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.
Black and white facebook challenge day 1. Simple challenge was the first thought. What makes a black and white picture special? here is day one of the Black and White facebook challenge. If you wander down to the boat park in Swanage or make your way down to Pevril Point along the coast path you will find this old clock tower, minus any clock.This clock tower is known as the Wellington Clock Tower and was originally a monument to the Duke of Wellington, and bought from London as parts (probably as ballast) and reconstructed in 1867.
This capture was late in the summer when the sun was heading to bed behind the clouds. Just shortly before that we were lucky enough to be treated to a small crack in the grey clouds which lit up the sky with beautiful rays of sunlight.
Swanage ALB lifeboat named on the 29 April. The bank holiday weekend saw the ceremony to name the Swanage ALB lifeboat. This coincided with the opening of the new boathouse to the public. This much waited for event finally see the lifeboat station and all-weather lifeboat fully operational.
This picture captures the moment Coxswain Dave Turnbull pours the bubbles on the bow. The new lifeboat station and Shannon class lifeboat are a fantastic addition to the lifesaving capabilities of Swanage lifeboat.
Following this opening ceremony the lifeboat station is now open to members of the public to visit. If the all-weather lifeboat is not out on service then this can be viewed from the gallery in the main boat hall.
For more details about Swanage Lifeboat checkout http://www.swanagelifeboat.org.uk website. For other pictures from Dorset photographer Roydon check out the gallery.
Both Swanage lifeboats. The Shannon class and the D class Lifeboats. With the opening and the naming ceremony of the lifeboat imminent the crew needed to clean the boats and boathouse. I had a great opportunity to step out in the company of Andy Lyons for a very short photo shoot. Its not often both boats are outside for a photo shoot.
Its always good to have a few minutes with a person who has more knowledge to suggest things such as what they are seeing and how they are going to get the shot. A free “Masterclass”. With thanks to Andy and even though I have not seen his yet I am sure they will be stunning. Its the little things like the mini water fall off the ILB Slipway when the right wave comes through. Swanage Lifeboat and station is ready for the public opening just hope we don’t have a shout before then or we will have to polish again.
Swanage Old Pier Sunset. Not having the car meant leaving work and having to walk the short distance to lifeboat station for the weekly exercise.
The pinks and creamy oranges were glowing across the skyline and this was a great opportunity to take some pictures. This was just one of the stunning sunsets we were have in Swanage. Before I could take more my pager sounded so had to pack up the kit and jog to station. Its only then that you realise how heavy a tripod and camera bag can be.
The Swanage old pier is centre stage in so many photographs. Always a pleasure to be able to photograph the old Swanage pier at short notice.
Swanage Old Pier Location
The old Swanage pier is set to the (south east) right of the current main pier. Just find the seafront in Swanage and look left and you will see the pier. There is a small charge to stroll on the pier. The Swanage old pier is best photographed late autumn and through winter till spring as Divers Down have pontoons in the water near it during the summer months.
