Hardraw Force, a photo from North Yorkshire, England

Photographer's Note

We have had a lot, a lot, of rain in the last 24 hours, and I am just hoping the water-levels hold up 'til the weekend for a little bit of waterfall spotting.

In the meanwhile, I looked back for the last time I ventured out in such circumstance, and find it was over two years ago to here, Hardraw Force.

Hardraw was, and is still, a popular attraction as far back as Victorian times, when the gorge that the fall has cut for itself was a popular destination for parties, music recitals, picnics and suchlike. Indeed, even earlier it had been painted by John Turner, and written about by William Wordsworth, so you can feel in very august company if you should visit yourself. There was a time when you could walk behind the fall, but more erosion of the lip has made this a trickier, if not more foolhardy, exercise.

This day as you can see was very overcast, but we can't always pick and choose, can we ?!

Some of you might recognise the expert's stance of the photographer providing the obligatory splash of red; for those who don't look here !,

Unfortunately, the water falls on private property, and you need to pay, modestly, to visit. More fortunately, the entrance is through the portals of one of the area's finest pubs, so if you don't get wet on the outside while visiting, you can be sure to get wet on the inside before you leave..

More information about the spot here

190/1924

tyro, SnapRJW, jester5, Kielia has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

batalay (41261) 2012-02-22 15:59

Hi, Martin,
What a spectacular scene! With the man in the red jacket providing a highlight and additional counterpoint to the waterfalls, this is a genuinely powerful image. Well done!

Warm regards, Martin.

Bulent

npecanhuk (79329) 2012-02-22 16:03

Hi Martin!
Beautiful cascade and surroundings!
Very attractive picture!
Sharpness, exposure, colors, chosen pov, vertical format, black & white borders, contrasts and composition with the presence of that man on the right are all excellent features!
TFS - congrats,
Cheers,
Neyvan

hidibyendu (929) 2012-02-22 21:26

Beatiful scene. The tree in the front and the man with the red shirt made this snap a better one. Nice.

emka (157280) 2012-02-22 23:36

Hi Martin, Spectacular water fall i n the forest. Superb composition, I can almost hear the roaring of the water. A lot of water after rains. You were lucky to see here this red accent. It is strange for me that it is private property. Funny to possess waterfall.

WArm regards from rainy gray Warsaw

MAlgo

tyro (30513) 2012-02-23 0:52

Hello Martin,

This is a lovely photograph which owes a great deal of its appeal to the svelte and lithe figure of Richard bedecked in bright red which really anchors the whole composition. His stance and posture also draw the viewer's attention to the falls directly and the tall foreground tree indicates the depth of the scene.

Despite the rather dull weather, I think that this picture actually benefits from the dull conditions: the lighting is beautifully soft and subtle and I confess that more and more I am thinking that we should not be leaving our cameras at home just because the sun isn't shining or there's a drop or two of rain.

Beautiful colours, perfect exposure and stunning sharpness.

A very interesting note too. In fact, I stayed at Hawes about 20 years ago and I can't recall having visited this place.

Beautiful!

Kind Regards,

John.

Beautiful!

SnapRJW (31631) 2012-02-23 2:34

Like Constable, I see you favour a small splash of red Martin. I actually recognised this fine figure before I read your note! Where to start? Well I love the tree as it leans into the frame, it is pin-sharp and small details like the mossy greens and light across the branch which terminates in the upper LHC are excellent. As the sharp focus falls away the image becomes softer and this underlines the damp atmospheric conditions. The red jacket is key to 'lifting' the shot.

I see you managed to shoot a 'level' shot so I presume you got wet on the inside after you got wet on the outside!

Good shooting this weekend. May all your waterfalls be full Rosemary

jester5 (2024) 2012-02-23 4:07

I love this place even though it is nearly always pouring with rain when I go,mind you the pub always helps us get dry again.On the outside anyway.
Such an enclosed space for quite a lot of water and what a lovely shot Martin.Soft light and muted colours with a lovely balance of red.Very dramatic.

Kielia (24077) 2012-02-24 8:53

Hi Martin,
I love reading your notes and the accompanying image is also very interesting!
You have chosen a very well working POV on this wonderful piece of nature; Richard𠏋 jacket is just the icing on the cake! My compliments!
Warm regards
Harriet