Rural Photography Studio

Who needs a studio when there's a convenient barn nearby!

I love creating images on location as much as I do in the studio. This is a frame from a recent test shoot using a new light modifier - I'll not go into detail other than this is something I do for a number of photography lighting businesses as I've been a professional since the early 1980s.

If you need people shots, head shots, pack shots and product photography for your business do give me a call or email, details at http://www.packshots.biz/contact/index.htm

I'm based in central Sussex, Burgess Hill to be precise and available throughout Sussex, southern and south east England. I do travel further afield, preferably somewhere with an average temperature above 18ºC!

I've included this shot so you can see how an experienced and trained eye can transform what was a mundane and messy area.

Wishing you all well and success with your preparations for the Christmas Season:)

Tom Walker, Artist

"A little goes a long way" was Tom's response to my question regarding who many pastels he uses in a year!

As my project photographing land-based businesses continues, every now and again there are interesting spin-offs. The artist Tom Walker is one such spin-off. Whilst photographing Monday Group, a gentlemen appeared who I immediately thought, "I need to photograph this man".

Tom Walker in his Sussex Studio

I spoke with a local contact who made the introduction and these images are the result of our first meeting - Tom is a thoughtful man who loves the countryside and is passionate about snooker. In 2009 he completed a series of works inspired by his love of snooker "Snooker, In The Frame" which can be seen at his website along with BBC interviews with Tom at the Snooker World Championships from 2007-2009.

Tom, thank you for your time, it's certainly a privilege to photograph you.

For anyone interested in how I lit these images, please visit my lighting blog Pack's Hacks.

Poppies in Bloom in November

On my way back to the studio from Brighton earlier today and surprised to see poppies peeping through the stubble on the west side of Beacon Road near Falmer. All I had with me was my trusty Fujifilm X30 snap cam & my iPhone for the background atmos track.

There will be many who have lost friends and loved ones in conflicts and wars over the years - We Will Remember Them.

Wooing Tree NZ Otago Winemaker Visits Sussex

Steve Farquharson in the winery at Plumpton College

Steve Farquharson from Wooing Tree Vineyard recently visited the Wine Centre at Plumpton College for a tasting during his trip to Europe selling his fine wines from the Central Otago Region in the New Zealand South Island - strangely the trip coincided with the Rugby World Cup - no wonder he has something to smile about with the All Blacks beating the Wallabies in the final at Twickenham on 31 October 2105.

Steve graduated with a viticulture, winemaking, the wine trade and WSET Diploma in Wine from Plumpton College in the early 2004 after deciding that a career in IT support for a bank call centre wasn't for him. Wooing Tree is a true family business with Steve and his wife Jane who own the business and his sister Jane looking after the cellar door and brother-in-law Geoff the vineyard.

Wooing Tree wines are available in UK (link above). Read more about the Wooing Tree story on their website www.wooingtree.co.nz

Out and about in Sussex - Autumn Fog

Whilst the dense fog maybe causing travel troubles, it certainly makes beautiful Sussex landscapes - a quick frame from beside the road close to Ditchling Beacon on the South Downs Way.

PRESS RELEASE - Monday Group & Southbank Ramblers

This press release follows on from images I created recently of Harold Rowling MBE and the stiles funded by Southbank Ramblers.

For immediate use - Sunday, 18 October 2015

Monday Group - Rights of Way Volunteers

London based Southbank Ramblers Fund Sussex Stiles

Monday Group are volunteer group based in Ditchling, East Sussex who maintain public rights of way and design, build and install stiles, bridges and steps allowing walkers to enjoy the beautiful Sussex countryside. The group is now funded by donations from local organisations and private individuals, among them farmers and landowners who have come to respect its work. It also raises its own funds by the sale of bird boxes, wildlife and insect habitats, coffee mornings, jumble sales etc.

Southbank Ramblers come mainly from the London Boroughs of Southwark & Lambeth and regularly walk throughout Sussex. 

"Often fed up with coming across stiles that are broken and often difficult to climb over, we came across some installed by the Monday Group. They are wonderful !  We had some spare money so decided to fund some stiles in an area that we love to walk in. They are a great design and they seem lovingly made with the initials of the maker on them. The Group is a inspiration and really contributes to the enjoyment of the countryside”, says Sue Ellenby, Chair of Southbank Ramblers.

During 2015 the group funded £800.00 for the construction of five stiles on public footpaths between Plumpton & East Chiltington after seeing other stiles installed by Monday Group and contacting the group via their website www.mondaygroup.org

In torrential rain and strong wind on 5th October a group from Southbank Ramblers walked from Plumpton Station to Lewes via a number of the stiles they funded, they stopped for a brief photo call with local photographer Ian Pack images below.



Stiles funded by Southbank Walkers are installed at the following locations:

Footpath Plumpton 13A at TQ 362 162
Footpath East Chiltington 41 at TQ 379 162
Footpath East Chiltington 41 at TQ 380 162
Footpath East Chiltington 41 at TQ 381 161
South Bank Ramblers' stile to be installed after discussion with the landowner:
Footpath East Chiltington 41 at TQ 382 160

<> E N D S <>

MEDIA CONTACTS
www.mondaygroup.org

Media contact:
Jim Edwards, Monday Group, jim.edmail@btinternet.com 07711 163043

www.southbankramblers.org.uk
Sue Ellenby, Chair, Southbank Ramblers, ellenbysue@btinternet.com 07834 311422

Editors Notes
Monday Group was founded in 1962 by Harold Rowling MBE. 

During WW2, under the Defence of the Realm Act, the South Downs were firstly cultivated to help the war effort,  then requisitioned by the armed forces as gunnery ranges, the targets, from both land and sea, being the farm buildings. Public access was naturally forbidden but as up to 15 years after the war the footpaths and rights-of-way onto the Downs had still not been re-opened, partly because farmers and other landowners have never liked people tramping across their land but also because the Downs were riddled with unexploded ordnance.

Harold and Pam Rowling had met in 1939 in Lewes when Harold’s London school had been moved to Sussex. After the war and the end of his studies in London as an engineer, Harold returned to the girl and the countryside he loved and they settled in the house Harold designed, in Westmeston in 1953.

One day, Pam said: “Harold, I want to take the dogs for walks on the Downs but all the ways up are still blocked. You’ve got to do something about it.” From that day onward, Harold began to do that something!

Bomb clearance and disposal on the Downs began around 1960.
Harold alone and then with local helpers began to identify and clear footpaths that had been choked by brambles, blackthorn and barbed wire for many years. The first of these was the Westmeston Bostal.

Sometime in the 1970s, Reg Adsett moved into the district, and not only became the village postman but also a pillar of the Monday Group. It was not until1982, when Harold retired from full-time employment himself, and Mondays, when Reg had less postal work to do, replaced Sundays, that the Monday Group proper came into being.

Its progress ever since, within an approximate 5-mile radius of Ditchling, has been remarkable. All known footpaths have been opened, cleared, maintained and furnished where necessary with stiles, causeways, bridges, steps and sign-posts which are all 


regularly kept in safe, usable condition for walkers of all ages. At least 1,000 stiles* alone have been built and installed by the Monday Group during the last 54 years. All its structures are built of locally-sourced green oak for strength and long life.

As well as creating its own structures - the majority of them designed by Harold and modified and refined over the years – the Monday Group will repair and maintain, or replace any footpath structure in need of attention, made by others.

The current total voluntary workforce numbers about 35, mostly retired men and women, who not only enjoy participating in a very worthwhile enterprise but also the company and interaction with others as they work, in beautiful surroundings, in all weathers.

The group is now funded by donations from local organisations and private individuals, among them farmers and landowners who have come to respect its work. It also raises its own funds by the sale of bird boxes, wildlife and insect habitats, coffee mornings, jumble sales etc.

* The number of structures, of all kinds, and the area covered in over half a century of work, would be hard indeed to estimate, so the approximate number of stiles must serve to suggest that the total is very considerable.

Click on image to view larger and download for reproduction - images are sRGB, 1800x 1200pixels (6"x4" 300dpi):

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Officers of South Bank Ramblers admiring one of the stiles...in the rain!

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South Bank Ramblers' Committee.. soaked but happy to meet Harold and try out one of the stiles.

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Sue Ellenby (Chair) & Dudley Cloake of Southbank Rambers with one of the stiles funded by Southbank Ramblers

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Harold Rowling MBE, Founder of Monday Group with one of the stiles funder by Southbank Ramblers

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Harold Rowling MBE, Founder of Monday Group outside the Ditchling workshop



Queries and questions regarding images, image use and licensing should be directed to the copyright owner Ian Pack 07710 814665 ianpack@gmail.com All image remain the property of the copyright owner Ian Pack. Monday Group & Southbank Ramblers are granted license to distribute the images shown in this press release to promote Monday Group and/or Southbank Ramblers. 

Image use license
The images shown above maybe be used by Monday Group and Southbank Ramblers to promote the interests of each group individually or jointly. The images are not to be loaned or resold or lodged with or uploaded to any photograph image library or agency. Use by The Argus and Newsquest Media Group is specifically prohibited.

New Headstone for the Unmarked Grave of George Waller VC

In the course of my photography I work with numerous Sussex based businesses, not all land based. One current assignment is for the Downsview Monumental Company in Burgess Hill who design and install a wide range of headstones, memorials and monuments.

I'm photographing on location headstones, memorials and monuments for their website and social media marketing.

This is a headstone installed late in 2014 after a branch of the Royal British Legion discovered a winner of Britain's highest honour for gallantry had died a pauper and was buried in an unmarked grave in the churchyard at Holy Trinity Church in Hurstpierpoint.

The headstone is Portland stone hand craved and lettered by Master Stonemason Dave Collins.

For more information about George Waller VC open the following links:

http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/bbwalleg.htm

http://www.victoriacrossonline.co.uk/george-waller-vc/4588400077

If you need an experienced, user-friendly and versatile photographer do give me a call on 07710 814665 or email ian@pack.photo

Airbourne Airshow Eastbourne 2015

AeroSuperBatics formation wing walking team are a very special attraction - two or more vintage Boeing Stearman biplanes carry the wing walking performers 

Airbourne, the seafront air show in Eastbourne has to be one of the best free attractions on the summer on the Sunny Sussex coast - fours days of some of the best International air display flying you are likely to see.

Avro Lancaster of the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight - always a show stopper with the Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane

Visit Eastbourne from Thursday 13 to Sunday 16 August 2015. The display may be viewed from along the seafront, West Lawns and along the cliffs to Beachy Head with its' spectacular views back to the town and display. Many of the display airplanes are based at Shoreham Airport for the display and overfly Beachy Head and the South Downs National Park.

Supermarine Spitfire Mk PRXIX PM631 unarmed long range

high altitude photographic reconnaissance ship

There's plenty to see and do during the four day event including numerous ground attractions and a mini music festival including Toyah & Scouting for Girls!

http://www.visiteastbourne.com/airbourne/

The Monday Group - Rights of Way Volunteers

I'm sure there are many who wander along the public rights of way, footpaths and bridleways across East & West Sussex and South Downs National Park who see small green & yellow signs and wonder what they represent!

Those small signs show the work of the volunteer Monday Group who meet every week, fair weather or foul to ensure the public rights of way is Sunny Sussex are maintained and accessible for all who us them.

Harold Rowling MBE, founder of the Monday Group with a stile bearing his mark

- 93 is Harold's age! One of two stiles build as a result of a kind donation from South Bank Ramblers.

Harold founded the Monday Group in 1961 and is still the driving force behind the group in 2015. Stiles, directional signs and footbridges are all installed under Harold's engineers eye. During WW2 Harold served with the RAF and moved back to the area after the war with his wife Pam. In 1961 many rights of way were closed and overgrown as a result of the South Downs being used as a military training area during the war - it was Pam who spurred Harold to do something about it; things began with getting Westmeston Bostal reopened. A bridleway connecting Westmeston Village to Ditchling Beacon.

The work of the Monday Group continues thanks to the hard work of the many skilled volunteers and those who donate funds in order that materials may be purchased. One recent donation is from South Bank Ramblers who have funded five stiles, two near Novington Lane, Plumpton.

Harold and volunteer Kate with a stile designed by Harold and built by Jim Edwards from green oak.

All the stiles, signs and footbridges are built away from the point of installation and assembled in-situ. The group have a workshop behind St. George's Park in Ditchling where much work is carried out.

Jim Edwards with a freshly installed directional sign.

All the outdoor work is done without the aid of mechanical devices. Mainly as they are too heavy or cumbersome to carry to most locations.

To donate to the Monday Group or volunteer on a regular or even irregular basis contact them direct via their website http://www.mondaygroup.org/contact/ 

Donations may be sent direct to Harold:

Harold Rowling MBE

Home Brow House,
Underhill Lane,
Westmeston,
East Sussex,
BN6 8XG

Seven Sisters & Cuckmere Haven

Sometimes it's worth the effort of venturing out when the conditions are less than ideal!

One of the most stunning sights of the many in the South Downs National Park must be the chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters.

This area is a magnet for photographers and tourists alike, whether approached from South Barn car park and the classic scene with the Coastguard Cottages in the foreground, the light house at Beachy Head or the spectacle of the the cliffs in storm light as scene from the cliff top close to Birling Gap, as illustrated here.

Birling Gap is a perfect spot to experience the Seven Sisters; it's accessible by bus and there is ample car parking. The beach may be reached by means of metal steps down to the shingle beach. Birling Gap café serves food and there are public conveniences.

Links and map below.

For any photographers reading this -

Canon 5D MkII, 24-105mm ƒ/4 L Series, LEE Filters 0.6ND Hard Grad to hold back the sky. Manfrotto carbon fibre tripod. 

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/birling-gap-and-the-seven-sisters/

Wolstonbury Hill - BBC Countryfile Secret Britain

Wolstonbury Hill viewed from the Orchid Bank on the east side of The Hill - an area were volunteers have cleared scrub and undergrowth manually allowing numerous species of orchid to reestablish

Wolstonbury Hill is a very special place and I have the honour of being the founding chairman of the the conservation group Friends of Wolstonbury.

Friends of Wolstonbury were formed early in 2007 as a result of a survey undertaken by the South Downs Joint Committee late in 2006. The survey was sent to everyone living in Hurstpierpoint, Hassocks, Keymer & Ditchling seeking to find out their "special" countryside place in the area - as a result Friends of Wolstonbury was formed.

Wolstonbury Hill is a special landscape shaped by human involvement for well over 3000 years. To keep it special we need to maintain that involvement to help the National Trust & local landowners to stop scrub invading banks where rare orchids grow and maintain footpaths so people can walk onthe hill and enjoy it safely.

Julia Bradbury, presenter BBC Countryfile with National Trust Warden Graham Welfare

During my tenure as chairman we became involved in filming an episode of Secret Britain, a short series produced by BBC TV Countryfile during June 2010 showing special places in the English countryside. Wolstonbury Hill was chosen as it's home to a diverse chalk grassland flora & fauna including fly orchid Ophrys insectifera & man orchid Orchis anthropophora.

David Lang, orchid expert & author of Britain's Orchids

David Lang an internationally recognised orchid expert and author of Britain's Orchids was involved in filming, during which he experienced something he's never seen in over 40 years - a parasitic wasp pollinating a fly orchid! This actually happened during filming which took Julia Bradbury by surprise, since David became distracted and began photographing the event.

Parasitic wasp Listrodromus nycthemerus pollinating a fly orchid

- David Lang was quite surprised when I showed him this image which I'd shot the day before filming whilst on a guided NT orchid walk!

The main aim of the programme for to seek and film the elusive man orchid, the locations of which are known to very few in view of its' scarcity and the fact there are people who will dig up specimens illegally.

I'm pleased it wasn't me that had to lug the heavy broadcast camera gear up the steep slopes of Wolstonbury Hill!

The target of our quest, the man orchid. I consider myself privileged as one of a select few who know the location of this exceptionally rare plant.

Wolstonbury Hill is a very pale and well worth a visit. The access is remote so be prepared for a long walk from Pyecombe village along a rutted path which is normally slick with wet clay. The Hill may be accessed from the north by means of two routes, both are sticky clay so decent footwear and a walking stick or pole will be an asset.

Visit the Friends of Wolstonbury website for more information. Enjoy your day, you'll not regret it:)

South Downs National Park Becomes Reality in November 2009

Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP points to the South Downs from the garden of Ditchling Tea Rooms

On 12 November 2009 Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs signed the Designation Order making the South Downs National Park a reality in law with England's newest National Park becoming operation from 1st April 2011.

Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP inspects the Designation Order

I was invited to cover the event at Ditchling Tea Rooms for the then South Downs Joint Committee. It's not often we get a someone such as Hilary Benn on home turf! We have much to thank him for; the South Downs National Park, the ninth in England, providies protection for 632 sq-mile of beautiful landscape.

The Dew Pond on Wolstonbury Hill, there are approximately 300 across the South Downs where there is no running water, they provide an important source of water for livestock

The South Downs National Park includes the village of Ditchling and many unique landscapes including nearby Wolstonbury Hill, home to the rare Man Orchid Orchis anthropophora, the Seven Sister chalk cliffs and Cuckmere Haven with the classic meandering river.

Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP signs the Designation Order enshrining The South Downs National Park in English Law

The National Park and surrounding area is also the largest wine producing region in England, with over 145 vineyards in South East England, including two in Ditchling with awards for the quality of their Méthode Champenoise sparkling wines. If you ascend Ditchling Beacon and look north it's surprising how many vineyards have been planted locally in the last ten years.

Creating the newest National Park has taken 60 years, but it's been worth the wait.

Sussex Grower, Saf Mohammed

Saf Mohammed, happy to be growing his own produce

More people are choosing to grow their own produce for pleasure, to feed their families or for profit, in the knowledge that it will be fresh, seasonal, free from chemicals, pesticides and unnecessary distribution miles.

As the shape of UK agriculture changes plots of land and becoming available allowing growers such as Saf Mohammed to grow crops of unusual and special varieties of vegetables not normally found on supermarket shelves.

Saf decided to grow his own produce in order to feed his family after being made redundant from a job in London.

Elephant garlic, a member of the leek family with edible cloves and stem

From the beginning he chose not to use any pesticides or herbicides. Saf makes his own compost & mulch along with supply of manure from the organic chicken farm where his plot is located close to the village of Ditchling in Sussex.

It can be hard work at times, especially in the poly tunnel during a hot spell!

For now Saf uses no mechanical aids in production as he is frees his plot and poly tunnel of unwanted weeds, which if rotovated would multiply uncontrollably. Digging by hand is hard and satisfying, it’s also a great way to keep in shape according to Saf!

For the 2015 season Saf plans to produce a wide selection of fresh seasonal vegetables including garlic, runner beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, salad leaves and elephant garlic which is actually a member of the leek family where the stem and bulbs are edible. The elephant garlic should be ready around the end of June. It may be used in a number of ways including a very tasty tortila with organic eggs from Geoff’s chickens; Geoff is the farmer from whom Saf rents his plot.

Saf’s seasonal produce is available from selected local outlets including

The Purple Carrott in Hassocks & The Larder in Ditchling

http://thepurplecarrot.org

www.larder-ditchling.com