The Approaching Storm

RPS Landscape Group Newsletter, July 2023

Published 07 July 2023

RPS Landscape Group by David Ryland ARPS

by David Ryland ARPS

The accompanying photographs were taken in September of 2016 when my wife and I took a short break holiday in the Lake District. Fortunately, the weather was fine with not too much rain, although we did run into one or two storms that came upon us with little warning. We discovered that the weather can change very quickly there.

As this was meant to be a holiday for my wife also, I did not spend a great deal of time on the photography (Hmm, she may not agree with that), more a case of taking what presented itself whilst we enjoyed taking in the spectacular scenery and views.

We were staying in a hotel in Langdale, the Dungeon Ghyll. Somewhere we have returned to since. The area is a good location for touring and the food at the Hotel was excellent.

For those who like the technical stuff:

1. Boats on Ullswater: Pentax K-1, SMC FA 28-105 f/4-5.6
1/160^th at f/5.6, ISO 100, CS6 processing.

2. Grassmere from Allen Bank House (NT):
Pentax K-3, HD Pentax DA 16-85, setting not saved.

3. Kirkstone Pass looking toward Ullswater:
Pentax K-1, SMC FA 28-105, 1/160^th f/11, ISO 100.

4. The Approaching Storm: Pentax K-3, HD Pentax DA 16-85,
1/125^th at f/6.3, ISO 200. CS6 and NIK Silver Efex Pro 2.

I have since sold my full frame Pentax K-1 with most lenses, but kept the K-3 as a backup. I have moved to Fuji, with the X-T4 and a selection of lenses such as the 16-80 f/4 and the 70-300 zooms and the 27 and 35 f/2.8 primes. I was very happy with the results from it, but the Pentax was just too heavy, especially with longer lenses. I am now enjoying the lighter kit with the extra features of mirrorless photography. I’m finding the results from this camera are quite remarkable, needed very little or almost no post processing. Progress sometimes can be worthwhile.