From Friars Crag

 So here are the last two pictures from my recent visit to Keswick. These are views across Derwent Water from the promontory at Friars Crag, a short walk from the car park and well worth it for these views.

I shot these in black and white because as you can see the sky was very overcast and the colours had really flattened out so I thought that there would be better contrast in the images. I also used long exposures (4 secs for the first image and 3.2 secs for the second) to smooth out the choppy water and that has enhanced the light and shade from the sky as it is reflected on the surface. This has also given a bit of movement to the clouds, almost like billowing smoke. I did need to crop the first image to remove some branches that had initially framed the image quite well but in the end, given the long exposure and the strong wind they were too blurry and a horrible distraction.

I hope that you have enjoyed this series of pictures from around Keswick, I have been out and about a couple of times since then once to do some wildlife photography and once to do some astrophotography so I am looking forward to sharing some of the images I have created.

Tranquil

I have visited this spot at Glenridding on Ullswater a few times. Last year I visited early morning when it was -6 C there was a thick fog and the edge of the lake was frozen. These boats were barely visible.

On my most recent visit there was a light breeze and the surface of the lake was  covered with small, even ripples. The light was not very good because of the low cloud but I had came here with a particular image in mind. I wanted to get  a nice even image with a degree of symmetry and I knew that I needed a good reflection. I used a 2 second exposure and I layered two ND filters to flatten out the ripples and create a smooth surface for the reflection and then in Lightroom I have adjusted the contrast to bring out the detail in the sky.

Overall I am really happy with this image and it is pretty close to what I had set out to achieve when I set out at the start of the day. I also got to try out a technique for long exposure that I hadn't really tried before so I would say it was a successful day out.

Prehistoric!

 

Yesterday I was able to take an unexpected but very much needed day off work and I headed up to the lake district for a scenic drive and a few hours of photo therapy.

I stopped off at a few of my favourite spots and I managed to get some really good shots and I am pleased to share one today.

This is Castlerigg, a 4,500 year old stone circle high on the fells above Keswick in the shadow of Blencathra, Skiddaw and as can be seen in this image Helvellyn. The low cloud provides heaps of atmosphere and the sun breaking through lighting up the distant fells lifts what would have been a sombre scene.

I will post a different view from here tomorrow so look out for that...

Through the Mist

These images show the lower bridge below Aira Force in Matterdale. There was still some mist overhead mixed with the spray from the waterfall. The rock surfaces were extremely slippery and the path across the bridge was treacherous but braving the elements was certainly worth it given the wonderful photos that I captured.

Dawn Reflections on Derwent Water

Here is another shot that I have tried a little extra work on in Lightroom. 

As with yesterday's image the original file was a bit dull and flat although the overall composition as you can see is very nice with the jetties reflected in the still water and the snowy hills in the background. 

I was keen to see if I could make something of the image and I think I have done a decent job. There is now a nice warm tone to the overall image and with a little adjustment to the clarity there is more detail particularly in the centre of the shot where you can see the boathouse on Derwent Isle.

Into The Valley

These three shots were taken along the impressive Whinlatter Pass which after a drive through the Honister Pass was actually quite refreshingly easy. I didn't stop to take pictures along the Honister pass as the conditions were quite scary and when I reached the end of the pass there were signs warning that from that direction (the Buttermere end) the road was closed.

Along the Whinlatter pass however it was a bit clearer and while snowy and icy in places it was nowhere near as difficult and the views as you can see were spectacular. 

In The Fading Evening Light

Here is another view of the Castlerigg stone circle looking across to the snow covered slopes of Helvellyn.

I am drawn back to the images from my recent day in the lake district and especially to this wonderful ancient site. 

You can see how this was getting towards the end of the day as the sun was low in the sky (off to the right) and the shadows were forming on the snowy fells.  The fading light really adds to the atmosphere of this place and I wonder what might have happened here thousands of years ago when it was first constructed.

Silver Reflection

I love black and white photography and this superb shot of Skiddaw and Derwent Water is a good example of why I love it so much. 

Landscapes don't always lend themselves to black and white because the colours are usually really important. In this image the sky was a beautiful blue and the snowy fells a brilliant white (have a look at the picture I posted on 27th January to see what I mean) so it would look great as a colour image too. However it also works exceptionally well in black and white with the shiny reflection and the crisp lines.

Cat Bells From Crow Park

I have seen lots of pictures taken from this spot before but had never realised where it was but now I know I will probably be back to take more pictures in future.

The thing with landscape shots is that no matter how many times a particular scene is snapped every picture will be different, whether it is because of the angle or the perspective chosen, the detail in the sky, whether there is snow or no snow, the position of the sun and so on. 

I saw a picture posted by someone on instagram just the other day and it was very similar to the second of my shots today (although these were taken a few weeks ago) and the photographer had commented on the tripod marks in the ground indicating that this was a well photographed location and in particular this view. But there is nothing wrong with that, often landscape images can look like holiday snaps as a friend of mine will often tell me, but retaking a good scene to get a perfect image can be a worthwhile challenge.

I love this scene and I think it would look good with a clear blue sky or with fluffy white clouds reflected in the lake which is probably how it looked later in the day, but here with an overcast sky and the sun fighting to break through the muted colours make for a really atmospheric image.

Snowy Fells

I have chosen just one picture for today, this superb view across Derwent Water to the snowy peak of Causey Pike. I would have preferred less movement in the water so there was a sharper reflection but in spite of that there is a lot to like in this picture. I really like the colour of the sky with the promise of more snow, I like the wispy cloud blowing across the top of the fell and I like the layers of light and dark throughout the image.

It is almost a year since I was last in the lake district so I was happy to be there after such a long break and I was glad that the conditions gradually improved as the day wore on. I am constantly thankful to live in such a beautiful country with so many wonderful sights within easy reach and as much as I enjoy my job I am always looking forward to my next opportunity to get out into the countryside.

Prehistory

I was going to call today's post "An exercise in patience". I have often said that one of the qualities any photographer needs to develop in patience and when you are trying to photograph sites like this, the neolithic stone circle at Castlerigg which attract a lot of visitors it is really hard to get the perfect uninterrupted shot.

When I arrived there was one other photographer there with his camera set up on a tripod and as I was setting up he commented that we could be there a while. Of course there will be lots of people enjoying the site and that is fine but with a bit of patience and careful timing it should be possible to get a decent shot as people walk behind the stones.  However on this particular day there was one  group of people who stood on the far side of the circle talking. They kept looking over at us as we patiently waited to take the shot and it really felt like they were deliberately testing us. They did eventually move off out of shot but only after the couple on the right of this image sat down on one of the stones and unpacked their picnic lunch. Now I thought that was inappropriate just because it didn't seem right in such an ancient site but it was also incredibly annoying as it spoils the shot to some degree.

I know that you will probably be thinking well that's just hard luck and that yes I need to be more patient and that is fine. You may even think that if I want the perfect photo without people getting in the way I should get there early. As it happens that is what I plan to do next time however I also met another photographer that day who had been up at the stone circle at 3.00 am to capture shots of the Milky Way and even then he says there were several people about and so even an early start won't guarantee my patience won't be tested. 

Anyway I am sorry, I have moaned for long enough and if you have stuck it this far thank you for your patience. Perhaps you should also take up photography I think you have something of what it takes...

As I said this is a shot of the Neolithic Stone Circle at Castlerigg near Keswick. The snow covered fells in the background are from left to right Clough head, The Dodds, High Rigg, Great How and Helvellyn. Even with the other visitors I really like this shot and I will definitely be going back in the hope of some even better shots.

Skiddaw from Derwent Water

I was up fairly early after a cold night under the stars and got down to the shores of Derwent Water before the crowds arrived and before the sun got too high in the sky. I think it was well worth it too because the view was stunning and I was able to get some nice undisturbed shots ( I wasn't so lucky later in the day at Castlerigg but that's another story).

When I arrived here there was another photographer setting up his gear. He really was committed to his art as he had his tripod set up in the water and he was dressed in waders so he could get the perfect angle for the shot. With the blues sky, thesnowy capped peaks of Skidaw reflected in the cold lake and the highly varnished lake cruiser being prepared for its days work I think there was a perfect combination for a stunning image.

I wasn't as well prepared (at least not to get wet) as my fellow photographer but I was equally as committed. To get this shot I needed to go out onto a jetty into the lake. It was closed off and there were signs warning against using the jetty as it was under repair. I wasn't going to let that stop me though and decided that it was worth the risk if I could get a great shot.

In my opinion the risk paid off, what do you think? 

Skiddaw Under The Stars

Camping at Lanefoot Farm in Thornthwaite was quite an experience and the views of the night sky were quite spectacular.

These two shots were taken from the lane in front of the farm. The first shows the snow covered peak of Skiddaw ( Englands 6th highest mountain at 3,054ft). The alien glow to the left of the image is most likely from traffic on the A66.

The second shot is looking towards Helvellyn (Slightly higher at 3,087ft). The orange glow is from the town of Keswick.

Both images were shot using my Canon 17 - 40mm wide angle zoom using a 30 second exposure. This has allowed just enough of the landscape to be visible and to bring out the stars. The long exposure also gives the clouds a soft, fuzzy almost ghostly appearance.

This was quite early in the evening, later on the galactic centre of the Milky Way would have been visible, although from this spot the light pollution would have spoilt the view. I met a guy the next morning who had been up at Castlerigg Stone Circle at 3am  getting some stunning images so that maybe a trip I will plan in the future.

Babe I'm On Fire

A week ago I spent a night camping in the Lake District, just north of Keswick and with a view of the snow covered Skiddaw. It was a bit wet underfoot and with a cloudless sky the temperature plummeted once the sun went down. That being said it was a lovely peaceful night and I enjoyed sitting by the fire watching the flames.

I chose the title for today's post as it is a song by Nick Cave which I really like.

I took a number of shots of the fire and I have selected a few for today's post. I love the random shapes and patterns, I also love the way random puffs of flame rise above the fire and then just disappear.

Looking at these pictures different things stand out each time, I hope you enjoy these shots.

In the coming coming days I will share some of my other images from my trip, including some of the night sky.

Towards Langdale

Here are two slightly different views looking across River Brathay towards Elterwater with Langdale in the distance. It is just possible to make out snow on the tops of the distant fells and reflected in the calm water. 

I love this spot and really like this view but I cant decide whether I prefer the first picture or the second with the fence leading down to the water's edge.  I'm probably going to say the first but its a close thing.  Let me know in the comments which one you prefer...

Tarn Hows and Yew Tree Tarn

Today's pictures are a return to the Lake District for a few reflections.

The first shot is of Tarn Hows, there are some really good vantage points for some lovely views I think that on a sunny day this would be a great spot for a picnic after a walk around the lake.

The second image is of Yew Tree Tarn  which sits in the valley between Tarn Hows on the road from Skelwith Bridge to Coniston.

The last two pictures are from River Brathay between Skelwith Bridge and Elterwater which is an area I have visited a few times in the past. A couple of years ago I went on a short camping trip, when I stayed near Chapel Stile and got up at the crack of dawn to walk along the river and take pictures as the sun was rising.  It was a really memorable trip and these pictures and the pictures I will post tomorrow bring back some good memories

Ripples and Reflections

It was a cold and wet morning in the lakes and I was really lucky to get the first shot of Tarn Hows so still with a fairly sharp reflection, you can just make out the raindrops breaking the surface and just moments after taking this shot it poured down and the reflection disappeared.

In the second shot of the log extending into the lake you can see a white area in the distance which is not ripples it is actually ice. In the final image you can also see that the surface of the lake is frozen for quite a distance and although it looks thin and would not have held my weight it was thick enough that a stone thrown onto it skimmed along the surface.

My favourite images today are the first and fourth, leave a comment and let me know yours...

Cascades

Here are two more sections of the cascades and waterfalls at Tom Gill.  With all of the heavy rainfall recently there was lots of water and as you can see it was quite a spectacle. I particularly like the section of the falls in the first two pictures but  I have included the third shot because of the height of the falls which was an unexpected sight.

Tom Gill

After a week of pictures from Preston's Avenham Park I have moved on to a different part of the country today.  With the promise of dry and mild weather conditions I headed up to the Lake District.  Of course it being the Lake District the weather forecast didn't really count for anything and when I arrived at my first planned destination at Glen Mary Bridge between Skelwith Bridge and Coniston it was absolutely heaving down.  After a short delay I decided to head out anyway and I walked up to Tarn Hows via Tom Gill which is a series of waterfalls from Tarn Hows down to Yew Tree Beck. 

It was a fantastic walk up the path alongside the beck and I took my time getting a number of shots, so over the next few days I will be posting several more which I hope you will enjoy.

A Forest Walk

Here are a few shots taken along the High Bowkerstead Trail in Grizedale Forest. I think the theme that joins all these pictures together would be "holding on".

The first shot of the last remaining section of dry stone wall along part of the trail.  It leans precariously and seems like it could fall down the steep bank at any time. 

The second and fourth pictures show some of the bright foliage still clinging tenaciously to the branches when so many of the trees around are almost completely bare of leaves. I love the brilliant yellow and in the final shot I love the contrast of the lime green leaves and the dark of the trunk and branches.

The third picture of the raindrop clinging tightly to the bud on the end of its twig was quite a challenge.  The wind constantly moving the branches threatened to dislodge the droplet at any moment, it also made it hugely difficult to get the reflected trees in focus so I am quite pleased with the result.