Cometography

I remember impressed seeing Hale Bopp back in the day on looking rather impressive over the Alps. This one seems not quite as visible, but just as photogenic. I had a number of (obvious) locations in mind, all involving the idea of the passage of time and with minmal artificial light. I wanted the comet small in frame to give a sense of large scale 'wonder', and important in the composition but not dominating. Ideal shooting conditions presented them on the weekend of 10 July. Unfortunately, being overexcited by the end of a working week I had a few beers and couldn't drive anywhere, thus missing noctilucent clouds. The same happened on the Saturday. Then clouds set in. Fortunately on Sunday past the weather was ideal, so I hot footed it to Stonehenge to be joined by 50 or so other photographers on the tiny A303 verge trying not to get squished by lorries all night long. Exceptionally difficult to photograph, especially with lorries thundering past affecting camera stability. Tried to make use of uncontrollable light, such as the torchlight of the security guards and passing lorries/emergency vehicles, also hoping that satellites kept out of the scene. These are the results that are OK. I got pretty much what I wanted on the lone church on the Romney March. If conditions permit then I might try one last shot somehere trying to get the waxing Moon in shot (not sure if that will be possible)- after which the comet will be washed out.




Same - think I prefer mono:




A couple with the plough in shot:





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A touch of handy lighting:




This is Fairfield Church, a survivor of a lost village:

These images are beautiful. I love the dark outlines, they add so much to the scenes.

Another level - Lovely Pictures, well thought through and executed

+1...Brilliant.

regards

Karlo

Very strong composition in all of the images. The mono version seems to emphasise the comet in a useful way. Thank you for sharing these images, and also the background story!

+2

Cracking images

Wouldn't even know where to start on images such as these...
Well done Doc...!!

Worth it all that trouble you went to get these photos ! Very 'Dedicated' .

Excellent, I love the one where it looks as if the comet is dropping straight down onto Stonehenge!

Brilliantly thought, seen, captured and processed. The starkness of the b+w and the painterly qualities of Fairfield church stand out in particular.

Absolutely cracking shots. Love the colours in number 1 and the sense of space.

Love em, we didn't see it over here in FNQ , well done.

all superb, Fairfield Church i find myself liking best