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Showing posts from May, 2016

Muchelney Abbey in infrared

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While we were in Somerset we want to Muchelney Abbey, not far from Long Sutton.  The abbey lies on low land and was severely flooded in 2015. It had been founded in the 7th or 8th century, damaged by the Vikings, and then rebuilt in the 10th century. Extensions had taken place until it was dissolved in 1538 when the majority was demolished and used for local building stone. The Parish church of St peter and St Paul, next door, contains tiles and decorative features from the abbey. The main pieces left are the Abbot's house and a reredorter, an ancient privy block used by the monks. The Abbot's house is roofed and contains rooms and a staircase. The last picture in the series below is of the stairs leading up to the reredorter. All the photographs were taken using my Nikon D3200 which has been converted to take infrared shots. While we were there we also looked around the church and the grave yard.

Walking round an infrared field

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I did also take my infrared converted camera with me on my field walk and here are a few snaps taken with that. A couple of them have been converted to monochrome. The rest have been left in their natural state but desaturated a little. I am quite interested in infrared photography of natural forms. The technique is well suited to buildings but landscape is a little more difficult  and the composition usually needs some hard structure in it to work.

Walking round a field

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When the mist had dissipated Hettie and I had some breakfast and then set out to walk around the field margin. This particular field lay through a gate from the campsite in Long Sutton, where we were staying (highly recommended). I had thought that it was a public footpath but realised when I got back that it probably wasn't. But as there was a herd of highly inquisitive cows over the fence in the next field and actually on the proper footpath, I was pleased that I had chosen a more illicit route.  As always, with dog Hettie, it was a slow meander but I had plenty of chances for close up photography. In fact all I had with me was the camera and the 105mm lens. The fields were awash with buttercups and the early dew gave way to a clear day. Later on a warm sunset complete with balloon lulled our evening.