Evening at Meldon Reservoir, a photo from Devon, England

Photographer's Note

Over the past week end the weather has been dull in the morning but it has brightened up later in the day which is exactly what happened when we visited Roadford Reservoir on Saturday.

On the edge of the vast wilderness of the moor this is the perfect place to settle for lunch or like us, just stroll .

Meldon Reservoir, near Okehampton, Devon
map ref : LR191 560910
Meldon sits well in the distinctive and dramatic Dartmoor countryside and provides an ideal starting point for moorland walks.

Near Okehampton it lies at nearly 900 ft above sea level. The banks are steep sided, but access is possible around part of the lake perimeter. However, there are plenty of walks on the moor overlooking the water.

By crossing the dam (which was completed in 1972), you can enjoy views of the water spanning the West Okement Valley. Meldon Viaduct can be seen on the north western edge of Dartmoor.

National Cycle Route 27 runs nearby, from which Meldon Dam can be reached. For further information visit www.sustrans.co.uk

Anglers may fish for brown trout for free with an Environment Agency rod licence from 15 March - 12 October.

For further information

Telephone: 01288 321262

http://www.swlakestrust.org.uk/

snunney, jhm, annjackman, holmertz, bona, jean113, gildasjan has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

snunney (130967) 2015-02-16 3:03

Hello Les,
A relatively simple composition but lights and colours are quite sublime. The ripples in the reservoir add additional interest and offer an pleasant contrast with the sun kissed hills.

jhm (211738) 2015-02-16 4:14

Hello Les,

A lovely mountain picture, with the lake in foreground.
You choose a good angle gives a beautiful image.
A lovely image with the slopes of the mountains
Composition and presentation are pleasant to look at
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

willperrett (14215) 2015-02-16 4:46

Hello Les

Lovely evening tones here, and a very pleasing balanced composition. Your burning in of the sky: I don't find it overdone, but I'm aware you've done it, because of the tell-tale hale along the top of the hill. I burn in my skies habitually. Do you mind therefore a little tutorial from an old photograph lecturer?

Select the sky using magic wand (multiple clicks holding down the Shift key). Tree branches etc. in the way? No problem: just go Select>Similar. If that includes unwanted areas, deselect them by whizzing round them with the lasso tool, holding down the Alt key. Then - here's the crucial bit - feather the selection by VERY little: typically only 1 pixel. Copy/past the selected sky. Then do your worst with Levels, Curves, colour tweaks, Contrast/Brightness or whatever takes your fancy. You may now find that the junction between the sky and the rest is a bit too obvious. If so, bearing in mind that your sky is on a separate layer, add a Layer Mask, and using either the Gradient tool (set to black > transparent) or the brush tool set to black or grey, work on the border between sky and land until you've got an "invisible" junction.

And I guess you know all that anyway! Hope you're not offended. I repeat: the sky is fine, but I reckon you could do with hiding the evidence of your editing!

Kind regards

Will

Sergiom (117241) 2015-02-16 5:57

Bonjour Leslie,

Quel beau point de vue. Il donne une belle profondeur au lac. Les montagnes en arrière plan sont comme un écrin de lumière. Le ciel offre de beaux contrastes.

Amicalement

Serge

Gerrit (62042) 2015-02-16 7:29

Hello Leslie,
Fine soft light and great colors in this well composed view on the lake and the surrounding hills.
Thanks and regards,
Gerrit

annjackman (23019) 2015-02-16 7:37

Hello Les,
It was very worthwhile waiting for this glorious light. I love the way that it has caught the ridge of the hills. The ripples in the water has given some super texture. A beautiful image that is simple in composition and successful for that.
Kind Regards, Ann

holmertz (103584) 2015-02-16 8:08

Hello Leslie,
Beautiful hills and remarkably beautiful tones of the water. The slightly hazy light is very well captured.
Kind regards,
Gert

lousat (139960) 2015-02-16 14:37

Hi Les,what a atmosphere,remind me my scottish summer some years ago,a great composition,made in the usual top quality and very relaxing,there is a great sensation of peace and quiet inside! Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

bona (15057) 2015-02-16 19:28

Hello Leslie,

nice capture of this scape with many mountains layers and the water in forground. I like the grass on the mountains, but where are the trees? Only that in forground?
Lovely colors and pretty colors on the sky.

Well done.
Andre

fabbs99 (17179) 2015-02-16 21:59

Hello Leslie,

Impressive view of the lake and the mountains.Great presentation in colors and sharpness .TFS .Keep sharing.

Cheers
Farhat

siudzi (34141) 2015-02-16 23:24

Hi Les,
Another amazing landscape post in your gallery! You know how to play with lights and colors to achieve a stunning visual effect:) beautiful realization, well done.
Best,
Gosia

John_F_Kennedy (43797) 2015-02-17 4:03

Hello Leslie,
Beautiful sky and amazing colours. Very good light management. Well done.
best wishes,
Achim

jean113 (28253) 2015-02-19 6:47

Hello Leslie,another subject for a painting? Especially with those beautiful subtle shades!
The colours from the land and the sky seem to have blended in the water of the reservoir.
Regards Jean.

fds (9963) 2015-02-22 7:36

dear friend very beautiful picture with this great landscape with the mountain and the lake...great light and colors

gildasjan (43826) 2015-05-16 9:26

Bonsoir Leslie
La lumiÃ¨re et les teintes donnent une bonne touche Ã cette image en mettant ces reliefs en valeur.Tous les Ã©lÃ©ments sont rÃ©unis pour la prÃ©sentation d'un joli paysage d'Angleterre.
Bonne soirÃ©e
Amicalement
Gildas