Can you tell us the story behind your photo in this exhibition?
After an early alarm call I headed out into the cold to photograph the sunrise in the Peak District NP, my local patch. When I arrived at Over Owler Tor I was greeted by a stunning frosty sunrise, complete with an epic temperature inversion. Fog always creates a fantastic atmosphere so after the sunrise I decided to head down into the valley fog and into Bolehill Quarry.
How did you go about getting that shot?
Bolehill Quarry is one of my absolute favourite locations and somewhere I visit often. I had already spent time on previous trips finding the best compositions, so on this morning I knew exactly where to go.
How long did you have to wait for this shot?
Not too long actually! After finding my composition, I had to wait for a particularly thick patch of fog to drift through the birch trees.
Did you use any particular equipment or software?
The conditions were great, so I really didn’t have to do much with this image, only my camera, tripod and very minimal processing in Photoshop!
What are your favourite scenes, species or motivations behind your photographs?
British landscapes and wildlife are definitely my favourite subjects. People are often fixated on what’s going on elsewhere, but I try to show people just how much beauty we have on our doorstep.
What are the difficulties of wildlife and nature photography that you face?
Flat boring light and long uncomfortable days waiting for animals to appear that don’t! Those are my two pet hates!
What would you like people to think about when they see your work?
We all want a wow reaction if we’re honest! I want people to look at my images and be inspired to get out there and enjoy our beautiful countryside and wildlife. Everyone has their own interpretations, which I love!
How long have you been a photographer and how did you get started?
I’ve always loved taking photos and have always had a passion for the outdoors, so becoming a photographer seemed like the obvious choice! I’ve been photographing ‘seriously’ for the past seven years and as a career for the past two.
What would you advise someone wanting to start taking photos of wildlife or nature in their local environment?
Get out to your local parks and wild places; you’ll be amazed at just how much there is to see! Often the wildlife here is also highly habituated so it’s the perfect place to hone your skills.
What projects are you working on now or have coming up?
I’ve got a lot planned over the next few months, focusing mainly on the Peak District. I’m looking forward to working in depth with Mountain Hares and Short Eared Owls especially. I’m also heading to Lake Kerkini in Greece later this winter and planning a trip to Japan.
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