In my early photography days I spent a lot of time exploring as I called it. Getting used to places, learning about the light, how it falls and where are good places for certain times of day. I guess it’s paid off to some degree but largely today was an aimless wander against the clock. Chosing to see as much as possible, as opposed to one specific place as I’ve been doing the last year or two. Perhaps that’s because I haven’t been here since November and I just need a fix of this beautiful and inspiring land.

Here’s how things turned out. I also made this short video to accompany the photographs.

Heading into Keswick and the conditions look promising.

Setup by Castlerigg Stone Circle, there are lots of other people taking photos here tonight.

Clough Head above Castlerigg Stone Circle.

The complete circle, chose my moment to try and hide the other visitors behind the stones.

Lower Man and Helvellyn in th existence over the Vale of St John

A Panoramic crop showing the Stones with the Helvellyn range behind.

A close up of Lower Man

A Cow Boy Photographer, not something you see everyday in the Lake District.

Meanwhile, in the Other direction there was the beginning of a beautiful sunset over the Western Fells of the Lake District.

Great colours over the Western Fells.

If put together this collection of my favourite Photographs form Castlerigg which you can see here.

On this particular day I was heading to Buttermere in the hope of a clear late summer, early Autumn morning for landscape photography. As I drove up through the Lakes from Ambleside I had a feeling I was going to witness some great conditions. I was excited to be out at this time of day as it’s been such a long time since I’ve be able to get out early.

Approaching Castlerigg Stone Circle the early Autumn morning mist in the valley below the Helvellyn range.

Mist covers the Vale of St Johns with Helvellyn above.

As I walked away I couldn’t help but setup my tripod and take a couple more shots.

You can click here to see more of my Lake District prints from Castlerigg Stone Circle. Or click here to see a virtual look inside Castlerigg Stone Circle.

I’d been hoping to visit Buttermere for a morning shoot for as long as I can remember and have tried and failed on several occasions. From the South Lakes it’s at least an hour and not to be undertaken if you’re not feeling up to it, on this particular occasion I was determined to make it and I’m glad I did. I paid dearly for it afterwards, it took me about two weeks to recover from this and a year and one day to write this blog post. However the images I captured that day the 11th of September 2014 will stay with me forever.

I had one particular image in my mind that I wanted. Basically the reverse of my best selling Buttermere View Print shown below. This image shows the rays of the setting sun illuminating the left of the scene. I wanted a companion shot that illuminated the right of the scene and the foot of Haystacks. If I could get that one shot I’d be happy.

My Buttermere View Print. Click on the image to see details of available prints.

It was dark when I left Ambleside just before 6am, as I made my way through the Lakes I had a feeling it was going to be a good day. As I approached Keswick I wondered whether a visit to Castlerigg Stone Circle would be worthwhile as its been a number of years since i visited the circle on a morning, I didn’t want to be late for Buttermere but decided a quick stop at Castlerigg would be worthwhile as if I have to turn back from this point on I would still have some images from Castlerigg.

It was as they call it an Indian Summer, it was pleasantly warm for a September morning, a little hazy but pleasant with Mist in the valley below.

Castlerigg Stone Circle looking toward St Johns in the Vale.

The sun would be making an appearance over this way shortly. I wanted to be at Buttermere by then.

Blencathra over Castlerigg Stone Circle.

Mist in St John in the Vale.

I really need to be able to get out for more morning shoots. You rarely get scenes like this at the end of the day.

Fantastic.

A wider panoramic view.

Like a lot of Lake District locations there are the typical shots that most people make and part of the challenge to me is to find a unique viewpoint or composition on a popular location.

It’s worth capturing the typical scenes when the scene is as beautiful as this.

These stones have seen a few mornings like this in there 5,000 years.

Standing strong since 3,000BC

Whilst I was at Castlerigg Stone Circle I met a lovely lady form Australia, Linda. We were the only people there, we spent a few moments chatting then I had to move along if I were to give myself enough time at Buttermere.

Derwentwater in the Mist. I decided to stop on the side of Derwentwater to take this image as I’ve not been this way at this time of day before.

Silence and Stillness. Lovely.

Skiddaw in the Haze.

Moving on to Buttermere, if the conditions remain like this I could be in for some spectacular scenes over Buttermere.

Parked up and heading down the track to the waters edge at Buttermere.

It’s still pretty Hazzy, once in position though I can wait as long as needs be.

A great place to take in the view

Still no sign of the sun…

Down by the water I get setup and take a few shots to hopefully capture the changing light.

Nobody around but me. Perfect.

By this time I started to realise what I had in my minds eye was probably not going to materialise. It was red hot and far too hazy, there was no way the sun was going to break through. From here on it was work with what you have and make the best of what there is. I never imagined conditions like this, they were unique and I was so glad I’d made to to witness this unfolding.

The light was fantastic, a rich defused blanket of warm haze cast a warming glow over the calm scene with a fine layer of mist evaporating in the distance below the Scotts Pines.

I love the colour palette.

It would appear there is a lot more mist further down Buttermere as can be seen in the right hand side of this panoramic shot above.

The classic scene over Buttermere, my favourite view in the Lake District for sure.

Zooming in to the Scotts Pines over the water.

Adjusting the white balance of the scene reveals a cooler image.

Green Crag appearing above Warnscale over Buttermere.

I’m really liking this line of trees…

So peaceful.

Moving along the Shore and looking over Buttermere to the High Stile ridge.

The Haze isn’t for going, it’s red hot at this point.

A stitched panorama of the wider view.

Ripples appear on the water

Calm is restored as Buttermere is like a mirror again.

I may have not managed to capture what I pre visualised in my mind, however I never for a second visualised this scene above. An instant favourite and one I am exceptionally proud of. Th warming sun trying the burn through the haze and the calm cool blues of the water to the left. I simply love this shot. If nothing else happens form this shoot this one shot alone would make it all worth while for me. You can just make out the reflection of Fleetwith Pike and Haystacks in the water.

A Black and White toned image reveals the last of the Mist in Warnscale.

High Crag and High Stile, to think I once walked this route and Haystacks a few years back, it looks impossible now. One of the beauties of Buttermere is the sheer scale of the mountains surround it.

Looking down Buttermere to the Village.

It’s certainly a lot hazier/misty down there. I would image the lone Alder tree is a fine sight this morning.

Reflections over Buttermere.

The use of a polarising filter reveals more details in this scene.

Heading back, I can’t resist one or two more shots.

I’m really pleased how this has turned out.

Haystacks over Buttermere. Now available in John Lewis Department stores.

Down at the Alder, it’s looking a lot worse for wear since my original shots back in 2008. It’s still a fine looking scene.

Again trying to find a unique and interesting composition is the challenge.

Details of the Alder.

I’m really pleased with this Black & White conversion.

The Newlines Valley.

Time for a rest.

If you’ve made it this far you probably love Buttermere as much as I do. I’m not ashamed to post the entire range of images I captured on this morning, it gives a good insight into the process of taking, processing and selection. If any of these images capture your imagination and you’d like a print of your own to help support me and my efforts, please contact me.

Here you can see my current collection of Lake District Prints of Buttermere.

The Helvellyn Ridge over Castlerigg Stone Circle.

Blencathra above Castlerigg Stone Circle.

A similar shot taken with snow on Blencathra.

Here you can see more details regards my Lake District Prints from Keswick and the surrounding area.