British eccentricity !

[macker2006]

Well, they say an Englishman's home is his castle, but this has to be the next best thing. A local 18th century land owner had this 'ruined castle' built on a hill overlooking his house simply to improve the view from his window !

Hopefully, you'll agree that its a fine example of the eccentricity that we Brits have gained a reputation for over the years !


(Image changed on Flickr after comp closed)

I actually covered this in a shoot a few weeks ago, but was disappointed with the frontal views that I got, and have been waiting for the time and opportunity to get back there all month ! Today, the cloud formations in the sky were just begging me to make the effort and as it seems about the only British 'trait' not already covered, it was the best I could come up with !


Exif (Should be embedded in large version on Flickr linked from image above)
----

# Camera Make = Canon
# Camera Model = Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
# Exposure Time (1 / Shutter Speed) = 1/200 second = 0.00500 second
# Lens F-Number/F-Stop = 10/1 = F10.00
# Exposure Program = normal program (2)
# ISO Speed Ratings = 100
# Original Date/Time = 2007:06:25 16:15:24

[SweetGirl]

Originally Posted by macker2006

it was the best I could come up with !

fantastic shot.

Great depth of colors and the sky is amazing.

Great entry

[vulkan75]

Nice one mate

Im actually thinking on doing the same to improve my view

[Gizmo 76]

REALLY nice shot mate....

At first I thought you'd put the sky in, as there is a real 3D/layer'd effect to the picture.

Border is a bit on the thick side imo, but a cracking shot

[Tobers]

Very nice with good colour, sky and light. Lovely. The sunlit steps are really excellent - how long did you have to wait for that? It looks like an excellent location.

Jury is out a bit as to how British it is at first glance...hmmm...

[electrolyte]

Lovely shot mate. But doesn't scream Britishness to me I'm afraid...

[Gordon @ Convergent AV]

Well I think that is a lovely photpograph. Good effort.

[stevegreen]

Thats a lovely shot, nice lead in with the path and nicely exposed overall It doesn't scream 'britishness' to me but a lovely shot none the less.

[Liquid101]

Really nice shot - great exposure and a solid and striking composition. The frame not nice though - I just find it a little overpowering and distracting TBH.

I can't say anything about the 'theme' though - nobody thought mine was on theme either. Still, why let that get in the way of a nice photograph

Great work though

[Gadget Daddy]

really is a fantastic shot, has it been hdr`ed?, did you use a filter to bring out the sky like that?

Well done
Pete

[macker2006]

Wow, thanks for the nice comments, I really didn't think anyone would think much of this one to be honest !

Im actually thinking on doing the same to improve my view

Well you'd never be stuck for a subject if you got bored mate !

At first I thought you'd put the sky in, as there is a real 3D/layer'd effect to the picture.

I think thats my fault Giz, bit of rushed 'cack handed' cloning along the line of the hill (light was generating a slight 'halo' type effect which I didn't like. Dont seem to have had a minute spare this month for anything

The sunlit steps are really excellent - how long did you have to wait for that?

Was in and out of the car for 30/40 minutes as each new batch of clouds blew past or the sun came out !

The frame not nice though

Have to say that I agree with you mate. Seemed better last night !

has it been hdr`ed?, did you use a filter to bring out the sky like that

No HDR mate, just a ND2 (thought it might give better colour saturation) and polarising filter for the sky

I was using the picture as an attempt to portray the British trait of being eccentric, but I have to agree with the comments that the picture itself doesn't scream Britishness on it's own. Really wanted to get an entry in though and figured that this was my last chance !

Thanks again for all the kind words, especially as I haven't really had the time or frame of mind to comment on everyone else's work this month. I intend taking the 'phone off the hook and finding a better job next month !

Good luck everyone