The Workhouse Southwell

This is the most complete workhouse in existence, built in 1824 as a place of last resort for the poor and needy. Its architecture was influenced by prison design and it became a blueprint for workhouses throughout the country. The first two images show the original 'deadhouse' for corpses and the later mortuary. I particularly liked all the long corridors and peeling paint

Chatham Salute to the 40s

 Thirty Members of Cambridge Camera club and friends and relatives had a coach trip to  Chatham Dockyard on Saturday to record their Salute to the '40s Event. Among the reenactors were these photographers and a very extrovert rope seller. There did seem to be a bit of puzzlement as to how to use the old camera equipment especially the light meter.

Chatham Dockyard Architecture

The heavy overcast conditions were not the best to record inside the amazing Rope Walk Building.
The ropewalk at Chatham Dockyard is still producing rope commercially and has an internal length of 1,135 ft (346 m). When it was constructed in 1790, it was the longest brick building in Europe. Before steam power was introduced in 1836, it took over 200 men to form and close a 20-inch (circumference) cable laid rope. The rope walk is used to form and close the rope, these being the final stages in rope making. Before this the raw hemp, manila hemp or sisal has to be hatchelled, spun into yarn, and tarred.

 The Royal Dockyard Church, dating from the early 19th Century, was designed by Edward Holl and built largely by the dockyard's own workforce. The last service took place in December 1981.

The large building near the entrance is one of Britain’s architectural gems with its impressive wooden ceiling. When built in 1838 this immense covered slip was Europe’s largest wide span timber structure. 

Iceland Revisited

 I have had a week processing photos rather than taking them as I needed to produce some prints for the Permajet Lecturers' Exibition at Smethwick. I can't, unfortunately, make the Lecture day itself (Sunday 5th October) as I am judging Kingston Camera Club Annual Exhibition that weekend. 

Flies etc at National Botanic Gardens of Wales

 A variety of Hoverflies and one Bee (on the pink flower) taken at National Botanic Garden of Wales last Friday using 300mm f4 lens with 12.5 or 25mm extension tube. I was testing what aperture would give sufficient depth of field. At the largest magnification (25mm ring), it required f22 to get sufficient depth. Shooting with the 12.5 ring or without rings and then cropping in much tighter in Lightroom resulted in more depth of field so some here are shot at f11.

Cardiff Bay Barrage and Penarth

I wasn't aware that there was a concrete society award - I presume the award applies to the concrete rather than society!. The pink elephant looks down on the extensive concrete jetty and the metal louvre structures over the sluice gates of the Cardiff Bay barrage. Even early in the morning when I took the shots, the bridges were constantly lifting to let boats through the locks. Penarth esplanade and pier have undergone a lot of modernisation in recent years enjoyed on Saturday by fisherman and the occasional tourist.

Light and Shade in Bath

A few images taken in beautiful evening light in Bath.