PHOTOGRAPHING THE LANDSCAPE WHATEVER THE WEATHER.- Blog 3 Flooding

Following on from my previous blog on the aesthetic beauty of landscape when it is raining, it seems opportune to consider the landscape after very heavy periods of rain when the land becomes excessively boggy or even floods. With the onset of Global Warming, incidences of flooding are become increasingly more common. 

It should be noted that there are two kinds of flooding. The first and possibly the easiest to predict is in areas that regularly flood such as estuaries and water meadows. Flooding tends to occur in the winter months. By way of contrast, flooding can also occur quite unpredictably as a result of short but very violent thunderstorms. With the drainage systems unable to cope, large and sometimes destructive volumes of water cascade downstream, often causing quite serious damage. This can occur at any time of the year.

Image 1 Flooded Field , Wareham.

This was photographed on the outskirts of Wareham, (the town where I live). Up until 10 years ago, these sorts of thing rarely occurred, but it is as we are all well aware becoming increasingly more frequent. I was in fact on my way to our local garden centre but was stuck by the wonderful photographic opportunities this flooded field offered, so I returned home to get my camera. I waited for the evening light when the wind is likely to be at its calmest and was smitten by the reflection of the evening sky in the water.  The moon, I hasten to add, was an extra bonus. What I did learn from the experience of photographing at this location is to quote a well used adage "don't put off to tomorrow what you can do today"! I returned to the same field 24 hours later and much of the water had drained away. In common with so many weather conditions, the effects are notoriously short-lived so take your opportunities while you can.

Image 2. Flooded Water Meadows, Stoborough.

A feature that is sometimes not always appreciated when photographing in the rain is that it has the appearance of a light fog. Even in daytime, when it is raining the lighting often requires the use of a relatively slow shutter speed, (in this example I used a shutter speed of 1 second), therefore the movement of the rain becomes blurred. What it does create however is a pleasing sense of a tonal recession, as the middle distance appears much paler than those elements closer to the camera. This impression is exaggerated by the dramatic tonality and colour saturation of the trees nearest the camera. One of the obvious advantages of using a long lens is that they come equipped with deep lens-hoods, which helps to keep the front element dry.

Image 3. Flooded field, Morden.

Wareham is surrounded by farmland which of course offers wonderful opportunities for photography the year round. Maize had been grown in this field, and a distinctive rill had been left as a consequence of the harvesting. After a lengthy period of heavy rain, it appears strangely beautiful, especially when photographed at dusk. Needless to say, accessing this location required trampling through heavy mud, so heavy boots were unquestionably the order of the day.  Moreover, it is not an environment that makes it easy to change lenses, so decide to work with a single lens and stick with it. In this example I was using a 50mm lens.  From a compositional standpoint, flooding has the capacity to simplify the landscape, which of course can add interest. Features such as trees and posts are left marooned in the water and make obvious focal points.

Image 4. Somerset Levels 1

The Somerset Levels is an area well known for its flooding and the authorities have constructed a sequence of dykes to control it; the winter months certainly offer some exciting photographic opportunities. It is important to understand that for most of the year this is a field that cattle happily graze in, but for just a brief period in the year it floods in quite a spectacular manner.  I always aim to visit this area during a period of high pressure, because that is when you a least likely to encounter wind, but also in the evening which tends to offer the most calm conditions. Because of a condition known as "atmospheric decoupling" the water is likely to be at its most calm between 30 - 40 minutes after sunset. If you are able to capture the sky perfectly reflected in the still water, don't worry about the rule of thirds and instead place the horizon in the middle of the composition.  In this way you are making a clear statement about the relationship between the still water and the sky.

Image 5. Somerset Levels 2

While there is a temptation to venture into a flooded area, don't overlook the opportunity to use a long lens. Using such lenses not only offers some measure of convenience but also allows you to photograph relatively distant scenarios. In this example I used my 100-400 zoom, taken about 50 minutes after sunset. The "Levels" are characterised by many canals and rivers dotted with numerous small villages. In this example the distant church steeple makes a worthy focal point. Because of the level of moisture coupled with the cooling air, it is not uncommon to encounter a hint of mist at this time of the day.

Image 6 Iced-up Flooded Water Meadow, Stoborough.

Other than visiting known areas that frequently flood, my advice is to seek locations much nearer to home, not least because flooding tends to be sporadic and unpredictable.  In this example, not only was I fortunate enough to capture this water-meadow shortly after it had flooded, but also when it had frozen over. As I have already suggested, flooding generally occurs during the winter months, but if you then experience very clear skies at night, it is not uncommon for these flooded areas to freeze over. From a visual standpoint relatively uninteresting landscape locations can be wonderfully transformed. In this example I was fortunate in so far as the sun had set behind me, therefore there remains a hint of the "Venus Belt" colouration in the sky.  The reeds and grasses still visible in the foreground give a hint to what this field looks like without the flooding.