Tom Gill Waterfall, Tarn Hows, Lake District, UK
Aug, 2017Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken below Tarn Hows, a relatively hidden small man-made lake near Coniston Water in the UK Lake District. This is one of the many waterfalls that make up Tom Gill (Ghyll), the stream.Time
It was in the afternoon of a cool winter's day in 2016. After a slow walk around Tarn Hows it seemed a shame to pass up the chance to climb down to the falls before the light vanished.Lighting
As I was shooting in black and white I relied on the on-camera flash to soften the contrast.Equipment
Nikon D200 with a Nikkor 35-70mm f:2.8 AF telephoto zoom lens, on-camera flash, and a polarising filter.Inspiration
After an afternoon taking pictures of the beautiful and very photogenic tarn and the Coniston Fells I was on my way back down the path to the car park and saw the signpost for Tom Gill falls. As it's not a place I get to very often I thought I'd shoot a few down there but was struggling with the slippery paths and poor choice of footwear. I've since been back, (in summer with good footwear and a better choice of lenses) and done a far better job :pEditing
Because the photo was one of the best I'd taken of the fall that day, but unfortunately badly cropped, I added a white border for display purposes.In my camera bag
My trips find me with a custom backpack containing my old but trusted Nikon D200 with my favourite lens attached which is a Nikkor 35-70mm f:2.8 AF. Extra lenses in the bag are an AF-S Nikkor 35mm 1:1.8G, a Micro-Nikkor 105mm 1:2.8 macro, and a Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro telephoto zoom. Oh, and a tripod. The weight of this kit demands a tripod at low light!Feedback
Aim for pictures that you would be happy to display and occasionally go for the fun element - as in head off for that elusive and unique shot. Whilst I still shoot film (I still own the cameras I used for my studies at college in the 1970s) digital photography is a boon as I brazenly go through 100s of frames occasionally finding a few keepers. Film is a good learning curve, teaching you how to get to grips with a camera and, of course, every shot has to count! Get your body right in, move away - don't just rely on focus. Use every angle you physically can, though I'm not quite ready to try that in the middle of a shopping street! Always take a tripod with you and if you’re on a hike take only as much equipment as you'll need. If I’m landscaping my 35mm prime is lens enough whilst the 35-70mm is a superb all-rounder. Take a look around you through the lens. You’ll soon see things that wider vision overlooks. I draw a lot of inspiration from other photographers too. Most of all have fun!!
