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Historic Towns & Picturesque Villages

Doom Bar Sandbank

Sandbanks

a Seaside Town in the county of Dorset

River next to the Mill

Breamore

in the county of Hampshire

Marlborough--Savernake Forest, Wiltshire.

Marlborough

in the county of Wiltshire

Edward Lever's Comments

Tower Bridge on a sunny day
Edward Lever(5th August 2023)

Hi Robert. I know many people, even Londoners, make this mistake so you are not alone. I am not sure myself how you can edit the title unless you re-submit the image. The naming error is not a major issue but could confuse tourists.

Tower Bridge from below
Edward Lever(21st July 2023)

This is Tower Bridge, not London Bridge

Tower Bridge on a sunny day
Edward Lever(21st July 2023)

The title of the picture is incorrect. This picture is of Tower Bridge, not London Bridge, which is about half a mile away. A good picture nevertheless.

Baywatch - Robin Hood's Bay
5 stars
Edward Lever(26th December 2021)

Superb composition - the strong lines in this picture are a good example of how the 'rule of thirds' can make a very satisfying composition. Also, I love the muted colours of the evening sunlight seen here.

birds
Edward Lever(17th February 2021)

They look like swifts, who will often swirl around in groups at high speed and rarely land on anything.

Grand Union Canal Slough
Edward Lever(17th February 2021)

A spectacularly bleak picture of Slough...the iciness serves to amplify the town's dreariness. It would make an excellent photo to accompany John Betjeman's famous poem about Slough.

Lyme Regis
5 stars
Edward Lever(16th December 2020)

Superb vibrant shot, Pat. Nice to see such a clear and sharp image.

Neptune Hotel, New Brighton.
5 stars
Edward Lever(24th November 2020)

I really had to look hard to decipher this image. It is certainly eye-catching. It's good to know that the creative vibes of Liverpool have made it across the water to New Brighton. Well observed as always, Rod.

Hopton Castle  near Ludlow
5 stars
Edward Lever(20th November 2020)

A very pleasing image, reminiscent of an English landscape painting in a bucolic style. It has a timeless quality, with no hint that it is a recent photograph.

henley
5 stars
Edward Lever(19th November 2020)

Very atmospheric and unusual picture. Normally, one sees this view of Temple Island in the summer, with Henley Regatta in full swing. Seeing this Eight in training in the winter months gives a totally different impression of this stretch of the river. And monochrome is perfect for this misty scene.

dragon fly
Edward Lever(18th November 2020)

You have got some excellent shots of the insects, Chris. Great results and very sharp.

Hidcote Manor Garden
5 stars
Edward Lever(11th November 2020)

Beautiful blend of soft pastel shades. The soft, almost shadow-less lighting, really suits this scene.

Heron resting by the old millstream at Caversham
Edward Lever(23rd October 2020)

Thank you, Paul, for your kind comment. I was lucky to get that shot before he flew off, because herons are usually quite wary.

Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Stansted
5 stars
Edward Lever(15th September 2020)

Clever use of the lantern and its support for framing the view of the Church

Cliveden House, Taplow
Edward Lever(15th September 2020)

Thank you for your kind comment, Paul

St. Michael and All Angels, Hartlip
Edward Lever(11th September 2020)

The major difference I can see is the huge difference in image quality between Paul's DSLR (the Nikon D850) and those from his compact camera (the Nikon Coolpix A1000). I see from the EXIF data that the A1000 was used in this shot and some other recent ones of his. To my eyes, the images produced by the A1000 show excessive sharpening and chromatic aberration, typical of small compact zoom cameras. Some people may prefer this effect, as in the old film days some people liked Lomography. Of course the A1000 is a much more convenient camera for travel, because of its small size and its light weight, but for me, the D850 must win on image quality every time.

Cottage Gardens
5 stars
Edward Lever(8th September 2020)

I have recently tried to take some shots of Damsel Flies myself, but this one is really superb. I always look at other people's work as a yardstick for comparison before getting too complacent with my own work.

Saltaire village
Edward Lever(3rd September 2020)

Thank you for the explanation, Paul, I was sure the name must have had an innocent origin. It is a nice example of how an innocent street name can be misconstrued in modern parlance. There are many other examples of old English street names with dubious modern connotations, though I would not dare suggest this as a new picture category. BTW, the sharp rendering of the street sign confirms the quality of your Nikon kit.

Saltaire village
Edward Lever(2nd September 2020)

I am reluctant to make this observation, but I see that this shot includes a street sign of a certain bawdy notoriety (the street-sign is near the right-hand edge of the frame and about half way up). Whether this street name had the approval or cognisance of Sir Titus Salt is a matter of conjecture.

Odin's Fire
5 stars
Edward Lever(29th August 2020)

Great shot, Cass. It shows how waiting for the right light is crucial for landscape photography (as well as getting things right technically)

Deer
Edward Lever(10th August 2020)

Thank you for the info, Graham. I was pretty certain it must have been a Canon 'L' series lens with Image Stabilisation. Not a cheap lens by any means, but a good investment. It is also compatible with full-frame Canon DSLRs if you should go that way in the future.

Deer
5 stars
Edward Lever(9th August 2020)

An excellently sharp shot. I don't know which make of lens was used, but the results are outstanding for such a long focal length.

Reflection
Edward Lever(8th August 2020)

I agree that people can be a distraction in architectural shots, particularly if they happen to be slap-bang in the middle of the frame as they are here. In the early days of photography, with tripod-mounted plate cameras, people often seemed to be absent from such shots simply because the exposure times were so long. A similar effect can be achieved these days with a tripod-mounted digital camera and an ND filter. Unfortunately, many cathedrals and similar ancient buildings do not allow tripods to be used, though sometimes it is possible to make use of a convenient object to keep the camera steady.

St. Nicholas Church, North Walsham
Edward Lever(4th August 2020)

At first glance, I thought this must be a picture of the ugliest church I have ever seen. Further research reveals that the strange appearance was the result of the collapse of the tower in 1724 followed by further deterioration in 1836.

Hardly Windmill
5 stars
Edward Lever(1st August 2020)

Beautiful shot of this fine looking Windmill

Starston
Edward Lever(1st August 2020)

It looks OK to me, Peggy, maybe you should go to Specsavers !

Conwy Estuary from Conwy Castle
4 stars
Edward Lever(18th July 2020)

I think this view is of the Conwy estuary, not the Menai Strait. It was almost certainly taken from the walls of Conwy Castle, where I remember taking this view (in brighter conditions) about 15 years ago. See my image 1216806 for comparison.

Boat House at Park Place, Remenham
Edward Lever(14th July 2020)

Thanks for the comment, Paul. The Boat House is early 19th century and is quite special in that it is in the grounds of Park Place, probably the most expensive private house in the UK (its sale price in 2016 was £140 million). The entire site is Grade II listed.

'Shenanagans'
5 stars
Edward Lever(16th June 2020)

Some great street art to be seen in Liverpool, captured in great detail. I imagine in normal times, it would be natural to partake of a bevvie after completing that assignment.

King Street, showing the Gaskell Memorial Tower
5 stars
Edward Lever(11th June 2020)

A well taken shot of this quirky structure which might look more at home in Italy. The tower is a bizarre mishmash of architectural styles and no doubt surprises many a visitor on first seeing it.

Fox Glove Flowers in my garden at Caversham
Edward Lever(10th June 2020)

Thank you Chris & Sarah. Foxgloves only flourish with the right amount of light (partial shade) and a humus rich soil. If the conditions are right, they will self-seed and continue from year to year perpetually. Our garden is shaded by a mature oak tree and this seems to be the sort of light foxgloves like.

Exeter Cathedral main entrance
5 stars
Edward Lever(9th June 2020)

The West Front is often the most impressive view of an English Cathedral. Exeter is good, but Wells is the ultimate example. A nice shot. The three crosses at the left add balance, though they seem slightly menacing.

Port Sunlight
5 stars
Edward Lever(9th June 2020)

Port Sunlight was built around the end of the 19th century for the workers of the Lever Brothers Soap Factory (manufacturers of Sunlight Soap). The pretty cottages seen here were built in the 'Arts and Crafts' style in the belief that the workers deserved pleasant and artistically designed housing. William Lever was a philanthropist and Port Sunlight was conceived as a model village to include schools, a church, recreational facilities, a theatre and a swimming pool. The company continued as Lever Brothers until 1930, when it combined with the Dutch company Margarine Unie to become the multinational brand Unilever.

Tide out, sun setting
5 stars
Edward Lever(24th May 2020)

I agree with Paul's comment regarding the lone figure. The position of the figure in the frame is a good example of the 'rule of thirds' for composition. I know some people dismiss this rule as being too formulaic, but in my opinion it gives a good result every time.

Poppy
5 stars
Edward Lever(24th May 2020)

Nice shot, Pat, with good detail at the centre of the flower. Your poppies seem to be doing nicely despite the dry weather, so you must be watering them regularly.

View of Greys Court estate from the fields below Rotherfield Greys
Edward Lever(24th May 2020)

Thank you Chris and Sarah for your kind comments. The lock-down situation has limited my picture taking. All is OK here despite this, and I hope you are all keeping well at this difficult time.

Otterton church
5 stars
Edward Lever(29th April 2020)

Very creative framing !

Alone
5 stars
Edward Lever(29th April 2020)

I have only ever visited Seaton on business, so this picture of an almost deserted beach was an eye-opener for me. It is also a very well composed picture. The feeling of isolation comes across so well (even though I see the picture was taken in 2018, so there is no connection with the Corona Virus lock-down).

Bakewell Parish Church, Derbyshire
5 stars
Edward Lever(5th April 2020)

A classic nicely framed shot with vibrant colours and crisp focus. The Canon 30D is now a venerable DSLR but this shot shows it can still produce excellent images in the right hands. The huge pixel resolution of the latest cameras is not always necessary.

Exeter Quay
5 stars
Edward Lever(24th March 2020)

A very effective and interesting example of a 'contre-jour' photo. An excellent composition.

Tram
Edward Lever(5th January 2020)

Nice pic of this historic tram. I remember it running from Seaton Harbour, near the Racal factory (which is now long gone), then up the Axe valley. Good to know it's still running.

By the Churchyard, Leek, Staffordshire
Edward Lever(9th December 2019)

Getting your pic published in AP is a great accolade. Doing a sepia version must give the shot even more of a timeless look. I don't buy AP every week, but I will look out for the one with your pic in it.

By the Churchyard, Leek, Staffordshire
Edward Lever(8th December 2019)

Well spotted, Mobscooter. I missed the little bit of green at the top left of the frame. It shows how grey the conditions were on that day. It leaves me with the question whether it would it be better with the green emphasised or have it with the frame made uniformly monochrome. Either way it is a good shot.

By the Churchyard, Leek, Staffordshire
Edward Lever(5th December 2019)

A classic monochrome misty shot. Very atmospheric.

In the woods
5 stars
Edward Lever(25th November 2019)

Superb subtle shades, the mistiness works very well in giving an autumnal feel to this shot.

St Paul's Cathedral
5 stars
Edward Lever(16th November 2019)

Very effective contrast of new and old architecture

Polish Roman Catholic Church, Watlington Street, Reading
Edward Lever(16th November 2019)

Thank you for your kind comment, Paul. This church is Grade II listed, built 1872-73, and gets a mention by Pevsner in his 'Buildings of England'. It is a big eye-catching building with its rough rock facings and its red stone window dressings. It is situated in a fairly narrow street so it is difficult to get a shot without converging verticals, which I have left largely uncorrected in this shot.

Horsey
5 stars
Edward Lever(28th October 2019)

A very fine image indeed, reminiscent of the works of the early landscape photographers (although of course the old images would be in monochrome). A bigger pixel sized image would look better, but this is a minor criticism.

Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire
5 stars
Edward Lever(7th October 2019)

Looks fantastic now (compared with the first one). A wonderfully timeless view, could be from any period in the last 500 years or so.

Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire
Edward Lever(6th October 2019)

An attractive scene, with a timeless quality, spoiled somewhat by the car and the TV antenna. A slightly different view point would have eliminated the TV antenna from the Ram's back, though you couldn't do much about the car, except hope that it soon departed.

Rosedale Moor Iron mines
5 stars
Edward Lever(29th September 2019)

A fascinating shot of long-gone industrial activity, well observed. The sheep in the foreground illustrate nicely how everything goes back to nature in time.

Weymouth Seafront
Edward Lever(29th September 2019)

A great panorama with a lot of interesting detail. Good use of a telephoto lens.

Budleigh Crows
Edward Lever(21st September 2019)

Normally, taking the exposure off the sky would give an under exposed image. However, in this case, it works perfectly, revealing the detail in the clouds and rendering the crows in silhouette.

The Great Tower at Greys Court
Edward Lever(21st September 2019)

Thank you, Peggy, for your kind comment. I see you have been submitting a wide variety of pictures too, from seaside to countryside, it's always good to see what England has to offer.

Rushton Triangular Lodge
4 stars
Edward Lever(16th September 2019)

What an amazing building, nicely recorded in this set of images. Sir Thomas Tresham, a Recusant Catholic, reputedly built this structure as a defiant affirmation of belief in the Holy Trinity, contrary to the prevailing anti-Catholic fervour of Elizabethan England.

Britwell House, Britwell Salome
Edward Lever(2nd September 2019)

Thank you, Chris and Sarah, for your kind comments. Yes, the view can be stunning looking over the Oxfordshire plain from here. If one takes different viewing angle (a few degrees east of this view) it is usually possible to see the 'Dreaming Spires' of Oxford (about 14 miles away), also the TV mast at Beckley and the windmill at Wheatley on a clear day.

Bourton on the water
4 stars
Edward Lever(2nd September 2019)

Hi Peggy, Just seen your latest picture. However, it should be labelled Bourton-on-the-Water, not Burton. If you type in Bourton-on-the-Water in the location box, you will see there are other pictures already loaded. It's a very pretty picture all the same.

The George Hotel, Dorchester-on-Thames
Edward Lever(2nd September 2019)

Thank you for your kind comment, Chris & Sarah. The George was used as a location for quite a few of the scenes in the 'Midsomer Murders' TV series. A guide can be downloaded from dorchester-on-thames.co.uk

Captains Row, Lymington
Edward Lever(29th August 2019)

I totally agree with you Rod. I might allow a classic car, but so many views of historic streets are spoiled by cars. The only intrusion in this picture are the double-yellow lines which presumably are the reason for the absence of cars. A pleasing picture, Steve, and well done Lymington Council for the double-yellows !

Inside Ellen Terry’s theatre in Tenterden
Edward Lever(27th August 2019)

A scene evocative of Stackton Tressel and Hinge & Bracket

Ely Cathedral
5 stars
Edward Lever(24th August 2019)

Very well chosen angle of view of this magnificent building, Stephen. Also, you should be commended on the precise verticals.

The Cabot Tower on Brandon Hill, Bristol
Edward Lever(23rd August 2019)

Thanks for the kind comment, Chris and Sarah. Yes, the Cabot Tower affords a great view over Bristol on a clear day, with good views of the Clifton Suspension Bridge and the SS Great Britain. An added attraction is that it is free entry. All you need is the stamina to climb the stairs.

BRISTOL and the S.S.Gt.Britain
Edward Lever(23rd August 2019)

The 'blue' effect of the sky is perfectly normal for shots taken at this time of the evening. In fact, many photographers try to get this 'blue hour' effect intentionally. I assume you used a tripod for this shot, which gives you the option of experimenting with different aperture settings without worrying about camera shake. It is probably not worth going to aperture settings smaller than f/16 because diffraction will set in, reducing image sharpness.

Caricature artist on Minehead seafront
4 stars
Edward Lever(23rd August 2019)

Very nicely observed. No fodder for the gulls, but they can still be a worry if they are on a bombing mission.

St. Botolph's Church, Swyncombe
Edward Lever(23rd August 2019)

Thank you Chris and Sarah for your kind comment

'One Man Band'  Liverpool.
4 stars
Edward Lever(23rd August 2019)

LIverpool is such an excellent place for colourful characters, as your many candid shots bear witness. The entertainer seems oblivious to your camera. Perhaps he was absorbed in his music, or just being strangled by all the instruments around his neck. Nicely observed as always.

BRISTOL and the S.S.Gt.Britain
5 stars
Edward Lever(23rd August 2019)

Paul's recommendation of using a wider aperture would have reduced the depth of field. As taken, this seems a pretty good shot to me, with both near and far distances sharply rendered.

The Clock Tower, Snodland
Edward Lever(21st August 2019)

An 'interesting' structure, but I don't think I would want to see it outside my front door. I am astounded that planning permission was granted for building residential housing so close to it. Also hope for those living nearby, that the clock doesn't chime through the night.

Castle Rd, Cottingham
5 stars
Edward Lever(21st August 2019)

An eye catching image - the early morning light and the interesting perspective really grab the viewer's attention

Taking a rest in Minehead town centre
5 stars
Edward Lever(13th August 2019)

An excellent candid shot - the scene looks almost continental - even though it is Minehead !

Dartmoor – Sign Post
4 stars
Edward Lever(10th August 2019)

Deceptively simple but effective, a good example of how the 'rule of thirds' works.

Window in St. Botolph's Church, Swyncombe
Edward Lever(7th August 2019)

Thanks for your comment, Mobscooter. I took this picture thinking that the coloured window was more interesting than the stonework surrounding it. The impression of the bright image, isolated from its surroundings, was intentional. I appreciate that you might have taken it differently, according to your taste. As a general observation, taking pictures inside churches is always a challenge, with their dark interiors and bright windows. If you set the exposure for the general interior light level of the church, the windows will come out over exposed, as you say yours do. Here, I metered off the window rather than the church interior, so the stonework is inevitably underexposed. If you wanted to see both the bright and dark bits, you would have to use flash, or set the camera to HDR and use a tripod. If you wish to see the larger view of this window (which shows the stonework) please look at my Image http://www.picturesofengland.com/England/Oxfordshire/Swyncombe/pictures/1178195

Grain Tower (1)
5 stars
Edward Lever(3rd August 2019)

A very interesting structure, well photographed, with an informative narrative. I am fascinated by these coastal defences, many of which are too substantial to demolish.

Budleigh blue plaque
Edward Lever(2nd August 2019)

Apologies for my misinterpretation, Mobscooter. I can understand that it's not always possible to get to the best vantage point when you are in your mobility scooter. I suppose you could partially crop off the gatepost, but this would also take out some of the house. There's not much else that can be done without resorting to Photoshop.

Budleigh blue plaque
Edward Lever(2nd August 2019)

Potentially a very attractive shot, but spoiled by the big item of street furniture at the lower left of the frame.

Gold hill,  Shaftesbury, DORSET
4 stars
Edward Lever(1st August 2019)

A spectacular shot of the view seen in the classic Hovis adverts of the 1970s, Often considered to be one of the most attractive English village scenes.

Windmill in Wheatley, Oxfordshire
Edward Lever(31st July 2019)

I think this is the windmill I can see in the distance from Watlington Hill. It's good to see it closer, so I can now positively identify it. There are a lot of windmills to choose from in Oxfordshire ! It looks to be in a good state of repair too.

Cape Cornwall, St Just
5 stars
Edward Lever(31st July 2019)

It's the low angle of the light that really makes this shot interesting.

Weston
5 stars
Edward Lever(30th July 2019)

Superb view, Pat. Were you up a tree at the cliff edge to take that picture ? It's good to see you are out and about.

Whitby Abbey
5 stars
Edward Lever(30th July 2019)

A picturesque interpretation of Whitby Abbey, with only a hint of menace. Far too pleasant to draw me into its association with the Dracula story !

Train on Knaresborough viaduct
5 stars
Edward Lever(30th July 2019)

A superb picture, from a spectacular view point. Excellent clarity and lighting, the details just draw my eye into it.

Quarry Bank Mill
5 stars
Edward Lever(30th July 2019)

Excellent documentary shot of the Industrial Revolution in England. The building is, in its own way, as impressive as any Church or Stately Home.

Stonor House and Chapel
Edward Lever(30th July 2019)

Thank you, Linda-Mary for your kind comment. According to the official guide information, The Hon. William and Lady Ailsa Stonor reside in the main house and Lord and Lady Camoys reside in the recently restored 14th Century Wool House.

St. Mary's Church, Ewelme
Edward Lever(27th July 2019)

Thanks for your kind comment, Chris & Sarah. The angle was dictated by the limited access around the tomb, not by artistic inspiration ! There are very few examples of Cadaver Tombs like this in England, the only others which come to mind are the one of Richard Fleming, Bishop of Lincoln, and that of Henry Chichele, Archbishop of Canterbury, although I'm sure there must be others.

St. Mary's Church, Platt
Edward Lever(27th July 2019)

This is a picture which demonstrates the difficulty of photographing church interiors which include stained glass windows. This example has the interior well exposed, but the windows are devoid of detail. On the other hand, if the window detail was to be seen, the interior would be excessively gloomy. This means extra attention is needed to get a pleasing result. First of all, careful exposure readings are needed, preferably using spot metering rather than average or evaluative metering, and then making a considered decision as to camera settings. Other techniques might help, such as using flash or HDR mode.

Bodiam Castle Postern Gate
5 stars
Edward Lever(27th July 2019)

It's so good to see one of your Bodiam Castle shots with a decent sky and good lighting. Such shots are rare on PoE, where most of the recent shots seem to be taken in drearily flat light. I like the angle too, so much better than 'straight-on' shots.

Packhorse bridge
Edward Lever(26th July 2019)

A superb image, a good example of the quality of work which was exhibited on PoE over a decade ago. No high MegaPixels needed for excellent clarity (the image comes in at a modest 3 MegaPixel).

Waddesdon Manor
Edward Lever(25th July 2019)

Thanks for the kind comment, Chris & Sarah. I'm surprised you haven't visited yet, It's in your neck of the woods I think. You might even be able to see the tops of the towers through the trees.

St. Mary's Church. West Malling
Edward Lever(25th July 2019)

All your pictures, Paul, are undoubtedly technically competent, but I wonder why you upload many of them at such a huge Pixel size ? (often exceeding 40 MP). They are not viewable at this resolution by users of this site. Also, since the file size upload limit is 8 MB, your images must be heavily compressed to fit. The heavy compression may spoil their sale potential. Personally, I think there is little advantage in uploading at anything much bigger than 6 MegaPixels, preferably consisting of a high quality JPG export of a higher resolution RAW image.

Table set for lunch at Waddesdon
Edward Lever(21st July 2019)

Thank you Paul, regrettably I cannot aspire to benefitting from Rothschild hospitality, although I did feel a strong desire to sample that claret.

Thames Lido, Reading
Edward Lever(11th July 2019)

The image is unexceptional I admit, but I think it is useful as a record shot. Reading Borough Council tried its hardest to destroy this piece of heritage. Sadly, this is not unusual policy for local councils in England who value profit over heritage and local amenities.

St. Mary's Church, Chilham
3 stars
Edward Lever(11th July 2019)

An interesting looking church, but there is so much wasted space in the frame. I would have been inclined to crop the image much tighter (most of the lower half of the frame could be binned).

St. Nicholas Church, Rotherfield Greys
Edward Lever(10th July 2019)

Thank you for the comment, Paul. The tower appears perfectly vertical because it was my intention for it to appear so. After all, it is the main feature of the building, and the eye gets drawn to it. There is always some leaning with these wide-angle shots, and a judgement must be made as to the main feature you want to be vertical. I know correction is possible using Lightroom or similar applications, but in my opinion the result often looks un-natural. My usual approach is to try to get the result I want at the time of shooting.

Birmingham
Edward Lever(6th July 2019)

A very peaceful looking place, nicely photographed. And your poignant comment about your friend must make it extra-special to you.

Last post - from Budleigh
4 stars
Edward Lever(3rd July 2019)

Sadly, this image seems to sum up the state of our nation. I can imagine that the car which hit it was badly damaged. It would take quite an impact to fracture the cast-iron.

Dock area
4 stars
Edward Lever(3rd July 2019)

I like that you take pictures of a wide range of subjects, Barbara. The above image is a fine example of Victorian industrial architecture. It is a Grade I listed building and even gets a mention in Pevsner's 'Buildings of England'.

Dock area
5 stars
Edward Lever(2nd July 2019)

What an interesting structure! I thought could it be some Italian campanile? but no, this is Grimsby. I love our industrial heritage and it prompted me to check out what it is.......It is a hydraulic accumulator tower which was used to provide high pressure water to operate the dock gates. It is good you take pictures of everything, Barbara, carry on the good work.

Kew Gardens
4 stars
Edward Lever(1st July 2019)

Very nicely observed, Chris. The artwork appears to morph perfectly with the foliage.

Hospitium (Guest House) of Reading Abbey
Edward Lever(1st July 2019)

Thank you, Paul. There are still a few ancient buildings in Reading town centre, but you have to know where to look. It was a challenge getting a decent shot of it, because like so many ancient buildings, it is now hemmed in by modern developments.

Storm clouds over the Great Tower at Greys Court
Edward Lever(13th June 2019)

Thank you, Mobscooter, for your kind comment. So often the skies here in the UK are dreary, grey and lacking in any detail. This one was not to be missed.

Beyond
4 stars
Edward Lever(8th June 2019)

It's a great example of using a wide-angle lens to maximum effect

Audley End
3 stars
Edward Lever(7th June 2019)

Interesting wide-angle shot, although the foliage intruding at the top of the frame is a little distracting.

Sidmouth gate
4 stars
Edward Lever(7th June 2019)

Good choice of exposure setting. Adjusting the exposure for the exterior lighting has given that very dramatic vignetting.

Storm clouds over the Great Tower at Greys Court
Edward Lever(7th June 2019)

Thank you, Rod, for your kind comment. The detail of the threatening sky was exactly as seen in the image. No tweaking was necessary. The only improvement would have been a bolt of lightning striking the tower.

Prior Park, the Palladian Bridge
Edward Lever(4th June 2019)

Thank you, Paul, for your kind comment. I always try to avoid 'straight-on' architectural shots where possible. My only regret on that day was the poor light. Hopefully I can make a visit there again on a sunny day.

Matthew Street, Liverpool
5 stars
Edward Lever(30th May 2019)

The Brazilian lady's moment of joy is infectious. Worra Lorra Laffs indeed. Great informal shot.

National Naval Memorial, Alrewas.
4 stars
Edward Lever(28th May 2019)

Intriguing lighting with the sunlight shining through the coloured glass panels, it must look even more amazing when the sun is low.

Reading Railway Station
Edward Lever(28th May 2019)

Indeed, Rod, many weary travellers have availed themselves of the hospitality afforded by the 'Three Guineas' before travelling on to other destinations.

Piper's Island Bar and Restaurant, Caversham
Edward Lever(25th May 2019)

Thank you, Paul, for your comment. I think it goes to show how difficult it is to come to definite conclusion with some shots. Often there is no 100% right or wrong about it.

Piper's Island Bar and Restaurant, Caversham
Edward Lever(25th May 2019)

A sly dig from Rod I think at the wasted space in the frame, maybe I should have cropped the image to be panoramic ! It's always good to see constructive comments.

Reading Abbey Gateway
Edward Lever(20th May 2019)

Thank you, Rod, I am humbled by your kind words. It's not that my images are anything special, I am just very selective about what I upload.

Reading, Berkshire
Edward Lever(19th May 2019)

Restorations were completed in 2018 and all scaffolding has now been removed. The building now appears as it must have been after Sir George Gilbert Scott's restoration of 1869.

12.15
Edward Lever(17th May 2019)

Clever use of the telephoto lens to superimpose the statue over the clock-face. It looks like the statue is attempting to halt the passage of time.

Reading Abbey Ruins
Edward Lever(17th May 2019)

Thanks Chris & Sarah for your kind comment. I included the information board in the shot to hopefully guide those who are interested in the history of the Abbey Ruins to the collections at the Reading Museum.

'Rapid Strokes'
Edward Lever(12th May 2019)

Having just read your post on 'People in Pictures', I can see the relevance of this shot. I imagine that for this guy, being photographed is all part of a days work. A nice sharp shot, and I hope you put some spare change in his plate as modelling fee !

Wisteria in bloom at Greys Court
Edward Lever(11th May 2019)

Thanks for your kind comment and poetic description.

Peacock butterfly
Edward Lever(9th May 2019)

Lovely picture of the butterfly. Not sure about the intentions of the daffodil which looks intent on devouring the butterfly.

Stow on the Wold
Edward Lever(9th May 2019)

A potentially pretty shot totally ruined by cars

Foggy morning at Christchurch Bridge, Reading
Edward Lever(8th May 2019)

Thanks for the comment, Chris & Sarah. Yes, I suppose it does look a bit like a scene from an old Hammer horror film !

Alan Ball.
5 stars
Edward Lever(6th May 2019)

Good uncluttered shot, Rod, using the sky and clouds as background. Incidentally, the sculptor of this fine work is Tom Murphy, from your own fair city, who has also done statues in the soft south (I am thinking particularly of the Memorial to Trooper Potts VC which stands in Reading near the Abbey Gateway). Tom does these iconic and poignant scenes so well.

Edward Lever(5th May 2019)

This is a brilliant detailed close-up which would go so well with a more general view of the Archway (which I am sure you must have).

Chepstow old buildings
5 stars
Edward Lever(26th April 2019)

Nicely observed, the words on the pub sign are still true today, especially true that John Bull keeps paying !

Parish Church of St. Peter, Upper Slaughter
Edward Lever(23rd April 2019)

Stephen raises an interesting point. The dreaded effect of converging verticals is a perennial problem for pictures of tall buildings. Often it is felt desirable to do some perspective correction in the editing program, but there is a danger of overcooking the correction. It is a matter of personal taste, but sometimes a more natural look can be achieved with a gentler touch.

Edward Lever(20th April 2019)

Thank you Chris & Sarah, for your kind comments. The Abbey Ruins at Reading were reopened to the public in 2018 after being closed for many years for safety reasons.

Southwest long distance path
5 stars
Edward Lever(10th April 2019)

The swirling furrows shown in strong relief by the side lighting really make this picture stand out.

Glastonbury Tor from Ham Wall
5 stars
Edward Lever(9th April 2019)

Very pleasing composition leading the eye straight to St. Michael's tower at the summit of the Tor.

A swan on King Lears Lake Watermead
Edward Lever(7th April 2019)

Hi Mike, no offence intended, I just thought the colours seemed a little surreal for natural light. BTW, your own description is 'evening sunlight' so maybe your camera clock is 12 hours out.

Tombland Alley
Edward Lever(7th April 2019)

Love the wonky building in the centre of the frame. I would be worried if it was lens distortion.

A swan on King Lears Lake Watermead
Edward Lever(7th April 2019)

Evening sunlight or a colour-wheel spotlight ?

Cathedral from above the station
4 stars
Edward Lever(7th April 2019)

Nice uncluttered shot. Shooting from a distance and high up gets rid of the converging verticals which so often plague shots of tall buildings. The only thing that spoils the shot is the scaffolding on the small tower, but that's out of your control.

Ottermouth snipe
4 stars
Edward Lever(3rd April 2019)

Great capture, both by yourself as the photographer and by the Snipe of the Crab !

Ennerdale valley from Red Pike
5 stars
Edward Lever(3rd April 2019)

Great atmospheric shot which beautifully captures the shaft of sunlight piercing the mist.

Cascade Steps at Bristol waterfront
Edward Lever(30th March 2019)

Thank you for the kind comment. An interesting water feature indeed. I wonder how many people have inadvertently sat down on the watery steps and had a surprise.

Christchurch Bridge, Caversham
Edward Lever(30th March 2019)

Thank you for the kind comment. It is a popular pedestrian / cycle way across the Thames and is often much busier than seen here.

Canada goose at Ottermouth
5 stars
Edward Lever(30th March 2019)

Nice use of the telephoto lens to isolate the subject from the background

All Saints Thorpe Acre and Dishley Church - bell croft
Edward Lever(15th January 2019)

Bell Croft ? more usual description of this architectural feature is Bell Cote. Nicely taken all the same.

Caversham Baptist Church
Edward Lever(11th January 2019)

Thanks, Paul. The image seen here was cropped from a wide angle shot. The secret is not to point the camera up at an angle. Correction in software was not required !

London
5 stars
Edward Lever(17th December 2018)

Superb long exposure night shot, Pictures of England should have more images of this quality.

Royal Crescent, Bath
Edward Lever(28th November 2018)

Great architectural shot, but a bit empty in the foreground (always a challenge when using a wide-angle lens)

The Livery Hall at Goldsmiths' Hall, London
Edward Lever(13th November 2018)

Thanks for the explanation, Paul. I thought the Livery Hall might have been taken over by McDonald's.

birmingham
Edward Lever(12th November 2018)

Thanks, Terry, for confirming the Tolkien connection. It's a tribute to the power of Tolkien's imagination that Perrot's Folly could be the inspiration for the wizard's tower Orthanc in Lord of the Rings !

The Livery Hall at Goldsmiths' Hall, London
Edward Lever(12th November 2018)

It's a pity that the diners attire does not match the elegance of the surroundings

Miners Track
Edward Lever(28th October 2018)

Thanks Zbigniew, for confirming which model of 5D you used for this shot. I often use a 'classic' 5D myself for landscape shots. I think the large size of the individual photo receptor sites on the sensor give this camera a special quality. The combination of the full-frame sensor and the relatively low resolution (12.8 MegaPixel) is actually an advantage.

Miners Track
5 stars
Edward Lever(27th October 2018)

Great shot, with subtle rendering of the textures of the vegetation and the rocks. I think the Canon 5D is a great camera (not sure which version you are using) but they all give a beautiful film-like quality.

More statues.
Edward Lever(26th October 2018)

Sadly, Peter Evans, the photographer who took this picture, is no longer with us. I think Peter died around Christmas 2012. He was a well-loved member of PoE, and even though I did not know him personally, he contributed many fine pictures to the site. There are many tributes to Peter at http://www.picturesofengland.com/forum/Off-Topic_Chat/5849

Italian style pot on the lower terrace at Cliveden
Edward Lever(22nd October 2018)

Thank you, Paul, for your comment. This pot seemed to suit the somewhat decadent history of Cliveden.

St. Huberts Church, Idsworth
Edward Lever(20th October 2018)

It's a pity the 14th century paintings have to exist next to this modern kitsch

Beautiful Badgers, Suffolk
Edward Lever(16th October 2018)

Superb shot, but may I be so bold as to ask what lens you used for this shot, Karen? The EXIF data shows the focal length of the lens as 800 mm, making an effective focal length of 1280 mm when used with a crop-sensor camera like the 600D. This would be an almighty whopper of a lens if the figure is correct. I know that the EXIF data often gets mangled on PoE, so I suspect the actual focal length was much less than the indicated figure. Therefore I would be very grateful if you could tell me the actual focal length, if possible, to satisfy my curiousity about this excellent shot of yours.

Rochester - Horse powered pump of Charles Dickens
Edward Lever(12th October 2018)

These Horse-Wheel Pumps were quite common in Victorian times. There is a similar one at Greys Court in Oxfordshire.

Basildon Park, West Front and Portico
Edward Lever(12th October 2018)

Thanks for the kind comment . I was helped by good light on the day.

Bald Eagle at Banham Zoo
Edward Lever(9th October 2018)

Superbly bad-tempered expression. I feel like this when disturbed by unwanted callers.

Sizewell nuclear Plant, Suffolk
Edward Lever(8th October 2018)

Very sci-fi feel to this shot. The absence of any people adds to the mystery. Incidentally, it was only Sizewell 'A' that was closed in 2006. Sizewell 'B' (the one with the dome) is still fully operational.

Bandford Forum dorset
4 stars
Edward Lever(5th October 2018)

You have captured the tranquility of the scene perfectly

New Brighton, Merseyside.
Edward Lever(25th September 2018)

A rather sombre and murky shot by Burkey. It does not look like a good place to be when the tide is coming in. I can smell the Mersey looking at this picture.

Heron at River Wharfe, Ilkley
Edward Lever(20th September 2018)

Good sharpness and correct exposure to show detail in the feathers

A Rainy Day In Liverpool
Edward Lever(15th September 2018)

An enigmatic picture - the emphasis on the water droplets works well in black and white

Staithes, North Yorkshire
4 stars
Edward Lever(12th September 2018)

This shot looks almost like a model, such is the clarity. It shows what can be done with winter lighting.

ruislip
5 stars
Edward Lever(11th September 2018)

When I think of Ruislip, I immediately think of the Polish War Memorial beside the A40, but I haven't seen this smaller memorial before. The framework silhouette of the unknown soldier is almost 'not there' in our world but it is all the more poignant because of this. A nicely considered picture, with the War Memorial as a fitting background. Also, it is a perfect example of a 'rule of thirds' composition, making it altogether a very pleasing shot.

heron at kew gardens
4 stars
Edward Lever(29th August 2018)

Great timing and great patience must have been needed to get this shot. I know from experience how long herons can wait to catch a fish !

Tewkesbury Abbey Interior
Edward Lever(28th August 2018)

Sharpness can be difficult to judge on the free-to-view images on PoE. I have uploaded very sharp images in the past and been disappointed when I viewed them later. I think this is because the image resolution is deliberately reduced to avoid 'pirating' of images. It is different on Flickr, where the full resolution as uploaded is viewable.

Oxford
4 stars
Edward Lever(28th August 2018)

Nicely framed view of the Hawksmoor 'Ivory Towers' of All Souls. This view through the Catte Street gates is a 'must have' for any Oxford tourist.

Cley Windmill, Norfolk
4 stars
Edward Lever(27th August 2018)

I love the lighting here - bright sunlight with dark stormy clouds as a backdrop. So often the grey English skies make everything look drab and dreary. Lighting like this is a gift to the photographer.

Wall Art.
5 stars
Edward Lever(24th August 2018)

Excellent capture. I am always amazed by the ingenuity of these street artists.

'The Blade' Office Building, Reading
Edward Lever(23rd August 2018)

Thanks poe for the kind comment. I wish I could get access to the upper levels of 'The Blade'. I understand that subject to weather conditions, you can see all the way to London.

Sunset near Wensley Station
5 stars
Edward Lever(22nd August 2018)

I agree with poe's comments entirely. The bright orange glow reflected off the rails has transformed the scene from something unexceptional to a great picture.

3 stars
Edward Lever(20th August 2018)

Because the viaduct is so dominant, I find the apparent downward tilt to be unsettling. A leftward rotation of the image by about 4 degrees might be worth a try. Good bit of history though.

Armathwaite Railway Station
4 stars
Edward Lever(18th July 2018)

Nice piece of railway history. The Signal Box is certainly eye-catching with its yellow paintwork.

Flying Scotsman, Kirkby Stephen
5 stars
Edward Lever(18th July 2018)

Beautifully framed and compositionally perfect

Winter Morning Rydal Water, Nr Ambleside
5 stars
Edward Lever(18th July 2018)

Great shot with very much a 'film' look to it. I also use a 5D (original model) and this camera is the best I've used for giving that 'film' look.

Brothers Water, Patterdale
5 stars
Edward Lever(18th July 2018)

A beautiful scene well taken but sad to hear the poignant story of the two boys who drowned.

One Man Band, Liverpool.
5 stars
Edward Lever(10th September 2017)

Certainly an ingenious way of playing so many instruments. It's good to see a people picture like this on PoE. Both the performer and the onlookers are captured in a unique moment in time.

Bath
4 stars
Edward Lever(10th September 2017)

Nicely mysterious, as though printed from an old and faded negative.

Oxford
4 stars
Edward Lever(10th September 2017)

A rare uncluttered view of the Radcliffe Camera. Whenever I have been there, the square has been choc a bloc with bicycles, students, tourists and film crew. Good exposure in the bright sunlight.

The Shard, London
5 stars
Edward Lever(31st August 2017)

The monochrome treatment works very effectively on this dramatic shot

Tropical Birdland, Desford.
4 stars
Edward Lever(27th August 2017)

I love parrots - reminds me of Mr Slater's Parrot

Shutlingsloe Hill above Wildboarclough, Cheshire
3 stars
Edward Lever(25th August 2017)

A superb vista, but the blurred foreground is a distraction. This is often a problem with landscapes in that the distant view is sharply focused but the near details are out of focus. Might be a candidate for focus stacking.

Parkhouse Hill near Earl Sterndale, Derbyshire
4 stars
Edward Lever(20th July 2017)

Good shot of a fascinating geological feature with helpful commentary

Memorial to Trooper Potts VC outside the Forbury Gardens, Reading
1 stars
Edward Lever(4th July 2017)

Thank you for the comment, Rod. The image looks soft because of the very shallow depth of field resulting from shooting at f/1.8. This was intentional and only the subject's eyes are actually in focus. I would probably adopt the same technique when photographing a live model.

Norwich Cathedral Lectern
2 stars
Edward Lever(4th July 2017)

Shooting from a different angle may have eliminated the microphone sticking out of the eagle's back.

Cruise boat 'African Queen' leaving Caversham Lock
1 stars
Edward Lever(3rd July 2017)

Thank you, Rod, for your predictably droll comment

New Brighton.
4 stars
Edward Lever(29th June 2017)

Nice to see those knobbly railings which I remember from my childhood visits to New Brighton. The monochrome treatment works well with the stark silhouettes of the dockside cranes on the Liverpool side adding a very gritty feel to this image.

Great Dorset Steam Fair, Tarrant Hinton, Dorset 1989
5 stars
Edward Lever(10th May 2017)

An interesting image both from the composition and the workflow (it must surely be a scan from a film original, given that digital images of this quality directly from cameras only began appearing commonly in the current millennium). The quality is excellent and the subject matter is a nice bit of agricultural history.

Royal Arcade
3 stars
Edward Lever(3rd May 2017)

The lamps are nicely captured but it is a shame you didn't have a wider angle lens to include the floor of the arcade.

Wrest Park
5 stars
Edward Lever(26th April 2017)

A well composed sunny scene made more interesting by the stormy-looking clouds.

Corfe Castle Station
5 stars
Edward Lever(16th April 2017)

Excellent quality image. Everything seems to be right here: interesting scene, sharpness, exposure, lighting, composition all good.

'The Greatest' Jamaica Street Liverpool.
5 stars
Edward Lever(7th January 2017)

A shot with great impact, works very well with the plain background

4 stars
Edward Lever(6th January 2017)

Good sharp shot, Rod, let down a little by the harsh industrial metal background. I don't know what lens you used, but I would have been tempted to use my fastest prime fully open for shallow depth of field. Hopefully this would reduce the background to a grey blur, then definitely 5 stars !

henley early morning
5 stars
Edward Lever(20th December 2016)

You have captured the cold and misty atmosphere of the Thames at this time of the year perfectly

Mill at Dusk, Leek, Staffordshire
3 stars
Edward Lever(8th December 2016)

I would have been tempted to point the camera slightly to the left to include the car headlights piercing the gloom

Brixham Inner Harbour- panorama
4 stars
Edward Lever(1st December 2016)

There is no easy way of replying to comments except to do what you have done already, since a star rating is necessary to proceed. You are obviously a modest chap, awarding yourself one star. The only snag is that one star doesn't seem to register on the 'latest comments' list. I agree it is a niggle. Maybe this is something Chris & Sarah (the site owners) might address when they have time. I look forward to seeing more of your images.

Brixham Inner Harbour- panorama
4 stars
Edward Lever(1st December 2016)

Impressive view, but panoramic shots don't display well on computer screens. It would be better printed I think, like one of those long school photographs. Unfortunately, to avoid piracy of submitted images, free viewing at the original pixel size is not possible.

Great Barrington Church
4 stars
Edward Lever(1st December 2016)

A very natural and well-balanced shot, with the open gate leading the observer nicely into the frame

Woodmans Hut.
5 stars
Edward Lever(12th November 2016)

A pleasing composition with glorious autumn colours. The log cabin adds to the country charm of the scene.

Rover detail. Malpas Cheshire.
5 stars
Edward Lever(12th November 2016)

An unusual study of the Viking Rover Mascot, with the nice touch of blue sky and clouds reflected in the polished chrome. I hope that your headmaster was less fearsome than the Viking warrior seen here

Celebration Lights, Beachley.
5 stars
Edward Lever(2nd November 2016)

Superb shot, Patrick, excellent both technically and artistically. The moon adds a lot to the picture.

Bakewell hearts
5 stars
Edward Lever(7th October 2016)

Well spotted. Good use of selective focus.

Night Photo of London Midland Trains Class 350 250 Electric Train
5 stars
Edward Lever(14th September 2016)

Good sharp well-exposed shot with the lingering light in the sky making it all the more dramatic

Crib Goch
4 stars
Edward Lever(14th September 2016)

Very impressive panorama. Great photo opportunities there. Hope you held on to your camera tightly!

Shad Thames
4 stars
Edward Lever(9th September 2016)

Fascinating historical narrative and interesting shot

Stour Valley Summer
5 stars
Edward Lever(28th August 2016)

A well executed macro shot of this unusual dragonfly. The depth of field is excellent.

1 stars
Edward Lever(27th August 2016)

Thanks for your kind comment, Rod, but the back-lighting was so strong in this case that I needed to expose for the shadows to bring out the detail on the tomb. As you know, I am not by instinct a photo-shopper, except for minor tweaks, but I might have a dabble with the original RAW file to see what I can do there.

Globe Theatre, South Bank.
5 stars
Edward Lever(20th August 2016)

Good animated expression in this nicely framed candid shot, and there are hopefully no 'people' issues because she was your tour guide. BTW, hope you enjoyed your holiday.

4 stars
Edward Lever(20th August 2016)

Good animated expression in this candid shot, and there are hopefully no 'people' issues because she was your tour guide. Shame about what looks like someone's head at the bottom of the frame, a tighter crop might help, this always happens to me too. Good to see you back, BTW, hope you enjoyed your holiday.

Statue of Mercury in Rowntree Park, York
5 stars
Edward Lever(5th August 2016)

A carefully considered use of this exotic and high specification camera - the shallow depth of field achieved at f/1.4 makes for a striking shot. The image at full resolution must be outstanding.

Parys Mountain
5 stars
Edward Lever(27th July 2016)

A superb image in so many ways. Also some fascinating narrative which adds so much historical detail. This contribution sets the standard which all should aspire to.

Coast between Bedruthan and Mawgan Porth, nr Newquay, Cornwall
4 stars
Edward Lever(24th July 2016)

Very pleasing composition with the stronger colours and sharply-focussed foreground contrasting nicely with the distant cliffs and sea.

Morwenstow, Cornwall
5 stars
Edward Lever(20th July 2016)

I am mystified by Floriane's comment. A quick search on Google Earth shows the village of Morwenstow and the surroundings. Perhaps the moral of the tale is don't be too quick to believe what the locals tell you. It looks like an idyllic location nonetheless.

Gloucester & The Cathedral
4 stars
Edward Lever(17th July 2016)

These telephoto landscape shots are always interesting - you have done well to capture good lighting on the foreground, making the cathedral stand out against the backdrop of the distant hills

Skull and Crossbones, Warkworth, Northamptonshire
4 stars
Edward Lever(8th July 2016)

A fine piece of monumental masonry, well captured. Life expectancy was not good in those days, as the dates show.

St Cyr's, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire
4 stars
Edward Lever(17th June 2016)

This might make a pretty Christmas Card

Latimer and Crick Corn Merchants Building, Northampton
4 stars
Edward Lever(17th June 2016)

It looks too grungy to be private apartments, but if it ensures the building is preserved, then it's better than demolition. Good record shot.

Heron in flight
4 stars
Edward Lever(14th June 2016)

I know from personal experience how these birds will stand still for ages and then take off very suddenly, so this is an excellent capture.

Raven on Guard at the Tower of London
4 stars
Edward Lever(2nd June 2016)

Interesting quirky shot with a toy-town feel which could easily be a Lomograph

Watchtower, USAF Upper Heyford, Oxfordshire
4 stars
Edward Lever(2nd June 2016)

A rather eerie and sinister shot, well taken with the mirror lens. The sepia effect and the very shallow depth of field makes the image look much older, perhaps emphasising the feeling of the cold-war era.

Sun rise over Wednesbury
4 stars
Edward Lever(11th May 2016)

A different take on the English landscape with well-judged exposure settings. I like the silhouetted pylons and switchgear

Narrowboat on the Oxford Canal at Cropredy, Oxfordshire
3 stars
Edward Lever(9th May 2016)

Do I see a duck pushing that narrowboat ?

Eldon Square, Reading
1 stars
Edward Lever(28th April 2016)

Thanks for the kind comment, Rod, but I'm afraid your vision of a costume drama scene would be spoiled by the TV aerials, phone wires and wheelie bins. Perhaps I should have Photoshopped it !

Salts Mill
4 stars
Edward Lever(26th April 2016)

Interesting shot of English industrial heritage. The reflection is well captured too.

'Fangs of the Tiger' Liverpool.
4 stars
Edward Lever(31st March 2016)

Another fine shot showing the artistic legacy of Liverpool's international trading heyday. Great detail and good lighting.

Rialto Bank (detail), Liverpool.
4 stars
Edward Lever(29th March 2016)

There's certainly a wealth of detail in this shot. I love the two mischievous-looking seated figures looking to the right and left. A crop of either figure would be a study in itself.

Ladybower
4 stars
Edward Lever(27th March 2016)

I think Rod was referring to the foreground, which looks as though it was lit by flash, or perhaps a huge reflector was used to catch the light of the moon! Certainly an interesting composition.

Severn Bridge at Aust
5 stars
Edward Lever(23rd March 2016)

Well composed image with good overall sharpness. The foreground details on the shoreline add interest to what would otherwise be a rather bare view.

Weather Beaten. Crosby Beach.
4 stars
Edward Lever(16th March 2016)

An unusual sculpture. Not the happiest looking chap, nor would I be after years of immersion in the oggin

Tryfan Snowdonia
5 stars
Edward Lever(16th March 2016)

The menacing sky and subtle gradation of tones make this a very interesting winter scene

Seaforth from Crosby.
5 stars
Edward Lever(26th February 2016)

A welcome change from the more usual pretty coastal scene. To my eye, the silhouetted cranes look like some distant robotic army, and the wide-angle crop emphasises the barrenness of the intervening space.

4 stars
Edward Lever(23rd February 2016)

My comment as to location was simply to say that all the other Hambleden pictures on PoE are filed under 'Hambleden' not 'Henley-on-Thames'. It may also cause confusion for visitors since Hambleden is a few miles away from Henley.

View of the City of London from Waterloo Bridge
5 stars
Edward Lever(23rd February 2016)

Well-balanced picture with subdued but attractive lighting

Shillingstone, Dorset.
5 stars
Edward Lever(9th February 2016)

Excellent capture, ticks all the boxes - technically superb too

Venford Brook Waterfall, Dartmoor National Park
5 stars
Edward Lever(24th December 2015)

Excellent use of long exposure adds to the painting-like impression. The depth of field is remarkable for such a wide aperture, indicating a well judged hyperfocal distance. Superb.

Glenridding, Cumbria
4 stars
Edward Lever(24th December 2015)

Good record shot of the flooding. I think these sort of shots showing the effects of extreme English weather are more interesting than many of the sunnier ones.

Jubilee Memorial Clock Tower
4 stars
Edward Lever(12th December 2015)

I have to agree with Rod's comments. The quality is excellent and often such pictures of quirky Victorian monuments are in demand. The detailed history is also helpful.

History on a Wall. Crosby Merseyside.
5 stars
Edward Lever(1st December 2015)

A surreal image, well taken, with the mural blending almost seamlessly with the actual blue sky and clouds. More like this please !

Frosty Rooftops, Chepstow.
5 stars
Edward Lever(27th November 2015)

An imaginative shot, Patrick, conveying the wintry atmosphere of the scene perfectly.

Grimsby Cemetery
4 stars
Edward Lever(27th November 2015)

A splendidly sinister bit of Victorian Gothic cemetery architecture, possibly looking a little bit too cheerful in the sun - I think it would look better in monochrome on a wet winter day

Magical Mystery tour bus outside 'Mendips' Liverpool.
4 stars
Edward Lever(21st November 2015)

It comes as a surprise to many people that John Lennon grew up in such a 'nice' middle-class area of Liverpool. I think he must have worked on his image and accent to give the impression of coming from a more humble and grittier background, as many other artists are wont to do. Good record shot.

Seaton
4 stars
Edward Lever(15th November 2015)

Looks better than when I used to see Seaton in winter years ago, when Racal had the factory on Harbour Road. It always seemed to be misty when I was there. Nice clouds against blue sky.

Horsenden Hill
5 stars
Edward Lever(3rd November 2015)

Good capture of the Autumn mist, very atmospheric

A Touch of the Autumnals
5 stars
Edward Lever(26th October 2015)

Good autumn colours against the dark background and effective use of the telephoto lens to give shallow focus

Bosworth water park fireworks night
5 stars
Edward Lever(25th October 2015)

Very pleasing abstract shot

Dining Alone, Monkey World, Dorset.
4 stars
Edward Lever(22nd September 2015)

Good shot, Rod, he looks like he wants to try out your trusty Nikon!

I'm Shy
4 stars
Edward Lever(13th September 2015)

Nice shot of the fox Vince, although I can see why you used the vignette effect to tone down the intrusive appearance of the breeze blocks. The only other way round it would have been to have used a very wide aperture setting (not sure what you were set to, since the EXIF information isn't showing)

Port of Liverpool Interior. Liverpool waterfront.
5 stars
Edward Lever(12th September 2015)

Wonderful shot, showing the classical grandeur of the historic Liverpool waterfront buildings.

St Paul's Cathedral
5 stars
Edward Lever(10th September 2015)

I just had to comment further - this is a superb example of composition using the 'rule of thirds'. The pleasing symmetry coupled with the triptych-like composition is excellent.

The Hopper and the Sunflower
4 stars
Edward Lever(3rd September 2015)

The grass hopper is well camouflaged but the image is nicely sharp to get enough detail for it to be seen. I can see the similarity to the Quatermass creatures, I think for the animated sequences they actually used grass hoppers.

4 stars
Edward Lever(30th August 2015)

Scouse humour has obviously permeated through to Chester and beyond...it reminds me of a similar scenario, also in Chester, where I saw a Pub with a sign saying 'Creche for Husbands - Leave him here safely while you do your Shopping'

Cliffs at Whitby
4 stars
Edward Lever(30th August 2015)

Interesting rock strata well taken

Scarborough
5 stars
Edward Lever(30th August 2015)

The dappled light on the beach huts and the patchy clouds make this shot interesting

My mate the Mistlethrush.
5 stars
Edward Lever(26th August 2015)

A wonderful picture and a great tribute to Peter, whose character shines on through his pictures

St Paul's Cathedral
5 stars
Edward Lever(18th August 2015)

A clever idea using the reflection of St.Paul's in the modern office buildings to give a snapshot through time

Crosby
4 stars
Edward Lever(13th August 2015)

At first, I thought the marker post might look better off-centre, but I think the vignetting works well to complement its central positioning in the frame. I agree with Vince, 'exposed' seems to sum up the scene.

Galley Common
4 stars
Edward Lever(10th August 2015)

This view of the track cut through the crop leads the eye into the scene very effectively

Kingfisher at Sculthorpe Moor
5 stars
Edward Lever(10th August 2015)

Excellent sharpness coupled with shallow depth of field make this shot stand out. Great result in what was probably dim light too.

Burghley House
4 stars
Edward Lever(8th August 2015)

Good use of the wide-angle lens including enough foreground detail to make it interesting

Welome to Mother Shipton's Cave.
4 stars
Edward Lever(8th August 2015)

Wonderfully gruesome -I want one by my front door to deter double glazing salesmen and similar cold callers

Littlebredt, Dorset.
4 stars
Edward Lever(29th July 2015)

A classic waterfall picture,well composed

Wellingborough
5 stars
Edward Lever(23rd July 2015)

Excellent record of some superb craftsmanship

Last sunset June
5 stars
Edward Lever(21st July 2015)

Excellent timing to capture that fleeting moment and effective exposure

Middleham Castle
4 stars
Edward Lever(17th July 2015)

Good viewpoint and good detail with natural light thanks to the good performance of the EOS 5D at 1600 ISO

Grassington, North Yorkshire
4 stars
Edward Lever(17th July 2015)

Good balance between the foreground detail of the flowers and the expanse of blue sky and clouds. The Exif information is not showing but this looks as though a fairly wide focal length has been used with a small aperture setting.

Salisbury Cathedral
4 stars
Edward Lever(17th July 2015)

An interesting record shot of modern vulgarity. It is sad that such a crass statue has been placed in front of the great Cathedral.

Ambleside
4 stars
Edward Lever(12th July 2015)

The sight of a building built on such a steep incline is a little unsettling, reminiscent of a drawing by Escher, interesting photo

4 stars
Edward Lever(12th July 2015)

Almost surreally blue sea, nice contrast with the green sward

Reading Town Centre, buildings being demolished at Station Hill
1 stars
Edward Lever(13th June 2015)

Thanks to everyone for their comments, it was a difficult decision as to whether to post this not very pretty image, but as Rod says, the bleak composition attracted me.

4 stars
Edward Lever(4th June 2015)

The lighting in this scene looks quite tricky. Working in RAW gives much more control of highlights and shadows, and you have done well here.

Salisbury Cathedral
4 stars
Edward Lever(30th May 2015)

Were it not for Patrick's comment regarding the font, I would have been puzzled by this shot. Very effective use of reflection.

Salisbury Cathedral
4 stars
Edward Lever(30th May 2015)

Sharpness has been well maintained despite the dim lighting, with good rendering of the window details. The high ISO setting used here has given an attractive pastel effect to the colours.

The Heron, Ruislip duck pond
4 stars
Edward Lever(25th May 2015)

Good sharp shot of the heron. In my experience, they usually fly off when approached.

Equine Beauty, Tidenham.
5 stars
Edward Lever(12th May 2015)

A superb shot. It shows excellent detail and fine lighting. Your choice of wide aperture and medium telephoto focal length seems to work well for equine portraiture.

4 stars
Edward Lever(8th May 2015)

Nice set of pictures of this tranquil spot, but it is questionable whether the location should be Hambleden rather than Henley.

Ipsden, Oxfordshire
4 stars
Edward Lever(6th May 2015)

A superb example of a neo-gothic country house, well taken. Also thanks, Paul, for the additional e-mail info.

Cyclist in Ilkley
4 stars
Edward Lever(5th May 2015)

Good bit of panning. Also the yellow and pink splodges of colour add to the effect.

4 stars
Edward Lever(4th May 2015)

Interesting pic with a fascinating history. I am intrigued by the strange aberrations and blurriness of the image - they add a dreamlike quality to it.

Badger fields
4 stars
Edward Lever(4th May 2015)

A nice set of powerful minimalist images. Excellent.

Ruddy Turnstone, River Wall, South of Toxteth Dock.
4 stars
Edward Lever(2nd May 2015)

Great detail and colouring. But from what I remember, the breeze by the docks can be quite bracing. No wonder he looks a little dejected.

Ashby de la Zouch Castle
4 stars
Edward Lever(2nd May 2015)

Great shot. I can imagine how spooky it must have been before the days of electric lighting.

Church of St.Thomas of Canterbury, Goring
1 stars
Edward Lever(28th April 2015)

Thanks to everyone for your kind comments. I took this shot mainly as a 'record' shot of this fine old Norman tower, but it seems to work because of keeping to the 'Rule of Thirds'

Thames Path, Goring
1 stars
Edward Lever(27th April 2015)

An interesting anecdote, Patrick, and I hope you enjoyed your enforced stay at Goring. There are some good pubs if you need to while away the time, my favourite being the 'John Barleycorn'

4 stars
Edward Lever(23rd April 2015)

Good use of shallow depth of field (in a field)

Blues in Liverpool.
5 stars
Edward Lever(10th April 2015)

Well taken in all respects - it looks like the guy was so wrapped up in his playing he was oblivious to your presence, which makes the picture so natural

Snowdrop fit to dazzle. River Mersey Ferry.
4 stars
Edward Lever(3rd April 2015)

The new livery is certainly eye-catching against the almost monochrome background - all we need now is for a Yellow Submarine to join the Snowdrop. I hope they are playing Beatles music through the ship's Tannoy!

4 stars
Edward Lever(2nd April 2015)

Perhaps an indication that this was not a totally bona fide image was the ISO of 1000, aperture f/2.8 and shutter speed 1/15 sec - certainly not a setting for sunlight. All the same, well done John

5 stars
Edward Lever(1st April 2015)

Fantastic shot, John. And your image has the correct time stamp on the EXIF data to verify the authenticity.

Albury and it's Chimneys
4 stars
Edward Lever(31st March 2015)

A fine example of 'barley-sugar' chimneys

Lifeboat & Cormorant
4 stars
Edward Lever(26th March 2015)

Quite amusing, Cormorants are evil-looking birds and this one seems to be challenging the lifeboat.

Burnley, Lancashire
4 stars
Edward Lever(17th March 2015)

I agree with Rod, excellent image. Shame it's not possible to embed its sound with the image.

CAN I HAVE SOME MORE PLEASE ?
4 stars
Edward Lever(16th March 2015)

Good grab shot. I suspect the slight lack of sharpness was due to camera shake rather than being out of focus, it is still very good for 1/50 sec

Southport Pier
4 stars
Edward Lever(15th March 2015)

A strong image, good use of the wide-angle lens, but the pier is inevitably a road to nowhere, perhaps a symbol of futility (sorry being too philosophical here)

A Mermaid in Malpas Cheshire.
4 stars
Edward Lever(10th March 2015)

A sharp shot of this lovely siren. I don't think any lonely mariner would be able to resist her enchantments.

Old lifeboat station Mumbles
4 stars
Edward Lever(8th March 2015)

An interesting shot of a colourful and unusual structure

Holgate Mill, Acomb
4 stars
Edward Lever(8th March 2015)

I like this shot, Christine, where you have taken a close-up of the wind-mill and excluded the houses around it

Bell on outside wall of St. Botolph's Church, Swyncombe
1 stars
Edward Lever(5th March 2015)

Thank you for your comment, Rod, I am grateful you didn't mention Chuck Berry's famous song

Haworth, West Yorkshire
5 stars
Edward Lever(5th March 2015)

Very attractive image with a wonderful rendering of the sky. The exposure is well-judged to capture the detail in the clouds without losing shadow detail in the landscape.

Houses on Abbot's Walk, Reading
1 stars
Edward Lever(25th February 2015)

Vince, thank you for the comment. I haven't heard of any reports of hauntings in the vicinity, although many ghastly deeds have been done in the area, perhaps the most notable being the martyrdom in 1539 of the last Abbot of Reading, the Blessed Hugh Faringdon. He had fallen out of favour with King Henry VIII, and also fell foul of Thomas Cromwell. After imprisonment in the Tower of London, he was taken back to Reading, to be hung, drawn and quartered outside the Abbey Gate. Also suffering this dreadful fate were his associates John Eynon and John Rugg.

5 stars
Edward Lever(25th February 2015)

Good use of the wheelbarrow in the foreground to balance the view of the Hall in the background. An excellent shot.

Palm House, Sefton Park, Liverpool.
4 stars
Edward Lever(24th February 2015)

It's good to see this sort of Victorian iron-work being restored and a very effective use of high contrast B&W.

Walkway beside Abbots House, Reading
1 stars
Edward Lever(19th February 2015)

Thank you for the comment, Rod, droll as ever. I am glad that Fido's ancestry continues - you have a choice of four places to go.

Waddesdon Manor
5 stars
Edward Lever(8th February 2015)

This is a charming shot, Zbigniew. The children sitting on the steps add a human touch to what might otherwise be a formal record shot. The strong side-lighting suits the scene perfectly.

Sunrise over Fiddlers Ferry, Cuerdley Cross.
5 stars
Edward Lever(23rd January 2015)

Excellent opportunistic shot, the reddish light illuminating the steam really makes this shot stand out

High wire Kestrel
4 stars
Edward Lever(20th January 2015)

An excellent shot of a very lucky Kestrel! Flashover distance from live conductor to head of kestrel just within limits! Could have been a shot of a charred kestrel otherwise.

Exmoor Landscape Gate Defrost
5 stars
Edward Lever(18th January 2015)

An eye-catching image. Dramatic lighting and a carefully judged exposure captures the texture of the melting ice on the gate very nicely.

Autumn in Goyt Valley
4 stars
Edward Lever(4th January 2015)

Beautiful quality of light here

Lacock
4 stars
Edward Lever(30th December 2014)

The deserted street adds a timeless quality. I also wish there was a zapper which could temporarily and painlessly remove intruders wearing modern clothes from a tranquil period scene such as this.

4 stars
Edward Lever(22nd December 2014)

Beautiful interior shot, although I think the Rood Loft is very much older than the pews, which are modern.

4 stars
Edward Lever(19th December 2014)

Splendid vista with the train in the frame to give an idea of scale

Oxford
4 stars
Edward Lever(16th December 2014)

A nicely angled uncluttered shot of the 'Bridge of Sighs'

Chard
4 stars
Edward Lever(15th December 2014)

Very attractive view with the bare trees in silhouette against the morning sky

Wavertree Lock Up, Liverpool.
4 stars
Edward Lever(6th December 2014)

It must be an extremely robust structure to repel the attentions of vandals. Might be interesting to get a closer shot to exclude the modern buildings.

Runcorn Spirualist Church
4 stars
Edward Lever(3rd December 2014)

Great shot of this wonderfully quirky building. Makes me wonder if the rumblings of the trains passing overhead disturb the spirits.

Rainy day at Clifton Suspension Bridge
5 stars
Edward Lever(25th November 2014)

A great example of a photo which shows that good photography can be done even when the sun isn't shining. It should encourage us all to go out in the rain more!

Vera Overhead at Cranleigh
5 stars
Edward Lever(24th November 2014)

Excellent clarity and sharp focus, Vince, superb shot of a classic aircraft.

Punting on the Cam
4 stars
Edward Lever(24th November 2014)

Good view of the 'Mathematical Bridge', which is often said to have been designed by Sir Isaac Newton, but was in fact designed by William Etheridge.

Easter Island comes to West End
4 stars
Edward Lever(22nd November 2014)

What a picture of utter misery, but a welcome change from the prettier pictures. I don't think I would want this chap in my garden, unless as Dave suggests, he would be useful to deter unwanted visitors.

Forbury Gardens, Reading
1 stars
Edward Lever(15th November 2014)

In reply to Ruth's comment, the Maiwand Lion has been there for 128 years to present date. I suspect the Lion will have the last laugh and still be there when the new buildings have long since gone.

Salford Quays Reflections.
4 stars
Edward Lever(7th November 2014)

Good clear shot with nicely saturated colours

Media City, Salford Quays, a reflection on a picnic bench.
5 stars
Edward Lever(7th November 2014)

A dramatic picture making very effective use of the layer of water on the table top

Travelodge Hotel Bridge street Loughborough
4 stars
Edward Lever(7th November 2014)

Bold colours in big blocks : interesting angle too. Almost worth rotating it another 45 degrees anticlockwise so that the sign is horizontal and the road is vertical - get people really confused !

Cressington Park Liverpool.
4 stars
Edward Lever(6th November 2014)

Good example of an atmospheric shot which relies entirely on the qualities of the light at that moment.

Casa Hotel, Chesterfield, Derbyshire
4 stars
Edward Lever(4th November 2014)

This looks to be a rather disconcerting structure with the overhanging upper layers seeming rather threatening. I think Rod was being tactful about it. Nevertheless, a good image of a hideous building.

Crewkerne
4 stars
Edward Lever(4th November 2014)

As you say, John, there are many similar structures but this one looks as good as new. Considering the speed at which they were built, they have been remarkably enduring.

Street Entertainer, Albert Dock entrance, Liverpool.
4 stars
Edward Lever(4th November 2014)

Good quirky shot. Incidentally, since the chap appears to be wearing a mask (or does the Dock air do that to you?) I assume a Model Release would not be necessary if you sold the image.

Stinsford, Dorset.
4 stars
Edward Lever(2nd November 2014)

Very subtle 'soft' processing, just enough to make it special

Stinsford, Dorset.
4 stars
Edward Lever(2nd November 2014)

A pleasing composition and a bit of interesting history (I am a fan of Hardy's writings). The range of brightness in this scene looks quite challenging.

Church, Brownsea Island
5 stars
Edward Lever(31st October 2014)

Excellent photo. Effective use of selective focus on the statue, resulting in a pleasingly blurred background (good choice using the telephoto lens). The understated colours suit the subject well, this possibly being because of the high ISO setting, but a good result nevertheless.

Stamford
5 stars
Edward Lever(29th October 2014)

Very creative shot

A Walk on the Great Orme
4 stars
Edward Lever(29th October 2014)

The line of the path leads the viewer's attention towards the distant mountains. The scene is completed by the unusual cloud patterns.

Demolition near Reading Station
1 stars
Edward Lever(27th October 2014)

If you look to the right of the picture, part of the old Town Hall building is still visible. The predominantly red-brick architecture of Reading was immortalised by Thomas Hardy in his novels by giving the town the alias 'Aldbrickham'. Visitors to the town these days will see little of this heritage, the planners having done their best to allow anything interesting to be replaced by abysmal office blocks.

Edward the Second at Gloucester Cathedral
4 stars
Edward Lever(26th October 2014)

Interesting shot with a rather eerie light quality - I assume there are mixed light sources illuminating this scene. The narrative is intriguing - just as well the poker story is probably untrue - Ouch!!

Red Deer Stag
4 stars
Edward Lever(26th October 2014)

Good shot of these wary animals in difficult conditions

Stamford
4 stars
Edward Lever(22nd October 2014)

Good shot of the Norman architectural details. The angle of the light shows up the detail very well.

Over The Top, Chepstow.
5 stars
Edward Lever(21st October 2014)

A very original shot, refreshingly different. Good use of the technical capabilities of the very good lens you must be using, and capturing the moment just right.

Pickering Station War Weekend 2014
4 stars
Edward Lever(20th October 2014)

Very attractive period shot, could be the real thing, except for a few idiots in the crowd on mobile phones

Stalham, Museum of the Broads, Norfolk
4 stars
Edward Lever(19th October 2014)

The inclusion of the photographer's shadow positioned to the right of the picture makes this shot more interesting than a straight record shot

5 stars
Edward Lever(18th October 2014)

Some very nice geometry in this picture. The uncluttered view is very good indeed.

Flamborough Head
5 stars
Edward Lever(18th October 2014)

A good example of a well-balanced wide-angle shot with near and far points well-focussed. The very pleasing muted colours complete the scene.

St. Mary's Church, Chesterfield, Derbyshire
4 stars
Edward Lever(17th October 2014)

Nice shot of this unique structure. I love seeing photos of quirky buildings. More like this please!

St. Mary's Church Kidwelly
4 stars
Edward Lever(12th October 2014)

Nice viewpoint and composition, but the light could have been kinder

Lancaut Peninsular, Tidenham.
4 stars
Edward Lever(7th October 2014)

Fascinating view of the cliffs, with excellent and informative narrative. If only all contributors were so diligent with their homework !

Birthplace
4 stars
Edward Lever(4th October 2014)

My first impression was that the 'whited out' sky spoiled the picture, but in fact it helps to emphasise the only two areas of colour i.e. the flag and the area of green grass. Interesting narrative as always.

Perch Rock Lighthouse, New Brighton
4 stars
Edward Lever(2nd October 2014)

My goodness, it looks so attractive and clean. My memories of this location are more of Murkyside rather than Merseyside.

Cromer, Norfolk
5 stars
Edward Lever(2nd October 2014)

Very attractive composition with muted shades of colour. The mistiness adds to the seaside atmosphere.

Our Galaxy  from Nefyn Beach, North Wales
5 stars
Edward Lever(24th September 2014)

Superb shot. Your location, with a clear sky and absence of light pollution must have helped, but skill and good kit is needed to get a shot as good as this.

Hitching a ride at Knowsley Safari Park.
5 stars
Edward Lever(19th September 2014)

A very amusing shot, Rod. The baboon looks more attentive than the driver of the pick-up!

4 stars
Edward Lever(17th September 2014)

A nice pair, certainly. Have to agree with Dave about the cider, though. Has to be made from apples of Hereford or Somerset vintage (or possibly Suffolk)

4 stars
Edward Lever(29th August 2014)

Very interesting building and excellent narrative. Shame about the cars in front of it, though. Cameras should have a 'car removal app' which works like face detection, but recognises cars, and magically erases them from the scene.

The Fun Ship
4 stars
Edward Lever(24th August 2014)

Interesting picture, but I had to search on Google to get the background to the story.

4 stars
Edward Lever(22nd August 2014)

Fascinating history, and well done for getting an uncluttered shot. Extra marks will be awarded if you can pronounce 'Machynlleth' correctly.

Sun rising over Cuckoo Lane, Liverpool.
4 stars
Edward Lever(21st August 2014)

The colours make this photo interesting, coupled with the use of the rule of thirds (in fact looking at the scene, there are also thirds within the foreground and thirds within the sky, if that makes sense).

4 stars
Edward Lever(17th August 2014)

Wildlife photography is notoriously difficult. You have done well here, John. If it were a little sharper, I would give it 5 stars.

5 stars
Edward Lever(17th August 2014)

Superb, because of the attractive perspective and perfect proportions. It might look deceptively simple, but that shows the skill and judgement of the photographer. I can only echo Rod's sentiments in saying that this is a very, very good image indeed.

Large Moon, Chepstow.
5 stars
Edward Lever(14th August 2014)

Nice detail on the craters. You must have had a good steady tripod for this shot.

Forest of Bowland, Lancashire
5 stars
Edward Lever(10th August 2014)

The colours are certainly vivid, but the overall effect is pleasant. The image has good sharpness, and must look superb at full resolution. Colour saturation is a personal preference, rather like the choice of which film to use in the old days (Kodachrome, Agfachrome, Provia, Velvia etc, they were all different but suited different tastes). A 'faithful' colour reproduction, which this is probably not, is not necessarily the most attractive.

Watlington Hill, Watlington
1 stars
Edward Lever(6th August 2014)

I think you are correct, Dave, in identifying the spikes of purple flowers on the left as Rosebay Willowherb. Watlington Hill is covered with it at the moment. There is also the much smaller Chiltern Gentian to be found there, which only grows on chalk, and I hope to get some pics of that rare wild flower soon.

The Cenotaph detail, Lime Street, Liverpool
5 stars
Edward Lever(6th August 2014)

Nice detail on the Cenotaph, Rod. There's certainly a wealth of impressive architecture in that area of Liverpool, which will be in my viewfinder if I visit Scouseland.

Wellington Column, William Brown Street, Liverpool.
5 stars
Edward Lever(5th August 2014)

Very nicely taken, Rod, but I had to go to Google Earth Street View to get the 'bigger picture' of the Column. It would be nice to see an accompanying wide shot to appreciate the grandeur of the Column and the surrounding buildings, St. George's Hall etc.

Landing Pad- Naturally
5 stars
Edward Lever(5th August 2014)

Excellent shot, Vince. I have taken the liberty of using it as an example in the forums of a macro shot at a large aperture

Rydal Water Boathouse
5 stars
Edward Lever(31st July 2014)

I love the subtle shades in this very green shot. Also, as David Swann has aleady commented, the charm of the deceptive simplicity of the shot.

Dream
5 stars
Edward Lever(31st July 2014)

Excellent shot. Amazing piece of art, but maybe a little indulgent. I wonder whether the £1.88 million of taxpayers money it took to build it could have been better spent on a project to provide continuing employment in the area.

A tribute in Woolton
5 stars
Edward Lever(30th July 2014)

Nicely focussed and technically excellent shot. There is a sense of the futility of War in the demeanour of the soldier.

Heron in Ambleside
5 stars
Edward Lever(30th July 2014)

Good sharp close-up shot, Dave. I know from experience how herons tend to fly away at any sign of danger, so you must have been stealthy.

Turnstone
4 stars
Edward Lever(28th July 2014)

Interesting and possibly comical example of a 'one legged bird'. Before getting too sorry for the poor creature though, this is how some birds minimise heat loss from the parts of their body not covered by feathers.

5 stars
Edward Lever(28th July 2014)

Great narrative and interesting image.

Brighton Marina
5 stars
Edward Lever(26th July 2014)

Nice image of a working fishing boat, showing there is more to the sea-side than ice-cream and the funfair

Rainbow, Chepstow.
5 stars
Edward Lever(22nd July 2014)

Superb opportunity, Patrick, full marks for grabbing this shot so effectively

4 stars
Edward Lever(20th July 2014)

Curious indeed, at first sight I thought it was smoke drifting across the landscape. Excellent shot, but it would have been even better if there had been a strong point of focus rising through the mist (eg church tower or other significant structure). Unfortunately these things cannot be placed on the landscape to order !

Leybourne
4 stars
Edward Lever(15th July 2014)

I agree with Patrick, lovely scene (but spoiled by the hideous motor-cars)

5 stars
Edward Lever(15th July 2014)

Great clean sharp shot, I like the diagonal framing of this shot too, excellent

Blue Tit
5 stars
Edward Lever(7th July 2014)

Superb image of this colourful little bird, and a wonderful portrayal of Nature in action

The Church at Fingest - (2014 Floods).
5 stars
Edward Lever(4th July 2014)

I know this area well but missed out on seeing the Church surrounded by water like this - a unique shot well executed

4 stars
Edward Lever(2nd July 2014)

Interesting info, John, and a clever design of gate which must be easier to open and less likely to break than the usual side-hinged gate. Pity you couldn't get the car and the headless people out of view though.

William Mackenzie Pyramid Tomb, Liverpool.
5 stars
Edward Lever(1st July 2014)

I remember as a kid going to an orthodontist in Rodney Street. I was probably more scared of the dentist than ghosts, so I never noticed the tomb. Very interesting story, Rod, they don't make monuments like that any more.

4 stars
Edward Lever(1st July 2014)

I have just looked at this pic again and there is something unsettling about it -- the ship is sailing from right to left. Not that you could do anything about it. I have always felt that pictures of ships etc., work better with a left to right movement, maybe because we naturally scan from left to right when reading (unless you are reading in Arabic, Hebrew, Ancient Egyptian Hieratic, Demotic etc!! )

Apperley War Memorial
4 stars
Edward Lever(30th June 2014)

Much better view in this direction

3 stars
Edward Lever(30th June 2014)

A tranquil scene indeed, spoiled only by my 'bete noire' (the motor-car) which disfigures so many otherwise pretty views.

Scarborough South Bay
5 stars
Edward Lever(29th June 2014)

An interesting shot with subtle variations in the light. I like the fact that the detail has been retained in the sea-front buildings, but the higher ground is rendered as a silhouette against the reddish sky.

Scarborough
4 stars
Edward Lever(29th June 2014)

I agree totally with the above comment. It is an interesting structure, well taken technically, but there is so much clutter around it spoils the shot. I have had the same problem myself, seeing an interesting building, but there are cars, vans, and other objects everywhere. Sometimes you can't do anything about it, or as the previous commenter has said, I have tried coming back at a quieter time.

Another new red rose also flowering for the first time
5 stars
Edward Lever(28th June 2014)

Shows the fine detail of the rose petals, James, very nicely captured

4 stars
Edward Lever(19th June 2014)

Impressive location, but the lighting looks tricky in this shot. I guess the sun is almost overhead. I never quite know what to expose for in these conditions.

5 stars
Edward Lever(19th June 2014)

Very atmospheric, I'm sure they've got their Radar switched on

5 stars
Edward Lever(16th June 2014)

Great shot and strong composition with excellent contrast between the gull and the background.

Pascoe's Shaft
4 stars
Edward Lever(12th June 2014)

This tranquil scene must at one time have been bustling with activity. The conditions can't have been easy for the miners, and the contribution of their labour must never be forgotten.

4 stars
Edward Lever(12th June 2014)

A nice record shot of the sea-side architecture with the path leading the viewer into the distance. It is also good to see that Broadstairs has retained the 'convenient buildings'. These days, most of these facilities are closed or have disappeared, which can be very inconvenient for the senior citizen such as myself.

Sidmouth
5 stars
Edward Lever(10th June 2014)

What a glorious display of colour, and nicely taken! I have never seen Foxgloves growing so well on an exposed hillside.

Classic thatched cottage in Arkesden Village
5 stars
Edward Lever(9th June 2014)

Beautiful postcard view! but do I see a face in that cottage? Two eyes and a cheekily laughing face? Maybe I am going crazy

MS Queen Victoria leaving Liverpool 31-05-2014.
5 stars
Edward Lever(1st June 2014)

Splendid pic, Rod, amazing to see how the huge bulk of the liner dwarfs the Liverpool waterfront.

NOW THAT'S A HOOTER !!!
5 stars
Edward Lever(26th May 2014)

Interesting shot of some old brute-force fog horns. I see the horns are positioned on crossed axes at 90 degrees. I assume they sound out sequentially rather than simultaneously, to avoid the risk of a 'dead zone' in the centre, but you would destroy your hearing if you got close enough to find out for certain.

Sunset Beyond, M48 Road Bridge, Aust.
5 stars
Edward Lever(25th May 2014)

Superb shot, imaginative use of a distant viewpoint and the sunset. It also shows that the lens is top quality to have achieved this sharpness and clarity in fading light.

Now That Looks Tasty
5 stars
Edward Lever(21st May 2014)

Excellent sharpness, Vince, particularly on his eye and beak, which adds impact to this shot.

'Irwins's in Allerton Road, Liverpool'
4 stars
Edward Lever(14th May 2014)

I too remember Irwin's shops. A nicely captured bit of history. I am not sure about the choice of angle for this shot. I think as a purely record shot, I might have tried taking a full frontal straight-on shot too, if this was feasible.

Swell Woods
5 stars
Edward Lever(9th May 2014)

I always wondered where herons nested. They are very elusive birds. Good discovery.

Imperious. Runcorn
5 stars
Edward Lever(7th May 2014)

It doesn't look very friendly to me, you were perhaps in some danger of being goosed. Reminds me a little bit of the look on Rod Hull's Emu just before it went for Parkinson.

Hartshill
4 stars
Edward Lever(5th May 2014)

I can think of another way of shooting grey squirrels. I believe their fleas can carry some very nasty diseases including bubonic plague.

Elizabeth Frink sculpture
4 stars
Edward Lever(5th May 2014)

His name is 'Death', and is a copy of the statue from the Dorset Martyrs trio by Elisabeth Frink. You'd better keep off the grass or else!

Fotheringhay
4 stars
Edward Lever(4th May 2014)

Yes, I think this is a very good suggestion, Stephen, to add a finishing touch to what is already a very attractive picture.

Gargoyle
4 stars
Edward Lever(4th May 2014)

I love these features on ancient buildings. The lighting is just right to bring out all the little details. Looking at the face, it is so full of character, it makes me wonder whether it was of someone known to the Mason who carved it.

Bolton Abbey, North Yorkshire
5 stars
Edward Lever(3rd May 2014)

Beautiful scene, excellent composition and artistic rendering of the colours. Everything is perfect in this picture.

5 stars
Edward Lever(1st May 2014)

Good capture of exposure on the underside of the kite, and sharp detail, even though the ISO was cranked up to 1000

Whistable
3 stars
Edward Lever(1st May 2014)

Barbara, it is a lovely picture, but at 300 X 400 pixels it would only be the size of a large postage stamp at normal resolution. If you can upload at 1200 X 1600 or larger it would look much better.

He got the point !!!
5 stars
Edward Lever(1st May 2014)

Nice one, Vince, very sharp, I like how you've got the catch-light in the bird's eye. This makes the shot so alive.

Abbey House Gardens
4 stars
Edward Lever(1st May 2014)

Good shot of a difficult subject, but it illustrates the difficulty of focussing on the bird in flight. Although the bird is well 'captured', unless I am mistaken, the actual focus point appears to be on the bird-feeder.

Whistable
3 stars
Edward Lever(1st May 2014)

Nice scene, but why such a tiny image ?

birmingham
5 stars
Edward Lever(1st May 2014)

I am fascinated by these quirky buildings. One of the good things about PoE is that you can discover some very unusual architecture from other people's photos. Incidentally, I have now discovered that this tower might have been the inspiration for the tower in J.R.R. Tolkien's books (as a child, Tolkien lived nearby).

MAGPIE MINE
5 stars
Edward Lever(30th April 2014)

Yes I agree, Rod, and the high contrast works very well in this shot

Meditation. Liverpool.
5 stars
Edward Lever(29th April 2014)

Possibly the man, like Edgar Allan Poe, was already overcome by the tintinnabulation

Rydal Water from Sweden Bridge Lane
5 stars
Edward Lever(29th April 2014)

Very atmospheric. These misty scenes are very difficult to capture but this conveys the feeling of the landscape on a wet day very well.

Clitheroe Castle, Lancashire
5 stars
Edward Lever(26th April 2014)

Very sharp detail enhances this architectural shot. The absence of visitors cluttering up the view adds to the attractiveness. Thanks also for the interesting narrative.

Waiting. Lime Street, Liverpool.
5 stars
Edward Lever(25th April 2014)

Interesting bit of street photography which captures the viewer's imagination. The young woman has her back to the photographer, so the shot has an anonymity which avoids the potential embarrassment of an 'in your face' shot, yet allows the viewer the freedom to share in her sense of waiting.

Dipping Pond Visitors
4 stars
Edward Lever(25th April 2014)

Surely these are Greylag Geese, not Canadian Geese ?

A Lion in Terracotta. Woolton Village. Taken 20th April 2014.
5 stars
Edward Lever(21st April 2014)

These whimsical details on Victorian buildings fascinate me too, excellent shot. I hope the baths can be kept open.

Rooftop Heron, Chepstow.
5 stars
Edward Lever(14th April 2014)

An unusual and attractive backdrop for this heron picture, Patrick, but as you say, his beady eye must have detected a fishy target within range.

5 stars
Edward Lever(10th April 2014)

Fascinating view and narrative. 'I'm sorry Vicar, I couldn't make it to church this week, it was high tide'

Nene Way
5 stars
Edward Lever(9th April 2014)

Nice use of telephoto lens to give compression of perspective, pleasing composition

River Yeo
5 stars
Edward Lever(6th April 2014)

Excellent sharpness, detail and lighting

Santa Pod Raceway
5 stars
Edward Lever(5th April 2014)

Excellent panned shot, good sharpness, amazed you could do it so well at 100 ISO

5 stars
Edward Lever(5th April 2014)

Beautiful landscape/seascape with sharpness maintained everywhere in the frame. A craggy island indeed.

Canopy.
5 stars
Edward Lever(4th April 2014)

I like the abstract smudgy effect of this pic

Tickencote
5 stars
Edward Lever(4th April 2014)

Wonderful set of photos of this fine Norman Church

Fotheringhay
4 stars
Edward Lever(2nd April 2014)

Very pleasing sky and lighting enhance the architectural details. Perhaps the only niggling distraction is at the bottom of the frame where there is the roof of a building and a pipe sticking up, otherwise it would be perfect.

The New Library, Birmingham
4 stars
Edward Lever(31st March 2014)

Do you get put up there if your library book is overdue?

Church of St.Cross, Winchester
4 stars
Edward Lever(27th March 2014)

An impressively solid looking structure with what look like Norman features on the arches. It would have been interesting to see the details a bit closer.

Eros, Sefton Park, Liverpool.
5 stars
Edward Lever(27th March 2014)

Must be the Scouse magic that makes the arrow appear from nowhere

Gawsworth New Hall, Gawsworth,Cheshire
5 stars
Edward Lever(26th March 2014)

Excellent result, maybe I should get a phone with a camera function too!

Inner Quadrangle, Hospital of St.Cross
5 stars
Edward Lever(26th March 2014)

Magnificent robust-looking buildings, well photographed and narrated.

The Church of St.Cross
4 stars
Edward Lever(25th March 2014)

Fascinating location and a good narrative, but that dull sky really puts a dampener on this shot. There is at least some detail in the clouds, but I think I would come back on a sunnier day.

Barley, Lancashire
5 stars
Edward Lever(23rd March 2014)

Superb combination of scenery and sky, a nice show-piece for the photographer and the EOS 7D.

3 stars
Edward Lever(21st March 2014)

The tree-trunks behind the Cross give a very cluttered background. Maybe you could have got in closer and changed the angle to make the Cross more prominent. It doesn't really stand out as it is.

Starling at Crosby
4 stars
Edward Lever(20th March 2014)

The bird looks a little out of place on the stony ground, but it's nice how you've captured the iridescent colours on its feathers.

Atlantic Tower, Liverpool.
4 stars
Edward Lever(19th March 2014)

This is an interesting shot where the repetitive geometry is somewhat unsettling. It would be interesting to see how it would look with the convergence corrected to make it more mathematically abstract.

St Mary & St Margarets
5 stars
Edward Lever(17th March 2014)

Scary looking church with the over-sized angels jutting out from the bell-tower. I would not judge it to be pretty, but definitely interesting in a grotesque sort of way.

Stamford
4 stars
Edward Lever(17th March 2014)

Nicely taken scene, but like so many shots of old buildings, it is spoiled by the presence of parked cars. It is depressing how the car has made our streets so ugly. If only someone could invent a 'zapper' of some sort to remove them.

Essendine
5 stars
Edward Lever(15th March 2014)

Nice use of the very low angle of the light

Ethereal St. Nicolas
5 stars
Edward Lever(15th March 2014)

A nice result, Vince. It is difficult to capture the atmosphere of these misty scenes but you have achieved this well.

Cricket at Audley End
5 stars
Edward Lever(14th March 2014)

A nicely framed clean shot. The position of the cricketers each side gives natural lines leading to the house, with the man on his own in the centre of the frame capturing the eye. Even though the house is dead-centre, the composition works well.

May Blitz Memorial
5 stars
Edward Lever(13th March 2014)

When I saw this pic, I knew it was one of yours, Rod, before I saw your name. You have a great skill for the sculpture photography, maybe it's your choice of light and viewpoint, but the results always come in good.

New Timber Church
5 stars
Edward Lever(5th March 2014)

This church is I think St. John the Evangelist, not St Peter, but the photo is superb.

The Village of Eynsford
5 stars
Edward Lever(7th February 2014)

Beautiful, almost perfect, spoiled only by the power / phone lines across the middle. Even though I do not normally like 'photoshopping', I would have been tempted to use the clone brush to remove the ugly lines.

Liverpool, Albert Dock
5 stars
Edward Lever(2nd February 2014)

Nicely framed with super reflections. I do not remember Liverpool waters ever being as calm as this when I was there!

Bidulph Grange gardens
4 stars
Edward Lever(2nd February 2014)

Lovely location, but I agree with Deborah's comment that it looks very much like the Pin Mill at Bodnant Gardens

Stamford
5 stars
Edward Lever(30th January 2014)

Very clear night shot. The f/1.4 lens is very suitable for low light.

Newbury, Berkshire
5 stars
Edward Lever(29th January 2014)

Interesting use of simple elements of colour and shape, excellent

5 stars
Edward Lever(25th January 2014)

Excellent detail and sharpness, with nicely matched background colours.

Fish & Eels
5 stars
Edward Lever(25th January 2014)

This is what PoE is about. No 'photoshopping' is necessary or desired. The craft is in the taking of the original photograph.

Fish & Eels
5 stars
Edward Lever(25th January 2014)

A pleasant enough scene, but if you want to sell your images, Steve, I would recommend not putting up a 'photoshopped' version. In my experience, purchasers of images don't want manipulated images. If they want to add an effect, they will do it themselves.

A quiet pint in Huddersfield.
5 stars
Edward Lever(23rd January 2014)

Excellent sharpness for 1/13 sec at 98mm, I like the colour of the beer in the otherwise monochrome setting

Transporter bridge, Port Clarence
5 stars
Edward Lever(17th January 2014)

There seems to be a hidden message in this picture, which makes it all the more interesting.

Dog Walkers sign
5 stars
Edward Lever(13th January 2014)

Interesting notice..but in my experience, such precious requests usually provoke more of whatever is being complained of!

Blue Eyes, Thames at Windsor
5 stars
Edward Lever(21st December 2013)

An interesting picture, Rod, and an amusing anecdote. The red wine must have added to the pleasure.

St Arilda's Parish Church, Oldbury-on-Severn.
5 stars
Edward Lever(7th December 2013)

Nice scene with good lighting on the church. BTW, was this a crop from a larger image? Whether it was or not, I think some improvement in sharpness in such an extreme telephoto shot might have been obtained by cranking up the ISO setting.

Fountains Abbey.Ripon,North Yorkshire
5 stars
Edward Lever(27th November 2013)

A striking view enhanced by the low angle of the light

St Michaels Church, Oulton Broad
5 stars
Edward Lever(20th November 2013)

This is a good example of how a view can be transformed by dramatic lighting and clouds. Just the right moment !

St Thomas' Church Cemetery, Lymington
5 stars
Edward Lever(17th November 2013)

Nice view of the dead leaves amongst the tomb stones, as if to underline our own mortality

Garden Cafe & Bar
5 stars
Edward Lever(17th November 2013)

Excellent street scene

Rushden Hall Park
5 stars
Edward Lever(15th November 2013)

Clever choice of viewpoint, using the trunk of the tree to block the direct view of the sun

5 stars
Edward Lever(7th November 2013)

Nicely captured. Was the picture cropped from a larger image? If so, it might work better with a less severe crop.

Forbury Gardens.
5 stars
Edward Lever(31st October 2013)

Excellent shot, Vince, nicely positioned with good colours. I have sent you an e-mail re the description.

Lighthouse
5 stars
Edward Lever(16th October 2013)

Beautiful shot, I love the uncluttered view and the expanses of uniform colour

River Kennet
5 stars
Edward Lever(2nd October 2013)

Nice view of this stretch of the Kennet in the more 'gritty' part of Reading

The Sculpture at Reading Abbey
5 stars
Edward Lever(30th September 2013)

Good choice of viewpoint to avoid a cluttered background. Yes, Vince, I have seen the state of this garden too, and litter is not the only problem, druggies abound at certain times of day.

Barnack
5 stars
Edward Lever(28th September 2013)

The low angle of light and choice of viewpoint suits this building very well

Lone Tree
5 stars
Edward Lever(26th September 2013)

Wonderfully surreal, the bare tree looks almost like a figure with outstretched arms looking out over the hills

5 stars
Edward Lever(26th September 2013)

A picture of utter misery - how we will all look if Comrade Miliband has his way

Watermill at Mapledurham
5 stars
Edward Lever(24th September 2013)

Excellent viewpoint including the mill-stream

Reading Abbey
5 stars
Edward Lever(23rd September 2013)

You did well to get this shot, Vince, since the abbey ruins are presently closed. Did you sneak in through a gap in the fence? Excellent shot

Whitstable fish and chips
5 stars
Edward Lever(17th September 2013)

Wonderfully evocative shot capturing the nostalgia and fading glory of the English seaside town

SS Swan
5 stars
Edward Lever(5th September 2013)

Whoever tied this knot had too much rum, or maybe it's a knot designed by a committee

Ansley Lanes
5 stars
Edward Lever(5th September 2013)

The narrow angle of view isolates the subject from the background dramatically. Unfortunately, the EXIF data seems to have been stripped off, so there is no information as to the focal length setting.

Thornton Force
5 stars
Edward Lever(30th August 2013)

The slow shutter speed has given a result which looks like a painting. The stones in the foreground and the clear water add a pleasing contrast.

Puffin
5 stars
Edward Lever(29th August 2013)

Superb shot, it just shows that you don't need the latest camera (the Canon EOS 10D is now 10 years old) or lots of megapixels, but you do need a good lens and know what you are doing to get results as good as this.

Lytham St Anne's, Lancashire
5 stars
Edward Lever(28th August 2013)

Superb! Strong lines, virtually monochrome except for the red marker buoy, and the seagull on the mast, all excellent

Lookin at me lookin at you!
5 stars
Edward Lever(16th August 2013)

Very nice and sharp, looks like you may have used flash on this one?

It's a long way down
5 stars
Edward Lever(15th August 2013)

Very nice macro shot, sharp focus on the subject and blurred background

Jodrell Bank Radio Telescope from Teggs Nose
5 stars
Edward Lever(13th August 2013)

Interesting shot. The extreme telephoto effect has compressed the perspective dramatically. I assume the mountains in the background are the Welsh mountains, which must be over 40 miles away. Pity there wasn't some sunlight shining on the dish at Jodrell Bank, that would have completed the picture beyond perfection.

British Wildlife comes to Town.
5 stars
Edward Lever(10th August 2013)

Super composition Vince, but sadly lacking in sharpness as you say (this is not meant unkindly, at 250 mm with a 1.6X crop and 1/15 sec it is very good, but it's the sort of shot that really needs a fast lens I can only dream about).

The Solent
5 stars
Edward Lever(6th August 2013)

Beautiful clear shot, even the shingle spit with Hurst Castle and the light-house are visible in the distance.

5 stars
Edward Lever(30th July 2013)

I can think of a better shot, but it would not be with a camera !

Sky over the Bridge, Chepstow.
5 stars
Edward Lever(30th July 2013)

Hopefully you do not personally get a lightning strike, Patrick, but I agree the scene would look even more dramatic with lightning hitting the electricity pylon or one of the bridge pylons.

Flutterby and Heather
5 stars
Edward Lever(29th July 2013)

Pleasing shot of the butterfly with a very nice blurred background.

Castle Gate and the Town Hall
5 stars
Edward Lever(27th July 2013)

An excellent shot, but I agree that cropping would improve it further. I assume that the main subject of the picture is the tower of the town hall, and the opening at the top of the arch only serves to distract the eye.

Seaton
5 stars
Edward Lever(24th July 2013)

Ah, Seaton, I remember it well from my working days when Racal used to have a factory near the harbour (right next to Warner's Holiday Camp). The hard stony beach has not changed though!

Mermaid Street, Rye
4 stars
Edward Lever(13th July 2013)

Nice view of an ancient street, which must have changed little over the centuries, except for the ubiquitous White Van sticking its rear end into view. If only there was some 'zapper' which would remove cars and vans from ancient street scenes!

5 stars
Edward Lever(11th July 2013)

Nice view with a humorous twist. I always chuckle at modifications of official signs, I was worried it was becoming a lost 'art'. It's good to see it is alive and well in Cornwall.

Bessie Bradock, Lime Street Station, Liverpool.
5 stars
Edward Lever(28th June 2013)

Interesting shot and description. I always suspected politicians were mentored by Ken Dodd, now I know it's true.

George's Dock Gate, Liverpool
5 stars
Edward Lever(28th June 2013)

This picture just cried out for monochrome - excellent decision - another gem

Reptiles at Langford, Essex
5 stars
Edward Lever(23rd June 2013)

She looks very calm handling that snake. She would be well accepted in the snake handling churches down in Cleveland Tennessee

PS Waverley approaching the Pier
5 stars
Edward Lever(17th June 2013)

Well composed, and the strong side lighting enhances the contrast, excellent

Rugby School
5 stars
Edward Lever(17th June 2013)

Interesting brick-work architecture, reminiscent of Keble College Oxford. Also has been known to cause mixed feelings in its beholders.

Monson Street, Tunbridge Wells
5 stars
Edward Lever(14th June 2013)

An unusual picture with a lot of hidden history, the spiral staircase with its well-worn steps leads intriguingly into the past

College Garden at New College, Oxford
5 stars
Edward Lever(9th June 2013)

The figures lounging so insouciantly on the lawn must be students (visitors are not permitted on the grass). Incidentally, the College is responsible for maintaining this section of the city wall.

Above Fairysteps
5 stars
Edward Lever(7th June 2013)

Nice contre-jour shot

High Street, Oxford
5 stars
Edward Lever(7th June 2013)

Good panorama showing many of the famous Oxford landmarks. I assume this shot was taken from the top of Carfax tower.

Museum Of Liverpool.
5 stars
Edward Lever(6th June 2013)

I agree Rod, many examples of new architecture are not well-received at first, but are later accepted as iconic. I like this shot because there is no point in trying to get geometric accuracy with a wide shot like this.

Plantasia Attraction, at Dobbies Garden World
4 stars
Edward Lever(6th June 2013)

Interesting pic, but its a pity the dragon-fly is painted in such drab colours and appears to be losing an eye! Maybe it is really a military drone

All Souls College, Oxford
5 stars
Edward Lever(5th June 2013)

I assume this view was taken through the bars of the locked iron gate on Catte Street. An added bonus of this viewpoint is that the bars of the gate are useful for steadying the camera!

New College, Oxford
4 stars
Edward Lever(5th June 2013)

The use of near objects to give a feeling of depth to the picture is always tricky. I am not so sure about this one. It gives me an impression of a Tardis-like object about to land on top of the Muniment Tower.

Power and plants Staythorpe.
5 stars
Edward Lever(2nd June 2013)

Very nice, Patrick. I like the uncluttered lines and the stark contrast of shiny metal and the crops in the field. Nice use of 'rule of thirds' too.

5 stars
Edward Lever(2nd June 2013)

Nice picture, but it looks like a resized copy of the picture taken by Charles Moorhen in 2009. Perhaps the giveaway is that the photographer says she will visit the place soon!

5 stars
Edward Lever(2nd June 2013)

Very nice view. The dappled sunlight adds to the woodland charm. The description of the church is fascinating. If only all the descriptions on PoE were as good as this one.

Rochester Cathedral
5 stars
Edward Lever(9th April 2013)

Classic view of a fine Norman building

Admiralty Arch, London, Greater London
5 stars
Edward Lever(9th April 2013)

Classic ultra wide angle shot. You did well to avoid getting your own shadow in the picture.

5 stars
Edward Lever(6th February 2013)

Beautiful shot, but would be even better without the car in view....I really detest how it is almost impossible to get a car-free view of otherwise classic scenes

LDS Preston Temple near Chorley
5 stars
Edward Lever(3rd February 2013)

Very dramatic shot...looks like a Star Trek idea of a church has just landed

The Industrial Countryside
5 stars
Edward Lever(1st February 2013)

I was similarly surprised when I spotted this view some years ago. This is the Kronospan factory. I believe they make wood panels and laminates. There's probably not much else to do in Chirk.

New Brighton Lighthouse
5 stars
Edward Lever(29th January 2013)

I only just spotted this one, Rod, a very nicely composed shot. I particularly like the effect of the high white on the waves, the lighthouse and the white dock buildings against the overall darkish background.

Squirrel 3
5 stars
Edward Lever(14th January 2013)

Nice picture of destructive vermin, personally I would rather shoot it with a gun than with my camera. They cause untold damage in our garden.

Liverpool Road, Manchester
5 stars
Edward Lever(14th January 2013)

Looks like some alien structure has landed in Manchester (OK, I now know it's the Hilton Hotel)

Beetham Tower.
5 stars
Edward Lever(14th January 2013)

I don't think I would want to stay there...it looks like something out of a sci-fi movie set on some forgotten planet

The Paragon, Blackheath
5 stars
Edward Lever(12th January 2013)

Its good to have your work acknowledged in this way. I have had a couple of requests for use of my pics. Even if you do not get any financial benefit, make sure you get them to acknowledge you as the photographer and PoE as the website.

Thame, Oxforshire
5 stars
Edward Lever(12th January 2013)

There seems to be a sombre message in this picture....however wealthy, talented, or famous you are in this world....we all go out in the same way.

5 stars
Edward Lever(8th December 2012)

Very nice textures and colours

Goathland station 2
5 stars
Edward Lever(24th November 2012)

Very nice, plenty of photo-opportunities there !

Wells Cathedral
5 stars
Edward Lever(22nd November 2012)

The scissor arch construction seen here was not just a pretty feature, but was an elegant way of strengthening the support for the tower, which was in danger of collapsing.

Reading, Berkshire
5 stars
Edward Lever(7th October 2012)

Interesting view. It's a shame they put that blue-panelled bridge so near the Mill Arch. The developers are doing a great job destroying Reading's ancient history.

Church of St. Mary , Woodford, Northamptonshire.
5 stars
Edward Lever(27th August 2012)

Very nicely taken - the light is just right, very pleasing composition and a view that must have changed little for centuries

Cloud Nine
5 stars
Edward Lever(25th August 2012)

My goodness, Patrick, you seem to know everything about this boat. Could it be yours ? I see it was fitted out by Milburn Boats Ltd for some lucky person.

Church of St Mary and All Saints, Fotheringhay
5 stars
Edward Lever(25th August 2012)

Very impressive octagonal tower. I now realize on reading the description that the Mary who was executed was Mary Queen of Scots. The church presumably is still much the same as it was in 1587 at the date of her execution. A sobering thought.

Ogden's Liverpool.
5 stars
Edward Lever(23rd August 2012)

Great record shot of a bit of Liverpool history. This building has some sentimental value for me because my father worked there for many years. It might be worth getting another shot when there is some sunlight and blue sky, but an excellent shot nevertheless.

London, East End
5 stars
Edward Lever(21st August 2012)

Interesting piece of social observation from an earlier time...unfortunately street photography these days seems to attract the attention of overly zealous jobsworths and I have largely given up on it.

Big Ben, London
5 stars
Edward Lever(20th August 2012)

Getting the perspective right is always difficult with tall structures like this - you've done a good job here

Gravesend phonebox
4 stars
Edward Lever(15th August 2012)

A second cider can and a piece of string would be of more use than this phone box !

Close up of Cottage Flowers
4 stars
Edward Lever(14th August 2012)

Since you are seeking advice, I would suggest you get closer to your subject. The camera you have will focus much closer to the flowers, if that's what you want to show. The pic is pretty, but has a number of distracting features e.g. the metal bin, the edge of the door-frame etc. Think of what the picture is trying to get the viewer to look at, in this case the flowers. Hope this helps, its just my opinion after all.

Reading, Berkshire
5 stars
Edward Lever(13th August 2012)

Thanks for confirming that, Paul. You were fortunate to have had such a good viewpoint. The building is now closed and looks like it is due for demolition as part of the station redevelopment. I await with interest to see what happens !

Hull Show 2012
5 stars
Edward Lever(13th August 2012)

Good sharp shot. I know how difficult it is to get a good result in lighting like this where the contrast is too much for the sensor.

River Mersey viewed from Egremont Ferry.
5 stars
Edward Lever(13th August 2012)

I remember this view from when I was a lad, a long time ago. Little seems to have changed, except for a few more buildings on the Liverpool waterfront. Nicely atmospheric shot.

Reading, Berkshire
5 stars
Edward Lever(13th August 2012)

Nice view, Paul, and good clear conditions. You must have taken this from the top of Thames Tower? You are either a good climber or know someone to get in!

The UEA
5 stars
Edward Lever(11th August 2012)

A nice mixture of natural scenery and modern architecture

West Somerton, Norfolk
5 stars
Edward Lever(7th August 2012)

These round hay bales seem to be very common in the UK now. Often there is a plastic wrapping on them which helps to keep out the moisture.

5 stars
Edward Lever(3rd August 2012)

Ha Ha ! You've missed out on a career as a headline writer

Chesterton Windmill at Sunset
5 stars
Edward Lever(25th July 2012)

Great shot - and what an unusual structure !

Pishill, Oxfordshire
4 stars
Edward Lever(30th June 2012)

This is the north aisle, known also as the Stonor aisle. When seated in these pews, it is possible to see the pulpit but not the altar. This unusual arrangement allowed Roman Catholic worshippers from nearby Stonor to continue to use this church after the reformation.

A Rose from Wheatley
5 stars
Edward Lever(26th June 2012)

The rain-drops on the petals add to the natural charm of the shot. And we've had no shortage of rain lately !

Reading, Berkshire
5 stars
Edward Lever(25th June 2012)

Nice sky, Paul, it makes Reading look quite exotic

Humber Bridge 4-12-11
5 stars
Edward Lever(3rd June 2012)

Very creative use of a wide-angle lens

5 stars
Edward Lever(15th May 2012)

Good uncluttered composition and nicely saturated colours

Giant
5 stars
Edward Lever(26th April 2012)

Good clear shot of the 'Giant Little Girl', the only thing missing is a visual clue to the size of the puppet.

Brixham Harbour
5 stars
Edward Lever(25th April 2012)

Superb in all respects

Stour Valley Spring, Shillingstone.
5 stars
Edward Lever(25th April 2012)

Excellent shot...we also have them as garden visitors...but never managed to get a good close-up like this one

5 stars
Edward Lever(20th April 2012)

'Parva' comes from the Latin word meaning smaller. Often there will be another village of similar name nearby, with the designation 'Magna', meaning greater.

Gloucester Cathedral
5 stars
Edward Lever(31st March 2012)

Maybe a long wait for their prayers to be answered ?

Power Monsters
5 stars
Edward Lever(29th March 2012)

Amazingly lofty pylons - impressive shot

Cliveden as seen from the river
5 stars
Edward Lever(5th March 2012)

Wonderfully chosen setting for seeing the house and its surroundings

London from Epsom Skyline
5 stars
Edward Lever(19th February 2012)

An impressive demonstration of the zoom range of the Panasonic Lumix. The London buildings must be about 15 miles away.

London
5 stars
Edward Lever(12th February 2012)

Very impressive - I guess you used flash or a very fast shutter speed. The effect is wonderfully surreal, however it was achieved. The composition is excellent.

Where did this Church get it's Bell Tower?
5 stars
Edward Lever(22nd January 2012)

Amazing, I have never seen such a hideous construction in all my life. Seems to have been designed by a demented Lego builder.

Southwold Pier and beach huts
5 stars
Edward Lever(17th January 2012)

Very pleasing shot. Reminds me of old-time seaside scenes. Makes me wish I lived nearer the sea.

Seal Sands Sunset
5 stars
Edward Lever(8th January 2012)

The gloomy clouds add to the stark silhouette of the chemical works to make a very atmospheric shot.

St Michael's and All Angel's Church
5 stars
Edward Lever(17th December 2011)

Very impressive picture of this massive Norman tower

Wall Painting
5 stars
Edward Lever(11th December 2011)

Nicely observed ! Am I right in assuming this witty artwork is on the wall of a 'Greasy Spoon' cafe ?

Black Swans visit Brotherswater
5 stars
Edward Lever(11th December 2011)

Good shot showing nice details on the feathers (difficult with black colouring). I have seen quite a few black swans on the Thames and now they seem be appearing elsewhere. They originated from Australia and probably escaped from private collections here in the UK. They are more aggressive than the native mute white swan, with which they compete for food and habitat.

Nurstead Church Near Meopham
5 stars
Edward Lever(10th December 2011)

Superbly menacing clouds - all it needs now is a bolt of lightning striking the tower !

Wells Cathedral
5 stars
Edward Lever(6th December 2011)

Certainly the west front of Wells Cathedral is incredibly ornate. When I first saw it, many years ago, it seemed out of place in England.

Durham City Viaduct
5 stars
Edward Lever(6th December 2011)

Pleasing contrast of the houses dwarfed by the giant scale of the arches.

Rosehips by lakeside, Calvert, Buckinghamshire
5 stars
Edward Lever(19th November 2011)

I like the dramatic contrast of the bright red of the rose hips and the drab, almost monochrome background. I guess you used flash to achieve the lighting effect.

Radcliffe Camera
5 stars
Edward Lever(19th October 2011)

Dramatic view. The ultra wide-angle lens must be useful in a place like Oxford where the buildings are so close together.

Radcliffe Square, Oxford, Oxon
5 stars
Edward Lever(18th October 2011)

Nice take on this location. I know this spot well. Your narrow-angle view has removed all the distracting detail yet still retains the feel of the location.

Sir Edward Elgar
4 stars
Edward Lever(18th October 2011)

Technically a good picture, but poor old Elgar looks utterly cheesed off standing amidst the dreary shops and shoppers of a 21st century High Street. I expect he would prefer to be outside the Royal Albert Hall !

Broad Street
5 stars
Edward Lever(10th October 2011)

Very amusing shot - Oxford would be even nicer if all the cars rolled out of the way

Another
5 stars
Edward Lever(10th October 2011)

Very atmospheric autumn shot - I like the mistiness here

Saltburn Cliff Lift and Pier.
5 stars
Edward Lever(10th October 2011)

Interesting shot, the almost perfect symmetry of the scene is dramatic but somehow disturbing, giving a surreal effect.

KIngston Maurward, Stinsford.
5 stars
Edward Lever(22nd September 2011)

The well-chosen viewpoint and the subtle colours make this an excellent shot.

Church of St Mary the Virgin
5 stars
Edward Lever(31st August 2011)

Looks like a chilly autumn day when this picture was taken. I like the unswept leaves adding to the impression of dereliction.

The Crooked House
5 stars
Edward Lever(26th August 2011)

Definitely worrying. Not the best scene to test a lens for perspective distortions !

Lamp post in Swanage
4 stars
Edward Lever(25th August 2011)

Interesting shot, but I am left wondering whether the picture tells the story of the clouds or the bizarre lamp-post, since the lamp-post is quite small in the frame.

5 stars
Edward Lever(11th August 2011)

Very pleasing and interesting shot. I particularly like the off-centre positioning of the tower and the view of the road winding away into the distance.

Royal Holloway
4 stars
Edward Lever(12th June 2011)

A good photograph of (IMHO) a hideous building

Levisham Station
5 stars
Edward Lever(12th June 2011)

Nice documentary study of man at work. The dark grey sky makes a very effective backdrop, adding a certain dramatic effect.

Cattle on Baslow Edge
5 stars
Edward Lever(29th April 2011)

Interesting blend of the wind-swept cattle with the wind-swept hillside, great textures and use of light.

Brighton Pier
5 stars
Edward Lever(7th April 2011)

I like how the brightness of the pier stands out against the gloomy sky and beach.

Winter on Rannoch Moor
5 stars
Edward Lever(7th April 2011)

It shows that 'bad light' can result in a brilliant photo. The mistiness gives added depth to the image. An encouragement to take the camera out in all weathers.

Castle Dean Walk
5 stars
Edward Lever(6th April 2011)

Nice panorama. BTW, with reference to the previous comment, I can't see any problem with the horizon, it seems spot-on to me.

A very beautiful bird!
5 stars
Edward Lever(30th March 2011)

Nicely detailed shot of this Mandarin Duck's plumage. These birds seem to be getting more common in the wild, and I have seen them happily swimming with the much less colourful Mallards.

The Precinct, Canterbury Cathedral, Kent
5 stars
Edward Lever(30th March 2011)

Pleasing composition using the archway as a frame. The lack of cars (excellent!) and the soft focus adds to its timeless quality.

5 stars
Edward Lever(19th March 2011)

Nicely composed view. Incidentally, the wooden bridge in the picture is quite famous and is known as 'The Mathematical Bridge'. There is a copy of this bridge at Iffley near Oxford.

Reading, Berkshire
5 stars
Edward Lever(8th November 2010)

I know this location well and I guess you must have used an ultra wide-angle lens to get this view of the 'Blade' (together with some perspective correction?). Nice shot.

Girls on Wimbledon Common, Wimbledon, Greater London
5 stars
Edward Lever(2nd November 2010)

Attractive candid shot. Most pictures on PoE are of buildings and landscapes, and it's good to see some people for a change.

Field and pylons at Verney Junction, near Addington, Bucks
5 stars
Edward Lever(1st November 2010)

Interesting geometry here

Reading, Berkshire
5 stars
Edward Lever(17th October 2010)

Nice shot, Paul. I particularly like how you've got the row of stone blocks leading diagonally from the lower left corner to the third on the right.

Turl Street
5 stars
Edward Lever(26th July 2010)

A timeless piece of observation, which works so well in monochrome. The scene suggests many questions, which will probably remain unanswered.

Reading City Centre. Berkshire
3 stars
Edward Lever(26th July 2010)

Reading is a town not a city. Although there have been many fanciful attempts to elevate its status to that of a city, Reading is to date a town. The visitor could be forgiven for making this mistake, since for a short time some of the bus destination boards announced 'city centre', in a sort of mad delusion.

Fishing at Reading circa 1964
5 stars
Edward Lever(22nd July 2010)

I have just repeated your journey from Scours Lane to the Roebuck. The Roebuck is now closed but the footbridge across the railway fom the river up to the Roebuck is still there.

On the beach California, Norfolk 1965
4 stars
Edward Lever(22nd July 2010)

What a happy picture of childhood ! Nowadays a photographer would get into trouble for taking a photo of kids, even if they're his own children.

Bexhill Colonade
5 stars
Edward Lever(20th July 2010)

Perhaps the shadow of the lamp in the foreground distracts the viewer's eye, but a beautiful shot nevertheless.

Winchelsea Church
5 stars
Edward Lever(20th July 2010)

There is a wonderfully surreal and decaying feel to this understated picture.

A picture of Marlow
3 stars
Edward Lever(15th July 2010)

This is the spire of St. Peter's, not All Saints

The Cherwell
5 stars
Edward Lever(23rd June 2010)

You would win a competition with this shot. Black & White works just right with this high contrast scene. Fantastic reflections of the sunlight too.

Old schools quad
5 stars
Edward Lever(23rd June 2010)

Nicely observed shot. I know this spot well and the contrast of light and shade adds to the atmosphere.

Reading, Berkshire
4 stars
Edward Lever(15th June 2010)

Interesting picture which accurately shows the hideous jumble of modern Reading contrasting with the unspoilt green slopes of the Chiltern hills beyond.

Salisbury Cathedral
5 stars
Edward Lever(13th June 2010)

Excellent detail, churches and cathedral shots are usually gloomy but this shot has an unusual clarity. I don't know whether this was because of the natural light or the good qualities of the Fuji sensor, but the result is outstanding.

The river Thames, Wallingford, Oxfordshire
5 stars
Edward Lever(10th June 2010)

Very pleasing composition. Beautiful reflections and saturated colours. A picture of English tranquility.

4 stars
Edward Lever(10th June 2010)

This picture must have been taken from inside the 'Blade'. Excellent view, but perhaps spoiled by the reflections of the windows. Maybe you could emulate Spiderman next time and get a picture from the outside !!

Reading, Berkshire
4 stars
Edward Lever(10th June 2010)

It's a pity that the view of the Abbey Gateway is now spoiled by the scaffolding. It's quite a challenge to get a view of this building which reflects its former grandeur.

Oxford, from Boars' Hill
5 stars
Edward Lever(25th May 2010)

A picture reminiscent of Jude's first impression of Christminster in Hardy's Jude the Obscure. Beautiful.

Switchgear, Beachampton, nr Stony Stratford, Bucks
5 stars
Edward Lever(7th May 2010)

Interesting shot, the styling is purely functional, but is nevertheless artistic. Don't get too close to this stuff, or you will end up being Flash Gordon.

Dockers Clock
5 stars
Edward Lever(7th March 2010)

Fascinating photo. I remember many years ago, as a lad, seeing this clock tower from the Wallasey side of the river. I never got round to seeing it close up. Next time I am in Liverpool, I will check it out.

Reading, Berkshire
5 stars
Edward Lever(6th March 2010)

Interesting shot, the snow makes it seem almost monochrome. BTW I believe Jane Austen attended the school which was housed in the Abbey Gateway (this is still standing). The Forbury itself was outside of the confines of the Abbey, but I imagine Jane Austen and her friends would have played in the Forbury.

Power plant
5 stars
Edward Lever(16th February 2010)

Good dramatic shot, showing the car dwarfed by the cooling towers. Gives a good impression of the size of these structures, which can be seen from over 10 miles away.

Magdalen College, Oxford
4 stars
Edward Lever(17th January 2010)

Judging from the direction of the shadows, this pic was shot into the light, giving a somewhat 'washed-out' effect. This has worked well and has added to the gentle atmosphere of the scene.

Reading, Berkshire
5 stars
Edward Lever(3rd January 2010)

This is one of my favourite places in Reading. A nicely composed shot with interesting lighting.

Seven Sisters, East Sussex
5 stars
Edward Lever(22nd October 2009)

Superb! I love the contrast of the sharp lighting on the cottages with the haziness of the cliffs beyond. The strong backlit effect is wonderful.

Water garden, Cliveden
5 stars
Edward Lever(27th September 2009)

Beautiful warm colours. I know this location very well and you have captured a nice angle of view.

A picture of Turville
5 stars
Edward Lever(24th September 2009)

Superb sky, love the colours.

The view from the Ouse bridge (M62) looking towards Airmyn bridge and Drax power station
5 stars
Edward Lever(6th September 2009)

Just goes to show that there can be beauty in an industrial landscape. Excellent shot.

Reading Bridge
5 stars
Edward Lever(6th September 2009)

The reflections in the water are nicely captured, as is the winter mist. An interesting pic.

Rye
5 stars
Edward Lever(2nd September 2009)

Fascinating building. Nicely detailed architectural shot. I believe this building was used as a public convenience until recently, and is up for letting by Rother District Council !!!

Camber Castle
5 stars
Edward Lever(2nd September 2009)

Good photo. Very pleasing composition.

A picture of Rye
5 stars
Edward Lever(22nd August 2009)

Very nicely composed telephoto shot, exposure is perfect

Uxbridge
5 stars
Edward Lever(4th May 2009)

Shooting into the light gives dramatic effects, transforming the street scene into something special. Superb shot.

Greenwich, Greater London
5 stars
Edward Lever(31st August 2008)

Nicely framed shot

5 stars
Edward Lever(31st August 2008)

Nice composition and lighting

Kensal Green cemetery
5 stars
Edward Lever(31st May 2008)

Wonderfully surreal yet classical, superb.

Victoria & Albert Museum
3 stars
Edward Lever(16th May 2008)

Nice picture, but it is of the Natural History Museum, not the V & A, which is further down the road eastwards.

Fishing at Reading circa 1964
5 stars
Edward Lever(1st February 2008)

Nice picture from gentler times. The town of Reading has changed out of all recognition since that picture was taken, but the riverbank has stayed the same.