BAMBURGH CASTLE, SUNRISE
Northumberland has experienced a turbulent Heritage since AD 547, mirrored
by the dark volcanic Basalt Rock evident on the windswept expanse of Bamburgh
Beach. During it's infancy, the Boundary of Northumberland extended from
the Humber in the South to the Forth in the North, whereas nowadays the
Northumberland Heritage Coastline extends forty miles from Amble to Berwick
Upon Tweed, and has officially received the accolade of an area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty worthy of Conservation Status. Bamburgh Castle, however
has remained perched on a dark volcanic outcrop of Basalt Rock during
the intervening Years, and commands stunning Panoramic Views towards the
Farne Islands and Holy Island within the wind ravaged North Sea.
Arriving at any Grid Reference within Northumberland is always a pleasure,
once a Photographer gets over the shock of a 4 am. start! Standing with
my Tripod perched on Basalt Rock on the Northern Shores of Bamburgh, I
experimented with Portrait and Landscape viewpoints of this iconic Northumberland
Stronghold.
Somehow, having my Nikon F50 in Portrait Orientation afforded a Geological
Narrative to the foreground and yet kept the Historical Heritage of Bamburgh
Castle in context. Choosing a Sigma Wide Angle Zoom Lens set at a focal
range of 28mm. provided a balanced composition to this popular Tourist
Mecca.
Fuji Velvia 50 Film Stock always gives credence to the soft and subtle
Golden Hour of Sunrise when allied with a 0.6 Neutral Density Graduated
Filter and 81A Warm Up Resin. Exposure: 10 seconds @ f/37.