After photographing Saddle Tor and the rocks to the north I headed to the Emsworthy barn. I was hoping to see some sort of sign of an abundance of bluebells that resemble the amazing photos that I have seen by other local photographers such as Richard Fox, Alan Howe and Adrian Oakes.
I could already tell looking over from the rocks where I shot the tree in my last post that I wasn’t going to be greeted by carpets of purple. I knew it was probably a little early, but my optimism was fuelled by the bluebells that have added colour to our front garden for weeks. I don’t normally photography the bluebells each year but have decided it is time to make the most of the photographic opportunities that are around me.
The barn is just a short walk from the road; but far enough away to not hear any road noise. Despite the lack of the bluebell carpet the area is well worth a visit. There is so much character there, and it is beautiful. I love the old rock walls that are scattered around the barn, and the barn’s red tin roof really complements the scene.
The Barn at Emsworthy was illuminated by the morning sun.
I had plenty of compositions to try. This small area has so much to offer even without bluebells. I especially loved the moss covered walls in the main photo of this post and how I could use them as a leading line towards the barn. There was quite a lot of broken cloud but the brisk winds ensured that they were crossing the landscape in good pace. I found myself standing with my composition all set, watching the patches of sunlight that were illuminating the moor approach. I love how the trees around the barn impose their shadow across the landscape, and how the branches of the huge tree I was under come down into the scene. I think it adds a real level of intimacy to the picture. I could have moved closer but the composition just wasn’t as strong and I wanted the barn to be part of the composition; not the only thing in it.
I have found myself becoming more and more willing to wait for the light lately. It isn’t that I wouldn’t wait before; I just seem to be happier to wait longer, with a much clearer vision of what I am aiming to photograph. I still like to just capitalise on what nature offers me though, I guess I am still evolving as a photographer even after over a decade of taking photos. On the whole I had a great morning on the moor, and got several good photos. How can that not be a success!