This is the gate and lodge to the Castle Eden estate. It was built around 1800 by William Atkinson. The lodge and the gates are Grade II listed buildings. The puddles create an interesting reflection of the gothic architecture.
The selective colouring effect was created within the camera. I chose red as the target colour to keep while the rest of the image is taken in black and white. Elements of red are retained in the houses, doors, etc. I added a slight blur and also some noise to reduce a banding that was happening in the sky.
Taken on a beautiful spring day in Castle Eden, County Durham. St James Church was rebuilt in 1764. The church has been under threat of closure in recent years due to high running costs and less people to look after it. This building is one of many examples of don't use it you may lose it.
A very old window that belongs to a very old church. St James Church is located in Castle Eden, County Durham.
An interesting effect using a church clock. The clock belongs to St James Chuch, Castle Eden.
I captured this using a high contrast monotone setting in the camera. I also had a graduated filter fitted onto the camera lens.
This road takes you from Castle Eden to the coast at Blackhall, County Durham. The monotone was done within the camera using a high contrast monotone setting. I also had a graduated ND filter on the lens to help expose the sky.
Some old decaying buildings near Horden Hall. I used a high contrast monotone setting which helps enhance the textures of the buildings and the clouds.
This image uses the selective colour effect found in the camera. I enhanced the saturation of the reds in lightroom.
This is Horden Beach in County Durham. Colliery waste used to be dumped here which turned the sand black. Slowly the black coal dust is being washed away. The beach consists of pebbles and stones backed by grasslands. This place does have a melancholic feel to it.
This is Horden Beach in County Durham. This place does have a melancholic feel to it. I used a Quadtone effect to add some blue hues.
Looking along the coastline at Horden Beach. It was quite a misty cool spring afternoon.
Taken at Castle Eden. Looking towards the A19 and beyond. The branches of these trees make interesting shapes.
It wont be long before these trees will open their leaves resulting in a different image. Some of the trees around Castle Eden have been damaged in storms over the past Autumn and Winter.
Once again walking along the B1281 on a different and more overcast day.
After a very wet and cold spring so far, everywhere you walk there is mud and puddles. In this image, the light was quite faded; I boosted a contrast and saturated the colours a little.
In this image, the light was quite faded; I boosted a contrast and saturated the colours a little. I used a quadtone to add a hint of blue tone.
Taken at Castle Eden. The sun is setting next to this wonderful tree. The sun is poking through some thin clouds.
Spring 2018 has been very slow to start due to several cold spells. A small amount of blossom was starting to come through when this image was taken during a walk around Castle Eden, County Durham.
I love the textures in the leaves. The high contrast black & white setting on the camera helps show the textures. I boosted the contrast and sharpened the leaf nearest to the camera.
An old dead tree provides some interesting textures. It is suffering from woodworm and dry rot but will also provide a home for all kinds of creepy crawlies.
A still and misty evening back in April.
Fog can soften the landscape and the harsh outline of bare trees.
Fog can soften the landscape and the harsh outline of bare trees. I have added some blue tones via the Quadtone settings in Photoshop.
Using a Tritone enhancement in Photoshop to add this blue colour cast to this foggy scene in Peterlee, County Durham.
Using a Tritone enhancement in Photoshop to add this blue colour cast to this foggy scene in Peterlee, the effect works well.
Fog can soften the landscape and the harsh outline of bare trees.
Fog can soften the landscape and the harsh outline of bare trees.
Take at Castle Eden in County Durham using a Black & White monotone setting on the camera.
Taken at Castle Eden. These trees create an interesting and strong composition.
This image provides a big contrast between the harsh twisted nature of the tree branches and those soft clouds.
This Chaffinch was sitting in a bush singing its distinctive song. I managed to capture it using the Bird Watching setting on the Nikon Coolpix P900 camera. This sets the camera onto silent mode and also sets it up to quickly take a series of shots.
Wingate Quarry Nature Reserve has some interesting landscapes. It is a disused quarry located just south of the village of Wheatley Hill.
Taken at Wingate Quarry Nature Reserve. I love how the High Contrast Monotone setting has picked out the detail in the clouds.
Taken at Wingate Quarry Nature Reserve. The crops are just starting to grow in these very large open fields.
Taken at Wingate Quarry Nature Reserve. The crops are just starting to grow in these very large open fields. I love the shape of the tree.
A collection of different images and brushes placed together. The painterly effects were created with Topaz Labs and also Google Nik Collection.
Taken at Durham Botanic Gardens
Taken at Durham Botanic Gardens
Taken at Durham Botanic Gardens
Taken at Durham Botanic Gardens. I love the orange trumpets in these flowers.
Taken at Durham Botanic Gardens. This plant is festooned with beautiful flowers.
Taken at Castle Eden, County Durham.
This path is part of a route that travels from Haswell to Hart. This part is near Castle Eden. More green is taking over the trees as the leaves start to open.
Taken on the Haswell to Hart walkway. I love the different textures in this landscape.
Taken in the grounds of St James Church in Castle Eden.
Looking north across vast fields. In the far distance is Horden and Easington. This image was taken near High Hesleden.
I am not certain what this building was used for, perhaps a stable of some kind. It is located not far off Monk Hesleden and can be seen on the Haswell to Hart Walkway.
Taken on the Haswell to Hart walkway. We came across this lovely pond and some fantastic trees. I love how the tree branches frame different parts of the image.
