Ian Cambourne  


En Route to Dracula's Castle by Ian Cambourne

May 2022 - En Route to Dracula's Castle

May 2022 - Ian Cambourne

Original

About the Image(s)

With covid restrictions now over, we are allowed to get out and do some travelling. I chose to go to Transylvania. Just at the end of a sunset I banged my tripod on the roof of the horse drawn carriage to bring it to a stop, so I could get out to take some photos. The horses were panting heavily, but the driver was no where to be seen. With camera on a tripod, set at ISO 100; 70-200 lens at 70; f2.8 & 1/1600 I got some images of the local landscape. As I settled back into the carriage again, the horses resumed the journey. I was wondering what Dracula would say about my images, but then I woke up.

Actually taken less than 5 minutes from home in an area that was recently inundated by flood waters that covered the trees completely. Water has now gone again, but has left a lot of debris hanging in the branches. Isn't it strange how our photographic eyes and minds work. Just a touch of processing in PS and then into Silver Efex for the change to B&W.


This round’s discussion is now closed!
5 comments posted




Henriette Brasseur   Henriette Brasseur
The conversion to b/w makes the scene more ominous and dramatic. The shillouette of the trees against the sky is quite stark and adds to the feeling of isolation and fear of the unknown in the stormy skies. Ian, you captured quite well in this scene some of what you experienced and felt during the floods. I really like how you post-processed the scene so that the viewer could sense the fear and isolation you must have felt when you had to evacuate your home during the floods. Well done.   Posted: 05/17/2022 20:20:40
Ian Cambourne   Ian Cambourne
Thank you for your comments Henriette. This series images was fun to take every couple of days. I usually ventured right at the end of sunset when the sky was bleak and drab, but I also went out a couple of mornings in the pre-dawn and got a good number of images with no sky but nice fog on the ground.   Posted: 05/20/2022 03:55:27



Trey Foerster   Trey Foerster
Great decision to go b&w, it sets the mood for the image. The silhouette against the lighter park of the sky and the way the branches reach into the darkness at right definitely is a statement of loss, depression, loneliness, a sense of foreboding.   Posted: 05/22/2022 10:44:02



Jay Joseph   Jay Joseph
Nice image Ian. I also like the conversion to B/W which adds mood to the photo. The sky at the time you chose to take the picture is very dramatic. It would not have the same impact on a sunny day. Well done.   Posted: 05/22/2022 13:45:12



Sophie Pouillon   Sophie Pouillon
I like the sprawling nature of the branches that seem to invade the sky as if trying to catch the sky. The black and white treatment is very well done and it gives an extra intensity. Bravo   Posted: 05/31/2022 08:14:00