The Arrangement of Things

Posted on 20/04/201817/04/2018 by Alastair

When I crossed the Millennium Footbridge in York at the start of my walk this week I was interested in the arrangement of the half submerged objects in the flooded River Ouse. In post production I also saw the potential for the use of monochrome in many of the photographs I shot with the result that this week I have been posting parallel image galleries in colour and black and white (and one or two in sepia).

There were some images which would have been pointless in monochrome, such as the one above or those below of the primroses. But there are others where the colour was almost pointless such as those of the bridge itself and its wet railing. And then there is the sound . . .Continue reading→

Watery Park – Fighting in the Floods

Posted on 18/04/201815/04/2018 by Alastair

My walk this week features the effect of the flooding River Ouse on Rowntree Park in York. The park was closed due to the excess of water but the cafe overlooking the watery scene was not and so I was able to sit with a coffee and observe.

I don’t think it was the stress of too much water that set the Canada Geese fighting – more likely it was the time of year. It provided some action entertainmentContinue reading→

My Walk this Week – Colour or Monochrome Flood

Posted on 16/04/201815/04/2018 by Alastair

My walk this week follows a flood – not so much follows in fact, more dictated. The River Ouse in York regularly floods if there is a lot of rainfall in the area or up river and when I was there at the start of April the rain was teeming down across the country. I took the earliest opportunity when the rain stopped to check out the watery scene.

I was at least able to cross the Millennium Footbridge whereas on a previous occasion I had not even been able to approach the bridge! What caught my eye in particular was the arrangement of objects such as semi submerged bollards, fence reflections and the ghost image of the footpath as it curved round under the water.

In looking back at the photos I couldn’t decide whether I preferred them in colour or monochrome, so they are both included below – all except the curved footpath shot because in monochrome the path was completely hidden.

Millennium Bridge York

Muddy waters

Ouse overflow

Arrangement of bollards

Fence reflection

Hidden Footpath

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Millennium Bridge – monochrome

Muddy monochrome waters

Ouse overflow – monochrome

Arrangement of monochrome bollards

monochrome reflection

Millennium Footpath

Posted on 11/10/201708/10/2017 by Alastair

It turned out that my walk this week was along the Millennium Footpath – another one! If “millennium” means one thousand (as in years), then I think there must be a millennium of “Millennium Footpaths” in Britain and probably many more around the world. This one is alongside the River Ouse as it flows out of York in the North East England.

I suspect that this footpath was already here and frequently used before the turn of the century. That is not to say that there is anything wrong with giving that or any other name to a walking route, as anything that encourages people to walk and enjoy their surroundings is good in my book.Continue reading→

My Walk this Week – Out Along the Ouse

Posted on 09/10/201708/10/2017 by Alastair

My walk this week is another one along the River Ouse – not into York this time, but out, in the opposite direction. It’s a short circular walk that took me about 90 minutes from door to door with not more than half of that being by the river.

There are a number of inhabitants along this stretch of the river – some use house boats, others old trailers and even tents (they may have been wild campers). Continue reading→

River Ouse York – Reviewing the Walk

Posted on 23/09/201716/09/2017 by Alastair

Back near the start of my walk this week in York, I came out of the trees towards the urban landscape. Having enjoyed my walk along the banks of the River Ouse, albeit a wet one, I felt that this and one or two other shots along my way deserved a monochrome treatment.

I am not sure of my reasoning for producing them as black and white images, they just seemed to work better for me in this format. You can see them along with selected colour shots from my walk below as well as my soundscape for the walk and a video clip of the rowers I passed first on my way into town and then again on my way back.

Continue reading→

Weeping Willow

Posted on 22/09/201716/09/2017 by Alastair

Still walking fast towards the end of my walk this week along the banks of the River Ouse in York, I paused from time to time to take photos, record sound and also some video – all on my iPhone 6s. The rain had been falling but the breeze was gentle and this is reflected in the motion of the weeping willow and water patterns in the video below.

The atmosphere was very damp but with a tranquil sense of place. The people living in the houses set back from the riverbank have a very attractive scene in from of them. However, they alsoContinue reading→

Over and On the River – Bridges and Rowers in York

Posted on 20/09/201716/09/2017 by Alastair

My walk this week took me down the River Ouse to Skeldergate Bridge in the city of York. After climbing up to the bridge from the east bank of the river I first crossed over the bridge and then the road to descend and go under the bridge and continue my walk back along the west bank.

Along my way into town I passed a team of four rowers practicing their craft on the Ouse and heading out in the direction of the Millennium Bridge where I had first crossed the river.Continue reading→

Tag Archives: River Ouse