My first dedicated visit to Thirlmere, I’ve made Photographs from here before but only in passing to somewhere else such as after climbing up Sharp Edge on Blencathra. The most memorable was on my way home after shooting around Derwentwater back in February 2012 when the fells to the West of Thirlmere were covered in snow.
In contrast to my previous attempts, I set out with the sole purpose of making Landscape Photographs of Thirlmere. My friend Colin Bell inspired me with his year long project of capturing Thirlmere throughout the seasons. He has created some beautiful images in his unique style.
One other factor was key to visiting Thirlmere and that is the desire to have a location where I can best capture my preferred time of day to shoot, the evening. Most of the interesting scenery around Thirlmere is to the West meaning the setting sun would illuminate this scenery in the last hour or so of daylight.
Another good reason to visit Thirlmere; it’s quiet. In all my visits, 11 in all so far, I rarely see anyone with noticeable exceptions of a Deer, A guitar playing Wild Camper and of Course Mr Thirlmere himself Colin Bell.
Here’s what I managed to capture on my first formal visit, if you can call it that. No wonder I kept coming back…
The interestingly designed building on the west side of Thirlmere is a water pumping station I think. Aparently a friend of mine worked in there once and inside is simply a large circular shaft going deep underground… I’d love to go inside.
This is what I referred to earlier about the light on the fells.
Down by the water you can see there has been a real drought this year. The water levels are very low indeed. Which is great as it give me access to areas that I would imagine were otherwise not accessible. The large boulders also form a unique element to the foreground.
Lower Man over Thirlmere with some Martian rocks in the foreground.
I tried to align the reflection of Lower Man to match the curve of the shoreline.
A wider view over Thirlmere. The midges were eating me alive at this point. Must buy some repellent if I make it out alive…
Calm one minute, ripples the next.
The Helvellyn Range over Thirlmere.
As the midges got the better of me and I drove away this unfolded over Thirlmere looking South.
You can see more of my shoots from Thirlmere here and my current collection of Thirlmere Prints here.
