Goathland, a photo from North Yorkshire, England

Photographer's Note

After leaving the Mallyon Spout we walked uphill into the village of Goathland. The path comes out at the west end of the village opposite the church and next to the hotel also called the Mallyon Spout. The village is a long sprawling village with houses set well back from the road with wide common greens. The railway station is at the other end, past the village centre.
Goathland village sits 500 feet above sea level and has a history extending back to Viking times. Its name is thought to have originally been Goda’s Land. The sheep have a common right to graze on the extensive village greens. These rights date back to medieval times. The village has become a tourist “hotspot”, as it is better known to millions of TV viewers as Aidensfield in “Heartbeat”. Beginning in 1992, and with a nostalgic 60s music soundtrack, the programme is a police series set in the 1960s. It is based on the books by Nicholas Rhea. More recently the railway station (part of the Grosmont to Pickering line of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway) has become famous as Platform 9¾ used for the departure of the Hogwart’s Express in Harry Potter films.
This shot was taken just opposite all the busy tourist action around the shops, where you can buy Heartbeat tourist tat. The cross features in the opening credits of the TV programme, and you can see the sheep grazing on the common. I considered asking the tired hiker to move (as if I would have dared!!) but thought he added to the image.

carper, nwoehnl, Tue, weswang, ajcsousa, huynt, supereira, Paolo, coco has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

nwoehnl (122) 2005-10-09 10:25

Hi Kath. Good you didn't ask the guy to move, I think he adds quite a bit to the scene as he is in more or less the similar situation as a viewer of your photo, watching the pleasant view. The colors are quite well saturated, and the sheep scattered across the frame add a charming element. Compo-wise the photo is perhaps a bit heavy towards the left side with the building and the cross both in the first third of the frame, but overall it's enjoyable to look at.

bantonbuju (51815) 2005-10-09 10:34

hi kath, i agree with norbert about the guy "representing" us while sitting and watching this tranquil view, but for me both the building and the cross statue play an important role as the sheeps are so unexpectable in this "normal-for-humans" place, and both the building and the cross - they underline this strangeness of the sheeps here;
funny image, i like it;
best, jerzy

Tue (92312) 2005-10-09 10:56

Hej Kath,
Nice and well composed picture of this village. The sheep almost everywhere in the picture are a nice addition. Well taken.
Hilsner,
Lars

nels (2623) 2005-10-09 12:47

hi kath nearly excellent composition is that bob in his usual position? good strong colours

adrian

Stepan (27210) 2005-10-09 13:54

It's funny to see how the light is different from the one in Grosmont (it was the same day, isn't it ?).
Another atmophere too...
A good trip in Yorkshire...
Stéphane
PS : you should make a travelogue

sarju (5324) 2005-10-09 14:24

Hi Kath
the best thing I like about this photo is the confusion between the urban/rural scene
good capture ... tfs ... sarju

danby1 (3697) 2005-10-09 15:54

nice shot kath good composition and lighting, the hiker looks a lot like my uncle! good shot nicly framed, the sheep all over are nice and the flag is captured nicely too! i think me and ashley will have to visit grosmont soon!

manss0fl (327) 2005-10-09 16:14 [Comment]

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ajcsousa (1804) 2005-10-09 19:34

Hi Kath,
Nice picture. Good composition, colors, light and details. I specially like the sheeps all over the place. Well done
Regards, António

huynt (5081) 2005-10-09 23:50

Hi Kath
Thanks for village scene in UK. It is relax and peaceful. Bravo Well done. huy

carper (96) 2005-10-10 6:11

Yes Kath I like the shot,
very wide composition, good lines and many details in the good shot, realy nice to look at, very good job,
gr. jaap

supereira (9576) 2005-10-10 6:44

Great shot.I like the composition and DOF.Very good colors,light and sharpness.I like the detail of the sheeps.Great sky.I like the detail of the man.Good job!

Paolo (41258) 2005-10-10 10:57

Verym very British that image Kath!!!
the sheeps, green field, grey cloudy sky, the Union Jack, the sitted man...very British style!
and excellent composition, with all at good level!
thanks, ciao

weswang (18247) 2005-10-10 11:00

Hi Kath, I like this beautiful relax scene of small village life. The picture has shown the characters of the village with sheep freely wondering on the lawn together with the people there. An enjoyable environment and a enjoyable picture.

coco (30439) 2005-10-10 13:59

Hi Kath.
I like this picture. First, the composition is good. You must contemplate for understand what are you seeing. The green field crossed by a road and plenty sheeps. In front of them, a man who rests in a seat.
Also the trees and the house. And even people who walks in the road.

I think that only with all this I would like very much. But without the cross wouldn't be Goathland.

I mean that is a good, very good composition.
And watching the sky I think that you has done a good job with the light.

Regards.