February 2010

February 2010

Its snowing again, as it has been for weeks. You could be forgiven for thinking I would have been out making the most of the conditions. But for one reason or the other I haven’t, and like a dog with an itch I am restless with a creative itch that needs scratched.

In search of relief I found myself one Tuesday heading down the M50 motor way, looking for an exit that would take me across the Wicklow mountains too Glendalough.

Glendalough in County Wicklow Ireland is a place I visit a few times a year. No matter what the time of year, it is always beautiful. It is also a location were I have held a few private one on one Irish photographic Workshops.

On arrival and despite the bitter cold the location did not disappoint.  The stillness, beauty and silence of the winter landscape was enchanting. Forest trails remained hidden,lakes were frozen and the trees stood heavy with the snow on their branches.

As I stood taking it all in, I was quickly joined by a hungry Robin who was interested in the rubbery service station sandwich that I had just opened. Feeling sorry for the little guy I shared some crumbs with my feathered friend and watched as he dined no more than two inches from my hand. One of those magical little moments that only nature can provide.

Before arriving I had preconceived ideas of the shots I wanted, – wide angles, lots of snow, dramatic light – you get the picture. But as sometimes happens the shots I came for where my least favourite. (see below)

Wicklow Winter

The image I was most pleased with was one I very nearly didn’t take.

Trees in Wicklow

Cold, wet, and tired and with the Lowepro packed up for the day, thoughts of capturing images evaporated as I made for the car. The gentle falling snow had turned into a blinding blizzard. Turning trees that I had previously walked past into ghostly figures in the land. Then the questions in my head turned to,  will this make a good image? Should I even bother unpacking the Lowpro again? Previous experience has taught me, to not be a lazy so and so and  to take the picture. So I did.

Compositionally, I knew what I wanted. However with snow driving at the camera. Keeping the front of the lens snow free was going to be a challenge. Too overcome that I attached a rather deep lens hood to the front of the Canon 70-200F4. After setting the exposure and aperture I then positioned my self to the side of the lens to shield it from the driving snow and wind.

Tripping the shutter with a cable release, I captured a few frames before the snow reached the front of the lens. That itch I had! well it is gone for now.