The Limbo Connection's photos with the keyword: embankment

The Domesday Book of 1068 recorded a settlement of 22 households at Langefel, tenanted by Borel. 'Langley' derives from 'long lea' i.e. 'long meadow'. There is considerable variation in road direction signposts. These look cheap. The Great Western Railway runs on the embankment in the distance. Nikon D2Xs with an 85mm f/1.8 AF-D lens (comparable to 127mm in full frame). 100 ISO; f/8; 1/80th.

I photographed this with a venerable Nikon D2Xs. Using it is such a pleasurable experience that I prefer it to more modern and capable kit. I try to limit it to 100 ISO (as here) and certainly no more than 400 ISO because high ISO is definitely not where it excels, whereas 100 ISO produces nice images. Years ago we used 100 ISO film and managed alright, and so that's how I approach the D2Xs now. Here it is partnered with a Tamron 35mm f/1.8 lens at f/11. A 35mm lens on the D2Xs is akin to using a 50mm lens on a film SLR of what is now classified as 'full frame'. Shutter speed 1/250th. There was plenty of light until the storm broke about an hour later.

The train in the picture has just crossed the River Avon as it heads north-east towards Swindon. This section of the original Paddington to Bristol mainline presented engineering challenges necessitating deep cuttings and high embankments. There are streams and tributaries draining into the Avon and quite long stretches of standing water. The place is blissfully quiet save for birdsong in Spring and passing trains, but here and there along the line mysterious packs of materials are being put in place for the electrification project. In 1840 the locals would have lamented the changing scenery as the railway came through. At least they were spared ugly gantries decorating the skyline. Nikon D700 + Nikkor 20mm f/3.5 AI-S lens.