The Landscape Group’s regular monthly shoot will take place at Halvergate Mill and Marshes
Halvergate Mill has recently been restored so this is the first opportunity to see it fully operational without its overcoat of scaffolding for more than 5 years set amongst the largest area of traditionally managed grazing marsh on the Broads.
The marsh is a jigsaw puzzle of meadows separated by dykes and dotted with mills, and is best explored by walking the Weavers’ Way.across to the Berney Arms.Windmill. Fortunately, though, there is no need to walk that far because the first kilometre of the path is a microcosm of the whole area.
Halvergate is 8 miles west of Great Yarmouth. Take the A47 towards Great Yarmouth from Norwich along the ‘Acle Straights’ and turn right to Halvergate. Follow this somewhat bumpy road for about one and a half miles, then on a right hand bend turn left onto Stone Road. After about half a mile it widens out into a parking area beyond which there is no vehicular access.. Assemble by 5:30am and it may be a good idea to bring wellies as it can be muddy.
Halvergate Mill by NDPS Member Aart van Deutekom
The Landscape Group meets regularly throughout the year. The exact location of the shoot is decided about two weeks before so that we can consider the local tide times out on the coast and also the forecast weather conditions we are likely to encounter. Even then sometimes things do not go to plan and the plans can change even in the last few hours before to meet time. For that reason it is recommended that members check the website for any last minute changes before travelling.
East Anglia is a special place that is famous for its big skies. The predominantly flat landscapes are however, not easy to photograph, but the lack of elevation means the first and last light of day lingers a little longer – but when it all comes together it can be magic…!
The North Norfolk Coast – begins and ends with cliffs, rising in the west with the striped cliffs of Hunstanton and ending with the those that undulate from Weybourne to the old seaside resort of Cromer with its ornate pier, sandy beach and crab fishing fleet. In between there is more than forty-miles of flatter coastline that offers endless opportunities for photographers prepared to explore the patchwork of creeks, salt marshes and beaches.
The Broads and East Norfolk Coast is a unique landscape of lakes (broads), grazing marshes, reed beds and rivers dotted with windmills and quaint villages that are bounded on its eastern edge by windswept sandy beaches. The most northerly sand dunes however, make way for crumbling cliffs and the advancing costal erosion that is occurring particularly around Happisburgh.
Also in reach is the Suffolk Coast stretching from Covehithe in the north to Bawrdsey in the south. Meandering inland from the coast are the slow, sweeping estuaries flanked by reed beds and saltmarshes of the rivers Deben, Ore (later becoming the Alde) and Blyth. Also of interest to photographers are the towns of Woodbridge and Framlingham with its medieval castle.
From September through until the clocks go forward to BST we meet early on a Sunday morning about one hour before sunrise and after the shoot around 10:00am it is not unusual for members to head off together for a well earned breakfast. After, the clocks go forward we move to holding the shoots on a Saturday evening when it is easier to stay out later..! Around December and January we also try to plan to visit those locations further afield as sunrise is later at this time of year.
Please remember, The Landscape Group can only be as good as the input made by its members so if you are willing to organise or lead any kind of event that you think will be of interest to members, please step forward. Please don’t be shy – all offers of help will be greatly appreciated…!
Please note:
Don’t forget to check the arrangements before setting out if there has been extreme weather overnight.
About the NDPS Landscape Group
The Landscape Group’s objectives are simple – to encourage members who wish to take part improve their landscape photography, enhance their understanding of the equipment and techniques available. Learn through collaboration with fellow members and have fun.
Landscape is one of the oldest art forms with many famous landscape painters such as John Constable, Jacob van Ruisdael and J M W Turner. Since the invention of the camera landscape photography has become one of the most prolific forms of photography, reaching critical acclaim in the hands of photographers like Ansel Adams and Joe Cornish to name but two.
Latterly techniques such as intentional camera movement (ICM) and multiple exposures have enabled photographers to come closer to the ephemeral images painted by Turner in his later period and the use of perspective control or tilt/shift lenses has allowed digital photographers to emulate the depth of focus and perspective control long achieved using traditional large format cameras. The use and understanding of filtration is another area in landscape photography that has advanced considerably in the last twenty years and nowadays it is unusual not to find a set of neutral density and graduated filters taking up valuable space in the landscape photographer’s bag.
Since it began in 2016 the landscape group has developed range of activities support members of the Society in developing their skills in creating landscape imagery, whether this is with a traditional or more contemporary approach.
Please remember, our group can only be as good as the input made by its members so if you are willing to organise or lead any kind of event that you think will be of interest to members, please step forward. Please don’t be shy – all offers of help will be greatly appreciated…!