Cwmorthin, Tanygrisiau, North Wales
Jul 13, 2018 09:56:38 #
Probably pronounced coom-morthin, tan-a-grisia - well it is Welsh!
Cwmorthin lake and slate quarry lies in the hills above the hamlet of Tanygrisiau, just next to Blaenau Ffestiniog (don't worry about the pronunciation). It is scattered with the remains of long-abandoned buildings that were both industrial and residential. A small community whose entire life surrounded the quarry. The area is, naturally, rather grey and on the day we walked up there the weather turned that way as well. These shots, I hope, give some feel for the area. They were taken in May and I had intended returning in June for two-day industrial portrait shoot but it was cancelled due to a severe weather forecast and has been rescheduled for October. Fingers crossed for that Indian summer!
Please feel free to critique, all suggestions are welcomed.
Cwmorthin lake and slate quarry lies in the hills above the hamlet of Tanygrisiau, just next to Blaenau Ffestiniog (don't worry about the pronunciation). It is scattered with the remains of long-abandoned buildings that were both industrial and residential. A small community whose entire life surrounded the quarry. The area is, naturally, rather grey and on the day we walked up there the weather turned that way as well. These shots, I hope, give some feel for the area. They were taken in May and I had intended returning in June for two-day industrial portrait shoot but it was cancelled due to a severe weather forecast and has been rescheduled for October. Fingers crossed for that Indian summer!
Please feel free to critique, all suggestions are welcomed.
Approaching the chapel in quite pleasant weather
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Returning in the rain.
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The remains of a row of slate cottages.
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The one cottage still in use - shadowed by earlier remains and the mine.
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Jul 13, 2018 11:05:35 #
An interesting tour, Dave, thanks! I assume you were well prepared for the weather change and no photography gear was harmed in the making of this series 
Jul 13, 2018 12:59:39 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
An interesting tour, Dave, thanks! I assume you were well prepared for the weather change and no photography gear was harmed in the making of this series
Not at all Linda (prepared that is!).
Jul 13, 2018 14:34:30 #
They do a good job of showing how bleak that mountain and moor environment can be. I don't envy the people that had to live there.
Jul 13, 2018 15:14:25 #
R.G. wrote:
They do a good job of showing how bleak that mountain and moor environment can be. I don't envy the people that had to live there.
It has a beauty of its own RG, but the hike up there is pretty steep in places. I can see why they built their cottages there - I wouldn’t want to be doing that climb every day! Got to do it two days running come October though, complete with camera kit. Thanks for taking a look.
Jul 13, 2018 16:53:59 #
Dave, I love the view of all of them, especially the first three. Looks as tho there could be many a photo opportunities.
Jul 13, 2018 17:01:00 #
Dave Chinn wrote:
Dave, I love the view of all of them, especially the first three. Looks as tho there could be many a photo opportunities.
Thanks Dave, glad you like them. #3 is my favourite.
I hope October will produce some portraits for b&w in the mood you might approve of. We shall see.
Jul 14, 2018 08:53:41 #
Very nice series. I particularly like # 4. It seems to be a place not meant for city slickers to take up residency. Since I love to see clouds in the sky i miss that in your photos. Of course I understand you have no control over Mother Nature.
Jul 14, 2018 09:27:39 #
Jul 14, 2018 09:54:47 #
NJFrank wrote:
Very nice series. I particularly like # 4. It seems to be a place not meant for city slickers to take up residency. Since I love to see clouds in the sky i miss that in your photos. Of course I understand you have no control over Mother Nature.
Well, it could be arranged with a little help from Photoshop, but that’s not the idea here - as you say, we have to live with what was there. The light cloud earlier in the morning soon gave way to Welsh grey! And rain.
No complaints though, we had a reasonable week overall.
Interestingly, there is a row of cottages built in two phases. The first from limestone and then from slate. The slate has withstood the elements rather better than the limestone - which, understandably, pleases the Welsh!
Glad you enjoyed them and thanks for looking.
Jul 14, 2018 09:58:08 #
DaveC1 wrote:
I really love them all, but particularly #3 & #4. Good work.
Certainly 3 is my favourite - full screen on my iMac it takes me back there and I can feel the spots of rain on my face! Glad you like them - many thanks for looking.
Jul 14, 2018 11:33:44 #
Thanks for sharing this tour of a remote venue most of us will never see.
Jul 14, 2018 16:40:00 #
UTMike wrote:
Thanks for sharing this tour of a remote venue most of us will never see.
Thanks for looking Mike, glad it caught your interest. There may be more to come in October.
Jul 14, 2018 22:15:10 #
magnetoman wrote:
Probably pronounced coom-morthin, tan-a-grisia - w... (show quote)
I like all the photos because they put me in a place that I'll probably never visit. The first photo, however, is a standout for me. I love the perspective and that tree. The weather in this shot is even showing some blue in the sky. Very entertaining set. I can definitely see why you are attracted to the location and what to go back soon.
Erich
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