St Ives Gallery

St Ives: This has always been an important fishing town, dating all the way back to Medieval times. During the 19th Century the town was known principally for the exporting of Pilchards. There were up to 300 local fishing boats that operated from the harbour. After the catch had been preserved in salted barrels these fish were transported all over the world.

St Ives — St Ives.1 – This first image is of Smeaton’s Tower at the end of the pier. A dramatic image in which I used a red filter to turn the sky black on an amazing sunny day.

Nearby the growth of major Tin and Copper mines meant the demand for coal to drive the pumping engines increased. Coal was brought into the harbour from South Wales and unloaded onto horse drawn carts for transportation to the mines. Sadly due to low Tin prices the majority of the mines in the St.Ives Mining District had closed by the 1890’s.

St Ives — St Ives.2 – Large parts of the town were built in the 19th Century, the rooftops and chimneys going up the hill make an interesting image.

The harbour pier was built in 1770 by John Smeaton to support the local fishing industry. The town has always been a popular destination for artists who crave the unique local light effects. The Great Western Railway reached St Ives in 1877. With it came the Victorian holiday makers, the town grew rapidly and the seeds of the present town were sowed.

St Ives — St Ives.3 – I love symmetry and patterns especially in Black and White, the roof tops and chimneys really caught my eye.

Today the town and surrounding areas are famous for the amazing scenery, the harbour and quiet little back streets that attract many visitors in and out of the holiday season. I would like to go back and take more pictures but it’s so busy and so difficult to do photography.

St Ives — St Ives.4 – Whilst walking out on the harbour wall, the piles of Lobster and Crab pots made an interesting foreground for this image.

Cornish Mine Images — Cornish Mine Images 5 – This image is looking across the sandy harbour towards the town. When the tide is out the harbour is dry and very interesting to wander around.

Cornish Mine Images — Cornish Mine Images 6 – An old capstan style winch on the harbour wall, it makes a good interesting foreground to the image.

Cornish Mine Images — Cornish Mine Images 7 – The final image on the page, once again framed by the old winch. This gives an idea on the size of the harbour within the walls that protect the boats from the elements.

For more information about the town click Here.

error: Copyright Simon Jones 2022