'Rural, Town and Fringe Areas'

So, of course, yes, Graffiti...

[Graffiti: The marking of public space with a form of visual communication.]

Disclaimer, I apologise for any incidental commercial references in the following blog/article and/or photographs. It is not my purpose or intention to adverstise [unpaid or otherwise] any company, individual or organisation!

Location: Somerset Avenue meets Elmham Way Roundabout.

Saturday morning 12th August 23 and I was having issues with the health of my ears and subsequently needed suitable medication in order to treat them, so I was off to a local pharmacy. Now normally I'd drive myself, though given iffy balance and questionable spacial awareness, as a precaution, today, I was being driven.

Consequently, as my driver and I approached Somerset Avenue meets Elmham Way Roundabout, A370 from Weston-super-Mare, I saw something from the corner of my eye I'd not normally see – you know, of course, as you'd be watching the road when in control of a vehicle, at least I hope you would be, unless you've one of those 'Look no Hands – Does the Driving for You – Or not, as the case may be' Wonders!

What had attracted me was an abuttment wall, topped off with coping stones, and on that wall had been spray-painted a word. To me this, most likely, meant there was a culvert or subway under the road? Sunday morning 13th August 23 and I walk there, with a camera, to reconnoitre the spot...

Approaching the area on foot via the cycle-way & footpath alongside Somerset Avenue and at a break in the scrub bushes I find this subway! And of course the attendant graffiti.

Walking through the tunnel to the other side and looking back gives the better perspective. The subway is lit both sides, along its length, by 45 degree lights placed at the corners where wall meets roof, though they aren't the brightest. There are some impromptu seats of concrete and wood half way through on the footpath side, presumably for the benefit of the nightlife visitors. As to the graffiti some of the pieces are quite brilliant however, the overall impression is an imposing one and that you'd be best served not to dwell too long to view the art work. [I must state that I'm not aware that there has ever been any problem or trouble here.]

Please Note: I cannot credit any street artist whose work is included here as I simply have no knowledge of who created the original spray paintings or any derivations thereof depicted.

And so, to the atmosphere I wish to share with my photographic interpretation of the environment and street art I found at this location.

Walking in to... Inside now Tight lipped quiet Feeling watched Walking out of... Discuss... https://i-davis.carrd.co https://snap.as/unaoculusaperta https://unaoculusaperta.weebly.com

#WestonSuperMare #Subway #Urban #StreetArt #Photography

A fellow photographer (named Ian, as am I) called me to ask if I'd like to make the trip to Highbridge, Somerset, UK, one evening. One evening when the tide would be coming in and we could photograph some wrecks... Well, yes please!

Now, I have been to Highbridge many times, yet had never been to this inlet which is at the end of a Cul-De-Sac off the main road. We park up and tote our gear across a small bridge over the river, clamber over some stiles and through a turn style gate then down along a raised ridge of a flood plain. Setting up tripods we begin photographing, as we wait for the waters of the Bristol Channel to rise.

At this stage the river level is still relatively low. The weather was perfect with good light even as the sun began to set. The wind though was a little on the brisk side with a cool edge to it. This cold air eventually sapped the warmth from our hands!

These were the two wrecks we'd come to photograph. One, could be forgiven, I reckoned, for initially feeling somewhat underwhelmed, or disappointed even, especially if one were expecting a shipwreck of any kind, as these were damaged and abandoned boat wrecks! Once over that preconception though, these two craft were photogenic and worth the trip.

Once set up and ready for high tide, I wandered around looking for suitable subjects, anything that caught the eye – for black & white...

... such as this metal pole. A ground anchor or mooring post, with a substantial rope attached.

...or this, substantial, reinforced concrete pillar, again with substantial rope attached.

Back to the wrecks themselves which were well out of the river and stranded up on the bank – We couldn't get that close even at low tide though as the ground is water-logged and no, we didn't take Wellies with us and that, in hind sight, was a mistake! There always next time...

Above: a wooden launch. Below: a motorboat with the right rear side missing.

And now, the tide was coming in and the river's water level was rising fast!

Then it was pretty much high tide. Though spring tides can reach higher, this tide didn't disappoint as nevertheless we are photographing from the raised bank at this point. The setting sun casts a beautiful, warm and orange glow over the scene.

The end of the day is amazing to experience at Highbridge on such an evening as this. Whether one is a photographer or otherwise. To say this photographic excursion lifted one's spirits would indeed be a huge understatement. I often think of these outings and usually at length.

Discuss...

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#Highbridge #BristolChannel #Boats #Wrecks #Spring #Photography

I was browsing the PentaxForum online which in-turn spurred me to retrieve my Pentax K-5, with a HD Pentax DA 40mm f2.8 Ltd lens, from its [storage] case, install a battery and shoot this photograph!

The rose being naturally lit from a window and a straight out of camera JPEG file, which I then opened in GIMP 2.10.34. Cropping the image to retain approximately 75% of its area and framing it, as you see below, and that’s all I’ve done. Nothing more. The output results in an 8.4Mb file.

I've resolved never to sell this camera body and associated lenses, even though I rarely shoot with it nowadays and indeed, haven't for years, as I have other systems and formats which I currently use. Nevertheless, I believe the resulting evidence speaks for itself.

The fact is this camera is compact and light weight, pretty well built and with Ltd lenses has an almost Leica type vibe to it. By today's standards it would likely be considered a little pedestrian, alright then comparably slow, in operation, by most photographers, I reckon. However, with a modicum of patience and care it can still produce good quality photographs.

Ricoh-Pentax superseded the K-5 with the K-5ii [sans AA filter and better AF], though I've have never tried one. I never felt the need.

As Ricoh/Pentax produce cameras, in the era of SLTs [mirrorless or MILCs or ETVs or whatever], I wish them well as they consider possible options for new DSLRs and maybe even build SLRs [film] cameras again. Who knows, they may just carve out a unique market sector all their own. Here's hoping – with fingers crossed. Discuss...

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#Pentax #PentaxK5 #ColourPhotography #Rose

Metal Ring, Chain and Clasp

Bristol Harbour – 13th January 2023

The history that has traversed the cobbles of this quay at Bristol Harbour has been written and is out there for all, who wish, to see. Both the triumphs and tradegies of times and people. The metal ring, chain and clasp in the photograph is relatively modern so, probably, has been employed only in the tying off of harbour boats. In the past such a fixing could well have been used to tie off small ships or restrain animals; live stock; prisoners of war and other human beings, travellers and the trafficked!

Such is Bristol's long and chequered history.

Discuss...

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#BristolHarbour #ColourPhotography #MetalRingChainAndClasp

Locking, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, UK

13th January 23

A friend of mine, who, like me, is named Ian and is also a photographer, lives very near to Maltlands Pond. He voluntarily, keeps an eye on the habitat. A couple of days ago he rang to tell me that the water levels, due to recent rainfall, were rising and maybe I should consider, with photography in mind, visiting the pond

I did so yesterday to find the path around the pond is currently under water, though one can still walk around the water-logged grassy edges provided suitable footwear is worn. No one was fishing – understandably!

The overfill water level has been bringing up and out to the banks; bottles[glass and plastic types]; cans, plastic bags and wrapping; indeed all sorts of undesirable detritus.

Ian, along with a volunteer, has, as I write this piece, collected six 80 litre wheelie bins of the stuff and is hoping to return today to continue the task. In any case the pond – high water level and flooding aside – already looks much cleaner and healthier.

More rain overnight and today could see the pond overflow into the run-off sluice. I've no idea what this will do or mean to the fish and other aquatics. The birds are fewer at this time of year and those that stay seem to be okay. Oh, and the brown rats are sure to return once the water levels subsides. Some things never change.

Discuss...

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#Maltlands #MaltlandsPond #BlackAndWhitePhotography #Flooding

Monday Afternoon 9th January 2023

Following on from 'University of Bristol – St Michaels Hill' posted January 12, 2023 and still pursued by that chilling wind.

The next Port of call was the Bristol Harbour area

Which is next to the City Centre, which is built over the River Frome

Walking from the Centre we took the left side quay past the old Unicorn Hotel with it distinctive V motif architecture carpark.

Over the foot bridge, which now supports a myriad of padlocks, to the opposite side and the, almost obligatory, big wheel attraction.

Looking left from the bridge is the Arnolfini (Bristol's Centre for International Contemporary Arts); the riverboat Ferry station; and, docked near to the M-Shed Museam [which, at the time of writing, is free to enter], is The Balmoral – 'Britain's Famous Pleasure Steamer'.

Crossing Anchor Road and up the steps to College Green.

Where opposite is the brick building that is – Bristol Council House

And to the left facing is: Bristol Cathedral. I've always found it odd that there seems to be no land or grounds to the Cathedral's frontage, just straight on to the pavement!

If you'd like to see a set of sixteen images, [you'll need to scroll past the first eight pictures, which are from a previous trip], I've included a link to my Snap.As 'Broadmead Bristol' gallery below.

https://snap.as/unaoculusaperta/broadmead-bristol

Discuss...

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#BristolHarbour #ColourPhotographs

Monday Morning 9th January 2023

On a bright, dry, though mild day, but with a wind that had a cold bite to it and I'm on an X1 bus travelling from Weston-super-Mare to Bristol. I'm with a fellow photographer who has an appointment at St Michael's Hospital.

Arriving around 40 minutes early, we crossed over St Michaels Road and climbed the steps to the University of Bristol.

I remember this site from many years ago, whence I attended project meetings there. However, I discovered it's quite different nowadays with new buildings having been constructed in the grounds and – photographically at least – the original buildings were in some instances quite obscured.

Despite the fact that I had, prior to the trip, chosen to carry only a 50mm prime lens I wandered around, what is still a very attractive location, taking photographs

If you'd like to see the set of twelve images – I've included a link to my Snap.As 'University of Bristol' gallery below.

https://snap.as/unaoculusaperta/university-of-bristol

Discuss...

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#UniversityOfBristol #ColourPhotographs

In the 1960s Bristol was subject to an idea, a new way of thinking, at that time, about town planning and there being an over-arching need for new and improved road networks. Areas of Hotwells and Totterdown were in the forefront of this movement and marked for clearances and demolitions. Consequently, whole streets, houses, even libraries and schools were to be, and indeed were, knocked down to make way for the modern era of by-passes and flyovers! The open space created in the Hotwells area, as a result of the above planning policies, was named the Cumberland Piazza. Dame Sylvia Crowe was then commissioned to design and build the Piazza.

Dame Sylvia Crowe (1901-1997) [RHS Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medalist 1936 & Awarded CBE 1967]

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A Personal Connection

A photo walk around Cumberland Basin

As the Covid pandemic abated across the UK, I sat in an upstairs seat on a 'double decker' bus travelling to Bristol. I forget the reason for the journey though remember it was a super day weather-wise and my first trip not driving. I was quite surprised at how much one can see when not tasked with paying attention to the road and having such a relatively high viewpoint at the front of a bus. Both the outbound and inbound legs of my bus ride from Weston-super-Mare to Bristol took me over the Plimsoll Swing Bridge and Cumberland Basin. I thus decided there and then I'd return soon with a pen, paper and camera to write about and photograph this place.

Forward to 25th November 2022 and the start of a project that I have had in mind now for a year or more – indeed some people may even consider this story itself a journey of sorts. In any case it will be my story of an area that holds many memories, both for me and for others I’m sure, as part and parcel of Bristol's history.

I alighted from a First-Bus X1 Direct at Trinity Church, then made my way from Hotwells Road, via Bristol Gate, back toward Cumberland Piazza. I then passed by Dowry Road, crossed Faraday Road – under the exits from Bennett Way/Bristol Gate and entries to Bristol Gate/Cabot Way to the Plimsoll Bridge on the Hotwells side – and accessed the Piazza area. I had arrived!

Photograph: Entering Cumberland Piazza, taken under Cabot Way, looking towards Bristol Centre.

First steps into the Piazza and I just about remember this area before the flyover was constructed and the Plimsoll Bridge was installed. When the scheme was completed back in the 1960s, the structures and basin itself all seemed so grey and industrial. Yet, here it is full of colour – vivid colour – on this a bright, warm and uncommonly summer-like, November day! I step a little further into the Piazza and turn to face in the opposite direction.

Photograph: Entering the Piazza, taken under Cabot Way, now looking towards Avonmouth.

So much of the visual appeal of the area is now provided by street art; this isn't simply graffiti or slogans, but painting with a purpose: a desire to lift this place out of mediocrity.

Progressing toward the Cumberland Basin side of the Piazza, the high-contrast low-angle sunshine makes for little detail in the highlights or shadows. Of course, there are slogans and tags, daubed here and there, as is the nature of these things. Licence is simply taken to add to, change up, or cover over, that which is in situ and this is often done without any sentiment.

Photograph: Note the decreasing clearance as Bennetts Way 'lands' joining Cabot Way and the Portway.

However, there are some artworks that seem as if they are protected, respected maybe, watched over perhaps or looked after by the local community even.

Photograph: Taken under Bennetts Way. A mural showing 'Women of Hotwells' painted on the side of Bristol Gate. Cabot Way is beyond, where it joins with Humphrey Davy Way.

Walking on under Bennetts Way across the public space, I come to an information board titled 'Ebb & Flow' which refers, I think, to the tides and how the lock gates are used to manage water levels for access to and from the dock. Also, it appears to lend its name to a housing development in the area.

Photograph: Taken next to Bennetts Way. An 'Ebb & Flow' information board and a pedestrian stairway up to the elevated road level.

Turning around and walking out from under the flyover, whilst still standing in its shadow, I see where the three roads – Bennetts Way, Bristol Gate and Humphrey Davy Way – join.

Photograph: Painting and colouring aside – rarely is it a good idea to build a road over peoples heads.

Back underneath Bennetts Way flyover again, and there is a stairway up to one of the bridge control booths situated on Bristol Gate at the Hotwells end of the swing bridge. Also, across Cumberland Basin Road we can see the water of the basin itself for the first time.

Photograph: Across the Piazza towards and beyond Cumberland Basin Road.

Discuss... https://i-davis.carrd.co https://snap.as/unaoculusaperta https://unaoculusaperta.weebly.com #CumberlandPiazza #CumberlandBasin #Bristol #Hotwells #ColourPhotography #Graffiti

I've not written anything in a while. I'm not thus feeling that fluent in my writing, presently. So here goes... I'll start with that I've been photographing lately; of which I have, also, neither been doing too fluently.

Regardless of the above and to paraphrase Humphrey Bogart's Charater – Rick Blaine – in the movie Casablanca [This] “don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world”.

There: having got that out of the way; back to the ancient Weston Wood.

Monochrome Photograph: An off cut of tree trunk with the words Weston Woods carved into the bark.

I'll begin with the walk I took 31st October 2022 and, well, did it pour down.

Colour Photograph: Looking out towards the access road in a deluge of rain, whilst sheltering under trees. Weston Wood, Worlebury, W-s-M, Somerset, UK.

I returned the following day. One of the things that strikes me about this historical woodland is the number of trees that have been, literally, uprooted and toppled onto the ground; sometimes even into the branches of adjacent trees!

Monochrome Photograph: A toppled tree complete with its wrenched out rock filled root-ball.

Note: that its longer main roots have been snapped off and are left in-situ.

The effected trees seem to have been wrenched from the floor; which consists of a thin layer of soil or leaf mulch covering bedrock. Indeed in amongst the root-ball of the fallen tree, one can see pieces of rock entwined in the network of roots. Roots don't so much penetrate down here as simply spread along the surface, kind of allowing the tree to balance.

Note: There just isn't enough substrate to allow a sufficient root-ball and main arteries to form that would support the trees in high winds and saturated, softened earth.

Monochrome Photograph: Of a tree that has been toppled and has fallen into adjacent trees and bushes thus toppling them also.

No wonder the resilience of the trees to gale force winds and destabilising rains isn't great. Yet the woodland has persisted for millennia. In all of this though the fallen trees can look strangely attractive in certain aspects or situations.

Monochrome Photograph: A fallen tree has been moved aside a woodland footpath and with a bench seat having been installed opposite, for ones restful contemplation.

Of course the trees do decompose over time, forming a [temporary] home for some woodland wildlife and providing slow release nutrients in to the habitat. Just as importantly – they in their turn keep adding depth to the floor covering!

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#Ricoh #WestonWood #Woodland #Trees #WestonSuperMare #coastal #rawtherapee #GIMP #Fomapan100Classic #IBelieveInFilm

Sandbay's Sand Dune System

Sandbay, Kewstoke, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, UK

This sign, informing of possible disruption due to maintenance work scheduled to take place back at the end of 2020 till the start of 2021, is still in place as of the morning 21st August 2022? The information on the sign has not been updated nor removed from the sand dunes. One assumes the work was done and the dunes do seem to have increased slightly in terms of plant and wild life. Indeed this project is deserving of both recognition and support.

From the beach shore side we can see one of the main pedestrian access points.

An issue for the system is: many people just access the beach from wherever they happen to be along the coastal road. Whilst there is a concrete path behind the dunes and adjacent to the road – albeit raised above the road and the traffic by a metre or so – walkers oftentimes walk on the flat area at the back of the dunes.

In the background of the above photograph we can see something of what the dunes system is protecting – or at least is expected to protect.

Many years ago posts were driven into the sands and twisted-wire and stave fencing was installed to protect areas, giving the system a chance to recover and, notwithstanding, keep people and animals out.

This has worked well in stablising the dunes; encouraging growth and wildlife; despite the usual ignorance and abuse the fencing sometimes suffered.

Although the preservation and enhancement of the dunes is a never ending, upward and onward struggle this a great result.

The final photograph then shows the tide on its return to the shore. With an average rise and fall of some 8.0+ metres and with the 13th/14th August 2022 tides reaching 11.6 metres the dunes need all the help they can get!

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#Pentax #sanddunes #beach #Sandbay #WestonSuperMare #coastal #rawtherapee