Pontop Hall, misty morn.

From 1748 to 1796 Pontop Hall, Dipton, Co. Durham was used as a refuge where French priests were given aid and shelter in the religious rebellions. The priests eventually moved on to other buildings locally at Brooms, Leadgate, leaving Pontop Hall as a working farm. This has continued to the present day.

The photograph was taken on cold winter morning when the ground was covered in frost and the remains of an overnight mist still hung in the air. To recreate this in camera on slide film meant I had to be very careful with the metering and not let the TTL metering be confused by the predominance of white in the frame. I normally set the camera meter to over-expose by 1.5 stops to compensate and ensure that the frost looks white and not a muddy grey colour.