Dorset | alan frost photography

Sherborne Abbey – Interior details

In the previous entry I wrote about Sherborne Abbey in Dorset and illustrated the post with a number of shots depicting some of the main interior features or views of this wonderful building.

As I walked around the Abbey, as well as the ‘wider’ view, there were many fine details to be seen and I thought these were also worth recording and would justify an entry of their own.

As I said in the first post about Sherborne Abbey, it is a place I would like to revisit at some point in the future. I shall be armed with my tripod, take my time, observe and make careful compositions before making sure the exposure settings are just right. That’s not to say I am in anyway disappointed with the results so far, but what they have done is to inspire me to return, to explore and really do justice to this place of worship. The place which is fondly called the ‘Cathedral of Dorset’.

Light on the Leweston Tomb Memorial

Wood carving on the Pulpit

Another carving on the Pulpit

Pulpit steps

Choir candles

Reflections in a mirror of the Fan Vault on the main Nave

The wonderful symmetry of the Fan Vaulting in the main nave

The hands of St Aldhem

The feet of St Aldhelm

Sherborne Abbey in Dorset

There is no question that I, like many others, am drawn to Cathedrals and Churches. Ecclesiastical buildings which can be quite magnificent both for their splendid architecture but also for their spiritual atmosphere; the peace and quiet, together with the light as it shines through stained glass windows. Carefully positioned artificial light also adds to the splendour of these wonderful places of worship which have stood for centuries. I will always be in awe as to just how these structures were ever built in the first place. Several generations will have been involved, so the craftsmen who laid the foundations and constructed the first walls, will not have lived to see the building finished.

These thoughts were ever present when I visited Sherborne Abbey in Dorset earlier this month. It was the first time my wife and I had been inside the Abbey and we were immediately struck by its beauty. By way of a brief history I shall simply quote from the home page of their website.

“Founded by St. Aldhelm in AD 705, the Abbey has developed from Saxon cathedral to the worshipping heart of the monastic community, and finally, to on of the most beautiful of England’s parish churches. For many it is still the ‘cathedral of Dorset’, and our Benedictine heritage lives in in the daily offering of prayer and praise.”

Whilst I had not planned our visit to be for photography purposes, I spent over an hour very happily taking a variety of images – and here are a selection.

All were shot with my Olympus OMD EM5 and Panasonic 12-35 f2.8 lens – it really is a great combination. I raised the ISO to 800 and shot hand held, as I did not have a tripod with me. I would like to revisit this Abbey, and given more time, carefully compose, expose and take more shots as there was so much to photograph.

The Organ in the North Transcept originally installed in 1858

The Nave looking down towards the High Alter

Fan vaulting in the Nave

The High Altar and Reredos in the North Choir

Archway in the North Aisle looking through in the Choir

This first entry has concentrated on some of the main features of Sherborne Abbey. My next post will highlight some of the lovely details to be found, seen and captured.

And the winner is……?

Not me!

Unfortunately I did not repeat my successes of last year and went home empty handed from the final camera club meeting of the season, apart from a ‘highly commended’ certificate for ‘Remains of the Jetty’ and two of my other entries were short listed.

Far from being disheartened I am delighted with my results this season. I may not have carried away any trophies but I did finish second in the Print League and third in the Projected Image League. Given that I was only promoted to the ‘A’ division this time last year, I am surprised to have done this well.

The new season will start again in September and I shall continue to do what I most enjoy in the meantime. Being outdoors and making the images which give me so much pleasure.

Yesterday was a good example of how I like to spend my time. I needed to go down to Dorset, so having completed all the jobs I had to do, I pointed the car in the direction of Lulworth and in particular headed for Durdle Door on the Jurassic Coast. This ‘iconic’ spot is much photographed but I have only visited this location once before a number of years ago when a) I was not very well and b) I had not caught the photo bug. I recovered from my illness but I can’t shake off the other bug I am pleased to say!

Durdle Door

The weather was very mixed, one minute clouds, the next minute blue sky and some much needed sunshine of early summer. It was cold for the time of year as well but this was a distinct advantage to me, as it discouraged people from being on the beach.

On the eastern side of Durdle Door is a lovely cove which forms part of St Oswald’s Bay. From here you can look down the coastline towards Lulworth and another famous beauty spot in this part of the world – namely Lulworth Cove.

As the shower clouds passed through the light caught the cliff face which resulted in the image below.

St Oswald’s Bay

Dorset has so many wonderful areas to explore with a camera, so I am sure it will not be long before I re-visit this very special part of the world.

Whether or not these two images go forward for as competition entries next season remains to be seen, for now I am just happy to have added them to my collection.

Tweet!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=”//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js”;fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,”script”,”twitter-wjs”);

Lone sheep in Dorset

It has been so wet in the past few months with very little sunshine, so it was a real treat to be in Dorset a few days ago to experience a lovely winter’s day when the sun shone and it cast it’s little bit of magic on the rolling hills of this part of the West Country.

As we drove around the Piddle Valley (great name this!), which lies to the north of the County Town of Dorchester, we came across the view below. Bathed in late afternoon sun, long shadows fell across the ground and the backlit sheep added life and foreground interest to this rather archetypal English landscape.

Nothing more to add, just enjoy the view – I know I did.

Lone sheep

Tweet!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=”//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js”;fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,”script”,”twitter-wjs”);

Swanage Pier – a photo opportunity

Swanage is a small seaside town on the Purbeck coastline of Dorset. Although I had been to the town before I had not seen the pier, so a quick detour to our journey seemed like a good idea, despite the fact that we would arrive mid afternoon and the light would be fading fast. There wouldn’t be a great deal of time for photography but in many ways the short stop was to see whether or not another visit would be worthwhile when I had more time. As we parked the car I noticed a ‘Trompe L’oiel’ on a derelict building opposite the pier. In the bottom right hand corner was this inscription. An omen perhaps?

All the photos were taken using the Olympus OMD EM5 and Olympus 45mm f1.8 prime lens.

There are in fact two piers at Swanage. The remains of the original pier which was built in 1859 and the ‘new’ pier, which was built in 1895, the latter having undergone considerable restoration in recent years.

The original pier

As I walked along the pier I noticed that the vast majority of the wooden planks included a small brass plate with an inscription. In one or two cases a floral tribute had been left, probably on Christmas Day which only adds to the poignancy of the next two images.

Another floral tribute

There are many benches along the promenade looking out to the sea. On this particular bench was a pair of shoes and a single sock. I only hope the owner returned from his paddle, together with the missing sock, on what was a particularly cold day.

The magnificent trompe l’oiel I referred to at the beginning of this entry. The ‘photo opportunity’ inscription can be seen in the bottom right hand corner.

Trompe l'oeil on derelict building in Swanage

Another trompe l’oiel which has been painted on a shutter board in a window

As the light faded the full moon joined the sea gulls in the sky

Swanage Pier is definitely a ‘photo opportunity’ and one I hope to return to in the not too distant future.

Tweet!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=”//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js”;fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,”script”,”twitter-wjs”);