BLOG — Peak District landscape photographer (2024)

Autumn started slowly and frustratingly for me this year. As the seasons come and go we do tend to put pressure on ourselves to make the most of the condtitons before they change and disapear. I recently moved house and now live near the Peak District, this seemed to intensify the pressure to capture something of Autumn.

I had probably ventured out 7 or 8 times without sucess, my eye just wasnt seeing. The self doubt creeps in, it felt like I could no longer find images. In the scheme of things in general its pretty minor however as when trying to create it can be crippling.

I decided to give the trips a break, just head out just for a walk and enjoy the environment. I’m starting to realsie that the trips i take and don’t make any images aren’t failures but just a chance to learn something more about my photography. These are all small important steps forward.

The image below if was taken after the break. It’s nothing particularly special but it was the first image that caught my attenion and found me enjoying again the process of capturing a picture.

Given the break and checking my expectations during autumn I had a few mornings of enjoyable photography. Below are a few from my 2021 collection. As ever many thanks for reading the words and viewing the images.

Matt.

Kinder is one of the few really remote places in the Peak District, it is wild and beautiful. Head out early and you are likely to have the place to yourself. I hadn’t visited for a while, so it was good to stretch the legs and breathe the air. I know these rocks well, natural sculptures standing high above Edale, weather beaten and crafted from the wind and rain. The view from here is stunning. Making a photograph of them is difficult. Trying to keep these magnificent rocks the focus while adding their natural environment into the frame, I find it tricky to compose and do them justice.

There had been heavy rain for a few days and with the conditions looking changeable I thought there could be potential to make a couple of images. This little sequence of photographs is from a project I'm working on around connection. Im sure that anyone that enjoys nature can relate to this idea. The connection to the landscapes we walk and photograph is an important element to capturing an image. For me being familiar to a location, particularly locally is hugely important. It becomes home.

After the rains I wanted to capture the journey of the water from the top of the plateau to the valley below. Each of the following images is connected to the next. The connection is important to create a sequence, connect the views, the elements and my journey back down the valley.

It's hard to imagine on a day like this when I photographed the scene, with only the bird song keeping me company, and a gentle breeze blowing through the tree tops above, that this area was once a place for a thriving industry. Look hard enough and you can find the hints of its past memories of the 500 people who worked this site. Little clues scattered in pockets of the landscape memories from another time.

Seldom do we have time to really indulge in photography when conditions are at their peak. The forecast this morning was completely accurate. With a morning to explore as the mist slowly cleared, revealing more as the sun rose and began to burn though the cloud, I was lucky to be at the right place on this occasion.

I enjoy photographing woodland for many reasons; it can be a much more methodic, considered approach and less rushed. It’s the variety that each season offers over the year, the same view never stands still, always in constant change.

It was this collection of birches that caught my attention. Neatly arranged on the small hill side gathered around the gritstone, an echo of a previous time. The sun had risen and was strong enough to burn through the mist, adding warmth and shape to the scene, bringing the greens to life. Each tree stood tall, each with its own character, perhaps a nod and a reflection of the people that worked the quarry many years ago.

I recently listened to a podcast on Fstop with photographer John Barclay describing his thoughts on taking pictures. Looking back at my photographs I have realised the ones I am most fond of are of times when I did little planning and just head out into the landscape. John eloquently and perfectly put this way of photography into words, something that has resonated with me and helped me understand my thoughts and feelings on this process.

"Taken by the light", as put beautifully by John, is a way of letting the landscape turn your head, no expectations, just wandering and absorbing the environment. I've been guilty of chasing the light. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with that approach, more often I'm left disappointed when the conditions don't quite live up to the promise. Letting the landscape wash over you, listening to the sounds, taking a little time, and accepting what is; the experience becomes as much a part of the enjoyment as taking the photograph.

In my last post, I touched on the concept of letting the landscape find you. The image I posted was made using this technique. The memory of that day still lives strong in my mind, it's a powerful technique and has become a useful tool I use for helping me capture images when I'm out in nature. I think if we combine the experience of just being outdoors, alongside photography, this would lead to a more personal and more fulfilling experience?

Listening to the podcast has also made me reflect on the "why" of taking pictures; thoughts that have been festering in my mind for some time. In a world where it feels like you have to shout the loudest to be noticed, the next image being be more epic than the previous, it becomes difficult to compete and keep up and we wonder where we fit into the order of things. Is the antidote taking a quieter and more personal approach to enhance the practice of photography; seeking out the small details and the less photographed paths, exploring more and being "taken by the light". When we remove the external pressures and expectation then do we remove the stress? I believe so.

After all, in the end isn't taking photographs for our own fulfillment and enjoyment.

As mentioned in the post

Podcast

https://www.mattpaynephotography.com/page/f-stop-collaborate-and-listen/

John Barclay.

https://johnbarclayphotography.com

The images below where taken on the same beach on the same day. Both created by the power of the ocean.

Captured on a wander, taken by the light.

It doesn't happen too often. All the stars alining when it comes to capturing an image. More than often I choose a location and my mind wanders to the prospect of conditions elsewhere. It's a source of frustration and doesn't lend itself to being completely relaxed and immersed in the act of taking the picture. As landscape photographers, we can procrastinate over the weather and the location, being indecisive and creating a noisy mind. Trying to master a better mindset, leaving the FOMO behind can be as much of a learning curve than photography itself.

The image below was one of these rare occasions when everything came together. Autumn was in full swing, my mind was not thinking of anyplace except this spot, I had perfect conditions and a scene that caught my attention. The landscape in front of me seemed to be sharper, the noises of the woodland clearer. A gentle breeze blowing through the canopy above, and the birdsong creating a perfect sound track to this simple act of taking a picture. I spent a good hour focused on the small patch of woodland, enjoying every minute trying to piece together the elements and unlock the view. My mind was quiet and completely clear. I've found that letting the landscape find me rather than planning and worrying about trying to be in the right place at the right time has led me make images I am happier with. These times are rare, but trying this tecnique is the enjoyable part of photography.

My Images are memories of being out and about, and when that zen moment has happened, looking back at the picture taken reminds me of the experience and senses I felt, as clear as the moment I was stood with the camera. The trick is to try and remember this the next time I pack the camera for a trip out.

Often I will visit a location over and over. Becoming familiar with a place is key for me to develop as a photographer. Many times I have arrived at a location with amazing light, and I’m more akin to a headless chicken than a photographer. Knowing the place allows me to be more constructive and take more time once I begin working. It also allows me to see the landscape in many different conditions, and lets me take more risks and try different compositions, knowing I will always be back to try again!

Below are a few images taken at the wonderful Baslow Edge. I’d love to know what you think to the images.

Sound obvious right! Most of my photography has been photographed in the “Golden Hour”. One reason, I just love this time of the day, especially dawn. The chance to see in a new day is such a rewarding experience, its a special and quiet time. Seeing the Landscape bathed in glorious golden light is just amazing.

More recently however, over the last couple of years, I have been trying to capture images in less dramatic light. Embracing duller, flatter, more cloudy days. Not only does this open up more opportunity to shoot, its focuses the mind on composition.

For me composition is the most important element to any image. Its then a case of waiting and using the light given to us, to the best of our ability.

I’m hoping over time using this approach will improve and evolve my work. I would love to know what you think in the comments below.

One dark cold morning I headed out with Ralph for our usual early walk. Now more often that not I take out my "big" camera but this particular day in a rush I left without it. Arriving at the fields the atmosphere was beautiful, aqua frost illuminated the grass, mist lingered in the valleys and the soft pastel colour in the sky was loverly. Kicking myself for not bringing the camera I reached to my pocket hoping at least to find my phone, and after berating myself for a while I walked and casually "snapped" the views as we completed our little ramble.

Looking back at my snaps and enjoying reliving the morning this got me thinking does my photography matter, who does it matter to, well no one apart from myself in reality. While its good to have positive comments from social media sites images are well forgotten after the click. But to me each image is a memory, a place I've visited perhaps for the first time, perhaps many times. I'm always able to look back feeling the cold or the warm sun the sense of excitement of being out and about.

So next time whatever form of camera I have I'll enjoy the moment and capture that new memory an experience to look back fondly on.

I was asked recently by a close friend, why do you take landscape pictures? Why get up at dawn for a picture? Theywhere genuinely puzzled as to why I do what I do.

Its was a more a passing comment while chatting but it stuck with me. Why forfeit the hours of sleep.Why invest so much time in the pursuit? Going through the pain of thinking Ive chosen the wrong spot. The endless disappointment of failed attempts.

I've been a commercial photographer for the past 20 years so my friend could see the reasoning as itshow I earna living.

However why do I continure to venture out into the landscape at all times in all weathers for now obvious gain?

Since this comment I have pondered over it, analysed it, and in a way its changed my approach to photography. Perhaps I put too much emphasis on the thought of my images beingimportant to others, it turns out my friend wasn't sitting up at night enjoying my pictures on a regular basis! Now that’s tongue in cheek but the same thoughtsapplied to my images on social media. I appreciate all the comments people take the time to leave, it’s a boost and inspiration. I've met some great photographers this way and it’sa fantastic way to view and share imagery.But it should be abonus not an expectation.

Had I lost sight of why I first enjoyed the Landscape?

I have had a more serious approach to landscape photography since around 2011. My first ever sunrise was a belter, a crisp blue morning , a sky full of illuminous colour. Of course my images where terrible, I was much more akin to a headless chicken than a photographer that morning. However the bug had taken hold , I was hooked. I'd found an incredible pleasure In viewing the natural world this way.

So from a chat with a friend and really thinking about my photography, remembering whyI first had the buzz, it hasgiven me more creative freedom and removed the restrictions of pressure I was placing on my pictures.Of course I still barate myself for being in the wrong place at the right time or snoozing the alarm and missing the most awesome of sunrises. What really matters is that itdoesn't matter!

So I’m hoping this slight change of thought process will help me produce a more personal collection of work. I still consider myself to be in the early stages of “my Landscape journey “ and I need to remember that first true sunrise. Also the small details ,the drive to the location the anticipation of something magical happening ...or not! The peace the quiet, the bird song, the sense of wellbeing, and of course capturing an image that makes me happy.

I have recently had 5 images shortlisted in the Outdoor photographer of the year competition for 2019. You can find out more information at https://www.opoty.co.uk

I had some great news recently that two images of mine have been commended in the Landscape Photographer of the Year Awards. You can view an exhibition of the winning images at Waterloo station till Feb.

https://www.take-a-view.co.uk

I’ll be giving a talk on my photographic journey at the Derby Photograph club in October. Speaking about my commercial studio and my love of landscape photography.

Derby Photo Club

I'm lucky enough to have two images reach the final and be commended to appear the this years book. Its the 10th year and a real privilege to share the pages with the high calibre of winners this year.

Photographer John Gibbs has kindly organised a print auction for fellow photographer Marc Elliot who tragically lost his leg in a motor bike accident. I've been a long admirer of Marc's work on flickr and he is a hugely talented artist.

To bid and support the auction you can visit John's website here. There are some outstanding images to see and a great chance to get hold a beautiful picture for a worthy cause.

The annual Landscape photographer competition has just released this years shortlist. I'm lucky enough to have had three pictures chosen to be entered into the final round of Judging. Good luck to all who have entered and fingers crossed........

http://www.take-a-view.co.uk

See and experience the Peak District as you have never done before, through the lens of a Destination Photography Partner.

This group of dedicated amateur and professional photographers, travel around the Peak District's diverse landscapes in all weathers, capturing their adventures with stunning photography.

Come along and share these inspiring images with those living or visiting the Peak District and give recognition to this dedicated group of photographers who travel the area in all weather conditions to bring its glory into our lives for us to enjoy the world away, that’s not far away!