The subject of the picture is Bamburgh Castle on the north east coast of England. Alfie Tait appears to have been at the right place at the right time. He has captured the castle in a spotlight of golden sunlight with a threatening storm forming in the east above The North Sea. I hope you will agree that the contrast is .pretty spectacular.
Strange as it might seem, Bamburgh Castle was not built as a tourist attraction nor as a subject for amateur photographers. It was constructed for practical defensive purposes upon a site that had seen several earlier fortresses dating back through the mists of time.
A good quiz question is this: Which English county contains the most castles? The answer is Northumberland with a grand total of 81 castles. They were mostly built in the fourteenth century in connection with on-going conflicts with Scots from across the border. It is generally accepted that the most significant Northumberland castle is Bamburgh which has such a colourful and complicated history.
Here's another Geograph picture of Bamburgh Castle - this time by Billy McCrorie and taken in May 2013:-
The second photo is lovely, but that first one is absolutely stunning. It's definitely a "once in a lifetime" shot. I have a friend from Northumberland, so I've heard quite a bit about that area over the years.
ReplyDeleteI agree that this was a "Once in a lifetime" picture Kelly.
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ReplyDeletethat was a major complex. The whole village could take shelter in there.
I am not sure that the lords who controlled castles cared that much about ordinary people.
DeleteAlfie's photo is stunning! I love it.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if he appreciated as much as we do.
DeleteThat first picture is truly spectacular! It is also proof that clear blue skies, much as we appreciate them for walks and village fĂȘtes, don‘t make for the best pictures.
ReplyDeleteMy late friend George Pickles (former Ripon Hornblower) and his wife went for a short break in Bamburgh at least once a year, and he always said how much they both liked the place.
That coast is lovable - somehow wild and free and less visited.
DeleteMany will be familiar with another of our Northumberland castles - Alnwick, from Harry Potter and Downton Abbey fame.
ReplyDeleteAlso the lovely little castle on Holy Island - Lindisfarne.
DeleteDoes Alan Shearer live in a castle like this?
ReplyDeleteNo. He lives in a caravan at Whitley Bay.
DeletePlayed football with the kids on the park beside the castle walls in the warm evening sun. A fantastic day.
ReplyDeleteI bet your daughter won!
DeleteI've seen Bamberg Castle but not Bamburgh Castle. North east coast? I should know the location. Alfie's photo is stunning.
ReplyDeleteR must have seen Bamburgh Castle before being transported to Australia for stealing a tin of beans.
DeleteSuperlatives just don't do that first photo justice do they, it's incredible. As a "happy snapper" I'm in awe of photos like this.
ReplyDeleteMany times I have seen skies like that with golden subjects illuminated from the west but those subjects are never as wonder-some as a coastal castle and besides, I often do not have my camera with me.
DeleteThat photo is indeed incredibly stirring with the louring sky contrasted against the glowing patch of sunlight.
ReplyDeleteI like that word "louring" - makes it seem like an angry beast just waiting.
DeleteAll I can say is...Wow! Spectacular indeed.
ReplyDeleteSteve's blog is called "Shadows and Light" and that title would happily fit that image.
DeleteThe photo is quite beautiful, right camera, right place, right time. I read up on the history of the castle, very interesting and very old. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI am glad this post inspired you to research Bamburgh Castle.
DeletePerhaps Alfie never made it through the storm and some other Geograph square hunter found the camera and posted that final photo in Alfie's memory.
ReplyDeleteOhhh! I like the path your imagination followed there!
DeleteIt is all about painting with light, and words
ReplyDeleteIt is funny how two photos of the very same castle can be so radically different.
DeleteI do like that top photo. Luck really is a HUGE factor in good photography -- being at the right place at the right time. (Of course, you then need to know what to do to take advantage, so there's skill involved too!)
ReplyDeleteI bet that a minute before and a minute afterwards, the scene at Bamburgh would have looked so different and far less impressive.
DeleteThe first shot looks magical - you'd not be surprised to meet King Arthur or Merlin in the neighbourhood... :)
ReplyDeleteI like your response DT.
DeleteBamburgh holds a special place in my heart as my husband's family come from near there. The first time I walked along the beach and saw the castle I fell in love with it
ReplyDeleteThis co-incidence is pleasing.
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