Photo for a Logo Photo

Photographer’s Note

Ralph’s Cross has been the symbol for the North Yorkshire National Park since 1974. It marks the centre of the National Park and stands by the edge of the road at the highest point between Castleton and Hutton-le-Hole. It also is roughly at the head of four dales: Westerdale; Rosedale; Farndale; Danby Dale. As you can see it has suffered damage over the years. Click here to read about the legends attached to the cross and also to see the logo made from the cross’s image.

I have tried several times to get a decent shot of the cross, especially while the heather is blooming. The problem is, that as it is close to turnoffs to Westerdale and Rosedale, there are road-signs spoiling the view. For some reason it never occurred to me before now to try a shot from across the road to eliminate the signs, so I stood at the other side of the road and used the zoom. I wanted a picture of the cross to be first in my theme of the North Yorkshire Moors. I only have space for one more shot in the theme (maximum 100) so I’m posting this now to complete the theme. Soon there will be a Part II.

Ever since I was a child I have known about the custom to leave money in the groove at the top of the cross for passing travellers. A strange custom considering the cross is 3m high (9ft) . My Dad used to lift me up on his shoulders to leave a penny! I haven’t seen anyone doing it lately. It must be the credit crunch!

Mentioned in the article I linked to above is Old Ralph and Young Ralph. This is Young Ralph’s Cross dating from the 18th century. This time while we were there we walked across the moor on a indistinct path to Old Ralph’s Cross. Unfortunately it is in a section of heather that was burned earlier in the year as part of the moors management for the grouse shooting. However it is in the WS for you to compare the two crosses.

On the map (link right) you can make out Young Ralph’s Cross by the road if you zoom right in. Old Ralph’s Cross is across the moorland, roughly west from Young Ralph. I can't find it on the map

ISO100, FL120mm

snunney, KLB, subhendu_bagchi, Cricri, jlbrthnn, vasilpro, ChrisJ, jwmunro, saxo042, cbrman, leonorkuhn, asajernigan, Graal, Gerrit, josepmarin, cherryripe, Philippe, Wandering_Dan, paura, Royaldevon, Sistercosmo, chrisnet, xuaxo, JCG, bona has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

pajaran (4320) 2009-09-13 1:42

Pozdrav sa balkana.
Ovaj krst simbolizuje mnoge nedace naroda, vi ste ovom dobrom fotografijom i tekstom mnogo kazali i doprineli da upoznamo tradicije drugih naroda.
Puno uspeha u daljem radu i srecan dan, Paja.

snunney (35840) 2009-09-13 1:44

Hello Kath,
A very good capture of this old stone cross standing proudly over the moors. It is well framed against the cloudy but interesting sky. I like the sense of movement in the grass below. Very good colours and wonderful sharpness throughout.

KLB (18370) 2009-09-13 1:46

Hello Kath

I really like this shot !
The cross and the grey sky give a very special mood. Something quiet mystic...
The warm light on the vegetation is marvelous and offer a strong contrast.
A beautiful picture, compliments.

Regards
Karine

subhendu_bagchi (3786) 2009-09-13 2:30

Namaste Kath,
great layers of different. Colours in foreground. Nice to see. This saturated colours contrasted well with the grey sky. Nice light management. The main subject, the cross has nice depth and looks so gorgeous. Well done.
Have a nice sunday.
Subhendu

hardyuno (2717) 2009-09-13 2:30

Hello Kath,
a great image of this old cross with an outstanding landscape around. The exposure and POV are very well done. Thank you also for the interesting information.
Have a nice sunday
Hartmut

Cricri (44115) 2009-09-13 2:35

Hi Kath
Intéressante note et image de cette haute croix de vielle pierre sous un ciel dramatique et des couleurs intéressante du paysage, belle image
Good sunday
cricri

jlbrthnn (39501) 2009-09-13 2:37

Hello Kath,
It is very quite made up this image. The light, the colors, the sky, the leaning grasses which suggest the wind, the heather, all these elements make a splendid image. Excellent realization.
Have a nice sunday.
Cordially.
Joël

dta (6582) 2009-09-13 3:08

Hello Kath ,
A so simple composition , but so effective . You've chosen the best moment , with a superb sky and a nice light . The framing is excellent , and the tonalities are really beautiful and harmonious .
Bravo

Bartleby (5220) 2009-09-13 3:25

Hi Kath,
instant classic! The light is really attractive and the overcast sky is the perfect backdrop. Love it.

Philippe

vasilpro (9805) 2009-09-13 3:42

Hello Kath,
Excellent composition with the old stone cross and this beautiful landscape. Thank you for the notes.
Have a nice Sunday, Vasilis.

delkoo (35024) 2009-09-13 5:32

hi kath
Another classic yet very unique shot....taken with expertise!
framing, colors, light and sharpness are simply superb.

didier

mortijo (12524) 2009-09-13 6:46

Excellent composition, simple but very effctive. Great warm colors and an impressive sky. The accompanying note is, as usual, ecellent.
Regards
John

ChrisJ (70521) 2009-09-13 6:57

Hello Kath

Superb textural details in the weathered old stone cross. Smart choice of a vertical frame, with good sharpness & colour. Tfs!

LOOOK13 (3611) 2009-09-13 7:39

Salut.Un super dégradé de couleurs, et une croix iréelle...
Cadrage au top, une grande profondeur, et toujours ces nuages..
Bravo.

jwmunro (6279) 2009-09-13 8:55

Hello Kath -

Well, you finally got that good image. IMO, this is a fine image and one worthy of the wait. I like the sky as it adds drama and provides focus on the cross. I think a featureless sky would draw our attention away from the cross and cause the eyes to wander. I also light the lighting on the cross as it seems to be a focused light and drops off into the heather. I looks like it was a breezy days.

???Why would you leave donations on top of the cross at 3m? (Sounds kind of fishy) But legends are like that. Did we drive by this spot on the way back to Whitby? It sounds kind of familiar. As I recall it was getting dark and I think we were all a bit tired so we did not stop.

Well done and presented. Thank you for sharing.

John

maxmitzu (453) 2009-09-13 9:29

Hi,
I like a lot this piscture.
The contrast is great. The cross and the sky give a very good view.
The colors are awsome and the landscape is very nice.
best regards

saxo042 (16576) 2009-09-13 10:12

Hi Kath,
A very interesting note, a very good photo of this cross and of the beautiful landscape behind. Very fine colour combination of the blue clouds and of the vegetation. A superb TE contribution!
Kind regards
Gunnar

carper (66132) 2009-09-13 10:52

sorry kath that I can not critique.
all your photo's. this is a marvelous place in the park, good composition, fine colors, good contrast, fine photo job here, I like the place and the shot, have a good evening.
regard jaap

cbrman (19097) 2009-09-13 11:20

Hello Kath,

J'aime beaucoup ces traces du passé qui trônent dans différents endroits de notre environnement.
Il est étonnant que cet empilement de pierres ait tenu le coup durant ces siècles.
Joli coup d'oeil.

A+

Dominique

leonorkuhn (14379) 2009-09-13 11:36

Hi Kath,

Very beautiful landscape with the big cross in the foreground. It is a beautiful symbol, standing for over 200 years. The light and the colors are great, very good sharpness.

Have a nice week
Leonor

asajernigan (14414) 2009-09-13 11:55

Kath,
This is a nicely composed shot of Ralph's Cross. The off center placement works well as does the vertical format. The lighting and colors are great with excellent sharpness and DOF.
TFS,
Asa

gilou530 (35984) 2009-09-13 12:29

salut kath
une croix qui en impose au milieu de ce paysage aride et ca me fait penser a un coin de chez moi le col du finiel, trés beau contraste des couleurs dans cette photo
amitiés
gilbert

chawax (6279) 2009-09-13 12:41

Hi Kath,
Very good shot ! The framing is excellent and the focus is very well made on the cross, with a little blurred background. Colours of the heather is very nice one more time.
Regards,
Olivier

quillo (7430) 2009-09-13 12:51

♥

Hi Kath ---------->

Sencilla pero interesante, además es un buen trabajo fotográfico ....
en perspectiva, color y profundidad de campo, me gusta.

Best regards.

♥

MarianneS (14686) 2009-09-13 13:07

Hello Kath,
It is such a pleasure when you want to take a photo of specific place, or object, or person... and when finally you can make it!
You achieved a good shot here, presenting this original cross. I like a lot the colours at the foreground, enhanced by good light.
The background creates a strong contrasts with its blue harmony.
Well done!
Have a good week,
Marianne

devimeuxbe (56532) 2009-09-13 13:07

Hi Kath
yhe light and colors of England are amazing. The cropping is beautifull. The light on the grass is perfect
very well done
Bertrand

marietom (32284) 2009-09-13 13:35

hello Kath,

simple, et si beau...
Joli minimalisme et belles couleurs.
Bonne soirée
Marie

gneufeld (15289) 2009-09-13 18:40

Hi Kath,
An excellent photograph and very very informative note. The right idea obviously to find a new perspective - well done and TFS. Gerald

Graal (59126) 2009-09-13 23:14

Hi Kath,
an interesting history and links in note. Good composition, nice colours and well done photo. I like it.
Gr., Aleksander

danyy (69929) 2009-09-13 23:46

Bonjour Kath,
un ciel exceptionnel et une végétation que jette des couleurs inhabituelles. C'est toute une ambiance que tu nous transmet ici, mais aussi toute une histoire.
Admirable composition.
Amicalement.
Daniel.

Gerrit (36553) 2009-09-14 0:47

Hio Kath,
Magnificent light and colours in this well balanced view and beautiful landscape with cross.
regards, Gerrit

josepmarin (34269) 2009-09-14 3:05

Hello Kath,
First, I apologize for not having seen that you were publishing your photo 700th. And, though a bit late, CONGRATULATIONS!!!
You have treated the light delicately to obtain a great aesthetic result and a few magnificent colors.
The quality of the image offers to us all the details and the textures of the cross of stone and a deep sight on the landscape, with a very beautiful sky.
Your note is very informative and documented well, as usual.
An excellent work.
Best wishes,
Josep

PixelTerror (87195) 2009-09-14 3:55

Hi Kath
It looks more ancient than 1974, probably due to the challenging english weather or the many peeing sheep ;-)
Nice placement in the frame having it rise where the eye stops at last and over the surrounding countryside
Have a nice day JY

Bluejeans (33423) 2009-09-14 5:54

Ola Kath,
Uma bela foto na vertical com esta cruz ,gostei muito deste primeiro plano , tem uns belos tons de cor, boa profundidade de foto , bonitos detalhes na pedra, parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

cherryripe (19237) 2009-09-14 5:55

Hi Kath
The light is beautiful and brings out the rich colours of the land. Makes me think of stories like the Secret Garden. The sun lights up the cross perfectly.
Regards
Nikki

Philippe (11791) 2009-09-14 9:52

Hi, Kath. A very good composition with the cross standing in its full height against the beautiful sky. This has also the advantage to give an impression of vastness with the space you've dedicated to the sky. The colours of the moor are really nice with the heather appearing in the short distance. Seeing this scene, it is difficult to imagine there is a road nearby, which makes your composition even more impressive.
Have a nice evening,
Philippe

coco (28318) 2009-09-14 12:05

Hi Kath.

Simple but very good and nice work with the composition. The exposure is also a very good one and the whole photo looks very nice.

Well done and good note too.

four (490) 2009-09-14 12:43

In the far distance you can just make out the wind turbines near Trimdon.
It is a difficult thing to photograph, often ending up silhouettish - this is as good as any I've seen but could use a degree or so clockwise rotation.

Wandering_Dan (3329) 2009-09-14 14:09

Hi, Kath -

Very much representative of the wild and lonely moor. I'm expecting Heathcliff to walk in from the left, and the hound of the Baskervilles (Devonshire moor) to howl off on the right!

A great minimalist shot.

Best,
Dan

paura (39608) 2009-09-14 15:47

Kath,
Enquadramento excelente em uma fotografia de fians cores e boa fotometria. PP excellent, as usual from you.

Regards

Paulo

Royaldevon (5988) 2009-09-15 1:15

Hello Kath,

What a wealth of interesting detail you have supplied in your notes.
This shot is very powewrful, not just from the height, the material and and the symbolic meaning but by the simplicity of it dominating the landscape. With outstretched arms, it is gathering-in and protecting everything.
A beautifully composed and sharply detailed shot.
My compliments!

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

John_F_Kennedy (32340) 2009-09-15 2:17

Hello Kath,
A splendid composition with this lonely cross, with wonderful colours at thsi landscape. A clear and sharp image. Well done.
Best wishes,
Achim

Sistercosmo (2801) 2009-09-15 7:32

Hi Kath,

wonderful note to accompany this excellent capture! I really like the way the cross dominates the shot and the moody clouds add perfectly to the feeling here. Love it!

Hugs,
Linda

chrisnet (20378) 2009-09-15 11:50

Hello Kath,
Excellent framing for this impressive cross, nice colors and beautiful cloudy sky too, a good view indeed.
Regards
Christian

xuaxo (5911) 2009-09-16 10:14

Hi Kath,
Beautiful logo, but even more beautiful photo. I like the contrast between sky and ground, all connected by the cross.
(I've found the logo ;-)
Greetings,
F.

JCG (25875) 2009-09-18 0:57

Hello Kath,

Crosses used by the years, by also seeing that which you show us in WS, but always upright !!! Thank you very much for the Internet link which says some more to us on this place, very interesting. Being the image, I like much the light which creates a particular atmosphere even mystical. This English landscape is still marvellous, thank you Kath.

With all my friendships and a very good WE,

Jean-Charles

bona (2691) 2009-10-02 19:12

Hi Kath, nice note, I like the penny history with your dad.
The National Park looks a instersting place for visit. The black sky suggest a storm, it rains this day?

Andre