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The two images on the Spahill page are the best examples of a matched pair of rock art photographs for a single site I've seen in ages.

I'm not being snide here to Ryaner btw, as it's just as important to show how faint markings can be as it is to show up the motifs themselves. These two pics could not show each end of the spectrum of motif visibility any better. The way in which lighting can make such a difference, be it natural or artificial light never ceases to amaze me. The contrast between the two pics also makes the page look quite elegant, in a very minimalist kind of way.

Good stuff Messrs Ryaner and McLiam, likewise Mr FW, for putting it there in the first place :)

Hob wrote:
The two images on the Spahill page are the best examples of a matched pair of rock art photographs for a single site I've seen in ages.

I'm not being snide here to Ryaner btw, as it's just as important to show how faint markings can be as it is to show up the motifs themselves. These two pics could not show each end of the spectrum of motif visibility any better. The way in which lighting can make such a difference, be it natural or artificial light never ceases to amaze me. The contrast between the two pics also makes the page look quite elegant, in a very minimalist kind of way.

Good stuff Messrs Ryaner and McLiam, likewise Mr FW, for putting it there in the first place :)

Was kinda thinkin the same meself Hob. Am a wee bit mortified at my crap photography skills but you've put it so nicely I'll get over it. When the old boy lifted the cover that he uses to protect the carving I thought to meself: Why bother? (or why do I bother?) Lookin at Ken's shot I'm glad they both make the effort.
Cheers. :-)

I am still learning about the use of flash & rock art to highlight some of the fainter carvings, but the difference in those 2 shots of Spahill are amazing. Although not as much of a difference is the carving inside the church at Dean.One taken in normal room light, the carvings look faint, the other using the flash which lifts the carvings so much..

I haven't seen any drawings of this around but it was amazing to see what came up with some flash. There's meandering lines still hard to make out, the surface of the stone is curved and so very difficult to get everything in on such a small surface.

The old guy that looks after it is such a gentleman, I'm getting a print of this sent down to him.

I usually do take shots with and without extra lighting but the ones without rarely turn up on here :) Important to record their appearance too I guess.

Scary stuff!
As a rubbish rockart photographer, is there a step by step guide to picking out the carvings anywhere? Anyone want to do a 10 point guide?
:-)