5 of the best Peak District views for landscape photography

Will this Peak District view make it into the list?

The Peak District has fantastic views throughout its 540+ square miles. It is an area for iconic landscape photography and whilst it would be nigh on impossible to list every single fantastic Peak District view in this one blog post, it is possible to give you my opinion on 5 of the best for landscape photography. And I say ‘best’ Peak District views because these are 5 views of the Peak District that any landscape photographer that is visiting the Peak District would definitely want to take in, they aren’t the only great views though and they’re listed in no particular order.

1. Monsal Head

Monsal Dale and the Headstone Viaduct

Monsal Head overlooks Monsal Dale. Located in Derbyshire, it sits in an area of the Peak District known as the white peak. A site of special scientific interest, the area has fantastic views from several vantage points.

Running through the dale is the River Wye and the walks along the river and under the looming Headstone Viaduct are well worth exploring, there’s even a small waterfall to photograph from the banks if you wish.

Of course, it is also well worth taking in the views from on the Headstone Viaduct itself. This imposing viaduct now forms part of the Monsal Trail, which is a traffic free, cycle horse and walking trail. The viaduct itself was built circa 1865 to carry a railway line which linked the cities of Manchester and London.

Monsal Head is easily accessible by car and has visitor facilities including car parks, toilets, guest houses, hotel, pub, cafes and a gift shop…..all this does mean that it can get very busy, especially during the summer season.

The recommended view, as seen in the accompanying photograph, is from Monsal Head overlooking the Monsal Dale with the River Wye and Headstone Viaduct both visible within the landscape. This great Peak District landscape photography view can be found here: MONSAL HEAD - GOOGLE MAPS

2. The Roaches

The view from The Roaches, overlooking Hen Cloud and Tittesworth Reservoir

The Roaches takes it’s name from the French Les Roches - The Rocks. Situated in Staffordshire, The Roaches rise 505 metres above sea level. Ironic then that The Roaches were formed under the water. Once a coral reef, the rocks formed over 350 million years ago when sand and grit were compressed over the reef. Now high above the surrounding land, The Roaches offer some of the best Peak District views, especially for landscape photographers.

In clear conditions, it is possible to see over into the county of Cheshire and even as far as Snowdon in Wales from atop The Roaches. Whilst nearby in Staffordshire, you will be able to pick out Jodrell Bank and it’s huge telescope.

The view I’ve picked is from the upper-middle tier of The Roaches looking out over Hen Cloud and Tittesworth Reservoir. It is an iconic view from this part of the Peak District, and deservingly so. There are plenty of other fabulous views to be had from The Roaches but for a pure vista, with foreground, middle ground and background, this one in hard to beat.

The Roaches is easily accessible by car and the best parking for the view can be found here: THE ROACHES - GOOGLE MAPS

3. Higger Tor

A lesser known Peak District view, but Higger Tor is fabulous for photography nevertheless

Higger Tor offers a fabulous Peak District view, perfect for landscape photography. With foreground aplenty, and panoramic views, what’s not to like?! Plus, bonus, it is actually really accessible by car too, only five minutes walk from roadside.

Situated towards the north of the Peak District, Higger Tor is a large gritstone formation which towers above the Iron Age fort of Carl Wark, hence the name Higger Tor, which translates in modern English as Higher Hill.

Despite being easily accessible for most walkers, there are views for miles around. You can take in Hope Valley, Stanage Edge, Burbage Valley and Surprise View from Higger Tor. And to compliment the background, it’s prominent grey gritstone is perfect to frame up some interesting foreground subject matter too.

There is limited parking to access Higger Tor, the location for parking I have given below will only really fit four or five cars at best. There is more ample parking not too far away though at Stanage Edge. This will only add around 10-15 minutes walk, plus Stanage Edge itself is a fantastic place to photograph from too, so why not double up and do both.

The view I’m touting as one of the best is over Carl Warks using the famed ‘Kit-Kat Stones’ as foreground. These can be found towards the South-West of the plateau.

You can find the best place to park for Higger Tor here: HIGGER TOR - GOOGLE MAPS

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4. Chrome Hill

The view from Chrome Hill at sunrise is spectacular

It would be difficult to write a blog post about the 5 best views in the Peak District for Landscape Photography without including our last two. So I make no apologies for doing just that!

It could be said of the Peak District that there are actually very few peaks. A visit to to the Dragons Back aka Parkhouse and Chrome Hill in Derbyshire will put that right though. The line of pinnacles that these hills form really does resemble the spine of a stegosaurus dinosaur, although I’m not sure how the resemblance to a dinosaur lands it with the name of a mythical creature, but we digress!

There are a couple of routes that could take you to these hills. The most popular route, and the one I recommend, takes you from the quaint village of Earl Sterndale across Hitter Hill, itself offering a fantastic view of both of the peaks. From there you can either traverse Parkhouse Hill (by far the steeper or the two climbs….and a little treacherous on the way down) or walk along the base of it to find the climb up Chrome Hill. And it is about half way up Chrome Hill that you will find this fantastic Peak District view. An iconic one amongst Landscape Photographers, this view can be captured throughout the seasons, in a variety of ways.

With fantastic views down the Dove Valley, the view from Chrome Hill looking over Parkhouse is a truly spectacular vista that yes, requires some effort and excursion, but offers a great reward for doing so. The walk from Earl Sterndale across Hitter Hill and then up the either or both hills is not simple and will require good quality, sturdy footwear. If you aren’t overly confident in your hiking ability, then not to worry, as I mentioned above, the view from Hitter Hill can be spectacular in itself.

But, this iconic view from Chrome Hill over Parkhouse Hill is truly one to behold if you can.

Parking up in Earl Sterndale and make your way up Hitter Hill behind the Quiet Woman Inn (you’ll see a public access gateway to the right as you walk towards the front of the Inn, go through and turn left to head up the hill), once you are at the top of Hitter Hill over the stile with the warning signs about old mine shafts, turn right to take in the view of Parkhouse and Chrome Hill before heading down the pathway to the roadside and either up or around Parkhouse Hill to get to Chrome Hill. The walk to the base of Parkhouse will take around 20 minutes if you park here: EARL STERNDALE - GOOGLE MAPS

5. The Great Ridge

Without doubt the most popular location in the Peak District National Park. Mam Tor has been nicknamed ‘Blackpool of the Peaks’. This is a reference to the popular seaside town on the North West coast of England (itself nicknamed England’s Las Vegas). And to be fair, it’s a pretty accurate nickname. Go here on a weekend and it will be very busy, no doubt about it. Even during the week, you will often find the car park full of cars. I have never been and not seen other cars already there, and I usually go for sunrise during the week!

The reason, of course, for its popularity, lies within the views. Truly spectacular vistas roll out in front of you as you reach towards the summit of Mam Tor. And whilst the climb up Mam Tor is steep, it is relatively short.

Once you’ve taken in those views from the summit of Mam Tor though, it's time to head down what has become known as the Great Ridge, the pathway between Mam Tor and Back Tor. About half way along this path between the two hills you will find the famed Great Ridge gate. And it’s from here that this view can be best captured.

Whether you use the gate as foreground interest is your call on the day. I have taken the shot from both sides of the gate, using it in the foreground or heading through and taking the shot, as seen above, for the other side of the gate. The pathway and fence make for beautiful leading lines and with the right weather conditions, light up beautiful as the sun rises above the horizon.

You don’t always need clear skies for this view though as you can grab some fantastic moody shots in bad weather…..just make sure you are dressed for the occasion as it can get bitter.

You can find parking with good route signage here: MAM TOR - GOOGLE MAPS

I do hope this was useful and whichever location you decide to visit with your camera, I hope you get some amazing shots.

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Landscape Photography into 2023 and Beyond

The beautiful view from midway up Chrome Hill in the Peak District National Park - my first shoot of 2022

Hello again, it’s been a few months since I last wrote. I hope that you rounded off 2022 with some amazing landscape photography.

Like I’m sure many of us do, as 2022 drew to a close, I found myself taking a retrospective look at my landscape photography from the previous twelve months.

2022 had got off to a flyer in many respects. My first shoot of the year atop Chrome Hill in the Peak District National Park was a beautiful morning. It was cold but clear other than some lovely haze covering the sun as it rose. This really aided a beautiful winters morning glow over Parkhouse Hill and the River Dove valley.

And then, the following week it was off up to the Lake District to run a one-to-one landscape photography workshop for a client at Tarn Hows (on an aside, I was very chuffed to see that said client has recently been awarded a ‘Highly Merited by the Judges’ award in a landscape photography competition - well done!). The year was well under way for Landscape Photography.

I adore this view, even when you can’t really see through the mist - Tarn Hows in the Lake District National Park

At the start of the year I had made a list of just a few (five in actual fact) locations I wanted to visit in the first half of 2022. There were four in the Lake District and one in the Peak District. By June, I had ticked off all but one. On the completed list were Hallin Fell over Ullswater; Kelly Hall Tarn near Coniston Water; the duo of Derwentwater and Latrigg Fell in Keswick; and Higger Tor in the Peak District were all ticked off. This left me with only Side Pike in the Langdale Valley to go, plus some other locations I had recce’d during the early months of the year. Added to the list for late summer and autumn were Watendlath Tarn; Aira Force Waterfall; a return to Wastwater; and a hike up High Street over Haweswater.

However, having been to the Lake District half a dozen times in the first six months of the year, I only made it to the Lake District once in the second half of the year. Even that was on a very wet day in October when conditions for Landscape Photography were just not in my favour. The day itself had been chosen due to having a morning shoot for a restaurant in Lancashire. Already half way to the Lake District with a free afternoon, despite the weather not looking great, I decided it was time to venture up to Blea Tarn and Side Pike. The conditions had other ideas though. On arrival I found the visibility down to nothing and a very wet mountain climb. Sanity prevailed and I decided that it really wasn’t the day for this landscape photographer.

The view from Hallin Fell looking out over Ullswater towards the snow capped Helvellyn in Spring

The beautiful Kelly Hall Tarn in the Lake District National Park. I almost missed this shot completely as I didn't think the cloud would break

The main reason for my lack of activity in the Lake District in the second half of the year was very simple. The cost of living crisis in the UK. What had always been a fuel bill of around £22-£25 to do the return trip to Cumbria was now well over £40. And it wasn't just the cost of fuel. Everything had gone up in price. As a professional photographer I was feeling the pinch. Clients began to cut back on shoots and there was no real opportunity for me to up my prices. This meant having to take on more clients (and being able to do that is something I’m very grateful for) and do more work.

The four hour round trip to the Lake District was not only costly in monetary terms, but costly on time, of which I now had less spare. It was an easy decision to make. The second half of the year would see more Landscape Photography for me in The Peak District. Quite simply, from my home in South Manchester, the Peak District is half the travelling time and a third of the distance. A literal saving of time and money vs trips to the Lake District.

The Millennium Stone at Derwentwater which celebrates 100 years of the National Trust. This was one of my spring shoots in the Lake District in 2022

It’s still Derwent, but it’s a Dam site closer! Derwent Dam in the Peak District

Not that the Peak District was ever second choice. The Peak District National Park is awe inspiring for a Landscape Photographer and has absolutely loads to offer in terms of subject matter. I do like my seclusion though and, whilst I love the Peak District, I have always felt a little more ‘away from it all’ in the Lake District. I’ll be back there in 2023 for sure, although I’m getting ahead of myself there.

A very windy and cold sunrise on Higger Tor in the Peak District National Park. This formation of rocks overlooking Carl Warks is nicknamed the Kit Kat stones

The truth of the matter is that I did far less landscape photography in the second half of the year than the first. There is no doubt that I lost some of my mojo for it. I love the adventure of landscape photography as much as the actual photography itself. Going somewhere I’ve never been before. Exploring and finding a view point that makes me go wow! That’s the part I love, far more so than pressing the shutter on my camera.

But, with all of the extra workload I was carrying; commercial shoots, family photography, wedding photography, brand shoots etc, it was all beginning to weigh me down. I didn’t feel like I had time to do landscape photography the way I like to. And so each shoot became a time saving exercise. Planned out locations, shots picked before I got there. Working late into the evening the night before and getting up for sunrise, surviving on a few hours sleep. None of it was motivating me to get out. And I wasn’t getting out. Not as much as I had been anyway.

The Roaches in the Peak District National Park. Truly one of my favourite landscape photography locations. I saw it an awful lot though in the second half of 2022

Of course, these are not real problems in the real world. Poor photographer, having to chose one national park over the other. It’s a non-problem. And, with all the above being said, I did have some fabulous moments out and about in the second half of the year. Plus, I ticked off a location, and a shot, that had been a couple of years in the mind. So it wasn’t all that bad, just perhaps not what I had planned in my head as 2022 started. First world problems indeed!

In early Autumn I finally caught a cloud inversion up on Mam Tor over the Hope Valley. Whilst I didn’t actually got any great shots, the experience of seeing it happen first hand was more than fantastic and that in itself was enough. Of course, I created some images, but upon review, they didn't really do justice to the magnificence of the view.

One of my better shots from the morning on Mam Tor. I blame the cloud inversion for being too distracting!

A couple of weeks later and a shot that I had been wanting to take for a long time. I had seen a stretch of woodland way back around the end of 2020/start of 2021 on a walking group. Nothing particularly special. But it had stuck with me and I was determined to go there and try to capture the shot I could imagine.

So, on one of my more motivated mornings. I headed to the location, in a part of the Peak District that I had never been before. A location that isn’t/wasn’t (I had barely seen anything about it until I went, now everybody seems to be going there….coincidence?!?!) too well known and not overly publicised, researching it had been tricky.

Driving up I had that real feel of adventure and was really excited to get out of the car, strap on my pack, stock up on water and start the trek through what I imagined to be overgrown woods, in search of a hidden stretch of woodland path. The reality was a little different. Out of the car, I headed to the little gate at the side of the road, and found it within about two minutes. So no real adventure, but the shot I had in my minds eye for well over a year was finally in front of me. Fantasy Forest.

‘Fantasy Forest’. Upper Moor near Matlock

It is through this kind of retrospective view that I start to realise that it wasn’t a bad year for my landscape photography after all. Sure, it wasn't how I thought it was going to be, I definitely missed my monthly adventures in the Lake District. But I am looking now at some of these shots and thinking, yeah, you did alright. And the year wasn’t quite over yet, there were still a couple more shoots to get out and do. And it was about time I revisited a certain North Wales lighthouse.

Talacre Beach is home to the Point of Ayr Lighthouse or simply Talacre Lighthouse. Decommissioned but still looking over the bay.

So what are my plans for 2023. Well it’s my aim to hit the Lake District a few times this year. We’ll see how things pan out with that. But I am approaching the new year with a new vigour. I am excited to start to do some different things. I have been interested for some time in exposure manipulation in camera and spent a lot of time in the later part of 2022 practicing this technique. Finally I managed to create something worth sharing whilst visiting the above lighthouse for a second time in December. It’s a work in progress but I’m really excited by it and think it will form a couple of projects to work on for the coming year. The below images should give you an idea - although neither of them are fully formed yet. Still a lot of work to be done on my technique for both.

An image that was inspired by being uninspired. Location boredom can sometimes produce something a little different. The Barn on The Roaches

In camera exposure manipulation is a genre of photography I want to explore further in 2023

Plus, I’m becoming really interested in photography at night. Not of the skies above, but of the landscape under the cover of darkness, so I’m hoping to do a few shoots in the landscape under nothing but the light of the moon.

As I review 2022, I hit upon the realisation that I should not be waiting for the landscape to inspire my photography. Rather that I need to be capturing the landscape in a more inspired and unique way. There is beauty where you find it. And, for me, I think I will start to look rather differently at each landscape in 2023. It’s time to let my creative spirit out. To stop being safe with my photography. It is time for my landscape photography to have something to say.

Wishing you a very happy and prosperous New Year - here’s to all the photography adventures we will each experience in 2023.

Dave

Fantasy Forest in the Peak District National Park

Woodland Photography at Upper Moor Woodland | Ashover | Matlock | Peak District National Park

Is that something moving ahead? Heading into the mist at Upper Moor Woodland near Matlock in the Peak District National Park

About a year and a half ago I saw a photograph posted online in a photography group. Taken in a small woodland near Matlock in the Peak District National Park; the image had been taken during the day in late spring/early summer, but even in midday sunlight, still had something mythical about it.

Instantly I was stuck with the location. I could envisage mist, some dappled side light, and the possibility of a shadowy figure heading towards me. I’ve got a lot to thank that photographer for - unfortunately I have no idea of his/her name - as I instantly decided that I had to visit this place and create the shot that I could see in my minds eye.

‘Red’ The barbed wire that adorned the wall at one end of the 'woodland ‘corridor’ proved to be a distraction. This shot taken at a much lower height both to remove as much of the barb as possible and to give focus onto the beautiful moss covering the slab of rock

Fast forward 18 months and I finally ventured over towards Matlock. Coming from Manchester, this is about as long a journey as it gets for me in the Peak District National Park. And, on a dark pre-dawn morning with some light rain and very misty conditions along unlit windy roads, it made for quite the journey!

I had an idea of where to park on the B5057 (you can find it with reference 5FM3+9H7 Matlock on Google Maps | use co-ordinates 53.1834019, -1.5460699 | or search kennels.everybody.shiver on What Three Words) and finally arrived to find the small lay-by empty of cars (something that wouldn’t be the case when I left!).

I got myself ready for the ‘hike’ ahead and with the heavy lump of gear, water, waterproofs, snack bar tripods etc mounted onto my back, I set off on the hike to get on location……..and arrived two minutes later! I really thought I would have to hunt around for the stretch of woodland I wanted but it really was just over the road, through a gate and past a power mast…..easy!

It was still dark so I set off to have a little explore and see what else was luring in the dark misty woods, turned out not much more really. But that one stretch would suit me just fine. The first of many other photographers turned up about 30 minutes after I arrived, and we had a bit of a chat about photography, as you do, before I set about finding the composition that I wanted for the final photograph.

One of the compositions I tried before settling on the final shot, I was trying to find a shot with the wall on the left of the composition…..but it just didn’t feel right for what I envisaged.

I took a couple of test shots at either end of the woodland corridor along which the old wall ran and trees towered over creating an almost circular archway. There were a fair few distractions along the path, part of the wall had fell, barbed wire had been added to sections of the wall to name just a couple and so I found myself back towards my starting point, looking down into the mist.

I had found a section without any parts of the wall tumbling and, with some small rocks on the ground, I had interest along the pathway. Whilst I would have preferred the wall to come into the frame from the left of the composition, it worked just as well on the right side. Everything led to where my ‘fantasy shot’ would have it’s point of interest.

The mist created some interesting challenges as the diffused highlights peaked through the trees. The shadows contrasting to stretch the dynamic range to the full extremes of the histogram. But with composition lined up and exposure challenges overcome, I waited as more photographers were now heading along the pathway (taking a shot or two as they went of course) for several minutes until I had a clear shot then click. the ‘on location’ part of the shot was done. Now a quick trip to the photoshop to finish it off.

‘Fantasy Forest’. Whilst I would absolutely have loved a deer from nearby Chatsworth to come out of the mist in reality, that’s not necessary for a ‘fantasy’ photograph.

All this and it was still only just past 9am. As I headed back to the car, I passed at least 7 other photographers and two more cars pulled onto grass verges along the road as I headed back to the lay-by, which was now full. It’s always nice to finish before the crowds arrive, so a pat on the back for me….and a coffee to celebrate a good mornings work. I finished off the morning with a trip by Magpie Mine and Monsal Head, a while since I had been to either, before the drive back in much easier conditions.

It’s rare that I create composites. But on this occasion I knew from the start that would be the case. Chatsworth Estate is nearby and so it was possible that a random deer may have happened into the woodland although highly unlikely. And that is itself the fantasy part of the shot by definition, so changing a minimal amount of pixels in a photograph was no biggie. Plus, I had the perfect deer shot to do it with - one that I had photographed earlier in the year at Dunham Massey deer sanctuary in Greater Manchester.

And so, after initial processing in Lightroom, I moved the image through into photoshop to add the final touch. An image 18 months in the making was finally finished. Fantasy Forest indeed.

You can see more from Fantasy Forest in the Peak District National Park by clicking the link and watching how I captured the shot over on the Let’s Click Photography YouTube channel: Let’s Click Photography on You Tube

Landscape Photography: Graft For Your Craft

The view from Higger Tor across Hope Valley. Mam Tor, The Great Ridge, Win Hill and Lose Hill all visible rising up over Castleton and it’s Slate Mine

This week I’ve been up into the Peak District not once, not twice, but thrice, chasing some landscape photography. Higger Tor was my destination on each of these occasions and 7am was my time of arrival each day.

The first occasion was a recce. I didn't even take my camera gear. I wanted to see how the light fell throughout the morning. Plus, having never been up Higger Tor before, I wanted to see the lay of the land. It is so much easier to have an idea prior to the shoot rather than trying to find a shot on the day. Especially for landscape photography at sunrise!

Another view from Higger Tor, those beautiful hues given by the sun just risen over the hills to the left of shot

The second visit was for the shoot. However, despite checking the weather forecast thoroughly the night before, I arrived to find nothing but grey low cloud blocking any light and reducing visibility down to not much. So another bust…..all part of the landscape photography deal here in the UK.

And so to the third visit. We had almost clear skies. There was a bank of cloud low on the horizon, but this would just serve to diffuse some of the light and create haze rather than block the light completely.

The battle was very much on though because, whilst the light was playing ball, the other elements were not. It was freezing. Literally. The ground was frozen, there were pockets of hail fall, and the wind! Well the wind was hard. Driving wind which was blowing the camera all over the place, and not just the camera….I was taking a beating. It was tough. And in those conditions, really difficult to keep motivated whilst I waited for the sunrise.

If you want to experience just how windy it was then check out the video I will be uploading to You Tube this weekend, just click here - Let's Click Photography

I got the shot I wanted, well close enough considering the conditions, but the day itself had only been half the battle. Each of the days I visited meant a 4.45am alarm call; getting up on that third day was tough. Honestly, I almost didn't. I knew what I was in for and another potential disappointment was not that alluring. The 65 minute drive to location, and even worse the 90-100 minute drive back (there’s not much traffic at 5.45 in the morning, but there’s a heck of a lot by mid morning). The lack of sleep. The hike in the dark. The cost of fuel. The freezing conditions! There was a lot to put me off.

But I have learnt over the years that you have to graft for your craft (a saying I heard recently on a podcast - I’m having that!!) and this is all part of that graft. Even on the days when I don’t get a shot I still feel come back feeling good about it……and then I remember I have to work!

View from Higger Tor at Sunrise. Surprise View is on the right hand side and, lurking in the shadows beyond, is the top end of Padley Gorge

And yes, believe it or not, I actually do work haha! Much as I’d love it to, this landscape bit does not pay the bills. So photography for me is all about the work (honestly, I work more now than I ever did before starting this…easy 60-70 hour per week).

And sadly there aren’t really any short cuts in photography. All the gear in the world cannot get you a sunrise shot if you aren’t out before sunrise. The true photography hack is will power and hard work. And so it is that at 4.45am three times this week, I have been up. I’ve been out the door for 5.30am. I’ve been climbing the ascent at 7am. And I have battled the elements. And it was not easy.

…..But if you want the shot in landscape photography, you have to do it; you have to ‘graft for your craft’

Dave

If you are interested in seeing some of the ‘work’ that I get up to, you can click and check out: Bamber Photography & Film

Now Is The Time

It’s been a while since my last blog post. So I’m going to restart with a short one and a quick catch up.

It’s been a busy time in the world of Landscape Photography. The end of summer into Autumn always is. As the light begins to draw in a little and the colours of the land start to turn from vibrant greens to rustic oranges, it is a beautiful time of year to get out and photograph. And here in the UK, we have no shortage of expansive fields, woodlands and hills to capture those magical moments with our cameras. And that is where I have been, busy out and about taking images and film to capture this unique time of year.

Ashness Bridge, overlooking Derwent Water in the Lake District National Park

…..And so you can expect an update to this website fairly soon. There’s lots of fabulous landscape images ready to go up and hopefully you will be whisked away to a far off landscape whilst viewing them.

Whilst writing this we are in the midst of the second national lockdown here in England. However this time around the restrictions do allow for photographers to go out and continue to follow their passion. For me, this allows me time away from the pressures of this moment and a couple of hours out in the landscape with my camera does help maintain some mental stability, much needed as 2020 grinds towards its conclusion.

It’s a year that will not be forgotten for a long time and I imagine, sadly, they will be memories without many positives for a lot of people.

However, for all that has gone on this year, for all the pressures and the stresses of this long and arduous year, I shall look back on 2020 as the year that I REALLY discovered the landscapes of Northern England. The Peak District National Park and The Lake District National Park in particular have been places that I feel I have truly found this year. And, for that, I am grateful to 2020.

So I hope that this lockdown does not leave you feeling despair. If, like me, you have a passion for photography than I would wholeheartedly say that NOW IS THE TIME. Now is the time to follow your passion. To see the world, even if that world is just the local fields around the corner. Because to my eye the world is full of natural beauty. It is just that we seldom have time to see it. But in the midst of a lockdown, perhaps….

NOW IS THE TIME?

Dave

November 2020

The Monsal Head viaduct in the Peak District National Park

Great Family Days Out And Stunning Photography Locations - Part 2

Great family days out plus stunning photography: Part 2 of 2

So onto part two of our location guide for some great photography, where the family will also have plenty to keep them occupied. If you missed part one you can catch up here:

Just as in part 1, these are in no particular order, and the parking places are named as they are listed in Google Maps, to make it easier to search for your destination. As you may have guessed by the title, this is the second of this two part feature, but there may be a BONUS article with a couple more suggestions before the summer is over so subscribe below to be notified when that comes out, or alternatively head to our Facebook Page and Like - we put notifications out on there when we publish new articles. You can click through to all of our social media channels through the icons here:

Right, so on to our next recommendation…….

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Stanage Edge, Hathersage, Peak District National Park

Suitable for: Anyone with average fitness; 8-10 years+, However it is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties. Some moderate terrain

Parking: I recommend parking at the ‘Hooks Carr’ car park if you don’t mind a steeper walk; or the roadside parking on ‘The Dale’ road, for an easier ascent.

The Peak District has an abundance of ‘edges’ with fantastic views and Stanage Edge is a really easy way to experience one of them. With great vistas across Leam, Abney, Hope Valley, Castleton and a different view of Mam Tor, Lose Hill and more, it is easy to see why it is a popular spot for families and photographers alike. Plus it is one of the easier edges to reach. From the car parking spots mentioned above, you can reach the Trig Point within 15-20 minutes dependant on your ascent route (and general fitness of course), although it may take you longer as you take in those wonderful views.

Of course, as the name suggests, it is an edge and has a quite steep drop on one side, so do keep an eye on the young ‘uns and keep them away, but other than that, this is a great place for young and old legs to have an explore and there are lots of rocks to climb over. Be sure to check out Robin Hoods cave hidden away just under the walk - it is easy to miss and will require a bit of careful clambering as it is right on the edge, but otherwise is easy enough to reach….tales of Robin Hood and his merry men can be told from within.

There is lots to photograph including millstones, rock faces and great vistas over Hope Valley and the edge can be walked along for a good while so it really is up to you how long or short your walk is.

On weekends and especially bank holidays, this spot can become very popular so be prepared for a few fellow walkers, rock climbers, mountain bikers and photographers.

The Millstones that are synonymous with the Peak District National Park, sat just below the top of Stanage Edge.

A lovely walk but a steep drop. Stanage Edge is very popular for rock climbers and climbing classes

It is important to stress that whilst this is a very accessible and enjoyable walk, it can become dangerous if you don’t show it respect. The right type of footwear and outerwear is highly recommended. During a dry spell, this could be sturdy trainers, but please don’t attempt in open-toe shoes (or worse….flip-flops!).

It can get quite breezy on the top open edge. On the day I last did this walk (start of Aug 2020) the wind at the bottom was barely noticeable, however once I got up onto the Edge, it was fiercely strong. So a jumper in a bag may be useful even on a hot day.

The common heather that is in abundance is popular with honey bees so try to keep to the rocky paths, we do need to look after our bee population. Plus on hot days adders have been known to sunbath on the rock tops so keep a look out. And speaking about the rocks, there are gaps that nobody would want to fall into, so take care when clambering.

But…..if that passage didn’t put you off ever leaving the house again….if you take the right precautions, remain attentive and give the rough landscape your respect, it really can be quite fun and there were several youngsters up there having great fun on each occasion I have visited.

There is a good route you can follow here which will take about 2 hours: https://letsgopeakdistrict.co.uk/kids-walk-stanage-edge/

You can purchase fine art prints of many of the images from this article right here:

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Talacre Beach, Holywell, North Wales

Suitable for: Everyone, although some routes cannot be accessed by wheelchair/buggy

Parking: There are a couple of car parks, I would recommend ‘Gamfa Wen’ car park but ‘Talacre Beach’ car park is closer to the beach shops, amusements and eateries. Both car parks do charge and require correct change.

The famous Talacre Lighthouse, also known as the Point of Ayr Lighthouse

The second of our beach recommendations (see part 1 for our first) and this is one that really is family friendly. A great expanse of a beach, lots of tourist type trappings such as amusements, cafes and beach shops, plus some great hideaway routes to explore amongst reeds along the beach front. Talacre itself is a village consisting of a few residents and a couple of large holiday resorts, and a full day, or even two, could easily be spent here. Of course though, once you have a break from the trappings of a beachside summer in the UK, it is time to get your camera out and snap away at Talacre’s most famous resident.

Standing tall at 18 meters (59 feet or so) and donning a red hat is the grade II listed Talacre Lighthouse, or to give it it’s real name, The Point of Ayr Lighthouse.

Built in 1776 to warn ships entering between the Dee and Mersey Estuary, and rebuilt in 1844, the lighthouse has been decommissioned since 1883 and is now a private residential property.

The lighthouse stands at almost 60 feet (18 mtrs) tall

If the beach and lighthouse look familiar then it is likely you saw the starring role this location had in a 2011 TV advert for a paint company and it’s 50 year anniversary. That’s right, the one with an Old English Sheepdog running past it at the end.

But that isn’t all it is famous for. Noted for a history of paranormal activity, including several reports of a spirit called Raymond who appeared stood on the balcony of the lighthouse itself. Mediums who attempted to make contact reported back that Raymond was once a lighthouse master who died of a severe fever.

These paranormal stories inspired a human sculpture to be installed circa 2009, which stood in the position on the balcony for three years. After new owners acquired the lighthouse the sculptures planning permission was not renewed and eventually the sculpture was removed.

Tide in, or tide out, there are great photographic opportunities with the lighthouse providing a perfect focal point, all the while the family can build their own lighthouses, castles and forts safely in the sand nearby.

You can have a quick look around the lighthouse and surrounding areas in our vlog right from the location right here: https://youtu.be/PUA0k2ZdrZU

Did you know we run workshops in many of these locations, guiding you around and teaching you how to master your camera to achieve spectacular Landscape Photography. For more info, click this banner:

Workshops

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Sale & Chorlton Water Parks, Greater Manchester

Suitable for: Everyone

Parking: Either ‘Sale Water Park Main’ car park or ‘Chorlton Water Park’ - Sale is the larger of the two, both are free of charge.

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Just inside the M60 Manchester ring road and along the River Mersey from each other sits these two ‘sister’ water parks and nature reserves. And the M60 motorway is an important factor, as both of these water parks were created during the building of one of the busiest motorways in the UK.

Both artificial lakes were created from gravel pits, excavated for gravel to create embankments for the M60 to sit upon. Sale Water Park was previously the site of Sale Old Hall, the remnants of which now house Sale Golf Club; whilst Chorlton Water Parks land was the site of Barlow Hall Farm.

Sale is the larger of the two sites and also houses a restaurant and the fabulous Jacksons Boat pub, perfect for a mid-walk cool beverage or light lunch, plus bike rental and a Manchester Metrolink Tram stop.

Chorlton water park has more accessible pathways, a play area and activity space for under 10’s. Plus has an RSPB site office. Both are home to various wildlife and Sale Water Park has a hide for bird spotting….or photographing.

Sale Water Park at Sunrise

Chorlton Water Park on a winters day

Whichever site you mark as your destination, the other is only a 20-30 minute walk away. Even quicker if you are on your bicycle. And for the more active of you, a walk around both on an afternoon is easily accomplished.

There are some great photographic opportunities, both around the water parks, in the Ees and woodland that surround them, or along the River Mersey, plus the Bridgewater Canal is only a stones throw from the west shore of Sale Water Park, a great place on a calm summers day to get some tranquil shots of the many canal boats and barges that travel up and down.

You can see Sale Water Park and how I took the shot above in one of our vlogs here: https://youtu.be/09an2IJ84DQ

Many of the images featured in this article are available to purchase as prints via our online shop here:

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So that’s our second three recommendations, hopefully you get chance to visit. As mentioned at the beginning of this article, I may pop up a bonus piece later on in August so feel free to sign up to our alerts or add our blog page to your RSS feed.

And you can check out many other great locations plus tips and tricks to help your photography to the next level on our You Tube channel which can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4fUWd5TtD4YvjVbeDaAQeA

Dave

August 2020

Great Family Days Out And Stunning Photography Locations - Part 1

Great family days out plus stunning photography: Part 1 of 2

Summer is in full bloom, although looking out the window at the pouring rain and dark grey skies as I write this, you wouldn’t quite believe it. Another thing now in full bloom is the school summer holidays, this year though, you’d be forgiven for not noticing them even start.

However now that we are officially in the summer holidays, and 2020 having being what it has been, it is likely that many of us will be taking day trips out, or shorter trips within the UK. So with that in mind, I’ve put together a few locations around the North West of England and North Wales which not only make for fantastic landscape photography locations, but double up as great adventures for the family.

They are in no particular order, and the parking places are named as they are listed in Google Maps, to make it easier to search for your destination. As you may have guessed by the title, I am not covering them all in this post as it would be far too long, so keep your eyes out, or subscribe below to be notified, for when part two is published next week.

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Mam Tor & The Great Ridge, Hope Valley, Peak District National Park

Suitable for: Anyone with average or above average fitness; 7 years+, Not suitable for anyone with walking or breathing difficulties.

Parking: I recommend parking at the ‘Mam Tor National Trust Car Park’ - just off the A623 - there is a small charge or free for all National Trust Members.

One of the most popular photography spots and one of the most popular walks in the Peak District. And it is easy to see why. The views over Hope Valley are spectacular.

If you park at the National Trust car park, then the ascent up Mam Tor is right at the start of your trek. The route up is well signposted and there are paths and steps up to the summit from the car park. The initial climb is fairly taxing and very young legs will probably not enjoy this one, but there are spots you can stop to catch your breath as you head up…Be sure to check out the winding road that journeys into the village of Edale, best viewed from about half way up on your left hand side.

However long it takes you, once you hit the summit, you are rewarded immediately with fabulous 360 degree view and this may well be where you first crack your camera out, whilst the rest of the family explore.

On weekends and especially bank holidays, this spot can become very popular so be prepared for a few fellow walkers and photographers…and even the occasional paraglider. This is a popular take off spot for paragliders, and you are quite likely to spot one or two in an evening or at weekend.

The view over Hope valley towards the slate mine from Back Tor, on the Great Ridge route.

THAT GATE!….One of the most iconic gates around. Back Tor and Lose Hill visible down The Great Ridge

Once you have finished exploring and photographing the sprawling valleys from the summit of Mam Tor, The Great Ridge now lies ahead. This makes for a more relaxing walk after that climb and the first half is on a gentle downward slope, although do be careful with your footing as some of the steps are a little steep.

About a third of the way along the Great Ridge, you will find one of the Peak Districts most photographed locations. The Mam Tor Gate. Best shot at sunrise, but stunning throughout the day, this iconic photography location is not one to be passed by.

Once you have your fill of shots from this prime location, keep along the Great Ridge and you head towards a second gate, from here you can venture right and down towards the Blue John Mines if you wish. Or continue along the Great Ridge up towards Back Tor and Lose Hill.

You can venture back from wherever you make it to via the same route on return or go down into the village of Castleton and return across the ‘broken road’ and cross field. I’ve linked a route planner below.

You can take a look at some of the area in the intro and outro of this video: https://youtu.be/cJdzgASJpNY

Everywhere is well signposted, but you can find a good route guide here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/kinder-edale-and-the-dark-peak/trails/mam-tor-circular-walk

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Wizard Walk, Nether Alderley, North West Cheshire

Suitable for: Everyone, although some routes cannot be accessed by wheelchair/buggy

Parking: I recommend parking at the ‘National Trust - Alderley Edge Car Park’ by The Wizard Tearoom - small charge or free for National Trust members

One of the views from The Edge

‘There was once a farmer who had a milk-white mare. He decided to sell it; so one day, he set off to Macclesfield Fair. As he reached Alderley Edge the horse stopped and refused to move, no matter what the farmer did. He saw an old man standing by the side of the road, holding a staff in his hand.. .. ..’

The Legend of Alderley Edge provided inspiration to author Alan Garner as he wrote ‘The Weirdstone of Brisingamen’. Some of the location focal points, including the Druids Circle and Engine Vein, are still visible for visitors to see and form part of the Wizard Walk. One of several walks well signposted in the woodland, the wizard walk is fairly easy and surrounds the folklore of wizardry, that the local area is well known for (throughout Alderley there are several nods to the wizarding world).

Sticking to the route though is only half the fun. The different walking routes all cross each other throughout the woodland and a real explore will see you taking more than just one route.

Stunning views await along the many walks of the Nether Alderley woodlands. Some stunning photography can be had alongside a great family adventure

Some photographic spots not to miss include The Edge itself, which overlooks Greater Manchester and, depending on wind direction, either the landing or take off path for runway one at Manchester Airport - spotting the planes is great entertainment for the youngsters.

The ‘Hearth of Albion’ also provides great views across North Cheshire and the Peak District and is worth having your camera on hand for.

A word of warning though whilst taking shots, don’t take your eyes off youngsters as both of these spots are on cliff edges which, whilst very secure and roomy with lots of space away from the edge, would be very dangerous for inquisitive infants if they get too close to the edges.

Back to the car park and there are the Wizard Tearooms and (usually) an ice cream van selling traditional ices - you can check the National Trust website for opening times but, of course, in 2020, these may have been altered somewhat - the walking route link below can be explored to access opening times for the car park and facilities.

Have a quick look around the place and get some photography tips here: https://youtu.be/5Rn74mfVL-g

You can find out more about the Wizard walking route here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/alderley-edge-and-cheshire-countryside/trails/wizard-walk-at-alderley-edge

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Mary’s Shell, Thornton-Cleveleys, Fylde

Suitable for: Everyone

Parking: Head for ‘Jubilee Gardens Car Park’ which is a pay and display just across the road from the beach. There is a small lay by car park on the promenade itself opposite the jubilee entrance if you can grab a space, this is also pay and display.

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It wouldn’t be summer without a trip to the beach and so here is the first of two recommendations. And not only is it a beach perfect for the kids, but it is an iconic location for photographers.

This really is a perfect family & photography mix. Spend the day on the beach soaking up the sun, grab a fish and chips supper, enjoy all the local entertainment and then head to the shore for sunset. And you will certainly want your camera on hand for this one.

Known as the ‘Mythical Coast’ because, well….Mary’s Shell is magical, and it has a story to tell…….

That story starts in Singleton Thorpe, which was a village off the coast of Cleveleys in the mid 1500’s.

Swallowed by a tsunami in 1554/55, only three people survived and local legend states that they went on to become founders of the village now known as Singleton in Fylde, near Blackpool (speaking of which, you can clearly see Blackpool Tower from the beach at Cleveleys - another shot worth taking)

The stunning view of the sunsetting over the west coast beyond Mary’s Shell - a perfect location to marry a family day out with some stunning photography

It doesn’t finish with sunset though - watch the colours of the sky change once the sun dips below the horizon.

And that folklore is responsible for inspiring ‘The Sea Swallows’ tale, a short story based on that sunken village. In the story, the heroine is Mary, who attempts to save the village from a Sea Ogre....armed only with her magical golden shell.

The story itself is inscribed on the inside of the shell, so at low tide take a visit inside for story time……but beware, you are being watched. The Sea Ogre also occupies the same beach. See if you can spot him - he’s certainly fairly large, if well disguised (quick tip - low tide is the best time to search for him).

You can read more about the area and photographing it in one of my earlier blogs here: https://www.letsclickphotography.co.uk/blog/revisiting-a-location-marys-shell-lancashire

Plan your trip here: https://www.visitcleveleys.co.uk/about/seafront/marys-shell-on-cleveleys-beach/

All images featured in this article are available to purchase as prints via our online shop here:

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So that’s our first three recommendations, hopefully you get chance to visit at least one, if not all three. Part 2 of this Blog will follow next week, you can subscribe below to make sure you don’t miss it.

Check out many other great locations as I travel around photographing the beautiful landscapes of the UK via our You Tube channel which can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4fUWd5TtD4YvjVbeDaAQeA

Dave

July 2020

Whatever The Weather

As much as photography is my hobby, it is also my full time job, through which I cover many genres of both photography and film. I thoroughly enjoy my work and all of the shoots I get to do, but there’s no doubt that my landscape photography days sit as the highlight of my working week.

Quite early on, after making the move from my corporate career to full time photographer, I decided that I would incorporate a day each week to be designated my ‘Landscape’ day. It isn’t a specific day. It is determined by the way my bookings fall. But 1 of 5 days is always left free.

Having the freedom to do that is absolutely magnificent, but has one downside. Because my landscape day is usually set weeks in advance due to the bookings in the diary, it is never planned around the weather. Whether glorious sunshine; grey and windy; or full blown storm; that is the day I will go out to shoot in the landscape, and I do, whatever the weather.

Wastwater, Lake District National Park, UK. I bet the sunset was beautiful behind those clouds

But, as I talked about in last weeks blog, the weather is your friend. It can give you that beautiful awe inspiring sunrise or pelt you with hail, but it will always be unique to that moment. It offers a challenge and changes the way in which a scene will look, and can completely change how it might be captured for a photograph.

Take the above shot of Wastwater as an example. I had ventured there hoping to capture the sunset with an idea of a long exposure shot, enhancing the glorious colours of the suns rays filtering through the earths atmosphere. Hoping for great reflections in the still, mirror like water.

Throughout the journey there the conditions looked perfectly set for such a shot. Wave clouds were high in the sky, the horizon was hazy but clear of low cloud formations and it was fairly still. We hit a bit of a delay as a coach had come off the road near Devoke Water and whilst waiting to get moving again, a weather front moved in from the west coast. Upon arriving at Wastwater, the sky had completely covered with low cloud. the shot which I had planned from the southern end of the water was now pointless. The cloud would cover most of the water up to the peaks. A change of plan and a drive north, up the western edge, to around half way up the water found a slightly clearer view and the moody image you see above was born. A polariser helped cut through the remaining haze above the water, the square crop reflected how I felt under the grey sky; a little hemmed in.

The weather forecast the evening before had predicted that this would happen, but I was hoping that it may hit a little later, forecast are never truly accurate until a short while beforehand. However, even though the weather did go that way, I’m still pleased with the shot. It tells a story. And each time I look at it I’m reminded that whatever the weather, it is always worth going out to shoot.

Another Place in Crosby on a very overcast dull day

The two photographs (above and below) of Anthony Gormley’s Another Place in Crosby, Merseyside, show another example of just how different a shot might be dependant on the weather. In the first shot, taken at sunset in October, 2019. The weather was grey and cloudy with only hints of sunlight breaking through the clouds for brief moments. The sun wasn’t visible and it had been raining on and off throughout the afternoon. A long exposure became the order of the day as there was little detail in the sky. In May 2020, the shot became something else entirely as this time the sky was hazy with infrequent clouds, the sun setting right behind the scene into which I was shooting. No long exposure here, I would not have wanted to have the sun become a blurred line down to the horizon. The feel of the two shots is very different.

The same scene (albeit a slightly different composition and exposure) with a hazy sunset months later

Whatever the weather, there is always something to shoot, there is always a way to capture that moment in time. But it will certainly help if you have the right equipment for the weather. And I’m not talking camera gear or lenses etc. Comfort in terrible weather will play a huge part in your time in the landscape. I have been caught in some awful weather, and early on in my landscape photography journey, I did not have the right footwear, clothing, bags or jacket. I was cold, wet and miserable and the majority of the time completely unmotivated to even contemplate taking my camera out of the bag.

Investing, even a little, into outerwear and footwear has helped me out no end. You still end up wet, cold and miserable….but it takes a lot longer to get to that point.

And so, my ‘Landscape Day’ is a day on which I head out regardless, each week, ready to take on the Landscape and all of its challenges…...

Whatever The Weather

Dave

June, 2020

If you can get through the rain, you might just spot the rainbow

The Obvious Shot

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A couple of days ago I responded to a question which asked ‘how do you see compositions outside of the obvious shot? Everyone seems to take The Obvious Shot!’ This was in response to a shot I had taken on a trip to Mary’s Shell; a location well known for its long exposure eye level shots, where I had shot from a different perspective and included some pebbles in the foreground (another response told me that it must be fake as he had photographed there several times and never noticed pebbles…..which the beach is littered with! ‘Viewfinder Eye Syndrome’ I call that!).

My response to the question was simple ‘I shoot, shoot, and shoot some more, and I’m not afraid of getting bad shots - trial and error is the key.’

I then added a further comment. ‘And don’t be afraid of capturing ‘The Obvious Shot’, being obvious doesn’t make it bad.’

There are various locations out there that have been photographed thousands of times, many of which have an ‘obvious shot’. And chances are, if it is a well known, easily accessible location, that obvious shot has been photographed much more than just thousands of times.

A great example of just such a shot is on The Great Ridge from Mam Tor overlooking Hope Valley in the Peak District National Park, UK.

That ‘Bloody’ Gate! Great Ridge overlooking Hope Valley, Peak District National Park

Type ‘Mam Tor Gate’ into any search engine and look at the image results. You’ll see literally hundreds of shots of the scene above. Some slightly wider, some from a slightly different angle, some with a slightly different perspective. But all of a not too dissimilar composition and framing.

And there is a good reason for that. There is great foreground interest in the gate and fence, adding much sought-after depth, there are great leading lines (which I may have slightly cropped out!) leading towards Back Tor and Lose Hill. Hope Valley looks spectacular. The Slate Mine adds interest in the mid-ground and across the valley are great hills including Win Hill. All in all, an easy to capture image, brimming with all of the elements that Landscape Photographers crave. Which is exactly why there are so many photographers who head there to capture the scene……many of whom will have seen a version of the shot already.

So do photographers just go around plagiarising each others shots? Or is it just that the shot is so obvious, every photographer who walks that walk stops to take that shot?

In truth, in the age of the internet, it is likely that it is a bit of both. The majority of landscape photographers will do some research on a location before heading there, and be highly likely to see a shot a number of times whilst doing that research. And that isn’t restricted to the internet. As a member of the National Trust, each year, I receive a guide book to all the NT properties and locations in the UK, many of which are accompanied by a photograph, commissioned to be taken by hugely respected photographers such as Joe Cornish and Ross Hoddinott (have a search and check out some of their work - remarkable photographers) amongst others. When you come across a shot that makes you go ‘WOW!’ and you head to that location, chances are you want to try and capture that shot yourself.

Plagiarising? Or Inspired?

Gateway to the future. Trying a different angle can completely change the way you view the location.

Personally, I would go with inspired. And each shot becomes its own shot each time it is taken anyway. With ever changing weather conditions, changes in light and the direction it falls across a scene. With each changing season, and the changes in colour of the landscape that accompany seasonal change. And never forgetting man made changes - one such example being that the last time I ventured up Mam Tor and across the Great Ridge, ‘That Gate’ wasn’t there, It had been removed. I presume in light of the Covid 19 pandemic. So a scene is ever changing, with unlimited photography possibilities.

So take ‘The Obvious Shot’ because it will become your shot with all of the uniqueness of that precise moment in time. And then once you have it, try looking from a different perspective, change your angle, change your composition, see what else the location has to offer. Venture further and you may just capture something that hasn’t been shot a thousand times before. Perhaps your shot may become the inspiration for many more to come, even becoming ‘The Obvious Shot’ in itself.

‘Shoot, shoot and shoot some more…’

Dave

June 2020

Venture further and explore, you may just find something you’ve not seen before.

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