| Landscape Photography Blog

Lakeland Bluebells at Skelwith Fold

James — Sat, 18 May 2019 09:16:32 +0000

The Bluebell season has kind of passed me by this year. Social Media is awash with inspiring misty dawn woodlands covered in a brilliant blue carpet of Bluebells. It appears the the south of England has many attractive Woodlands for Bluebell Photography. Here in the Lake District us Landscape Photographers have perhaps only a handful if that of well known locations. Rannerdale is a unique location as shown in my previous blog here. Other than that we are having to make sense of wiry woodlands with no real order amongst the chaos. The ability of the Landscape Photographer and indeed the challenge we face is finding something that works and ultimately that satisfies our creative vision.

For me, I do like to try and pre-visualise an image and how it might look and turn out, however, it is rarely the case that Mother Nature delivers or even exceeds our imagination. So, lately I’ve been changing the only thing I can control and that is myself. Going out with an open mind, putting myself in places and positions at the right time of day and just observing what happens and seeing what jumps out to me photographically. My intention wasn’t to shoot Bluebells this year and certainly not tonight, however walking through my local woodland it made sense to snap a few shots.

All of the images in this blog were captured on my Sony A7Riii with a new lens the Sony 24-105mm F4. I used to use the Canon equivalent years ago and found that a very versatile lens. In trying this on my Sony I’m hoping I may get more use from the Sony as it tends to get left behind now I’ve stopped making vlogs… For now.

All of the Lake District Landscape Photographs showcased in this Blog are available as Archival Quality Framed Prints.

Please contact me for details….

Rannerdale Bluebells

James — Thu, 16 May 2019 13:12:35 +0000

It has been 5 years since my first visit to the Bluebells at Rannerdale by Crummock Water. You can see my first visit to the Rannerdale Bluebells from 2014 here. Tonight I was keen to just have a wonder out and see what I saw. I find its the best way to illuminate the many frustrations that come with Landscape Photography, while pre-visualisation is important in making an image it can often leave you disappointed when Mother Nature doesn’t deliver on the vision in your mind. I find setting yourself up with the right attitude and given yourself the best chance of success by taking advantage of the best times of day for lighting is really all we can do. Put yourself in position and see what you see. I suspect in such a place as this ten different photographers would see ten different images. In fact on writing this blog I realised I blogged my visit visit and while looking back at that post I can see what I photographed there is total different to what I found appealing tonight except of one exception. The small stream that runs through this area. That is really well worth a return visit…

Anyway, here’s how I got along tonight and while I’ve found it hard to pick out one or two images as my favourites I feel its probably worth showcasing a selection to give you an idea of what to expect if you decide to visit this place yourself. The Rannerdale Bluebells are a fantastic site and draw luges crowds. It’s quite rare to have such a collection of Bluebells in open land, not in a woodland setting.

All of these images were captured on my Hasselblad X1D with a Hasselblad XCD 45mm Lens. I find using a fixed focal length lens makes me work more for the images I capture and increases my enjoyment of the process.

All of the Landscape Photography Prints from Rannerdale Bluebells are available as high quality framed Prints.

Please contact me for details…

Early May Skelwith Sunset

James — Tue, 07 May 2019 14:11:56 +0000

I can’t remember the last time I witnessed a really great sunset. Not that I chase sunsets photographically speaking. I’m more drawn to the last light of the day. I love the last hour or so of each day as the light becomes softer and warmer with the long shadows that cast over the contours of this beautiful land. Today I had enough energy to make the 5 minute walk to the bench in the hope of capturing yet another sunset from one of my favourite viewpoints. I don’t know how many more times I’ll shoot this scene or if I’ll ever get bored of it but for such a brief investment in time surely it’s better to be here than indoor.

All of the Landscape Photography prints presented here on my blog are available as Archival Quality Framed prints. Please contact me for details….

Lakeland Bluebells

James — Sun, 20 May 2018 14:47:50 +0000

I wasn’t all that fussed about shooting Bluebells this year. In fact I’ve probably never really chased them so to speak. It seems to be unless you live in Hampshire and can get to a certain woodland on a misty morning for Sunrise thats about as good as it gets. All these photos were taken within a short walk from my base in the Lake District using a Sony A7Riii and a Nikon 24mm Tilt Shift lens.

All of the images on my blog are available as Archival quality framed prints. Contact me for details…

Sunset in a Lakeland Woodland Wonderland

James — Tue, 31 May 2016 08:23:57 +0000

Following on from my recent telephoto shoot in the woods which you can see here. I was inspired by the results of that shoot to go back and make some new images exclusively with my 135mm F2 lens. The effect of such a long lens and shallow depth of field I find really appealing. I’m also enjoying the fixed focal length and not having to think of zooming in and out. Pretty much this year my photography has been with a fixed 35mm prime lens and I’ve become quite attached to the concept of using just one focal length. So for tonight I went with the Canon 135mm F2 with Metabones adapter on my Sony A7Rii and here’s what I captured. I was all set for Sunset in a Lakeland Woodland Wonderland.

If you read my previous Thirlmere post where I had the chance to shoot with my Canon 5DSR and 24mm Tilt Shift lens you’ll know there is something quite appealing to me about using that setup in a more considered and focused way, tonight I was hoping to capture some wide portraits in the woods as the sun set through the trees.

Here’s how I got on with a 2 camera setup.

The Woodland floor.

A beautiful mess.

The Last of this years Lakeland Bluebells basking in the warm evening light.

A coller temperature brings out the blues of the Bluebells.

I prefer the warmer tint and more in keeping to how they actually were.

I find the super shallow depth of field really appealing.

My local bench where I’ve spent many an hour just thinking. The Langdale Pikes in the background.

The following images were captured with my 24mm Tilt Shift lens and a Canon 5DSR locked down on a tripod and with a polarising filter.

Woodland Debris,

A warmer hue.

You can see more of my Abstract style photographs here in my Gallery. Also my current collection of Prints featuring the Langdale Pikes here.

Woodland wander with telephoto lenses

James — Sun, 29 May 2016 11:58:51 +0000

Somedays it’s nice to just head out with your camera with no real intention of capturing anything in particular and just see what you see. Lately I’ve not been doing this like I used to and today I wanted to fix that. So here are some random shots I made of things that caught my eye on a 2 minute walk from my front door. I limited myself to two lens, my Canon 135mm F2 and 100-400mm on my Canon 5DSR I have grown to really appreciate the longer lens and extra effort it takes to see a frame within a wider scene worth capturing. Here are the results of my Woodland wander with telephoto lenses.

As the light out the window warmed up I headed out to see what I could see.

Golden Light on the Tress means it’s time to head out.

Harrison Stickle as the sun sets behind the Langdale Pikes.

What I love about my current camera equipment is the level of detail I can capture. It was only when reviewing this image in post production did I see a couple of campers stood by their tent. You can see them below the M of USM above.

A wider perspective, 100mm as opposed to 400mm above. Such a versatile lens the 100-400mm.

135mm F2

Grasses at F2.

A young Fern

Bluebells. The only photos I’ve takeoff Bluebells this year.

The shallow depth of field produced at 135mm and F2 gives pleasing results.

Bluebells.

Rhododendron.

You can see my current range of Landscapes of Langdale here in my Gallery.