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As it currently stands we are at day 46 of a nationwide lockdown and my inability to maintain normal photographic action has given me some new impetus to explore some other opportunities; namely my blog. With a hopeful view to some form of normality returning in the not so distant future, I thought I would create a series of local location guides so when usual service resumes we can once again enjoy and explore Oxfordshire’s landscapes.
First up…
St Michael & All Angels, Clifton Hampden
“Throw a stone in the water to create some ripples and foreground interest. Experiment with the shutter speed to capture alternative options.”
For anyone who enjoys a varied mix of photographic opportunities the route described below offers it all; picture postcard views, river scenes, wildlife, a 360º vista and a little bit of woodland.
Three miles east of Abingdon on Thames lies the pretty village of Clifton Hampden. Situated on the River Thames, it offers great walks along either of its river banks. Take the public footpath to the south of the river and you will instantly encounter a picture postcard view of the parish church of St Michael & All Angels. Several inlets allow you to get down close to the water and compose your shot - bring your wellies! For the shot above I threw a couple of stones into the water creating some ripples; this introduced some additional foreground interest whilst I experimented with the shutter speed to capture some alternative options. On this occasion, I didn’t notice my wellies had a hole in, so a wet foot greeted me for the rest of the walk!
Even the most mundane of subjects can look beautiful in the right conditions and light.
Follow the Thames path eastwards towards neighbouring Dorchester and you will find a range of typical river scenes including a lovely little boathouse. Visiting at sunrise in autumn and winter will likely treat you to some stunning scenes as the river and surrounding areas can get notoriously misty. I love these conditions to pick out detail shots with a long telephoto or capture the natural wildlife encountered; eventually you will reach Days lock and weir. This area is a natural flood plain so the landscape can be transformed dramatically from one day to the next, just watch your step! For those with an abundance of energy I recommend visiting nearby Wittenham Clumps. Cross the river at Wittenham bridge and make the short climb to the top of the hill. From here you will have 360º views of the landscape below. Beautiful!
Canon 70-200mm, 1/80 sec at f/8, ISO 100
If you enjoy these guides, subscribe to my mailing list for further details. Clifton Hampden features in my book Oxfordshire in Photographs which is available to purchase here.