Single frame… Wakehurst Place

Woodland, Wakehurst Place, West SussexWoodland, Wakehurst Place, West Sussex
Fujifilm X-T1, Fujinon XF 18-135mm f3.5~5.6 R LM OIS WR at 49mm, 1/220s, f5.6, ISO 400

Wakehurst Place in West Sussex is effectively part of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and consists of the mansion itself, walled and water gardens, woodland and wetland conservation areas and Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank.

The gardens were originally created by Gerald Loder (later Lord Wakehurst) who purchased the estate in 1903. Wakehurst Place was left to the nation in 1963 and the Royal Botanic Gardens took up a lease from the National Trust in 1965.

A gentle amble around the gardens in the autumn sunshine yesterday was a thoroughly enjoyable experience and I’m planning on making a return visit in the spring.

Single frame… The Cathedral of St Andrew

The Cathedral of St Andrew, Fife, ScotlandThe Cathedral of St Andrew, Fife, Scotland
Fujifilm X-T1, Fujinon XF 18-135mm f3.5~5.6 R LM OIS WR at 20mm, 1/350s, f11, ISO 400

The Cathedral of St Andrew in Fife, Scotland, dates from 1158 and became the centre of the Medieval Catholic Church in Scotland as the seat of the Archdiocese of St Andrews and the Bishops and Archbishops of St Andrews.

Robbed of its prized possessions in 1559 the cathedral had been abandoned and left to ruin by 1561. The ruins are now in the care of Historic Environment Scotland

On the left are the ruins of the nave, on the right is the east tower and in the centre is the 108 feet (33 metres) high St Rule’s tower.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that St Andrews isn’t just about golf (although much of the town is dedicated to the sport) and I’m definitely planning a return visit.

Single frame… St Monans

St Monans Pier, October 2017St Monans Pier, October 2017
Fujifilm X-T1, Fujinon XF 18-135mm f3.5~5.6 R LM OIS WR at 22mm – 3 minutes, f/11 ISO 400

I got to see another sunrise today while out photographing St Monans Pier. I know that this scene must be one of the most photographed in Scotland but I just couldn’t resist shooting it for myself…

A Formatt-Hitech Firecrest 10-stop neutral density (ND) filter was used to give the three minute exposure time and a 2-stop hard edge ND graduated filter was also used to reduce the brightness of the sky.

St Monans is a beautiful village, well worth more than just a fleeting visit, sadly though the only pub in the village, The Mayview Hotel, has recently closed due to an increase in business rates… The Mayview wasn’t just a pub, it was a real hub of the local community and its closure is a real blow to the area.

Single frame… Grain hopper wagon

20t Grain Hopper, October 201720t Grain Hopper, October 2017
Fujifilm X-T1, Fujinon XF 18-135mm f3.5~5.6 R LM OIS WR at 31mm – 1/125s, f8, ISO 500

Loved the textures on this railway wagon at the Fife Heritage Railway in Leven today.

No.48 was built by Hurst, Nelson and Company Ltd in Motherwell in 1937 to a London Midland & Scottish Railway design and is one of two ex. Scottish Grain Distillers hopper wagons preserved by the Kingdom of Fife Railway Preservation Society.

Single frame…

Summer Shadows, July 2016Summer Shadows, July 2016
Pentax MZ-M, SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/2, 1/350s, f8 – Agfa HDC 200 rated at ISO 100

Autumn has well and truly arrived, there’s a nip in the air and this evening the smell of bonfires was everywhere… I’m already longing for days like this…