Night Time at Bull’s Lock and Swingbridge.

Looking west from Bull’s Swingbridge, Bull’s Lock.

One of the joys of living on a narrowboat is some of the glorious scenery on our doorstep. This shot was taken just east of Newbury, on the Kennet & Avon Canal.

As you will discover as this blog progresses, I love taking long exposure photographs, particularly at night. You never fully know how the image will turn out, until you have taken it.

Night time shots are particularly exciting. The camera will pick up things that cannot be seen with the naked eye. Looking straight towards the light and masking as much as possible with the trees, this wonderful starring effect is created. The evening was slightly foggy. I had been out walking the dog, but without the camera, when I stumbled across this view. I had planned to walk along to Bull’s Lock, but hadn’t appreciated just what an opportunity this location presented.

The lights in view are courtesy of the local DPD depot. Combined with the fog, there was a wonderful air of mysteriousness about the scene. Unfortunately, in the short time it took to walk back, get the camera and return, the fog had lifted slightly.

In the shot, the white bollards to the left are the landing moorings for operating the swingbridge, from which the photograph was taken. The canal bears off slightly to the right, heading west towards the centre of Newbury, where we are currently moored. Bull’s Lock is just behind where this was taken.

Photograph Details

• Taken: 30 Dec 2016
• Camera: Canon 5D MkIII
• Lens: Canon EF 24-70mm 1:2.8 L II USM
• Focal Length 28mm
• F/6.3
• 30 Sec
• ISO 400