Plas Power Wood 2

I have been talking about Plas Power Woods last month and even the month before that I have talked about Bersham and Minera which is part of the same area. All these places are within minutes of where I live and are part of my daily life. I walk my dog there regularly and spent many hours in the Woods taking images and finding inspiration for my photography.

Plas Power woods is manged by the Woodland trust and they have worked hard in the last couple of years to not only keep the woods in good order but also to improve on it. A wood carver has been employed to point out Plas Power Wood's historical importance by creating a carving depicting King Offa, whos dyke is part of Plas Power Wood.

 

The same wood carver, Simon O'Rourke also created other statues that make walking in the woods a bit of an adventure. I personally like his interpretation of the welsh dragon the best.

Yet again other statues in the woods show the importance of an eco system and how insects and bugs play their parts within that eco system. School children are often take for walks in the woods to study the birds and bugs, whether a real one or a wooden one.

 The flora and fauna within Plas Power Woods are as varied as the wild life. I especially like photographing the ferns and mushrooms at the Woods in the autumn.

Plas Power Woods is a very special place for me. I can spent hours looking around to find objects to photograph, enjoy the walks with the dogs and the plunge in the water in the summer. It is well worth a visit if ever you are in the area.

Chirk Exhibition

Since last Monday, 4th November 2013 I am exhibiting some of my images in the Chirk Library. I managed to display 20 images, all Landscapes from Wales, and most from North Wales. I am also displaying 2 of my Canvas Prints, just to show really how my images would look on Canvas.

It is the first time I am displaying my images publicly like that, although I had a few images shown in exhibitions through the camera club I am a member off. I was quite pleased withe the result once I had them all hanging up and the librarian even thought it worth while to ring the local paper to inform them about the exhibition. I had an interview with the reporter today and he took my image to put in the paper alongside a small write up about the exhibition. The article will run next week in the Advertiser as well as the Wrexham Leader.

I also managed to sell one of my images so far as a mounted print.

Although the exhibition was not designed to sell I am more then happy that people are impressed enough by my images to buy them. The Librarian also has ask me to come back next year and do another exhibition, and I already have got some ideas of what to display in that exhibition.

I am looking forward to more feedback from the public about the exhibition and hope that it will continue to be successful, so that I will be able to come back next year and do it all again.

Update:  7th Dec 2013

The Exhibition in Chirk Library has now been up for nearly a month and it will be up for one more week. I have mentioned the newspaper articles and I have been mentioned in two different newspapers and in one of the papers I have been mentioned for two weeks in a row. My work colleagues have even put the article up on the black board at work... eeeek lol.

I have been asked by one of the other camera clubs in the area to do a talk in their club next year after the chairman of that club has seen the article in the paper and visited the exhibition. He enjoyed my images so much that he would like me to do a talk about them in their clubs. I am very excited about that and more than just a bit worried too. I am not very good at public speaking and I can see me totally freezing up when the time comes. I have to say.. I dont even know what to talk about exactly.

Besides that opportunity I also managed to sell two more images. The first one is called Tryfan through the reeds and has only been taken in august this year. Its one of my fave images of the year actually although I will talk about some other ones soon.

The other image I manage to sell is entitled Peaceful Morning and had been taken in 2012 on Anglesey. I really went there early in the morning to photograph Penmon Lighthouse but sometimes other opportunities will arise that were rather unexpected. This shot was one of them.

So overall... what started off as a new adventure within my photographic adventures has turned out to be a bigger success than I would have anticipated. The exhibition will stay up for another week. I will take it down on Monday 16th of December. But I have already been asked to do another exhibition there next year and I have started working towards a new display. I also have organised the date for another venue and another exhibition, this time in Llangollen. But that wont be until mid next year. I will keep you all updated.

Plas Power Woods

Last month I was talking about Bersham and Minera and its industrial importance on Wrexham, the place I live. In between these two areas however is a walk that is especially special to me - Plas Power Woods. Plas Power Woods comprises of 33.7 ha of woodland of which the vast majority is ancient woodland although some parts were replanted with conifers and with beech or sycamore as late as the 1960s. The woodland trust is gradually restoring the native broadleave woodland character. Plas Power Woods runs along the river Clywedog. Several features of historical importance are also present in Plas Power Woods, including a Wier that has been used as a power source for Bersham Iron Works, a lovely Waterfall and a section of Offa's Dyke. 

For myself however Power Woods starts at St Mary's a 19th-century parish church which is the heart of the village. The church was founded and built by Thomas Lloyd FitzHugh in 1875. His wife Emily Mary from Charlecote in Warwickshire took a great interest in the building and is the reason why the architect and organ builder were both from that county. It was originally built without a bell tower; however, one was added some years later. When Captain Godfrey FitzHugh was killed on active service in Palestine in 1917 his widow Ethel had the bells installed in his memory. 

Right opposite the church is Power wood weir. The weir in itself is a lovely location for some photography and one can get some lovely shots not only of the weir in itself but also some close up and abstract shots. I have used the wier quite often in the camera club to explain shutter speed and the effect of different shutter speeds on moving objects such as water.  Personally I favor a very slow shutter speed when photographing water.

I also sometimes use the near by Waterfall as a demonstration for a creative use of shutter speed. The waterfall however also has some more of a personal connection for me as I always walk my dog there when I am not working or hiking in Snowdonia. He loves playing in the water.

Plas Power woods is a lovely place to be in every weather and every time of year. However, saying that,my favourite time of year there is in the autumn when the whole wood just turns bright red with the autumn leaves creating a think red carpet on the floor, as can be seen in the above image. One of my aims for this year is however to go to Plas Power Woods in the winter as I have not as yet managed to get a shot with the weir or the waterfall covered in snow. 

There are other images that can be captured within Plas Power Wood and I was going to do it within this blog entry. I have however decided to rather create another posting for them. So stay tuned for next month blog entry.. Plas Power Woods, Take 2. 

Be safe xxx

First commission

A while back a work friend of mine approached me and asked me if I would be able and willing to do a photo session with her dog Sky, a female Alsatian. It was her husbands birthday in a few month time and as he was totally obsessed with their dog she would like to present him with a big print of Sky. I was first reluctant to take on that challenge as I have never done commission work before.

Personally I prefer to shoot what I like and when I like it rather then being told by someone else what they would like and work to orders like that. But Gaenor, my friend from work was very open to my suggestions. We made a date with the intentions of taking the dog out for a nice walk across the local field upon which I would attempt to photograph Sky in various poses,- standing, laying down, running and such like. I was going to use the natural daylight and background to my advantage. --- Or at least so I hoped.

It all turned out quite different though. The day was more then miserable, with hardly any daylight to be had. It was chucking it down with rain and both dog and owner refused to go out in it. After a cuppa tea and explaining my problem of not having enough light and now decent background to work with I hoped to be able to retreat and fight another day. Gaenor however had other ideas as she started moving furniture around and switching on  every light in the house.

I gave in... and unpacked the gear. Despite owning a flash gun and numerous attempts to learn how to use one I found I just could not get on with it at all, so I never even packed it that day. I ended up on the floor with Sky, fed him and in general tried to make him look reasonably comfortable. After about 2 hours of failed attempts of getting an image I liked I settled on the settee to finish my by then cold cuppa tea. Sky showed me the cold shoulder and settled on the rug in front of the fireplace. Well.... I never... slipping down from the settee, caterpillar crawling closer to Sky without disturbing her, a quick burst of the shutter release and there it was ... the image I wanted all along. I managed to get 2 images altogether out of the afternoon shooting. What do you think...... ????

                 

I was told today that Gaenor's husband was very pleased with the images and both of them are now hanging over the fireplace. Personally I like the first image best. Not necessarily performing to any rules with the ears cut off and the very close crop, it portrays the relaxed and quiet nature of Sky.

I am rather proud of my attempts of photographing  a strange animal in what ended up being very difficult conditions. I am even more proud of haven been given the opportunity to spent an afternoon with a lovely animal.

Twice a Winner

I am very proud to announce that twice now I won the Friday Give Away Competition in the Photography Monthly online Magazine competition. My first Win was on the 4th October 2013 within the " Capturing the Elements" competition. I put the following image into the competition, which I named very in-imaginative "Strumble Head Lighthouse".

Photography monthly commented that "This image caught our eye straight away because of its clarity. The photographer has used a long depth-of field and this has enabled the viewer to see all the detail of the landscape. We think that the cliff face on the left hand side of the image versus the sea covering the right hand side of the image creates balance and forces the focus of the image to be the lighthouse in the distance which is central. The dark grey clouds contrasted with the bright yellow sunlight create the image to be dramatic and atmospheric and this is why we think it’s a perfect image to win this category!"

The second win was only tonight, 18th October 2013 within the competition " Shore to Summit". I used my image entitled "Llyn Idwal Sunrise".

Photography monthly comment about the image was as follows "This image caught our eye straight away because of the beautiful reflection in the water and how it creates symmetry and is a well balanced image. We also love the warm light coming from the right hand-side of the image and think this creates a nice glow to the mountain in the background. The focus of the image is the mountain and we think that the photographer has used the rule of thirds really well".

In both cases I was he proud winner of a book. I hope that I will be able to win further competitions and enrich my knowledge by reading the books I won.

Bersham and Minera

Bersham and Minera are two Parks that are part of the Clywedog Valley Trail that follows the Clywedog river for around 6 miles. Both Bersham and Minera has historical importance for the population of Wrexham.

Bersham not only housed the workshops of the skilled Davies brothers, it was one of the cradles of the Industrial Revolution. This is the place where British iron making began in 1670, where smelting iron ore with coke began in 1721, and where John Wilkinson, the 'Iron Mad' pioneer of the Industrial Revolution, set up shop in 1761. For many years the area was one of the most important iron manufacturing centres in the world. The Bersham Ironworks Museum tells the story of the man who bored cannon for the American War of Independence and cylinders for James Watt's revolutionary steam engine that changed the face of the world. (Wikipidia)

Remains of the Workshops and the Ironworks can still be seen and although they are only accessible by prior appointment the views from the road can be very interesting in itself. 

Minera also is steeped in history. The name Minera has an unusual source, being derived from the low Latin for "mine" or "ore". This name was recorded as early as 1339. The parallel Welsh name Mwynglawdd translates roughly as "ore mine".

In common with many Welsh settlements, Minera did not develop as a compact 'village' in the English understanding of the word until the 19th century. Under the manorial administration imposed after the mediaeval English conquest of Wales, Minera existed as a manor and township within the Lordship of Bromfield. Unlike many of the surrounding manors, such as Esclusham, Eglwysegle and Ruabon, land tenure within Minera was mostly servile, rather than free.

The history of Minera is closely related to that of its lead mines. Although earlier use, dating back perhaps as far as the Roman occupation, has been suggested, the first clear documentary evidence of the industry appears during the reign of Edward I, when miners from Minera were sent to Cornwall to help develop the tin mining industry. Extraction of lead and coal was later joined by the quarrying of silica stone and limestone, with three lime kilns being recorded in operation at Minera Mill in 1620. Further industrial development took place in the 19th century. The lead mines expanded under the guidance of engineer John Taylor and the Minera Limeworks came into operation, while a branch of the North Wales Mineral Railway was built in 1844 to serve the area. (Wikipedia)

 

Remains from the Minera mining days can still be seen and are well worth a visit at any time of year. 

Although Minera and Bersham are two locations that make for some awesome photography its the bit in between these locations that are of particular interest to me personally. Bersham woods, or Power Woods as its known comprises of 2 waterfalls, a lovely church and some awesome personal memories. 

Next to come: St Mary Church and Plas Power Woods 

Why a blog ?

I am not welsh born, I am not even English born but as the saying goes "home is where the heart is" and my heart sure is in Wales. I love the welsh legends and its history but I especially love its countryside.

Wales has a very varied geography with strong contrasts. In the south, flat coastal plains give way to valleys, then to ranges of hills and mountains in mid and north Wales.

There are three national parks in wales ( Snowdonia, Pembrokeshire Coast and the Brecon Beacons ) and five areas of outstanding natural beauty ( Llyn Peninsula, Gower Peninsula, Anglesey, Wye Valley and the Clwydian Mountain Range.

The largest mountains in the north are part of the Snowdonia range, with the largest mountain being Snowdon at 1,085 metres. There are over 1300 kilometres of coastline ranging from long flat sandy beaches to towering cliffs.

Wales is divided into North, West, South and Mid Wales, each part containing a variety of different counties and each worth exploring in its own right.

                                                                  ( Image copied from http://www.welcome2wales.net/ )

I would like to use this blog as a kind of diary in which to share my impressions about Wales and its countryside with you. I will record things I have learned while doing my research about the places I want to visit and / or already have visited. I will include images I have taken in an attempt to not only record my impression but also bring across the feel of the places I have seen and the emotions these places have evoked in me. 

This blog is suppose to be as much about the beauty of the Welsh country as it is about me living within this country, meeting its people and trying a find a place for myself within its history. I hope you will allow me to invite you to take part in my journeys and give you a small insight into my feelings while traveling through this amazing country.