This summer, although initially seeming to pass at a very pleasurable rate, suddenly started to speed up and rushed into October with gusto. I have been taking some landscape photos, however I spent most of the time watching weather forecasts and patiently waiting for ideal conditions to combine in a picturesque way. Dreary grey cloud blankets with associated drizzle and gusty winds persisted at any time I had planned to venture forth. Waiting expectantly for conditions to gel would prevent starting another task which could over run a time constraint. The grass was uncut, the car unwashed, the workshop un-tidied and so on. Once the days started to get shorter and the chance of the ideally perceived conditions waned, the tasks which had been put to one side, suddenly became more important and it was a rush to catch up. Thus a leisurely start to the summer, when time seemed to amble by ended in a time starved rush.
I find that when I spend time planning ahead to fit projects into a tight schedule, time seems to pass more quickly. Having planned an October holiday in May, it seemed along way ahead when booked. Now October is at a close, I find it very disappointing to be told by the supermarkets and television that Christmas is just around the corner. There is still plenty of time till Christmas, after all, the leaves are only just changing colour; this is autumn and an ideal time to take photographs. I notice that I have missed some excellent photo opportunities whilst rushing to complete my schedule; maybe next year...
During my holiday in the Azores I had hoped to photograph some of the scenery and vistas. I also hoped to photograph a star trail away from light pollution. Well, the wind blew, the rain fell, the clouds descended almost to sea level. There were photos to be taken, poor weather can still provide opportunities to capture the unexpected but they can still be missed because a camera was not to hand. Whilst driving up a steep, winding track in thick cloud - visibility about two metres - a cow's head suddenly appeared in front of the bonnet, then another and another. A local behind me was in a hurry to overtake and was annoyed when I stopped to let the cows past. The expression on some of their faces as they realised that there was a car, looming out of the cloud, blocking their path would have provided some wonderful portraits. Missed that chance too.
Whale and dolphin watching was also not to be photographically productive; 25 knot winds and a three metre swell made it impossible to distinguish between a wave crest and the splash of a tail. All good fun though.
Don’t forget to submit for the January issue...
Contents:
- Front Cover: Cast iron hand well pump at West Dean Gardens by John Wild.
- 3 In Passing by David Morgan
- 4 Readers letters
- 6 So, you want to buy a TLR Rolleiflex by Martin Reekie
- 8 The S.E.I. Photometer by Harry Kitchen
- 10 Rollei Production by David Morgan; Reflecta x120 Scan
- 11 Archival thoughts by David Morgan
- 12 The Passing of 'ole Two-Eyes by Ronald Spillman
- 14 A story for Christmas by John Gregory
- 16 Club Postal Competition, 2016
- 26 The Light Brigade by Harry Kitchen
- 28 A scanner comparison by John Wild
- 30 Chichester Cathedral by Brian Pearce
- Rear Cover: Photos by Mike Anson
