.

I might like to see more structure on the tower at the right, but it's a very interesting photograph, with the lines "stitching" themselves off into the distance.

Beautiful light. Howdja get up there!??

You have captured an exceptional view... with wonderful colouring...

Very neat!