Landscapes
One of my greatest pleasures is watching a beautiful landscape evolve in front of me - from the changing light to the unfurling swathes of mist cloaking it - I never tire of it, and I hope in the photos below that I have managed to do a little justice to the scenes I was privileged to have witnessed.
Across the Water, Derwent Water - One of the motor launches plies its trade ferrying customers around the lake. I always love the patterns in the wake they leave behind them.
Flying High - One of my all time favourite images. I was on the top of Latrigg Fell, in the Lake District, capturing images of Derwent Water and the surrounding fells, when I noticed a line of swans flying from Derwent Water to Bassenthwaite. I was so lucky to be in the right place at the right time.
Edge of Gold - Looking South from Latrigg Fell and the sun has broken through to light up the tops of the pines along the ridge.
Moody Days, Woolbeding Common - Stormy clouds add real drama to the late autumnal scene. This is a favourite location of mine and one where I walk our dogs several times a week. I generally have my camera with me, allowing me the chance to capture the scene in all weathers and lighting conditions.
Patchwork Quilt, Devon - We have been lucky to stay near Bigbury on Sea, Devon on a few occasions and this is the view across the Avon estuary and Bentham Beach. I just love the different colours and patchwork quilt effect of the fields. This is a wonderful view in good light, especially at sunset, but I do love the moody clouds and the raking sunlight across the landscape in this image.
Along the Ridge, Catbells - Sun breaking through and illuminating the Autumn colours along Catbells, Derwent Water.
Flying High 2 - Canada Geese fly over Derwent Water with the Borrowdale Valley behind.
Ray of Light - The beautiful oak tree is silhouetted by the rising sun, which lights up the low lying, early morning mist. It just shows that even on a morning dog walk it's worth carrying a camera of some kind as you never know quite what conditions you'll find.
Golden Glow, Borrowdale - A moody day is saved by the sun lighting up the autumn colours in the Borrowdale Valley.
Winter's Grip - A hard frost lies heavy on the grass, whilst the rising sun brings beautiful colour to the landscape and welcome warmth.
The Golden Isle - Fantastic autumn colours on the trees on the island, Derwent water.
Bigmouth Strikes Again - I love the gaping mouth like hole in the tree with the eyes above it. Trying to think of a title for the image brought to mind a favourite song by The Smiths.
Autumn Oak - A misty start to the day, gorgeous autumn colours and a very photogenic oak tree.
Full storm Ahead - Autumnal storm clouds brew above the South Downs. Having spent many years trying to capture lovely golden light I find I am now increasingly drawn to more dramatic, moody skies which are just so atmospheric.
Superbowl - the limbs of this fantastic tree form a very unusual bowl shape. I've never seen anything quite like it and its especially nice on a misty autumnal morning.
Under the Weather (2) - Dark and stormy days with the sunlight promising better times ahead...
Stormy Skies, Halnaker Windmill - Storm clouds are developing behind Halnaker Windmill, on top of the South Downs, near Goodwood.
The Launch, Derwent Water - A closer view of one of the Derwent Water motor launches criss-crossing the lake.
Patchwork Quilt 2 - Another view across the Avon Estuary to the patchwork of fields above Bantham in Devon. I love the uniformity of the fields and the light on them contrasting with the brooding sky beyond.
Autumn Drama - Another dramatic autumnal sky above the South Downs.
Morning Light, Milland - Lovely early morning light breaks through the mist on another favourite location for walking the dogs!
Stormy Light, Newlands Valley - As the storm passes by the sunlight breaks through the clouds, lighting up the valley floor. Contrasty light such as this is my favourite type of lighting for photography. I just love the light and the dark.
Reach for the Sky - 6 tree trunks bend and reach skywards. I love the unusual shape of the tree and also the gnarly oak behind it to the right which seems to have a face with a gaping mouth - the arboreal version of Edvard Munch's : The Scream.
South Down's Mist - A beautiful morning, with mist lying in layers across the South Down's landscape. The image was captured from Blackdown - West Sussex's highest point.
Clouds, Catbells and Newlands Valley - I love the horizontal line of clouds that have bubbled up over the Newlands valley, with the lower slopes of Catbells in the foreground.
Snow on Catbells - Catbells is a beautiful view in pretty much any weather but especially so with a good dusting of snow.
Lost in the Clouds, Wast Water - The famous Wast Water scree slopes are shrouded in clouds and mist. An amazing location to visit - I've been several times and have yet to see it on a calm, clear day!
Sunset, Derwent Water Boats - The setting sun is hidden behind clouds and the Derwent Water boats have finished their work for the day. I always find it amazing that this stunning view is just 150 yards from the car park!
Wast Water Moods - Moody dramatic weather, as it so often is, at Wast Water. It is hard to capture the majesty and size of the fells around Wast Water. Wide angle lenses can take it all in but somehow diminish their stature. Here I have chosen to use a telephoto lens and pick out a part of the landscape. I do love the wilder northern and western lakes.
Trees in the Mist - A wonderfully misty morning captured by a long telephoto lens. Every time I look at this image my eye always returns to the dead tree in the lower middle part of the scene.
Dusk, Derwent Water - Another favourite location: Brandelhow landing stage on Derwent Water, in the Lake District. This is a long exposure, just after sunset and I love the blue / purple hues and the calmness of the image.
Out of the Mist - Mist often adds a softening, ethereal feel to a landscape and here on Older Hill in the South Downs there are a handful of wonderful gnarly trees that are very photogenic.
Blackdown Heather - Blackdown is the highest point in West Sussex and is owned by the National Trust. It is a wonderful ridge with commanding views across Surrey and West Sussex. In August / September it is a riot of purple heather amongst the Scots pines.
Surprise View, Derwent Water - I've used a long exposure here to blur the clouds as they zing over the top of Catbells and across Derwent Water. Surprise view is a fantastic vista less than 100 yards from the small nearby car park. You get to see the entire length of Derwent Water towards Keswick and en route go past Ashness Bridge - another iconic Lake District view.
Summer's Eve, Frensham Little Pond - The tops of the reeds are lit up by the late sun on a very calm summers evening.
Life on the Edge - A leaf hangs precariously on the edge of a rock, at the mercy of the stream.
2 Men and a Boat - A double kayak paddles across the wonderfully still Derwent Water.
Winter Sunset, Woolbeding Common, West Sussex - A beautifully calm end to a winter's day. This is the same location as the second image in this gallery and it really goes to show how different lighting conditions can give a totally different feel to a place or view
Autumn Colours, Catbells - Beautiful Autumn colours at the foot of Catbells.
Serenity, Derwent Water - A wonderfully calm morning after heavy snow the day before. I've personally rarely seen Catbells and the Borrowdale Valley in snow and so I was very spoilt on this visit, especially with the glorious early morning sun lighting up the fells. The handful of Canada geese flying over the lake just finishes the image for me.
If you go down in the woods today...- A lovely misty winter's afternoon that just reminded me of the words of the song The Teddy Bears Picnic.
Moody Sunset, Skiddaw - A moody end to the day on the northern edge of Derwent Water, with the setting sun just adding some lovely pink hues to the clouds. I was staying on the southern end of the lake and saw this sunset developing so I grabbed my camera gear and rushed out of the hotel to capture the light before it disappeared twenty minutes later.
Angel of the Woods - A spot I walk my two dogs and on this morning I was lucky enough to have the sun rise right between the branches of the tree. I like to think of the trees outstretched branches as open arms.
Sunset, Derwent Water - The Brandelhow landing stage again. Almost the same composition as the earlier image in the gallery, although the long exposure image here was captured just before the sun finally disappeared. Again, I love the simple composition and the calmness of the image.
Calm Days, Frensham Little Pond - Wonderful cloud formations are reflected in the absolutely still waters of the pond. This beautiful pond is owned by the National Trust and was created in the 13th Century to supply fish for the Bishop of Winchester and his court when they visited Farnham Castle nearby. Its a great photography location throughout the year.
Across the Water - Two Canada geese fly low across Derwent Water, with Catbells, covered in snow, reflected in the calm lake.
Autumn Silhouettes - Backlit Scots Pines surrounded by Autumn colours and early morning mist.
Still Waters, Crummock Water - A fantastic line of clouds are reflected in a very calm Crummock Water. I had stopped by the side of the road, alongside the lake, and spent a wonderful half hour or so watching the clouds develop above the perfectly calm waters. This was my favourite image from the sequence of photographs I took.
Mists of Time - silver birches are surrounded by a lovely soft mist giving an ethereal quality to the image.
Around the Lake - One of the Derwent Water launches heads towards the Brandelhow Landing stage on its daily route around the lake.
Autumn Light - Wonderful Autumn colours lit up by the early morning sun. I had finished the morning dog walk and was driving home when I chanced upon this scene. So I hurriedly reversed the car, grabbed my camera and hopped out to grab this fortunate image.
Derwent Calm - A wonderfully calm Derwent Water. Taken on a sunny Autumnal morning from the top of Castlehead looking towards the Borrowdale Valley.
Once Fields of Gold - the rapeseed flowers have passed their best and will soon be ready for harvesting. Faded gold is all that remains.
Autumn Woods - Autumn colours abound, deep in the woods. This image was taken in a small, hidden clearing in the woods near where I live. It is well hidden and lightly visited and is particularly special on misty mornings.
Derwent Water Island, Autumn - Calm waters and golden autumnal colours. What a fabulous combination.
Castlehead View - The view across Derwent Water from the wonderful vantage point of Castlehead. Do read my blog of my day's photography at this location.
Early Flight - A flock of birds fly through the mist at sunrise.
Rainbow in the Clouds - I am a sucker for rainbows and can't help stopping to photograph them when I see them. I like the drama of the storm clouds here and had to make a run for the car when the rain hit!
Breaking Through - Sun rays break through the moody skies with the South Downs silhouetted in the background.