Summer II - Vale of the White Horse

This was taken from White Horse hill overlooking the Vale of the

White Horse on a very warm July afternoon. The white path in the

foreground is in fact the horse's ear. I have uploaded an aerial

photo of the Uffington White Horse to show where the shot was taken

from. The white horse is a stylised chalk figure, reminiscient of

cave paintings, cut into the hillside. It is easily the most ancient

of the chalk figures of England and can be dated (from the cahlk

filled trenches that make the outline) to the Bronze Age 3000 years

ago. The horse is difficult to photograph as the angle of the slope

is quite low and it shows up best from the air. All comments

welcome!

This aerial shot (not mine!) shows the where the shot was taken from.

Not yours? You're not into flying around and taking photos out of airplanes, Colin? ;-)

 

It is so fascinating that we think ourselves so technologically advanced, yet people 3000 years ago were able to create things that we best visible from the air. As if.

 

I really love the VIEW that you have captured here. What gorgeous countryside! And with your wide angle, you got a great sky. Nice work!!

Colin, fascinating indeed! first I saw what the 17-40mm can do...but it is not only the lens as you already know.... Thanks for the preface and aerial photo, which are so interesting, but the landscape and its DOF, slopes, and far away details are sharp and takes the viewer till the horizon and the beautiful vast sky. Enjoyed it very much.

Stunning work, extremely expansive perespective. I guess it was 17 mm focal length, and stitched by hand in PS after perspective correction ? Perfect result, a square with WIDE FOV in both directions. Horizon in thirds, the bizarre horse and hills line as lead-in, and the resting people give us a feeling of dimensions. The sun was high, but lighting is very attractive with the play of sun and shadow on the ground, the Tyndall effect of sunrays in the haze.

No, Lou Ann, not flying yet but there is that new Superman film so I might get inspired....I am fascinated by the achievements of our distant ancestors - just making a chalk figure that lasts 3000 years is one example.

 

Pnina, thanks. This lace has a lot of very ancient monuments like the horse and Stonehenge is only a few miles away. I think the view from here has been enjoyed for a long time!

 

Carsten, thank you. I used the 17mm focal length not only to cature as wide a view as possible but also to include the young couple without intruding too much on their picnic. I only noticed the sky effects (Tyndall effect - I've learnt a new word) on the image as the sky was too bright to see it directly. The ND grad seems to have made it more vsisble. The only perspective correction was to the foreground which I reduced to reduce the wide angle effect somewhat.

 

I like this for the feeling of moment...

Colin! Thank you for leading us to the place with the history. You take the viewer right into the creation. Sky and earth everything is there at once.I like the timeless looking figures on the side.Heavenly light, it leads right into the past,you mentioned.It could be a painting,but it is a beautiful photograph by you.

Great perspective effect and a wonderful view. The two stripes of white and the bright ridges in the distance really add to the composition and frame the couple. If I didn't know where they were, I could guess from the chalk foreground, which looks a little like a horse itself... or a giraffe.

Colin - I have nothing to add from what has already been said. Your composition is impeccable, the view wonderful. The technology of the ancients is truly inspiring. Regards.

Colin, what does it means( source) Tyndall effect? please explain, ( if you are familiar) I read that word for the first time. Thanks, Pnina

A nice descriptionm is here

Thanks Michael, Alix, Stephen and Richard!

 

Stephen - very like a giraffe!

 

Pnina, we had seen the effect but we didn't know it's name - thanks Carsten.

to see the depth. Fantastic view on a landscape that can only be... British. Special: the clouds.

Interesting link, thanks Carsten.

The famous White Horse, Colin. Of course it is visible only from abobe, but this glimpse of the valley with the couple and the great depth is really beautiful.

Hello Colin, this is excellent. You get a good-ish view of the horse from the gate near the head, as I remember, but I didn't think I could get a photo that would do it justice.

 

It's a fabulous view too. Driving out in that area, you get a real feeling of being in the iron age. Well, I do.

 

Pete

Thanks Hans, Paula and Peter.

 

Peter, I agree with you about the special quality of the landscape around this area. Like you I find it gives me a real sense of connection with the past.

Magical photograph. Like the valey has a surreal attraction and all around is being slowly drawn there. cheers Jana

Colin,hope you don't mind,i made myself a file on the desktop and look at this once in a while.

Thanks Jana,

 

Alix, I'm homoured!

Very appealing shot, Colin. I like the perspective and the addition of the people for scale.

Incredible composition of a majestic landscape and your addition of the Aerial image further enhances its grandiosity.

 

My compliments. Marco

Colin, I like to see images of this quality taken midday. Its as if you captured this couple's moment of magic and shared it with us. This feels alive and positively sparkles with possibility...

Thanks Kim, Marco and David. David, midday is not the best time for landscape shots but this was a case of make the best of what is on offer. Here I was only able to be there at this time and wanted to try to capture the idea of a warm, relaxing summer day.