Astro Photography Dorset, St Aldhelms Chapel Milky Way
This Astrophotograph of the Milky Way was taken at St Aldhelms Chapel at St Aldhelms Head. St Aldhelms Head is located near Worth Matravers in Dorset.
This image is 5 landscape orientated images stitched together.
August evening saw a trip out to St Aldhelms head to capture the chapel with the intention of a quick walk along the coastal path to capture the Milky Way again from the cove of Chapmans Pool and possibly another location.
After this little capture I started the walk ‘Oh the Steps’ I forgot about the steps.
Bumping into 3 other local photographers at the descent to Chapmans Pool who were capturing the Milky Way. I decided not to wander down through their shot with my light so moved elsewhere.
In my view its a fantastic location for astrophotography but it is a Norman chapel on St Aldhelm’s Head in the parish of Worth Matravers, Swanage, Dorset. This monument is a Grade I listed building that is worth a visit by day or night.
The small square stone chapel is situated within a small circular earthwork, which some suspect may be the remains of a pre-Conquest Christian enclosure.
“Road to Milky Way” captured on a farm track that doubles as a route to the coastal path in Durlston Country Park. This beautiful Country Park near Swanage is just a small part of the Jurassic Coast. Walking the dog here in the evenings I have often seen the converging lines of the path that the farm vehicles have cut. Just had to wait till the Milky Way had moved far enough around. Clear skies and a warm night so a capture of the Milky Way was in order.
All alone. Well apart from the odd deer and fox. In the middle of nowhere the light pollution drops. The the stars really begin to shine brightly making the night sky magical.
Technical Bits
Taken with Nikon D750 Camera and a 20mm lens mounted on a Manfrotto Tripod f3.5 for 22 seconds.
Don’t forget the guide. If you want to try and take shots like this and think that its not possible then check out my beginners guide to Milky Way Photograpy The simple instructions in this will help you start out capturing fantastic shots of the Milky Way and who knows may get you hooked on taking Astro Pictures.
Swanage Bay sunset glow. Down at Swanage lifeboat station for training and boom. The most beautiful sunsets can happen and in that moment of natures perfection you capture a shot. This is one of those pictures. I don’t think this is an award winner but to me it just captures the beauty of the sunsets here in Swanage.
The moments leading to this had strong harsh light. Moments after the sea returned to the aqua blue. This was the time for the shot with the sunset bathing the sea with its warm golden glow.
When I set off to lifeboat training at Swanage lifeboat station I had not expected to see such great colours. Always pays to have your camera with you.
Looking for other pictures by Dorset Photographer Roydon then check out the gallery.
Tranquil Sunset Poole harbour. After a very long day a trip down to Poole harbour, well Bramble bush bay in Poole to round it off with a sunset picture. The reward was a glorious sunset over the still waters. The colours did not stop developing in the sky for what seemed like an eternity. The water reflection just completed the image.
Sometimes when you have a plane go through a shot it can ruin the image but in this case I feel that it complements the whole scene just adding to the totally Tranquil atmosphere of the picture.
Captured with Nikon D750, Manfrotto Tripod, Lee Filters.
For another picture captured in the same area check out this post: Tree Sunset Poole.
RNLI College Sunset. Short break staying at the RNLI College because I was attending a mechanics course on the Shannon Lifeboat. The type of lifeboat that is stationed in Swanage. The course saw us all sat in a hot boat on the bank holiday Monday. The boat never left the moorings while we were learning all about the nuts, bolts and shinny bits. Monday evening the reward. After a long hot day the sun started to drop down across Holes Bay. The sun glowing as a huge orange ball drifting in the sky. The orange glow seeped from the sun to give a strong orange glow across the sky before the pink wisps of cloud arrived.
With stunning views to capture like this from the RNLI College bar balcony and most of the rooms who would want to be anywhere else at sunset.
Taken with my trusty Nikon D750.
Thanks for taking the time to look. Prints on-sale in the shop and other great images in the gallery. As always please feel free to share.
Swanage Lifeboat Station receives generous donation. You may wonder why I am commenting on a local story. It was my pleasure to take the pictures used in the press release. Following the release the local paper, The Swanage Advertiser ran the story on its front page. Always great to see a picture that you have taken in the paper. The story was then also featured in the Bournemouth Echo.
The picture was taken before the weekly lifeboat exercise when the family came to visit and hand over the much apreciated donation from a late relative.
Any of you out there that undertake group photographs will understand how difficult it is to capture a group photograph. There is always one that wants to talk or look the other way. The Swanage Lifeboat crew is no exception.
Jurassic Coast Sunset Chapman’s Pool. One of my top 10 locations for a sunset.
The location is down on the rocks at the far East end of Chapman’s Pool One of my favourite spots at sunset. Captures like this make the walk down worth the effort.
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Our Natural World at its best.
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Visit Chapman’s Pool
To visit Chapman’s Pool drive through Worth Matravers to the car park to the west. (This is not the car park by the Square and Compass Pub, which is worth visiting in its own right). Once parked it’s a simple stroll along a level footpath across a field to a style. Climb the style and then the spectacular view of the Jurassic Coast unfolds. Views of the headlands and seascape laid out before you. You have to descend down to Chapman’s Pool and although there is a path it is a little on the steep side.
Clavell Tower Kimmeridge Sunset. We take pictures of the sunsets and enjoy them but every so often one comes along that blows all the others away.
The location on the cliff by Clavell Tower at Kimmeridge bay is spectacular at the best of times but on Saturday night WOW!!
An overcast day that had no intention of giving up a sunset finaly relented at the last moment and gave us one of the best for a long time. As the sun dropped down behind the hills it set the the sky on fire…
This is my humble attempt to capture such a stunning event. I know there have been many others posted so maybe just one more sunset from Saturday will not do any harm.
Chapman’s Pool Sunset. You will never tire of the view from high above Chapman’s Pool at sunset.Just a short easy walk from the car park to such a fantastic location. Last nights sunset saw the sky glowing orange as the sun sank down towards the hill of the Jurassic Coast. The gentle breeze just putting a few ripples onto the sea.
As a Dorset Photographer I am sure the pleasure is all mine. To be able to walk out of an evening and witness a Chapman’s Pool Sunset.
Rusty Chain. No Sunset. No Waves. No clouds just grey. Out with camera and had a play with some rusty chain that was lying on the slip at Kimmeridge. Always good to do something a little different when out with a camera.
If you have a spare min why not check out the Gallery for more great pictures.
