Contre jour

When it comes to driving the low sun of the winter months makes for distinct difficulties. Glare obscures vision and the detail of the deep shadows is hard to identify, making caution necessary. But as far as photography goes the low sun opens up opportunities for contre jour shots that make a virtues of the vices that confront the driver. It was an optimistic kitchen staff at Berrington Hall, Herefordshire, that left the cafe furniture in the courtyard on a bitterly cold, crisp and clear day. But the tables and chairs served my photographic purposes quite well.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Sony DSC-RX100

Cafe chairs and tables

When I was young it would have been pretty much unthinkable to expect to find cafe tables and chairs outdoors during the winter months. But, as society has got richer, clothing has improved, people have more free time and are living longer, and smoking in places serving food has been forbidden, seating outside eating establishments at the cold times of the year has become common-place. Consequently photographers are now able to make the most of the shadows that this furniture makes on sunny winter days!

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Olympus OMD E-M10