Red Arrows at Gylly

The Red Arrows Acrobatic Team, (the Public face of the RAF ) mark their 50th anniversary this year with a national tour. I was lucky enough to capture them captivating, inspiring  and enthralling the crowds at Gylly beach.

Its not that i'm not a  people person but I just didn’t want to spend/ share my experience of the RAF Red Arrows with the thousands of tourists/ families and students that lined Gylly Beach. Maybe that's not in the spirit  of the Red Arrows,  but today was a day I had been looking forward to all week and I didn't want to share the glorious sunshine and captivating sights of the Red Arrow stunt team with anyone but my friends (maybe because I didn’t want complete strangers to see how excited I was about it (after all a nineteen year old as excited as I was  is a little strange), or how I couldn’t stop myself from screaming with excitement as they flew overhead) so we ventured off the beaten path and into a field just off Swanpool, meaning that not only was our view completely clear of toddlers on their fathers shoulders but the planes were often flying straight over us (making it a very immersive if not slightly terrifying experience).

I have a distinctive memory of going to see the Red Arrows with my Mum and Grandma, but I can't seem to remember the actual event, something which seems completely unthinkable when they made such an impact on me at this age, and i'm sure that my childhood sense of intrigue and curiosity would of been even more fascinated and captivated by them. 

To  find out more about the Red Arrows - there defiantly a sight not to be missed.

http://www.raf.mod.uk/reds/

The crowds swarms around Gylly, in anticipation of the Red Arrow Display team, Gylly Beach, May, 31., 2014

The Red Arrows (Jets 1-5 otherwise know as Enid make up the front of the formation whereas 6-9 (Gypo) make up  , the rear) Gylly Beach, May 31, 2014 

The Red Arrows flying over Gylly, Gylly Beach , May 31, 2014 

The Red Arrows with their new Tailfin designs, Gylly Beach, May 31, 2014

The Countries colours hung proudly, Gylly Beach, May 31, 2014

Red Arrow Display Team, Gylly Beach, May 31, 2014

The Jets forming a heart shape (this got to me a little bit - I screamed), Gylly Beach, May 31. 2014

The Red Arrows declining fully vertical in formation, Gylly Beach, May 31, 2014

ALL IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT ELLIE HETEBRIJ

Kennall Vale

 A visit to Kennall Vale on a sunny May day . Protected by Cornwall Wildlife Trust Kennall Vale lies on 20 acres of Ponsanooth land, as well as the water filled Quary and the river Kennall which foams and rushes down the valley between boulders and past the abandoned weir lies the ruins of the Kennall Gunpowder factory.

One of the Gunpowder factory ruins, Kennall Vale, Ponsanooth, May 2014 

The Water filled Quarry, Kennall Vale, Ponsanooth, May, 2014

Kennall Vale, Ponsanooth, May, 2014

Part of the abandoned weir, Kennall Vale, Ponsanooth, May, 2014

Water Filled Quarry, Kennall Vale, Ponsanooth, May 2014

ALL IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT ELLIE HETEBRIJ

St Agnes

St Agnes, May 2014

St Agnes, May 2014

St Agnes, May 2014

St Agnes, May 2014

St Agnes, May 2014

Ceri staring out to sea, St Agnes, May 2014

Freya on the rocks, St Agnes, May 2014

ALL IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT ELLIE HETEBRIJ

A new direction

After today's Crit with Guy Martin i've re edited my 'fragile idea', it still needs cutting down but check it ...........

Sand World entrance, Sand World, Weymouth, March 2014

A handyman always keeps his tools close, Sand World, Weymouth, March 2014

Moby Dick, Sand World, Weymouth, March 2014 

The artist at work, Sand World, Weymouth, March 2014

Creating the white rabbit, Sand World, Weymouth, March 2014



ALL IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT ELLIE HETEBRIJ

Architecture of Amsterdam

A bike and its house, Amsterdam, April 2014

Through the Canal, Amsterdam, April 2014

VondelPark, Amsterdam, April 2014

The centerpiece at yet another park, , Amsterdam, April 2014

Miniature bridge and waterfall, , Amsterdam, April 2014

Neon light Snackbar, , Amsterdam, April 2014

Bikes at Dinner, , Amsterdam, April 2014

Passing Barge near Leidseplein ,Amsterdam, April 2014

Museumplein, , Amsterdam, April 2014

Canal passage near leidsplein, , Amsterdam, April 2014

Passage through Rijksmuseum, , Amsterdam, April 2014

ALL IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT ELLIE HETEBRIJ

Fragile: 5 piece Picture story - Wilfred's tale

Wilfred Stijer, Sand World, Weymouth, March 2014

Wilfred Stijger - Fragile visions

At first I was unsure how to set the focus for my 5 piece picture story, but having spent most of my time at Sand World documenting Wilfred creating a Shakespearean montage i've  decided to tell his story. 

Described as a 'highly innovate artist' Wilfred has worked in a variety of mediums such as wood, polystyrene, sand, ice and snow and has been working his magic in sand since 1989, allowing him to both travel the world and collect many awards for his creations. 

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As soon as I walked into Weymouth's Sand World I instantly clicked with Dutch national Wilfred and once we got over the awkwardness of me not being able to speak dutch, despite it being in my blood, we got chatting about the process attached to creating such magnificent sculptures. 

What stood in front of Wilfred was a beautiful cave like structure adorned with Humans, donkeys, plants, amphibians and mythical creatures. 

Stijer's Shakespearean Montage in progress, Sand World, Weymouth, March 2014

Despite everyone's total admiration towards the Shakespearean montage just like any artist Wilfred was unhappy with how he had represented the donkey labeling it as 'too cartoony' something he later describes as being born out of spending too much time in the sculptures presence. 

Wilfred texturing the donkey, Sand World, Weymouth, March 2014

Upon talking to sand legends Mark Anderson and Dave Hicks, Wilfred planned to scrap the donkey and replace it with more fairies, however Mark and Dave where not going to let happen as A. the donkey was to detrimental to the story and B. a very good piece of art. 

''sometimes you have to kill your darlings''

Wilfred on his desire to get rid of the donkey

I returned to Wilfred an hour or so later and the difference with both his attitude towards the donkey and the representation of the donkey was incredible, the mule now lay textured and realistic. When I complimented Wilfred on the change he said that just like a photographer can not just look at a new camera and expect to know how to use it, a sculptor can not just stare at a piece of work and expect it to change,  'you have to allow yourself to play'. 

The Fairies, Sand World, Weymouth, March 2014

''You don't need patience, just VISION, GUTS and DETERMINATION''

''Wilfred on the skills needed to be a professional Sand Sculptor'

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The kissing Couple, Sand World, Weymouth, March 2014

If just like me you were fascinated by the piece of art made of sand head down to Sand World Weymouth and check them out in real life.

ALL IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT ELLIE HETEBRIJ PHOTOGRAPHY

''Fragile'' : ''literally sand''

A brief look at Sandworld

Weymouth Harbour, Weymouth, March 2014

Weymouth, March 2014

Capturing stories whilst their created 

Sandworld, Weymouth, March 2014

Weymouth Sand Festival has become increasingly popular since in the short time that it has been running, and this year opens its doors once again but with a new and exciting theme of ''Literally Sand'' 

I was lucky enough to spend Monday photographing the artists at work, with opening night just under a week away the pieces were coming together beautifully and no longer resembled the huge mountains of sand they were made from. Upon walking into Sand World the enormity of what Co-owner Mark Anderson and David Hicks had put together hit me , these beautifully carved sculptures stood over 7ft tall and yet every aspect of them seemed to have been thought about and no detail was left untouched. 

Stood in front of a beautiful Shakespearean montage mumbling away were the talented creators of these beautiful pieces, however just like any artist they seemed unhappy about elements of their work and were desperately trying to improve it, in this case reverting back to primal instincts about whether or not the statues bum was curvy enough. Joking aside the sculptors each returned to their mountain of sand and carried on digging and carving away.

Irish born Daniel Doyle carves part of the Lewis Carrol's 'White Rabbit'', Sand World, Weymouth, March 2014

A close up at the level of detail Doyle has carved in, Sand World, Weymouth, March 2014

Doyle's ''Alice in Wonderland'', Sand World, Weymouth, March 2014

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Although the artist are not giving total freedom about their concept they are allowed to design their piece anyway they want, allowing each artists particular skills and characters to shine through. 

American John Gowdy takes a break from working on his piece from ''Moby Dick'', Sand World, Weymouth, March 2014

Characters from 'Moby Dick' emerge from the waves, Sand World Weymouth, March 201

A scene from 'Moby Dick' created by Gowdy, Sand World '

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Ten years a tourist: As you can imagine there isn't really that many jobs available for a Sand Sculptor, meaning that these artist spend the life on the road travelling between festivals and showcases, exposing their craft to the world. 

''Ten years a tourist'' Radovan Zivny  working on part of his vision for ''Lord of the Rings'', Sand World, Weymouth, March 2014

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One thing in particular that I noticed was that no artist seemed to use the same tool, perhaps because they styles and briefs were so different or maybe just because they each had different preferences when it came to tools. You may wonder what a Sand Sculptor uses to carve their work well aside from the obvious shovel or spade, the artists workbenches were crammed with really anything (even kitchen utensils) if anything could give a certain affect it was there. 

The streets of London come alive In Baldrick's potrayl of Sherlock Holmes, Sand World Weymouth, March 2014 

British Baldrick carving ''Sherlock Holmes'' accomplice Watsons face, Sand World, Weymouth, March 2014

The whole Holmes scene, Sand World Weymouth, March 2014 

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With many of the artists returning year after year although its perhaps not the most social of crafts, as each artist is most commonly left alone to work on their piece, the respect for one and other is clear and the artists gathered to both relax together and to help critique and improve each others pieces.

Michaela Ciapinni working on Charles Darwins ' Evolution of Man'', Sand World Weymouth, March 2014 

The metamorphsis of man , Sand World, Weymouth, March 201

 Michaela's other project from 'Frankenstein'', Sand World Weymouth, March 2014

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Weymouth's sand is supposed to be the best in the world for sand sculpting and survives the elements only being held together by itself and the occasional spray of water, most commonly used for texture.  

Sleva working on his portrayl of Michael Morpurgo's ''War Horse'', Sand World Weymouth, March 2014

Characters from Sleva's ''War Horse'' concept, Sand World Weymouth, March 2014

Close up of Albert and Joey, Sand World Weymouth, March 2014

Sandbags and Tank from ''Warhorse'', Sand World Weymouth, March 201

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Characters from 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'', Sand World Weymouth, March 2014 

The impressiveness of these sculptures is something even my photos can not truly describe, there is something very magical about standing in front of a 7ft tool replicur






ALL IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT ELLIE HETEBRIJ