8 Tips for Landscape Photography

Readers of this months Photography Monthly magazine, may have noticed that I was asked to offer eight tips for successful landscape photography. Here they are again just in case you have not read the magazine!

• Reach your location at least one hour before sunrise or, in the case of sunsets, stay until about one hour after.
• Instead of using your zoom lens, use your feet instead.
• Religiously check the weather forecast and tide time tables if you are planning to visit the coast.
• Always work with the light and weather conditions and choose a location that will benefit from them.
• Always consider the rule of thirds but remember that rules are there to be broken.
• Whenever possible, always use a good sturdy tripod, remote release and hot shoe spirit level.
• Don't get to wrapped up in buying the latest camera gear, it is the person behind the camera that makes a great landscape image.
• Always try to perfect the shot in camera as opposed to 'fixing it' back home on the computer.

Of course this is not a comprehensive list but if you remember the above you should start to see a distinct improvement in your own landscape photography!

Two images shortlisted for 2010 'Take a View'

I am delighted to announce that two of my images have been shortlisted for this years 'Take a View - Landscape Photographer of the Year' awards. I feel honored to have reached these final stages, and I just hope that the judges enjoy the images as much as I did capturing them!



Click here to learn more about this prestigious competition.

Win a copy of Spirit of Northumberland

I am delighted to announce that my first book to be released this year, my seventh book so far, has just been released!  

Northumberland is not only the northernmost county to be found within England but also the least populated. The ‘land of the far horizons’ offers some of the most picturesque scenery to be found throughout the British Isles, although it is often overlooked by visitors heading north to the uplands and highlands of Scotland.

 Any visitor to the region has an array of locations to visit which all have something to offer. Be it the impressive remains of the World Heritage site of Hadrian’s Wall, the beautiful coastline of the Northumberland Heritage Coast or the rolling yet domineering features of the Northern Pennines as they sprawl towards the Southern Uplands of Scotland, the county can lay claim to a mix of quintessential English scenery.

Although Northumberland is now possibly one of the most tranquil and peaceful spots to be found in England, it has not always been that way. Marauding invaders from Scotland and Scandinavia dictated the construction of numerous fortifications to protect these northernmost English lands.The remnants of these buildings remain dotted across the landscape providing an enigmatic contrast to the natural features of the region.

With the relatively sparse population, and a large amount of suitable habitat, a wide variety of wildlife is found within the boundaries of the county. The Farne Islands are something of a Mecca for the bird watching community, whilst inland areas of woodland host the endangered Red Squirrel that any watchful visitor may have the privilege to see.

Through the medium of Jason Friend’s superbly evocative photographs the reader can experience at first hand all of the glories that help make up the Spirit of Northumberland.

I have a couple of signed copies of my latest book to give away to two lucky readers!  To be in the draw to win a copy of the book simply become a fan on my Facebook page or follow my twitters! I will give one copy to a random follower from both networks... so why not join both and double your chances of winning a copy? I will be making the draw on the 6th April so don't delay if you want to win a copy of the book!

Follow the link below to view some of the images:-

http://www.halsgrovemedia.co.uk/imagebase/data/albums/KB41/KB237/Spirit%20of%20Northumberland.pdf

Plan B

One thing that I have learnt over the last 10 years of pursuing photography as both a hobby and an income (has it really been 10 years since I had my first ever image published?), is that you should approach each shoot with an open mind and a willingness to employ a flexible approach to the subject should it be required.  The last couple of days I have passed photographing various subjects throughout Northumberland, have once again reinforced the importance of having a Plan B.

Yesterday my problems were with snow and the difficulties associated with hiking through it. My first plan had been to hike down the Breamish Valley within the National Park, with the goal of reaching a suitable viewpoint overlooking the Cheviot itself. My progress was slowed down by snow and I decided to work from a lower elevation in the valley to ensure that I could return to my parked car by dusk. The Cheviot had to wait but I turned my camera towards the valley and surrounding hills - returning home with a handful of memorable winter images.

With the promise of a good weather forecast, I left my house at 5.30AM this morning and drove north towards Ross Sands along the Northumberland Heritage Coast. Why can a promise from a weather forecaster never be 100% trusted! As I drove towards my destination, a large blanket of cloud started to appear on the horizon - and I started to get worried! As I reached Alnwick, I decided to use Plan B - Cullernose Point.

I reached Cullernose Point and I was delighted to see that the blanket of cloud had remained in the north - just. It was almost as if the point I was about to photograph was the divide between the cloud and the clear skies.

I had two minutes of exquisite light before the blanket of cloud finally obscured the rising sun as it steadily started to hug the north-east coast. I doubt that I would have even taken a photo this morning if I had not taken the decision to abandon my trip to Ross Sands. Plan B worked... and I returned home with one of my favourite images to date!

Feeling the chill in Scotland

I am writing my first post of the year from a hotel lobby situated in the rather cold Scottish Highlands.  As chilly as it may be, the dumping of white stuff which has been disrupting the whole of the United Kingdom has transformed this already spectacular landscape into something far more beautiful - and I honestly did not think that this could be possible.

I am currently back up in the highlands working on a book to be released later this year by my long standing publisher - Halsgrove. This book, The Spirit of the Highlands, will be my third book, out of a total of five, to be released during 2010. Work is also being undertaken on a another two books for release during 2011 - Someone is going to be busy over the coming months!

Working in sub-zero temperatures does have its disadvantages. The actual means of reaching the locations are often limited. Car travel is possible but the icy roads are making it a dangerous proposition and upon reaching the location, finding a suitable viewpoint is both a laborious and time consuming affair as the the thick blanket of snow makes the smallest of hike feel like a major expedition.

Luckily some of the locations can be photographed from viewpoints close to the roadside such as the image of the Pass of Glencoe below.  So far this trip has been very productive so I thought I would share a couple of shots with you. Enjoy the snow!