Storm Attack!, a photo from Derbyshire, England

Photographer's Note

Good Morning Everyone,

Earlier this week, we travelled with friends to the pretty Derbyshire town of Bolsover. Our intention was to explore the very interesting Bolsover Castle.

We were standing in the sunshine, happily listening to the audio commentary about the castle, when we noticed this huge, mouth-like cloud approaching at speed! It was like something from a science fiction film!

What had been a bright, sunny moment, suddenly turned into darkness and torrential rain!

Thank goodness we were able to get inside the castle!

P.S. I have just researched to find that this is the very first posting on TE of this quite remarkable castle!

Hope you have a very warm and sunny Sunday. It is a Bank Holiday here in the U.K and the sun is shining Bev :-)

lousat, siudzi, ChrisJ, ikeharel, Romano46, dta, snunney, No_One, SnapRJW, annjackman, tyro, Kielia, EstudioChispa, Cricri, Robert1969, Graal, macjake, adores, rigoletto, rigoletto, Indrasish, PiotrF, COSTANTINO, ruisc_pt has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

lousat (140082) 2013-05-26 0:46

Waaw Bev! What a lucky moment! A great great scenery made by this incresible sky on the left and by this beautiful castle on the right,you caught very well this opportunity whit a large and beautiful perspective and whit the best details and colors.There is a sun finally in my village,but this night 5 degrees,very incredibile at the end of May...ehehe....Have a nice sunny Sunday you too and thanks,Luciano

papagolf21 (152607) 2013-05-26 0:55

Bonjour, chиre Bev,
Oh ! magnifique mise en image avec ce ciel menaзant mettant en valeur le chвteau et ses communs.
L'allйe qui serpente augmente йgalement la mise en scиne quant а sa beautй.
J'apprйcie.
Amitiйs.
Philippe

carlo62 (81265) 2013-05-26 1:03

Buongiorno Beverley
il cielo и fortemente minaccioso e la tua composizione и magnifica.
Bellissima la diagonale merlata che ci guida al centro dell'immagine, una composizione eccellente.
Buona domenica
Carlo

siudzi (34141) 2013-05-26 1:23

Hi Bev,
Wow! You have photographed this wonderful place during the best moment ever! The cloud formation on the blue sky looks truly outstanding and created a stunning view. Love it! Excellent image taken with a perfect execution of colors. Bravo!!!

Have a lovely day!
Gosia

ChrisJ (172466) 2013-05-26 1:28

Hi Bev,

Oh no! Hope it wasn't as vicious as Oklahoma! Good tonal contrasts with excellent sharpness and saturation. The old stone castle at right looks like its survived many such natural onslaughts. The warm cold color contrast between the reddish path (which also adds nice linear perspective) and the ominous blue black skies works well here. Tfs!

ikeharel (114777) 2013-05-26 1:56

Your describtion of the storm-cloud as it was approaching, is like a horror movie script, Beverly - I can understand the feel: it doe's look as a "hammer" cloud, driven by abrupt gusting winds. And most of all - managed beautifully to take this scene where halved pic. with the impressive castle and the rest is the curve of clouds covering the blue sky.
Spring is on - but a bit of winter remain.
Enjoy a nice Sunday,
Ike

Silvio1953 (223141) 2013-05-26 1:58

Ciao Bev, great perspective on fantastic castle, superb sky, wonderful colors and splendid light, very well done, my friend, have a good Sunday, ciao Silvio

Romano46 (18472) 2013-05-26 2:41

Ciao Beverley
una immagine molto elegante nella composizione e ricca di colori estremamente gradevoli.
Un eccellente soggetto e, per tua grande fortuna, una serie di nuvole che completano a meraviglia la bella composizione.
Uno scatto di grande qualitа, perfetto in tutto.
Complimenti!
Ciao e buona domenica
Romano

dta (98848) 2013-05-26 2:47

Hello Beverley ,
A great mix of meteorogical moment and architecture , perfectly presented in this striking composition .
Very well done .

snunney (130967) 2013-05-26 2:56

Hello Bev,
Did you come across the Beast of Bolsover by any chance, the nickname given to the maverick Labour MP Denis Skinner. The sky is quite something and makes an excellent and apt accompaniment to the main subject of the castle. The well chosen point of view offers a good lead-line in the form of the red gravel path. I like the subdued lighting and understated tones engendered by that most wonderful sky.

robmal (2439) 2013-05-26 3:04

Hello Beverly.
amazing storm sky and fantastic old rchitecture, great composition and POV, congratulations and regards.
Robert.

jrleborgne (1554) 2013-05-26 3:31

Bonjour Beverley,

I like this coloured contrast between those age-old stones and this momentary vapour.
Moreover, I must admit it's been yonks that we have not seen any dry day, in France ! :)

Best regards
Jean-Renaud

Nicou (193814) 2013-05-26 3:31

Hello

Merveilleuse image et captage quelle forme ce ciel sueprbe et la perspective la profondeur quelle compo et image une splendeur.
Bravo et amitiй
Nicou

No_One (4) 2013-05-26 3:54

Hi Bev
Spectacular timing!! As if this beautiful castle alone was not enough, those clouds look like a tidal wave. It has created amazing light, I love when the sky is dark and menacing but the foreground is bright and light like this. Really lovely shot, nice one!
Cheers
Noel

parvatibb (1387) 2013-05-26 4:02

Merhaba Beverly,
Love Sci-fi movies and love this photo as well :)
Superb compositions. Great sharpness.
Probably I will left out the half cattle in the front but maybe we need it for depth. anyway it is just my humble opinion
have a sunny Sunday
regards
bb

SnapRJW (31631) 2013-05-26 4:05

Hello Bev - That is some cloud; very dramatic and its approach has a definite menacing look. You were in the right place at the right time without the addition of this natural phenomenon your composition wouldn't have the impact that it does here. Fine management of the shifting light and very good detail throughout the sky. Have a lovely Sunday. Rosemary

williewhistler (16606) 2013-05-26 4:14

Hello Bev, as visiting tourists the last thing that you want is rain,however as a photographer this threatening sky is just what the doctor ordered and you have taken full advantage of the situation.
With the sunlight on the Castle and storm fast approaching you have done well to capture the drama of the moment perfectly.
Like you,today we have sunshine.Hooray.
Kindest wishes,
Les.

Sergiom (117241) 2013-05-26 4:56

Bonjour Beverly

L'image est parfaitement coupйe en deux.Les nuages qui foncent vers le chвteau sont spectaculaires et trиs menaзants tandis que le chвteau garde son calme devant la tempкte.Un beau sentier entre les deux comme un arbitre.

Bon dimanche

Serge

cargus (14004) 2013-05-26 6:40

Well chosen angle of which is caught castle, image is well done with good contrast and brightness
regards
Adrian

annjackman (23019) 2013-05-26 10:51

Hello bev,
This is a super weather image and I am glad that you could take shelter. The dark cloud seems to be encirling the castle ina formidable way. It reminds me that we were in Oklahoma city only two weeks before their terrible tornado. Travelling across the state I was acutely aware of their unusual weather patterns.
A very well balanced image and an interesting note.
Best wishes, Ann

mjw364 (1466) 2013-05-26 10:55

Hello Bev

Great image - love that cloud that absolutely makes this shot - a unique formation and moment in the clouds and your POV allows the cloud to emphasise the line into the shot that leads to the building itself at the end of the path.

TFS

Have a good day.

Mike

romanaa (8430) 2013-05-26 12:10

Hello Bev,

what a moment captured, the threatening power of the nature contrasts with the peaceful castle yard. Excellent quality and depth of the field.

Best regards

Romana

mesutilgim (0) 2013-05-26 12:41

Hello Beverley,
Nice capture overwhelmed with this warning sky !
Very good pov and compo.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

tyro (30513) 2013-05-26 16:01

Hello Bev,

You've bowled me over with Bolsover! How fortunate that this castle is not just an open ruin or you would have been soaked - and "caught thy death o' cold" as on Ilkley Moor! But were you bar t'at?

Another "first" with this picture too - not a single other one on TE from Bolsover - and a very fine picture indeed. We can fully appreciate what that evil sky has in store fo you as the dark clouds sweep in from the left, but you have held your own against great adversity and still managed to compose a very fine photograph, the line of the pathway leading us into the picture perfectly as also does the castellated wall on the left.

A picture full of "mood" with fine light and colours, perfect exposure and excellent details and sharpness.

Lovely!

Kind Regards,

John.

npecanhuk (79329) 2013-05-26 16:54

Hi Bevervely!
What a sky!
A very beautiful and pleasant-looking picture!
Special regards to the composition, colors and exposure!
TFS - congrats,
Enjoy your week,
Neyvan

serp2000 (47063) 2013-05-27 2:53

Wow! I hope this is not last photo of Bolsover Castle.)) Impressive photo... Great timing shot, well done, Bev. It reminds me fantastic or fairy-tale movie.
Best wishes,
Serghei

Kielia (24077) 2013-05-27 3:17

Dear Beverley,
you are presenting a wonderful and very well composed impression of this important place under a threatening sky. The dramatic atmosphere of the upcoming rain storm is very well conveyed and felt by the viewer. My compliments!
Warm regards
Harriet

jcpix (14030) 2013-05-27 19:20

Hi Bev,

Congratulations on a second, first photo! :) Really neat moment you captured here, the impending storm creates some good tension in the sky and gives this scene a wonderful atmosphere of anticipation. The big curve and dark contrast of the cloud formation is rather intriguing, looking like it's getting ready to swallow up the entire scene. Great clarity and strong colors, with an easy to follow lead-in from the path...and I love the repetitive shapes from the wall on the left. Glad you were able to get this before being caught in the rain. Very well done, great result! Have a nice Tuesday.

All the best,

Jason

Didi (61591) 2013-05-28 4:09

Hi Bev
Nice shower for you, good dramatic sky
Interesting perspective
Well done
Warm regards

CLODO (45118) 2013-05-29 3:54

hi Bev

terrific grey wave coming over the sunnyb castle! Spring is quite rainy this year, even in France.
Cheers
CLODO

feather (51130) 2013-05-29 8:25

Surprise!!
I knew you would have been on-the-ball, so came to spy. ☺ I have an almost identical image of both this and the one through the window! Alas mine still sit in RAW state. I must get my act together!
You have captured this perfectly; just as I remember it. I don't think I have ever seen such dramatic weather. Those clouds were remarkable.
Kath

Cricri (176) 2013-05-29 10:21

Hi Beverley
Excellente prйsentation, tant dans la composition, le contraste des couleurs le chemin qui conduit au chвteau et puis ce ciel merveilleux d'une vague de nuage, splendide
Belle journйe
cricri

mkamionka (75273) 2013-05-29 11:32

Hi Bev,
wow this is a very impressive capture. The castle itself seems very attractive indeed and the POV is well chosen but the real highlight is the approaching storm and the incredible contrast it makes with the still sunny foreground. The clouds seem to encircle the castle as if the attack was really planned.
Excellent capture,
M

Robert1969 (7160) 2013-05-30 8:35

Hello Beverley,

The beautiful "movement" of the clouds and the
wall right on the forground gives the viewer
the feeling that she/he is in the middle of
the picture. The path, the diagonal lines
creates a lots of depth.

In short: exciting picture, great quality.

Friendly regards,
Robert

ACL1978 (7511) 2013-05-30 18:24

Looks like a giant wave is coming for the castle, Bev - maybe a still from a disaster movie here. The contrast between the dark left side of the frame and the bright center and right makes this one stand out. Thanks!

Andrew

Graal (103040) 2013-05-30 23:56

Hello Beverley,
unusual place and view. Amazing stormy clouds on the sky. Also interesting castle, good note and photo-work.
Have a nice WE.
Aleksander

macjake (98544) 2013-05-31 10:30

Hi Bev
its always fun to be the first to post a photo from a location on TE :)

As I'm looking at this photo, is that water and waves in the bg to the left? or is it hills? I can't quite tell.

I'm surprised its the first posting of this castle, it looks interesting and photogenic indeed.
great atmosphere, you caught something 'in the moment'

having the greens, blues and whites make a strong color palette too :)

nice to view your gallery again!
cheers
craig

adores (46979) 2013-05-31 14:40

Hi Beverley!
I'm glad you're showing us this place. I'm not sure I've ever seen photos of it. You have chosen a very unique moment - that cloud is amazing and you have a really good composition. I like it with the path in diagonal and then, part of the wall and part of the building. Perfect light also! A very good shot!

rigoletto (34279) 2013-06-16 12:01

hi bev,
wow! this kinda sky i only would expect to see around tropical places with serious weather forecasts. it looks pretty threatening but that old fortress seems ready for "come what may". and the good photographer was there to witness and share it with a good idea.
deniz

Indrasish (2943) 2013-06-18 1:51

Hi Bev,
Awesome image.. Nothing to suggest or explain.. Very well done.. Nice perspective and sharpness too.. I like the shades of the sky..
Greetings from India..
Regards,
Indrasish..

PiotrF (56210) 2013-07-12 13:13

Hello Beverley ,
A very creative crop that emphasises the interesting features in the picture...fantastic castle, superb sky...
Excellent composition, good presentation too. Very well done
regards
Piotr

colinbrenchley (6431) 2013-07-28 15:00

Bev. I live a few miles north of Bolsover. This shot which shows some of the castle is well framed with the large amount of Cumulonimbus storm cloud that is in the west.

Curious_Eye (1320) 2014-06-06 13:44

Hello Bev,

You definitely made the most out of capturing the moment here! I can only imagine what a scene this must have been, the image itself depicts the energy of the moving cloud so well. The contrast of the static, solid buildings in the sun and what is coming is great. Composition-wise it is also a fine piece. Congratulations!

Have an enjoyable weekend!
Izabela :)

COSTANTINO (117940) 2020-05-13 22:29

Hello my friend and have a nice day
fantastic capture with dynamic elements
the sky is almost dreamy with the coming
storm creating a particular atmosphere
and coming towards us...
greetings for this presentation
regards
Costantino

ruisc_pt (11594) 2020-05-20 5:45

Hi
Beverley,
Awesome dynamic composition driving our eyes to the "other" side" and then forcing us to look to the castle.
Great!
TFS
R