Studying OS maps online I was keen to walk and take landscape photographs of areas of the south downs that I had not visited yet living in east Sussex. Today would be a morning start over Firle Beacon and Itford Hill and then down along the river Ouse towards Lewes.
From Firle South Downs
I first visited Firle back in 2016 when I first started out in Landscape photography and hiking, that day had been hot and I cut the walk short. I returned to walk over Firle in February when I caught a sunrise from the next hill further along at Bo Peep. So far I had never been over Itford hill heading west from Firle and along the river Ouse. I first got some good views of the river Ouse not too be confused with the river Cuckmere from a top of Mount Caburn near Lewes also back in 2016.
I not start as early as I would have liked, but early enough to catch the evaporating morning mist still clinging to the foot of mount caburn. The lonely windswept tree that you find often on the south downs made a good focal point and with such a subject this is where you set your focus point. That tree reminds me of the quote If you dont like where you are, move, you are not a tree. I guess with the strong winds that you get on the south downs, that tree would move down into the valley if it could.
Sensor Dust
I did not get out and do much landscape photography in March due to taking a break from work and doing some travelling. This hike over the south downs and along the river Ouse was my first since returning. I not realise at the time but I had terrible dust spots on my sensor.
The dust spots took ages to remove post processing in lightroom. So severe that I had to send my camera off to canon to be cleaned. Due to liquid ingression it was beyond repair. Initially I took it to my local Jessops, problem is with a telephoto lens is the pressure can suck in dust particles especially in a dusty environment. Other than using a blower I do not recommend attempting to clean the sensor with fluid yourself 🙁
So this trip was the last time I used my Canon 700D, later replacing it with the Canon 80D, which is weather sealed. Still, even with the imperfections these landscape photographs are worth sharing.
Along the River Ouse
At the foot of Itford Hill there is the courtyard cafe to take a break, which I did with a bacon sandwich and hot coffee before continuing along the river Ouse in the direction of Lewes.
It was turning into a hot almost summers day for the first third of April. The mist had cleared leaving a hazy deep blue sky with one or two small fluffy white clouds. Nice views though along the river Ouse with mount Caburn making a good backdrop to the compositions.
Looking west was another area of the south downs I had never explored which stretches to Brighton and beyond. The church in Rodmell made a good focal point with the hills of the south downs way stretching out behind in the background. I surely would return sometime to walk that stretch of the south downs.
I love walking along the banks of a river on a warm sunny day, problem is so do lots of other people, it got quite busy in places including families with screaming children. I stopped for a breather and watched the para-gliders off mount caburn which one of my fellow contractors in Hastings is learning and he was there that day.
Time for the long slog back to Firle. RIP Canon D700, we had some good times together.