When the opportunity arose to make a pit stop in Dudley for an hour I was really glad I’d packed my camera in my backpack just in case. I’d no plans to shoot anything that day and even though I live a short drive from Priory Park I’ve never explored it. With the snow on the ground I thought this was a fantastic opportunity for a photowalk.

This wide angle shot was the second frame I’d taken and is my favourite of the bunch, which seems to be the way it’s been lately. Although still freezing cold the sun was out in full force, creating these beautiful warm shafts of light through the ruins. There were plenty of kids out from the college so I had to wait a couple of minutes to get a clear shot but I love the leading lines.

I took this composition successfully from a few different angles. This images opens up the textures of the building and I enjoy the framing with the wall on the left, which makes it feel like you’re in the middle of the complex. I like that this exposes more the of the foliage in the background but the trees look messy without their leaves.

As I was moving around looking for interesting framing, colours and textures I spotted this tree. Although the cars and houses are visible on the left, it shows how close to modern buildings the ruins are and I think the wide angle is better for getting the wall on the left in the foreground and putting the focus on the tree which sits comfortably in the gap. It was also difficult not to get my shadow in due to the position of the sun! This shot will look much better over the summer with the sun and the lush green grass, but I like this for now.

This is the back part of the same complex and again the textures in the stones is great and I like the depth created through the arch. I found this composition whilst looking for ways to create a background that wouldn’t show the college in the background. This is a closer shot that the previous ones so you get more detail but the space on the left gives the frame room to breathe.

I really wanted to show the architectural aspects, especially in the carvings of the window and these two closer shots work better than one portrait. When the weather is better I’d like to shoot these again to expose more of the groundworks, and possibly at another time of day when the light is in a different position.

This is another shot I thought would be great to compare when the weather is better. I like the sun grazing the tip of the bush and think this will be a great place to sit in the summer. This isn’t the strongest image I’ve take but illustrates the garden area as I found it.

This is a cheeky shot of the registry office at the back of the park and although it’s annoyingly lined with cars I think the sun lights it up perfectly. I’ve been in here before for a wedding and hope to visit again to explore more.

Overall I’m happy with my first visit and have loads of ideas about the conditions I’m looking for on my next visit - warm, at early sunset and when the gardens are in full bloom. There’s also a pond here I’d like to explore so I’m excited to go back.

An Impromptu Stop at Dudley Priory Ruins

Chasing Light at Hagley Park

A Snowy Photowalk