1/3 Finally getting arty with it - Rivington

Where else but Rivington! (Don't worry, there's more variety coming) It was about here I started to take this Photography lark a bit more seriously (and got a lot more experimental with stuff) so it makes sense to start on Rivington, a place I know well. Like I say, some of these pics are pretty experimental, in fact, this post is probably the reason why I decided to start this blog. This is where the real stuff begins!

These pictures were taken on an absolutely enchanting morning on Rivington Pike on 1-9-2015 on an unusually sunny day for so late in the year giving me some absolutely spellbinding lighting effects. Enjoy!

Starting out simple...

This tree has been there forever. I'm pretty sure it's dead but it never seems to wither... (or maybe I don't know enough about trees)

Yep, I started playing with the colour filter again. Kind-of effective.

The first of many with the amazing light that morning gave so late in the year. (low sun)

Who left this dog? Don't worry, the owners came and found it again and I got their consent for the pics I took. 

Obviously Disney owns the character rights... I'm just some guy taking pretentious photos.

Okay, this one I love...

That leaning tree is still there, years later! I swear it!

From your perspective...

Steep slope and deep red bark with the bright light behind, how could I not?

Tell me that colour filter is not effective! (though I confess I probably didn't really know what to do with it. Still love this one though)

Playing with some of the blurring effects... not terrible. 

Tall shots of stairways are cool. Argue with anyone who says otherwise!

I see your path-carving wall and I raise you...

... a far older one, completely reclaimed by nature.

Pond at the bottom of the waterfall with tiny fish at the right time of year! 

Not sure what to call this, I took to calling it the witch grave. I normally would have cleared the rubbish from a place like this (though I'm not sure if anything was actually buried there) but felt it more prominent to leave the rubbish in the pic (then clear it). That's just how most people treat places like this.

Seriously, I have no idea if this is an actual grave or just some rocks but who puts rubbish on something like this anyway.

Had to go for an effective shot of it.

If anybody actually had buried something under this (way to small to be a person, maybe a pet) do please get in touch and I'll take these pictures down. For now all I know is that it's an interesting sculpture of rocks and branches and it's utterly beautiful.

Closest thing to a selfie I've put up here. Didn't think you could see my left leg in it when I took it though.

Closer shot of the pond at the bottom of the waterfall.

This is just the bottom of the waterfall. It carries on a way back. (plus that bridge is where the earlier picture was taken from)

Exact same spot looking further down still. Okay that pond wasn't at the very bottom, that's the very bottom. 

Gotta love that colour filter. 

Reflecting the sky... One of my favourites.

Closer shot above the lower bridge (climbed a little for this one, be safe kids!)

Still in love with that light!

Look at the light, look at it!

Pretty much an identical shot with duller light exposure.

Dark and light in one, again how could I not.

The path under the hill, under the wood, but there's still more underneath that.

That light was astonishing, it felt like I was in some Faerie realm or something.

Any questions?

I can't caption this one well enough, love it.

Natural archway!

Finally on the bottom bridge.

Playing with the light some more.

And I'll leaf you with this amazing one to finish for now. (Puns)

I took SOO many pictures that morning. I think I can fit them all in three posts, didn't want to overload it in one. Please do feel free to browse next time. That light demanded it! As always, comments and tips are greatly appreciated!

Thanks for browsing!

Cya soon!

Little something different!

Okay, something different here.

As you all know I have been absolutely in love with Rivington Pike since I was a wee lad. Well, a little while ago (12-9-2017) Rivington held a Viking March. It was an amazing day, sadly I didn't make the morning march up Rivington but made it to the ancient gardens for the afternoon festivities. It was absolutely incredible (Plus I totally won the 'Celtic Strength' challenge but whatever...)

Well, a story that was bragged about all afternoon was how the morning march had accidentally coincided with a happy couples wedding pictures with pretty amazing results! Amazing results which have now made national newspapers!

Full credit to these absolute legends! It was an amazing day and I had to share it on here, especially since there is another one planned next year! (Absolutely going!)

Here's a link to one of the articles:
Wedding turns into raid as Bride and Groom are Photobombed by 200 Vikings while strolling through the countryside

And, because they're awesome, here's a link to the incredible people behind the Viking March with full details of future events on magnificent Rivington Pike:
Viking March - Facebook

Who says I never give you anything? If you're interested then absolutely check out the viking march page above, it was an amazing day with so much more planned next year.

Hope to see some of you there!

Return to Rivington

I told you there'd be more Rivington! This was still a while back and there's still some 'newbie' pictures in which I'm not sure what I was trying to do but I still think I was getting better. As always please feel free to leave any tips or comments. (I wonder how many people read these intro paragraphs anyway?)

These were taken on Rivington Pike on 11-08-2015, coming to the end of a pretty decent summer, on as clear a day as we get in England (though still bright enough to affect a few of these pics). Enjoy!

Welcoming, enveloping embrace of my family.

Do silhouettes still count if they're green? 

Standing and gazing above the tree canopy... that's what I was trying, at least.

One of the reasons why I love Rivington: the ancient pathways and gardens like something straight out of a fantasy novel. 

Light balance may be a little off here, not too bad though.

If I'm ever homeless I know where I'm sleeping.

Above the bridge...

Below the bridge. Waterfall for added awe. 

Tree silhouettes are officially the coolest things ever.

Mini waterfall behind a pond, because why not.

The bridge below the waterfall.

These steps are beautiful and I've tried so many times to capture them, this was my best result on this day.

Okay, I'm in love with this one.

 Stairway to the ancient gardens. Not much of the gardens are left now but the stairway is as amazing as always.

I played in the archway for a while.

Somebody say ruins? Still amazing to walk around and imagine them in their prime.

And the summit which can be seen from miles and miles around (unidentifiable person for scale)

I'm pretty sure the final steps on the 'Stairway to Heaven' look something like this. (just with less fences)

And finally, what once was a pigeon tower, I believe.

Think I did alright not repeating too much though I maybe still had a bit to learn about the lighting in the pictures. Ah well. As always any tips and comments are hugely appreciated!

Thanks for browsing, cya soon!