Derbyshire ‘in digital’
ROBERT Falconer was the guest photographer at the meeting of Sileby
Photographic Society held on Monday, November 13, when he presented ‘Derbyshire in Digital’.
Robert shared his photographic journey through the glorious Derbyshire Dales and Peak District which portrayed nature’s own journey throughout its calendar year as the seasons unfolded. Having lived in Derbyshire all of his life, he was well versed in seeking out all the nooks and crannies and the best vantage points at any particular time of the day and his resultant photography was quite amazing.
Snowy landscape images in the winter months were a delight, with the warm light contrasting well with the cold of the snow and one could almost sense the intensity of the very low temperatures which existed at the time. Great images of unusual shapes and pattern formations which had been created by heavy ice and frost were incredible and the image of the vivid winter sun-set captured on a clear night seemed as if the sky was almost on fire.
Great reflections where land met water made for super images too with Robert using his expertise well when choosing the time of day to achieve best photographic results.
The sight of thousands of starlings when flying en-masse, with barely a hair’s breadth coming between any one of them, was an amazing sight and it was the subsequent shapes created when swooping or quickly turning which were quite incredible when projected as an image.
With the onset of spring more photographic opportunities presented themselves. Nature provided great colours in the form of new growth and fresh green leaves, and shorter nights and brighter days provided added incentive for Robert to tread pastures new in his search for pictures. Warmer weather encouraged the appearance of wildlife too, with an appealing image of an otter seemingly enjoying having its picture taken whilst basking in the relatively warm sunshine.
Bluebell woods seemed to flourish everywhere and carpets of these colourful plants produced yet more lovely pictures, as did the many poppy fields forming impressive carpets of red, interspersed with blue cornflowers and white daisies. Summer had arrived.
Autumn tints, changing leaf colours and colourful heathers on the moors, ensured that Derbyshire in the fall was gorgeous, and Robert’s enthusiasm for this beautiful area of landscape scenery knew no bounds.
Cold mornings and mist in the valleys in September brought their own rewards to the keen photographer, and the shafts of light between the trees during a snowy and frosty December did likewise.
Although landscape photography was dominant within his presentation, Robert’s passion for steam train photography did not go unnoticed and some impressive images were shown of steam trains at full throttle.
Robert was thanked for showing fantastic pictures taken in superb locations which, together with his commentary, had combined to produce an excellent evening of photography.
The next meeting will be held on Monday, November 27, when Colin Machin and Mandy Sherrington, long-standing members of the Society, will present ‘an evening of their choice’.
Visitors and prospective new members are always welcome to attend the Society’s meetings which commence at 7.45pm for 8pm and are held at Sileby Community Centre. Further information can be obtained from the Society’s website, www.silebyps.org.uk