Thursday, February 19, 2004

The Sky's The Star

Took a stroll out with the camera today, down by Llandaff weir. I fancied a change of scenery to the grave yard and cathedral so I took a wander along the bank of the Taff. The water was right down on the weir so I could get into the flow of the river below the weir, all the time trying not to fall in.

Lots of rubbish and debris washed down from the Valleys during the recent heavy rains, hanging from the trees and all over the shop. Sickeningly, sanitary towels make up a large percentage of the white things you see hanging from the branches. However, I was actually disappointed to not find any condoms dangling of any of the branches, it seems they are all earmarked for the beach at Barry Island.

To be honest though, most of the day has been about the sky. It was amazing today. It's been big, blousy, blustery, interesting and slashed through with vapour trails, lots of different cloud shapes and contrasts - most of the stuff I shot has a large portion of sky in it, just because it's so entertaining.

I like this one because it reminds me of the feel of some of Hopper's paintings (famous American artist - not the cat).

But the real pay dirt come on the way home from work. Last night had been good, but I was pushing Elis home from the crèche, and stopped to take a photo of the lovely sunset only to have the camera batteries die immediately afterwards?

We've hit that week or two of the year when I walk home during magic hour - Mrs Dio had picked up Elis tonight so I was eager to get moving as the skies during the day had promised much for the walk home. And boy did I get it! A glorious sunset "all red and yellow and on fire?"

It started with some nicely sculpted and pink billowing vapour trails and ended with some lovely dying moments shots on the top of the dell. Magic hour indeed...