I had originally planned to drive up to Scremerston this morning, but slept in. So I decided to drive back down to Bishop Auckland and see if I could get some of the shots I hadn't been able to get last week due to the crappy weather.
The weather wasn't much better this week. The only shots I was anywhere near pleased with were the two from the bridge with the sky aflame. Although my HDR skills are improving, I'm still not completely comfortable with it as a technique. It somehow feels synthetic and unnatural.
The bridge gives a good vantage point, although you need a tall tripod to see over the anti-suicide fence. On the other side of the bridge (heading out of the town centre) is a small picnic area, which also has a good viewpoint.
At the picnic area, heading back to my car, I saw another photographer - a portly fellow - who couldn't even be bothered to get out of his car. He was leaning half in and half out of the door and using his big zoom to frame his shot. It made me feel all the more assured that the secret to great photography is getting out there and putting the effort in!
I was tempted to tell him that if he got his fat arse out of the car and walked 10m across the grass, there was a breathtaking viewpoint to be on the other side of the hill. I didn't though. Guess he'll never know what he missed.
I drove further along to Hamsterley in the hope of seeing the evergreen valley shrouded in mist, but was sorely disappointed. I'll try later in the year when the ground is frosty and the magic hour sun evaporates the dew.
Click on any of the photos to see them full-size against black, and please do leave a comment below if you like the photos.
