Was it a pea souper or the Devil’s soup?

Posted on July 10, 2020July 10, 2020 by carlotta

Was it a pea souper or the Devil’s soup?

From blazing sun to rain and wind – we have had it all here in Sussex lately. On a walk to investigate a prehistoric hill fort above Steyning, West Sussex, we were blasted by a ferocious wind, while at the same time, blinded by thick fog – which seemed a strange weather combination to me. Out of the mist a line of trees suddenly rose above the open fields of the Downs, although it was hard to make out exactly what we were looking at because of the thick fog. Beneath the trees there were strange undulating mounds covered in soft grass that formed a huge circular shape, with younger trees filling the centre. As we stepped into this circle, the wind suddenly dropped, and the space felt eery and, if I had let my imagination run wild, maybe a bit haunted.

Chanctonbury Ring has been a sacred place for over 2000 years. Neolithic flint work, Bronze Age pottery and the remains of a Roman temple have been uncovered here and some believe it is a place of mystic druid power. A local myth claims that the Devil built the Ring and if you run around it anti-clockwise seven times, he will appear and give you a bowl of soup in exchange for your soul. It must be a hell of a bowl of soup, but I think I will forgo running around the Ring seven times just in case.

You can see more of my landscape photography here.

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With photography, it’s always about the light

Posted on June 25, 2020June 25, 2020 by carlotta

With photography, it’s always about the light

I have been feeling very lucky to live near a beach during our current heatwave. Not surprisingly, the hotter the weather gets, the busier the seaside gets.

A few days ago I set out very early with my camera to both beat the crowds and catch the early morning light. The sunrise is currently just before 5am here, so by the time I got to the beach at 6.15, it had already been daylight for a couple of hours. That was ok, though, because the sun was still low enough in the sky for my needs.

Photography is always, always about light: the quality, amount and size of the light source, the direction of it and its colour. This would have been a completely different sort photograph if I had shot it in bright, harsh midday light. Instead, the soft early morning sun raked across the beach, throwing every stone and water rivulet into relief. It was well worth getting up for. You can see more of my landscape photography here.

Please get in touch if you have a workplace, an event, a celebration, a portrait or a building project you would like to have photographed.

Bluebell time

Posted on April 24, 2020 by carlotta

Bluebell time

Being in lockdown has made me look more closely at the world right on my doorstep, since I can’t go very much farther. I have been using my little macro lens and investigating life up close and personal, which has been an interesting process.

As many of you know, at this time of year in Sussex the woodland is carpeted with wild bluebells. I wanted to send a photograph of this wonderful sight to you all in your lockdowned, socially-distanced homes.

Given my recent macro lens explorations, I thought it would be interesting to see if I could represent the whole by focussing on a detail. Here for you, then, is a single wild bluebell, bathed in evening light, with swathes of its little fellows in the distance.

You can find more of my landscape photographs here.

Please get in touch if you have a workplace, an event, a celebration, a portrait or a building project you would like to have photographed.

wild wood anemones during lockdown

Posted on April 3, 2020 by carlotta

wild wood anemones during lockdown

This week’s photograph is of wild wood anemones shot around the time that the UK was going into lockdown. Each of us must find our own way through these disorienting, anxious, sad times. For me, my saving grace has been to walk out my door and be reminded that everything else in the natural world is just the same, it is only our human world that is changed almost beyond recognition.

The sun shines, birds sing and flowers bloom as spring goes into full swing around us. I find this very reassuring.

You can find more of my landscape photographs of our wondrous natural world here.

Please get in touch if you have a workplace, an event, a celebration, a portrait or a building project you would like to have photographed.

Newhaven Harbour in the storm

Posted on February 14, 2020 by carlotta

Newhaven Harbour in the storm

I went out on Sunday morning to attempt to photograph the storm waves battering the shoreline. Although it wasn’t raining, the sea spray was so strong that my camera lens was immediately too wet to take photographs. It was worth the trip anyway. The shore was crowded with people wanting to witness the power or the sea.

I tried again the next morning, with the sky clear and bright. I was rewarded with one of the most beautiful views of the sea that I have ever seen. The sun had just risen and was casting a low light across the water. The glow of it sparkled across the surface while throwing deep shadows behind the waves.

On one side of the breakwater, three surfers were catching the big rollers coming smoothly into shore. On the other side, the water was a turmoil of huge waves, bright white foam and spray blown by the blasting wind into delicate feathers. I sat on the beach for a long time, feeling elated. When I got home, I realised that my face was covered in salt from the sea spray.

I struggled to decide which photo of the storm to use today, so do take a look at the others here and let me know if you think I chose the right one. All my landscape photos can be found here as well.

Please get in touch if you have a workplace, an event, a celebration, a portrait or a building project you would like to have photographed.

In celebration of the winter solstice

Posted on December 19, 2019December 20, 2019 by carlotta

In celebration of the winter solstice

Tomorrow is the turning point when the days finally start to lengthen and the night-times begin to get shorter. In our part of the world, on the south coast of England, the winter solstice has just shy of 8 hours between sunrise and sunset. When it is grey and wet, which it currently seems to be much of the time, this can feel even shorter.

At this pivotal time, when the northern hemisphere starts to head towards spring, I give you a beach at sunset, covered with a dusting of snow. I took this last week when my 36 hours on Cape Cod coincided with a most beautiful snow fall.

Towards the end of the day, the clouds cleared as the sun set into the bay, turning the snow pink. As we headed home from our walk, an enormous full moon rose up over the white hills in front of us. I felt so lucky to be a witness to the transition of this beautiful day turning into night. You can find more of my landscape photographs here.

Wishing you all a bright and positive Solstice, a Christmas spent with loved ones and healthy, happy and fulfilling New Year.

Please get in touch if you have a workplace, an event, a celebration, a portrait or a building project you would like to have photographed.

Category: landscapes