Fat Betty Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

I took this image on the same day we went up to the moors to photograph the snow. It is one of many stones to be found on the North Yorkshire Moors. White Cross is the correct name for this stone, but it is known to everyone around as Fat Betty. Even Google maps recognise it as Fat Betty. It is located on the road that leads from Blakey Rigg to Rosedale Abbey, at the junction of the Danby, Westerdale and Rosedale parishes. The circle on the top is thought to be a Norman wheelhead.

There are two legends that explain the name. One is that it is named after a Cistercian nun called Sister Elizabeth (Betty is a diminutive of Elizabeth) from the ancient priory which was in the village of Rosedale Abbey. These nuns wore white robes, which could explain why it is painted white. Odd to think the white paint is kept up, but no-one seems to know for certain why that is. The other legend is that it is named after a farmer’s wife. The farmer and his wife Betty were returning home one night by horse and cart. When the farmer arrived home his wife was missing, having presumably fallen off the cart, so he re-traced his route, but could only find this stone, who he assumed was his wife.

I have a version of this taken in the summer.

ISO100, FL95mm,

ricochet, ChrisJ, fulvio52, Buin, bostankorkulugu, besnard, mark_mk, snunney, JCG, asajernigan, saxo042, cbrman, Photo65Net, riclopes, saylan-cb, andante, Dyerco, Sistercosmo, UlfE, Cricri, chrisnet, ALIRIZA, gunbud, Emile, josepmarin, Royaldevon, jlbrthnn, xlgo, Kielia, danos, axiotea, Didi, bakes888, avene, stego, Angshu, jwmunro, AiresSantos, plimrn, cobbydale has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

rodgerg (23207) 2009-02-22 3:11

Hello Kath,

Very simple but very nice and very effective with a good use of vertical format and the white of the snow very well collected, the exposition is very good. An another very good photowork in your gallery.
Have a good sunday,
Roger

ricochet (4670) 2009-02-22 3:11

Bonjour Kath
Une très belle composition comme à ton habitude avec une exposition bien maitrisée, un sujet interessant et bien placé sur le point fort et je suis curieux de voir la version estivale!
Bravo à toi c'est de l'excellent travail!
Amicalement
Eric

Graal (57312) 2009-02-22 3:12

Hi Kath,
amazing and funny name - fat Betty. Interesting winter presentation, good informations and well done photo. I like it.
Gr., Aleksander

ChrisJ (69618) 2009-02-22 3:17

Hi Kath

The blue & white colours go well together here in this superb shot of fat Betty. Good sharpness, contrast & graphism. Excellent textured light on the snow. Tfs!

fulvio52 (8314) 2009-02-22 3:31

Hi, Kath.
The exposure is absolutely spot on, something I'm always particularly interested in when the subject is covered in snow. I couldn't photograph snow if my life were depending on it... Funny name, awesome textures, intriguing view. At first sight I thought it was one of those desolate high plains up in New Mexico, turns out to be North Yorkshire but I'm not disappointed. Far from that! LOL!!!
Have a great sunday, not much of a weather over here (what else's new), grey and sluggish, but at least it's dry and it ain't cold. See ya later,
Fulvio.

mesutilgim (36337) 2009-02-22 3:43

Hi dear Kath,
Very nice wintery scene. Portrait format is been a right choice. The eye follows all the scenery from bottom to top. Very nice light and good sharpness.
Good and usefull notes as well.
TFS and have a nice weekend
Best regards
MESUT ILGIM

Buin (36988) 2009-02-22 3:51

Hallo Kath!
In combination with your excellent note and the interesting map view a wonderful contribution here. A really atmospheric and pin sharp photo which transmits this cold and sunny day very well to the viewer. I like this one very much!
Greetings from grey and rainy Westphalia - still with a lot of snow slush!
Frank

bostankorkulugu (33372) 2009-02-22 3:53

the second story is hilarious... his wife was turned into a big piece of stone?, lol... i like this presentation of the stone better than the summer verson kath, but if only there were the same flowers around... cheers... korkut

besnard (30212) 2009-02-22 4:04

Bonjour Kath
Une très belle composition avec un format bien choisi pour mettre ce paysage, insolite en Angleterre, en valeur.
Merci pour le partage et bon dimanche.
Nicole

mark_mk (246) 2009-02-22 4:45

Hi Kath,
nice winter image, the snow covered landscape looks indeed nice and the vertical format works very well here. I also really enjoy the summer view, but this one is for sure not less lovely, beautiful image, thanks for sharing!

Take care
Mark

baba_flies (7941) 2009-02-22 4:57

Dear Kath! May I say that I prefer the summer version ... LOL ... Just kidding but when I see out of my window, I actually have no view but huge wet snowflakes falling down. In your photo I really like the plants coming up, they seem so fragile and yet I am sure in just a few weeks there will be something growing again, pushing and finally ... back to summer version again. Great idea to show the differenet Seasons, I should do that more often too. Very nice mood, no single cloud in your winter sky. Happy Sunday, Barbara.

snunney (34186) 2009-02-22 5:05

Hello Kath,
A very appealing well framed composition. Exposure is well managed to get the right degree of whiteness for the snow under the pale blue sky. The vegetation peeping through is beautifully detailed with delicate tones. I like the explanations for the name; I think my favourite is the second one ;-)

JCG (24899) 2009-02-22 5:56

Hi Kath,

Interesting legends to explain the white paint on this stone that we see just on this winter landscape. The light is beautiful and you managed well the brightness on the snow without overexposure. I did have a preference for your beautiful estival photo with this pleasant colored heather in the foreground, thank you Kath.

With all my friendships and a very good Sunday,

Jean-Charles

asajernigan (13929) 2009-02-22 6:43

Kath,
The snow makes a huge difference in this scene. It is hard to believe this is the same place you show us form summer. The lighting and colors are great with excellent sharpness and DOF. The angle of the shot is great giving the scene nice depth. The off center placement of the stone works well helping to give the scene a sense of direction.
TFS,
Asa

Scharan (13951) 2009-02-22 9:22

Olá Kath

Ótimo trabalho, composição, detalhes, cores e textura. Parabéns pelo bonito trabalho.
GA
Vera

cbrman (18703) 2009-02-22 11:50

Hello Kath,

Je vois que la neige est aussi tombée en abondance chez toi !
Ici on peut admirer un décor typique sous les neiges. Tu as très bien rendu la texture de la neige ainsi que la lumière.
Bravo !

A+

Dominique

gilou530 (34755) 2009-02-22 12:07

salut kath
voila une image qui nous change de la lumiére et des couleurs de l'ouest américain, blanc et bleu dans cette photo un paysage minimaliste dans les éléments
amitiés
gilbert

gneufeld (15055) 2009-02-22 13:43

Hi Kath,
A very attractive and expertly composed winter image from you world. The snow appears to have been heavy wet stuff clinging to everything. The whites are white and the grasses in the foreground help to visualize depth. Well done and TFS. Gerald

Photo65Net (43084) 2009-02-22 22:54

Hello Kath,
I like the balance you found in this compo.
Interesting and informative note too.
Have a nice day,
JB.

emka (21143) 2009-02-22 23:54

Hi Kath, very interesting legends about this stone. indeed, it look like a woman's statue. Beautiful winter landscape, i like this dry grasses comin out of snow. Beautiful light.

Warm regards from snowy Warsaw

Malgorzata

riclopes (32869) 2009-02-23 1:15

Perfect exposure on those whites ;-) What I enjoy the most are the textures on the right face of the stone and on the horizontal stripe of snow right next to it. But this FG with the vegetation trying to survive is also very nice. I prefer much more this winter version although if I was there I would prefer the summer temperatures.
ric

saylan-cb (12726) 2009-02-23 2:15

Hi Kath,
Very simple wintery scene with great capture and light.The vertical section is perfect.
Well done!
TFs/Regards,
Have a nice day.

Dyerco (8908) 2009-02-23 7:14

Hi Kath
Interesting history to this marker. The shot is well exposed to show detail in the snow while maintaining a whiteness to the snow. I like the bits of grasses and heather as FG interest.
Phil

Sistercosmo (2523) 2009-02-23 7:29

Hi Kath,
a wonderful winter image of this stone. Nice details with the shrubbery in the f/g. If this stone were in Buchenberg right now, you wouldn't even be able to see the very top - that's how much snow we've got!
Thanks for sharing this great shot and have a wonderful day, my friend!
Linda

UlfE (8863) 2009-02-23 9:59

Hi Kath,

Very nice winter scene. Perfect sharpness and very impressive that you could see the texture of the snow. I really like your positioning of Big Betty and I guess you really enjoy to see her in her winter clothes. TFS and have a nice evening!

Cheers,

Ulf

Cricri (42894) 2009-02-23 10:35

Hi Kath
Jolie légende qui accompagne la pierre blanche sous un paysage aussi blanc!! trés belle lumiére et POV
Good evening for you
cricri

chrisnet (20354) 2009-02-23 11:42

Hello Kath,
Nice winter scene, you have very well managed the exposure and the framing is well seen, good work.
Regards
Christian

ALIRIZA (16195) 2009-02-23 13:58

Hi Kath,
Blue and white, simple but very nice winter scene with good light and details. Well done my dear friend...
Best regards...
Ali Rıza

gunbud (27585) 2009-02-23 17:53

Hi Kath,
Fat Betty never looked better in her lovely white robes.
The wonderfully textured fresh snow and contrast cloudless blue sky makes for a fine bit of simplicity that always seems to work best in the vertical format.
Regards, Tom

Emile (19811) 2009-02-23 21:39

Hola Kath.
Nice winter scene with the snow covered fields and the Fat Betty. Honestly I prefer the one you captured during the summer. very good note.
TFS.
Best wishes.

coco (27612) 2009-02-24 0:08

Hi Kath.

Ohhhh... beautiful snow. I think we have left the snow. I think (hope) there won't snow again untill the next autumn and winter.
But I should speak about your photo.
The composition and subject are good and I love how you managed the light.

WEll done.

josepmarin (33611) 2009-02-24 1:00

Hello Kath,
I like the simplicity in this composition, in which the white cloak of the snow that covers the scenery and the stone cross (that has a very funny name), creates a beautiful contrast with the blue one of such a clean sky.
In vertical framing it is very appropriate and elegant, your photo is very attractive at sight.
Great work.
Best wishes,
Josep

Royaldevon (5824) 2009-02-24 1:12

Hello Kath,

I've been to Betty's in Harrogate, but never heard of Fat Betty before!
A lovely, simple, winter's scene, benefitting from the portrait format as it allows the inclusion of many overlapping mounds of textured snow, as a build up to the focal point.
Lovely composition to this crisp, clear shot.

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

jlbrthnn (37038) 2009-02-24 1:44

Hello Kath,
Your interesting note makes it possible to understand the reason of your choice of photograph. I like it. I appreciate the good management of this splendid light. Congratulations, beautiful and good work.
Have a nice day
Cordially
Joël

xlgo (554) 2009-02-24 4:56

Hi Hath

A beautifully composed shot as always especially with the vertical format.A perfect winters day on the moors.Plenty of texture shown in the snow and the blue sky contrasts well . The vegetation adds good foreground interest to the scene.
I stayed at the Lion Inn on Blakey Ridge when I did the Coast to Coast Walk in August 1999 and passed Fat Betty on the way out towards I think Great Fry-Up Dale. We were on our way from Blakey to Egton Bridge via Glaisdale.

Malcolm

Kielia (8201) 2009-02-24 10:39

Hi Kath,
I really enjoyed reading your note, it reminded me of the fables and tales I was listening to in my childhood. The accompanying image is another excellent photo work from your fantastic gallery. TFS!
Warm regards
Harriet

danos (31796) 2009-02-24 14:21

Hello Kath,
nice the appearance of the Fat Betty that is covered from snows.The sight in the WS i think is better because of the flowers and the liveliness of the Nature.I like the contrast between the blue and the white.Well done.

Regards,danos

axiotea (15933) 2009-02-25 11:21

Hello Kath
Winter or summer time, both of the season got its own charm!
Here, the light is attractive and the white of the snow so well exposed...
Funny how the farmer lost his wife and did not notice immediately ;)
Marilyn

Didi (35782) 2009-02-26 10:36

Hi Kath
Magnificient winter landscape under a good luminosity.
I note also a good exposure management.
Well done !
Warm regards

bakes888 (18055) 2009-02-27 12:21

Hi Kath. Nice photo and great story. Excellent colour and detail and well balanced composition. Thanks for sharing.
Have a good weekend, Paul.

avene (10894) 2009-02-27 17:27

I had to open the image with such an intriguing title :) so thanks for the note {the part about the farmer sounds like one of those urban legends about loosing coffin from the car ;)]
I agree with Fulvio that exposure is just perfect, the snow is blinding white, but not overexposed, while the steel blue of the sky radiates cold. nice :)

best,
Kristine

batalay (20712) 2009-02-27 20:26

Hello Kath,

Very good shot of the strange place in the cold of winter. In the second legend, I wonder how the detectives of the Cold Case Squad would explain it the disappearance of the farmer's wife. The comparison of the site with the summer view makes a welcome display.

Have a good weekend, Kath.

Bulent

stego (22340) 2009-02-28 5:10

Hi Kath,
Funny name for an intriguing monument in the middle of the fields. I like the angle chosen by you in both of the photos, which makes the Fat Betty stand out in that desolated but beautiful landscape. I can't explain the contradiction, but snow fascinates me although I don't like weather, so I like this wintry view as much as the beautiful Summer view that looks much like our Spring. It's very interesting to see the changes of nature in the same place.
Regards, José.

jwmunro (6561) 2009-03-02 20:53

Hello Kath -

What I like about this image is the technical aspects. The snow is spot on with exposure and texture. The composition is simple and shows enough FG and sky to be interesting and the main subject, even though centered, is offset by the horizon.
Well done!

Thank you for sharing.

John

Angshu (33346) 2009-03-03 2:14

Hello Kath
The second legend is quite hilarious...but not very uncommon from legends we hear in all countries about turning into stone & all that! Like many before me, I liked this winter version better, though the emphasis is different in the summer version, more on the heathers I think. Lovely exposure & small details visible on the snow & good contrast with the blue sky. Well done!
Best Regards
Angshu

sagar (2299) 2009-03-03 13:58

Hi kath,
A lovely winter scene with that amazing white snow field. The light yellow tone of the sky and the vegetation in the fg provides good depth.
Regards,
Sagarneel.

AiresSantos (41468) 2009-03-03 22:56

Hi Kath
Beautifuk view of this snow landscape. Fine colours and excellent light management
TFS and have a nice day
Aires

plimrn (19558) 2009-03-07 18:17

Hi Kath,
Two great stories and two great compositions; it's amazing how much each work adds to the other in this all-around great presentation. Amazing contrast between the two seasons.
HLJ, Pat

cobbydale (1924) 2009-05-31 6:22

Beautiful shot Kath. The snow is so crisp and sharp looking. Even in your summer version with the lovely heather it looks quite a barren place, but here the whole scene is evocative of coldness and bleakness. The stone is placed well too.
cheers
Leon