Its that time of year when photographers get giddy with excitement as the colours on the trees start to turn from de-saturated green to hues of yellow, gold and brown. Autumn. With a couple of photographer friends; Dav Thomas, Paul Mitchell, Roger Longdin and briefly John Irvine, we arranged to meet in the Lake District and base ourselves in Great Langdale. The previous year we had based ourselves at Glenridding on Ullswater, but being as to get anywhere elses was a good 30 mins drive away Great Langdale seemed like a good spot to stay this year with two hotels and a campsite within 10mins walk.
We weren’t blessed with great weather. I drove up on Tuesday to “do” Eskdale, Wasswater and Grey Croft Stone Circle for my Ties to the Land Project on the Wednesday. The best day was probably the Thursday and we were rewarded with some excellent colours at Blea Tarn that day (as well as the sight of at least 10 other photographers shooting up the Blea Tarn towards the Langdale Pikes). The rest of the time during our trip in the Lake District the weather was bad to atrocious – but it was a good lesson in making the most of the conditions. Not only that, but it was a good exercise in getting familiar with a location. We spent three days exploring at our own pace Hodge Close Quarry, a VERY large quarry that may be in a mothballed state just over the back from Yew Tree Tarn on the road to Coniston. With over 200 years of continuous working, the land is in various states of regeneration and the opportunities are endless for the creative photographer.
Here is a small selection from the trip to the Lake District, your comments as always are very welcome. Clicking on a photograph opens the gallery view.
Hodge Close looks great – I especially like the last image. After seeing this images I plan to go next year. Thanks for sharing
Hi – thanks for your comments. Hodge Close is an amazing place – a bit of a disconnect going to this man made place when you head to the Lakes to see a “natural” environment – but it is well worth a visit and an explore – a great wet weather location if nothing else.