THE LAKE DISTRICT
From snow-capped mountains to deep lakes, through winding rivers, and woods filled with stunning autumn colours, the Lake District is a landscape that never fails to provide majesty, whatever the weather.
Autumn to Winter, Little Langdale
It's funny how you can spend hours looking for the perfect location, and then when you return after a sunrise session for your breakfast, there it is, right outside the window of your holiday cottage. This lonely birch tree seems insignificant most of the time, but was caught unsheltered by the first frosts of autumn, while the sheltered beeches in the wood behind remained untouched. To me it tells the story of the transition from autumn to winter.
Rainbows, Holme Fell
Blea Tarn
I wouldn't normally photograph this sort of location during the middle of the day, but I was here nevertheless, and I love this composition, and the dance of the light, It reminds me of the great Lakeland painter William Heaton Cooper, and in some ways it is very similar to his painting of the same view, with subtle brush stroke tones.
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Brathay Panorama
Two Become One, Holme Fell
Two Birch trees in partnership, to make one canopy.
Skiddaw and Derwentwater in Winter
Rainbow III, Holme Fell
Holme Fell is one of my favourite places to go, the Birch trees are stunning, and there is always an angle whichever way you look. This was wild autumn day, but it was a rare and appreciated trip during the Covid pandemic, so I wanted to make the most of it. I huddled down in the rain with Floss the labrador, because what else could one do? I wasn't going to give up and go home, that's for sure. A brief gap in the clouds gave some sun and I knew there would be a rainbow somewhere.
Birch Tree IV, Holme Fell
A favourite tree of mine, this time viewed looking east at dawn, towards Middle Dodd.
Queen of the Fells
The Herdwick is the hardiest sheep there is, and the only breed able to cope with the harsh mountain environment. They can often seem camouflaged, but also like to observe from rocky promontories, to survey the land. I love these sheep so much that we keep a small flock of them here in Dorset, to remind me of the Lakes.
Heavy Rain Over Autumn Larches
Rainbow II, Holme Fell
Holme Fell is one of my favourite places to go, the Birch trees are stunning, and there is always an angle whichever way you look. This was wild autumn day, but it was a rare and appreciated trip during the Covid pandemic, so I wanted to make the most of it. I huddled down in the rain with Floss the labrador, because what else could one do? I wasn't going to give up and go home, that's for sure. A brief gap in the clouds gave some sun and I knew there would be a rainbow somewhere.
Golden Larch, Hodge Close
Tucked away deep in Hodge Close Quarry, this larch basks in some rare winter sunlight, framed by the arch of the quarry tunnel.
Lingmoor from Great Intake
The Road II, Little Langdale
I spotted this composition one morning when making the brutal ascent of Great Intake for Sunrise, and knew I had to come back. I love this little farm at Bridge End, and the old Tilberthwaite Road curves and around it, off into the distance. I wanted shadows on the fields, but light on the farm, and it took many hours of waiting for the light to do what I wanted.
Reflections on Buttermere
Birch Tree II, Holme Fell
I waited hours for this image, with sun lighting the tree, but the Langdales in shadow. There are much worse places to sit and while away the hours though, and up here with that view, hours can seem like minutes.
Sunrise Over the Langdale Pikes From Blea Tarn III
This view needs no introduction, for it is one of the most photographed out there. I often have this debate (mostly with myself) as to whether I should visit iconic viewpoints, photographed many time before. But I strongly believe you should. Not only to create your own interpretation, but also simply to enjoy. Conditions are never the same twice, and one of the key points of landscape photography is to experience, and appreciate. I could happily go here again and again, and just sit in awe, soaking up one of my favourite views. And then, why not take a few pictures while you are there?
Autumn Reflections I, Blea Tarn
Blea Tarn is one of the most photographed locations in the Lakes, and as the sun hit the varied hues of the larches, I decided to look at it from another angle.
Misty morning Little Langdale
There is something about an temperature inversion that fills me with childlike excitement, fog down on the valley, but you can just see the blues of the sky above, We were in a cottage down in the mist, so I headed out to get above the clouds, and ended up on top of Castle Howe for this moment of pure beauty.
Storm Sky, Holme Fell
Pink Dawn II, River Brathay
A misty morning, filled with pink hues in the mist which deserved accentuation in the reflections.
Autumn Light, The Langdales
One of those days where light dance on the land, and the shadow of Pike O'Stickle falls onto Mickleden.
Autumn Larches in the Rain, Colwith
Autumn Light II, The Langdales
One of those days where light dance on the land, and the shadow of Pike O'Stickle falls onto Mickleden.
Always Winter, Fell Foot Farm
Sitting deep in Langdale, Fell Foot Farm rarely sees the winter sun, as it is hidden by the bulk of Great Intake. Here the sun thaws the grasses of Castle Howe, but goes no further.
Birch Trees Garden, Holme Fell
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Winter Blues, River Brathay
This is one of the locations I come to time and again, and as the mist cleared I was drawn to the contrast between the frosted reeds, and the deep blue reflections.
Flame Larches, Moss Rigg
The autumn light seems to set these larches on fire in Moss Rigg quarry.
Sunrise Over the Langdale Pikes From Blea Tarn I
This view needs no introduction, for it is one of the most photographed out there. I often have this debate (mostly with myself) as to whether I should visit iconic viewpoints, photographed many time before. But I strongly believe you should. Not only to create your own interpretation, but also simply to enjoy. Conditions are never the same twice, and one of the key points of landscape photography is to experience, and appreciate. I could happily go here again and again, and just sit in awe, soaking up one of my favourite views. And then, why not take a few pictures while you are there?
Pink Dawn, Birk Rigg
Another beautiful winter sunrise, tinged with pink and lovely contrast from the frozen reeds.
Scale Force
Tucked away in a hidden valley near Buttermere, Scale Force cuts a thin ribbon through the landscape.
Queen of the Fells
Autumn Reflections II, Blea Tarn
Blea Tarn is one of the most photographed locations in the Lakes, and as the sun hit the varied hues of the larches, I decided to look at it from another angle.
Jewelled Grass, Little Langdale
Last Light, Little Langdale II
In autumn, the sun never hist this part of the valley, and it is always in shadow. Mist lingered, and created these beautiful rays which spotlight the beautiful Larches by the tarn.
Autumn Greens by the Eltermere Inn
The Quarryman
Heavy rain forced an exploration of Cathedral Quarry, one of those rare places where the rain can't get in! I decided to spend time exploring, looking for patterns and colours, and that's when I saw his face.
The Buttermere Pines
Quite possibly one of the most famous views in the Lake District, and one of the most photographed, though to get perfect calm conditions is exceptionally rare. The forecast was good, so I headed over for a look, and wasn't disappointed.
With classic views like this, there is a voice saying you shouldn't photograph what has been done many times before, but for me it isn't just about the photograph, it is about being there and experiencing the view with your own eyes as well.
Loughrigg Tarn
Side Pike from Lingmoor
River Rothay, Rydal
Bridge End Farm, Little Langdale I
Heavy Rain I, Rydal Water
This was one of those days where the rain was relentless, as it had been all week, and I was desperate to get out and photograph. The ground around the lake was actually floating, so wellies were required, and the ability to be completely still to prevent tripod movement.
Autumn Greens by the Eltermere Inn II
Tarn Hows
With autumn mist, I wanted to find something a little more painterly, and Tarn Hows never disappoints.
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Another beautiful winter sunrise, tinged with pink and lovely contrast from the frozen reeds.
Sunrise Over the Langdale Pikes From Blea Tarn II
This view needs no introduction, for it is one of the most photographed out there. I often have this debate (mostly with myself) as to whether I should visit iconic viewpoints, photographed many time before. But I strongly believe you should. Not only to create your own interpretation, but also simply to enjoy. Conditions are never the same twice, and one of the key points of landscape photography is to experience, and appreciate. I could happily go here again and again, and just sit in awe, soaking up one of my favourite views. And then, why not take a few pictures while you are there?
Pink Dawn, River Brathay
A misty morning, filled with pink hues in the mist which deserved accentuation in the reflections.
Heavy Rain I, Rydal Water
This was one of those days where the rain was relentless, as it had been all week, and I was desperate to get out and photograph. The ground around the lake was actually floating, so wellies were required, and the ability to be completely still to prevent tripod movement.
Birk Rigg Panorama
On this morning, the reflections at Birk Rigg were magnificent. Being a linear river, it was hard to capture the scene even with a wide angle lens, so I opted to stitch several together to create a 180 degree panorama.
Lingmoor over Elterwater
A misty autumn afternoon, beautiful to watch as the mist poured down from the fells, and out through the river on to Elterwater below.
Wetherlam and the Oak
The oak stands proud on a mound in Little Langdale , and on this occasion the mist just provided enough separation to showcase it beautifully underneath Wetherlam.
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Last Light, Little Langdale
In autumn, the sun never hist this part of the valley, and it is always in shadow. Mist lingered, and created these beautiful rays which spotlight the beautiful Larches by the tarn.
Birch Tree I, Holme Fell
The Little Langdale Oak
This tree is well known, standing on a mound and welcoming visitors as they head towards Wrynose pass. On this day the inversion was thick, so I ran up Castle Howe to get the view from above.
Wetherlam in Winter
Wetherlam viewed from Elterwater
Langdale Light
Pink Winter Light, Birk Rigg
A classic landscape location, one where I always hope for morning fog, though it doesn't always appear. Here the first pink light hits the snow capped Langdale Pikes.
Rain Berries Tarn Hows
Drizzle forms perfect spherical berries on the grasses around Tarn Hows.
Burning through the mist, Birk Rigg
This was one those days I hoped for a misty sunrise, but the fog was just too thick. I headed off, and of course as you do, that's when the magic happens! I ran back quickly and just managed to get the last of the mist as the sun broke through, and the first of the day's walkers began their pilgrimage down to Chesters.
Sinuosity
I was drawn to the sinuous flow if the river and wall, of this nameless river in Langdale, one which doesn't often have much water in, except after heavy rain.
Watendlath Beck
Little Langdale
This has to be perhaps my favourite view in the Lakes, yet not one you see often. For me it's a combination of things, the distant fells, but primarily the island of larches on the river meander heading out from Little Langdale Tarn, and the farm to the left, always in shadow, but always a hive of activity. I can hear the Herdwicks, and feel the fleeting warmth of the sun between the clouds.
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Rays over Great Intake
The Road III, Little Langdale
I spotted this composition one morning when making the brutal ascent of Great Intake for Sunrise, and knew I had to come back. I love this little farm at Bridge End, and the old Tilberthwaite Road curves and around it, off into the distance. I wanted shadows on the fields, but light on the farm, and it took many hours of waiting for the light to do what I wanted.
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The Road I, Little Langdale
I spotted this composition one morning when making the brutal ascent of Great Intake for Sunrise, and knew I had to come back. I love this little farm at Bridge End, and the old Tilberthwaite Road curves and around it, off into the distance. I wanted shadows on the fields, but light on the farm, and it took many hours of waiting for the light to do what I wanted.
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Meandering Wall, Lingmoor Fell
Frozen reeds, River Brathay
I loved the contrast between the dark water, and white frozen reeds.
Birk Rigg Panorama
On this morning, the reflections at Birk Rigg were magnificent. Being a linear river, it was hard to capture the scene even with a wide angle lens, so I opted to stitch several together to create a 180 degree panorama.
Birk Rigg silhouette
A misty winter's day, with perfect reflections.
Burning through the mist, Birk Rigg
This was one those days I hoped for a misty sunrise, but the fog was just too thick. I headed off, and of course as you do, that's when the magic happens! I ran back quickly and just managed to get the last of the mist as the sun broke through, and the first of the day's walkers began their pilgrimage down to Chesters.