The Peak District has many characters and moods and they change throughout the seasons. I’ve been trying to capture some of the Rural Peak District throughout the summer months, to showcase the greens of the landscape and the farm life. I admit, it was a tough challenge for myself, pushing me at times completely outside of my comfort zone. I think it is probably fair to say I am more of a high up on the hillside photographer who doesn’t mind a little walk to get the shot.
So, I think I’ll start off with my favourite photograph from the series. This is from near Tansley Dale, just outside of Litton. Litton has one of the highest concentrations of parallel drystone walled fields in the Peak District. Look at any OS map and you will be presented with a patchwork of fields surrounding the little village. I had done some work on the area a few nights before at sunset, but returned for what I admit was a chance shot. I had been at Water Cum Jolly trying to cover that location off for my book and was heading for some food in Litton. I drove by this spot I hadn’t seen on the previous visit and was intrigued by the view down to Tansley Dale as well as the freshly mowed grass. I pulled over and set up this quirky composition. Previously I had worked mainly with the telephoto concentrating on the lines and light but the wall stretching out in front of me along with the shape of the mowed grass really appealed. I loved the big cumulus cloud building in the sky and the soft light even though it wasn’t golden hour. I just like how overall the image is perhaps not what you would expect from me, the area and it is probably quite unique in that fact.
Another interesting blog post mate, the accompanying pictures are excellent.
I love to see the dry stone walls, they make such interesting patterns. Some that I have seen high up in Northumberland/Cumbria really are at staggering altitudes. I also saw some way up in the Munro’s, at such altitude as to make me wonder how on earth the builders obtained the materials to build them.
Thinking out of the box slightly, I wonder if anyone has actually done a project on the walls, the materials and those that build them? hmm I could actually be tempted thinking about it!
Anyway, that’s more than enough jabbering from me lol. Take care mate and let me know when you have a solid date for the publication of your book. Have you seen that the Landscape Photographer Of The Year volume 8 is now on pre-order for a November release? Amazon are offering a £5 discount for those that do pre-order (yay!!)
Andy
Thanks as always Andy.
I agree with you, some puzzle me beyond belief. Especially the ones that seemingly stop half way down the hill, I can think back to one particularly on High Street in the Lakes. Its always amazing to think that not one bit of cement is used to hold them together too.
I’ve seen TV programs on the walls, I know in the Peak District you have to build using drystone walls to keep the look of the landscape. A very talented skill indeed, perhaps you could learn?
Cheers for the heads up on that, I might get it but I’m not sure. I spend enough on the entries! 🙂