"Middle Of The Day Photography” Is Not Always Bad

[Dave Rosser]

A very interesting article, not only from a photographic viewpoint.  I visited Orfordness back in April 2003 and it does not look as though it has changed much. Back then you could go into some of the pagodas (enviromental test cells - the roof is designed to blow off if there is an explosion in the cell).  I don't think there was ever any nuclear material there, the exposion risk was from the considerable amount of conventional explosive needed to trigger the nuclear reaction in conventional and H-Bomb nuclear devices. All those cells were for enviromentally testing those "fuses".  The pictures below were taken inside one of the pagodas with a Nikon D1H with a Sigma 20-40mm f/2.8 attached.
Oh and being one who can't get up in the morning and am eating or drinking in the evening all my photography is done in the middle of the day or indoors. 

Dave

[Alto]

Hi All

Watch out for the National trust they don't like you publishing Images for gain.(even thought its a national trust we the brits don't own it)

Regards

JON

[Dave Rosser]

Hi All

Watch out for the National trust they don't like you publishing Images for gain.(even thought its a national trust we the brits don't own it)

Regards

JON

I'm a fully paid up member but I get your point.  You are free to photograph in most NT properties for personal use only but have to get a licence for commercial use.  I don't know what the rules are for the Lake District and all the other land and coastline they own.

[graeme]

I'm a fully paid up member but I get your point.  You are free to photograph in most NT properties for personal use only but have to get a licence for commercial use.  I don't know what the rules are for the Lake District and all the other land and coastline they own.

That's quite right, they will even allow out of hours photo sessions ( none commercial ) for keen photographers. This involves communicating with the National Trust .

Most of the photos I post on this site were taken in Trust properties. ( During normal hours ).

There's an increasingly good GF cake selection in the Trust cafes.

If you ever get p****d of with the English National Trust join the Scottish National Trust: Membership is cheaper & they have a reciprocal agreement which will get you into all English NT properties. ( Thanks to my Uncle Ron for that one ).

Dave, I think you've got some really good BW conversions waiting to be made from those images.

[David Watson]

A very interesting article, not only from a photographic viewpoint.  I visited Orfordness back in April 2003 and it does not look as though it has changed much. Back then you could go into some of the pagodas (enviromental test cells - the roof is designed to blow off if there is an explosion in the cell).  I don't think there was ever any nuclear material there, the exposion risk was from the considerable amount of conventional explosive needed to trigger the nuclear reaction in conventional and H-Bomb nuclear devices. All those cells were for enviromentally testing those "fuses".  The pictures below were taken inside one of the pagodas with a Nikon D1H with a Sigma 20-40mm f/2.8 attached.
Oh and being one who can't get up in the morning and am eating or drinking in the evening all my photography is done in the middle of the day or indoors. 

Dave

Quite right - thank you Dave.  The photographs in the article were taken over many years and do not represent to current state of dereliction on the Ness.  The fittings in the lighthouse are gone (taken by Trinity House) and the lighthouse itself may soon follow as I said.

[Dave Rosser]

A pity about the !lighthouse, you could not go in it when I visited and I was thinking it would make an objective to visit next time I am over that side of the country. When I was nearby last year it was "out of season" and Orfordness was closed. Once again a great article.

[Shiftworker]

I run the specialist 'phototours' on Orford Ness and there are still places available for the 7th October which is an extra date added to the schedule due to over demand;
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events/3e3693f0-7a10-4880-b5d3-0fb51d3ea686/pages/details
These events offer 'managed access' to the AWRE site (where the 'Pagodas' are situated) which is off limits to normal day visitors. We also do overnight tours in Summer which allow (weather permitting) you to work in low sun lighting conditions which can be spectacular. In addition to the formal events in the NT calendar we also do 'on demand' tours for anyone who can organise a group of 6+ people together and these can be year round (Monday -Friday) inc the winter when it's closed to visitors.