Wildflower Fields of Muker - Holding Your Nerve in the eye of a storm
When it comes to the weather, I’ve learned not to buckle until I’ve stared long into the eyes of the storm (from the safety of the attic window)!
Too many times, I’ve cancelled a walk only to find myself surrounded by calm, blue skies. Obviously when it comes to hazardous weather you must take heed, but forecasts of Les Miserables outcomes just have to be taken with a pinch of salt and a dose of positive mental attitude.
Actually, going out in miserable weather can sometimes produce exciting photographic possibilities. This particular walk in Muker’s flower meadows was such occasion.
The rain had barely stopped all day. Ranging from light pitter patter to lashings of heavy drops. Intense rain, deafening rain, reminiscent of a child gleefully tipping a bucket of marbles over the kitchen floor. I wasn’t surprised that some had tentatively enquired about whether the walk was going ahead. Actually I was surprised more hadn’t demanded we postpone.
“Let’s wait it out” I said, “sometimes, these conditions can result in really inspiring conditions for photography” I sheepishly offered. And so we went ahead, doubling my efforts to overcome any understandable scepticism in the group. And while we didn’t stay dry, we were treated to some exceptional and exciting light and photo opportunities…
These photos are from the Wildflower Meadow Photo Walk I ran last year as part of my workshop business Walking Photography.
The Jubilee Before the Coronation
Tree Creepers, the line between determination and flexibility
Getting Otter on the River Wharfe, In January
Christmas Eve in Chessington
It’s Christmas Eve 2022, and I’m at my parents house in Chessington, where London suburbs unfurl into the Surrey borders. As the festive evening draws in, a childish excitement flushes through me.
Familiar naive questions drift to the forefront of my brain. Will he visit me tonight? Can I stay awake long enough to witness his arrival? And have I been good enough to be rewarded with what I want?
As Christmas Eve turns into Christmas Day, the anticipation of checking my camera is reminiscent of getting the photos back from a roll of film sent off to the lab.
Did it work? Were the settings right? Yes! The magical creature, so embedded into my childhood did visit, and left me with a festive encounter, I’ll long remember.
Red Squirrels of The Yorkshire Dales, A Tonic to the Ears
Happy Adoption Day Alfie!
Happy adoption day Alfie! 9 years and not a day has gone by where you haven't melted our hearts (or attempted to raid our bins!)
Grasmere & Rydal Water Autumn Photo Walk
On the Death of the Queen
I’ve always felt photography has this inimitable ability to mark both global and personal moments of significance. To lay down markers in our own and shared histories. To reflect “how it was” for us. The pictures shared today and this week, will be well planned and rehearsed. As a photographer, at such magnetic moments like this, it can be tempting to feel that if you’re not at the centre of it, you’re missing it. That ‘fear of missing out’ can be quite a crippling emotion. But as time passes and the “iconic” imagery loses its impact, it is the photos from outside of that centre that become more interesting. That become essential to telling the whole story.
