Originally posted by Dartmoor Dave I had to be in Plymouth yesterday, but I managed to get time for a walk on the Hoe and Barbican, so that's fine. Here's a shot of Smeaton's Tower on Plymouth Hoe in the winter afternoon light. with the 17mm in full fisheye mode:
EDIT: I decided that the light in the tower shot gives too much of a colour cast, so here's a colour corrected version:
This next one is more of a snapshot, but I think it has some historical interest. It's the Mayflower Steps on Plymouth's Barbican, which commemorates the place where the Pilgrim Fathers (and Pilgrim Mothers and kids) boarded the Mayflower to sail to the new world. The quayside has been extended by about thirty feet since then, so nobody really knows where the actual spot was, but this is close enough. And there's another country that also has its origins on this quayside: it's the place from where the first convict ship sailed to what eventually became Australia. Lots of weight of history resting on this little place. The photo is also with the 17mm, but this time defished.
In your hands, Dave, that 17mm is a star. Very nice images. I do prefer the colour corrected version of the tower but the first one is still acceptable.
Thank you so much for that third image as it does have significant historical interest for this resident of Australia. I may not be a "First Fleeter" but that photo is still appreciated. However, I really think that there should be three flag poles there - British, American and Australian. Would you please ask them to erect another one?
BTW, a First Fleeter is person who can trace their family lineage back to somebody who arrived in one of the first fleet of boats that arrived here from Plymouth. It matters not whether they were crew, military or convict. There was a time when people did not want that fact to be known but, as times and values change, it is now something which is regarded as a badge of honour.