Mon Nov 05 05:53:59 ACT 2012 
Holme Clough Birchen Clough After a somewhat overcast and disappointing summer, autumn has been welcomed by me with open arms. For me, it is the season when the landscape truly comes to life. Trees blazing red and gold, early morning mists that hang in the valleys and the first hints of frost, fringing the rocks and grasses of...
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Wed Jul 11 03:50:58 ACT 2012 
So another week of rain it would seem. It just doesn’t seem to end. I know it’s driving people up the wall and in terms of photography the social networks have certainly been quiet these last couple of months. However, I seem to be doing alright. I keep edging my bets and going out last minute. Last week after a day of heavy rain I...
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Fri Jul 06 04:04:55 ACT 2012 
Winnats Pass is a limestone gorge near Castleton. It is the only road out of Castleton to the west. The A625 under Mam Tor used to be a route out, but it was closed in 1979 due to continuing land slides (well worth a visit if you’re in the area, it almost feels like you could be part of a post apocalyptic world!). The name Winnats Pass...
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Fri Jun 22 05:50:58 ACT 2012 
Summer Winds on Stanage Edge. A blustery evening after rain. The middle months of the year can be a frustrating time for landscape photographers, with excruciatingly early sunrises and very late sunsets. Coupled with recent extended periods of dull weather, it began to seem that my photography was taking a nose-dive. I felt that I was hitting...
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Wed Jun 20 04:33:55 ACT 2012 
Thors Cave is an impressive limestone cave situated near the top of a cliff in the Manifold Valley near the village of Wetton. A little bit more about the cave taken from Wikipedia: It is classified as a Karst cave. Located in a steep limestone crag, the cave entrance, a symmetrical arch 7.5 metres wide and 10 metres high, is...
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Wed Jun 20 04:27:20 ACT 2012 
Dovedale has to be the worst kept secret of the Peak District. Every weekend floods of people visit this limestone dale just outside of Ashbourne. It is easy to see why, steep sided limestone hills, cliffs, caves all along with a crystal clear River Dove running through it with a gentle path at the side. So, this then is perhaps why...
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Wed Jun 20 04:21:14 ACT 2012 
The Peak District is devoid of naturally formed lakes and pools (the latter can be called tarns if you must but this term is more akin to those found in the Lake District). There are absolutely zero naturally formed lakes and I can only think of three named pools. There is mermaid’s pool on the western flanks of Kinder Scout and the other...
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Wed Apr 18 05:58:39 ACT 2012 
I’m always interested in finding new and interesting locations that have impact and haven’t really been “discovered” yet photographically. As much as it’s hard to resist some of the cliché locations where I still try and put my own twist on them there is a certain satisfaction of going to a not well visited...
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Wed Mar 21 04:45:45 ACT 2012 
Early spring means nothing is hidden by vegetation and this old barn near Rainster Rocks shows all it's textures on a sunny day at the beginning of March. I love to see the textures of ruins in black & white and here, whilst the bushes that screen the site in summer are bare, the capacity of limestone to show every possible shade of grey is on...
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Wed Mar 21 04:28:30 ACT 2012 
The high pressure systems that have brought us this mild, dry, spring often mean a soft, diffused skies and murky vistas often without much interest for photography. However, driving past Longshaw last week in late afternoon, I saw that the sun was just a disk through clouds and, standing near the Wooden Pole, the trees below receded progressively...
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Wed Mar 21 04:01:44 ACT 2012 
Now we are well and truly into March winter has started to lose its grip and we are moving into a proper spring. Day by day the weather is being more predictable and getting hotter. I have to say that the winter just gone has disappointed me somewhat, there has been barely any snow and those crisp clear days we dream of were few and far...
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Mon Mar 19 05:15:04 ACT 2012 
The Peak District is reputedly the worlds second busiest national park after Mount Fuji in Japan. Whether this is true is another matter and the Park’s authority has even stated it is hard to monitor numbers. What is known though, the national park is in very close proximity to two of the UK’s largest cities, Sheffield and...
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Wed Mar 07 06:16:11 ACT 2012 
Over looking the trespass site at William Clough towards Sandy Heys (in cloud). For by Kinder, and by Bleaklow, and all through the Goyt we’ll go We’ll ramble over mountain, moor and fen And we’ll fight against the trespass laws for every rambler’s rights And trespass over Kinder Scout again… Trespass...
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Fri Feb 24 07:04:13 ACT 2012 
Since first discovering this part of Dove Dale I have returned twice to try and take this photo. Finally the light was good enough and the sky had enough drama to accompany the ruggedness of Thorpe Cloud. The photo was taken from Bunter Hill. If you are planning a visit to Dove Dale then Bunter Hill is well worth the hike, it stands directly...
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Mon Feb 13 05:14:33 ACT 2012 
The snow capped, twin peaks of Crooke Hill near Ladybower Reservoir. Here we are, seemingly in the depths of winter and with Christmas now long forgotten, it can be hard at this time of year to appreciate what pleasures winter can bring. Although this winter has so far has mostly been wet and mild compared to the last few...
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Wed Feb 08 06:21:16 ACT 2012 
Winter is probably my favourite season for landscape photography; yes it can be and is often freezing cold, dark, wet and miserable but we can also get some amazing light, crisp frosty mornings and flurries of snow. This year the snow has been late coming but we have had some lovely sunrises, so I’m going to share a few taken over the last...
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Thu Feb 02 09:58:55 ACT 2012 
I have been very lucky this past seven days, being able to go out and shoot in the peak district 4 times. Thursday. I got up very early thursday morning with the plan to visit mam tore, Things didn't look to promising on the drive as it was relentlessly raining but one of the lessons I have learnt from landscape photography is...
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Thu Jan 19 07:14:27 ACT 2012 
One of my least used and most favourite lens is my nikon 10.5 fisheye. For a lens which is reasonably expensive it can be very limiting but can be a very fun lens to use, on a very windy trip to Higger tor i popped the fisheye on and started scouting around but ended up taking a photo of this oddly shaped rock which must be the most photographed...
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Mon Jan 16 08:57:18 ACT 2012 
I have always lived in Derbyshire but only recently discovered the peak district and now visit the area once or twice a week, I have lived and worked in the french and austria alps and never truly exploring my local landscapes, I always felt a bit under underwhelmed by england but when i started to take my photography more serious and visit more...
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Mon Jan 09 05:23:53 ACT 2012 
Well, aren't we having a mild winter? As much as I hate driving in the snow as I'm sure you do, I bet like me I bet when the snow comes I bet you can't help act like a little child. Like I say though, unfortunately so far for the 2011-2012 winter season it has been quite a mild affair with very little snow what so ever. However, I did...
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Tue Dec 20 12:36:00 ACT 2011 
The Peak District, despite it's name is mainly moorland or rolling dales from gritstone escarpments of the Dark Peak to the high sided limestone craggy dales of the White Peak. So despite it's name there's not many true "Peaks" to speak of in the Peak District. There's many theories as to why it's called the Peak District with the main...
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Tue Dec 20 09:30:12 ACT 2011 
Sunrise on Loxley Common. The village of Loxley sits on the very edge of the Peak District National Park, to the west of Sheffield and now almost swallowed by urban sprawl. Loxley Common lies between the villages of Wadsley, Worrall and Loxley, near Hillsborough. Today a popular spot for dog walkers, there are few...
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Mon Dec 05 03:16:12 ACT 2011 
A Magical Moment In Time - The Deer At Chatsworth Make A Wildlife Photographer's Day An incredibly rare sight and something I'll never forget." A humbled photographer shares a very special snapshot in time with us - another gem to be cherished, in Villager Jim's Collection of photographic treasures. It wasn't a...
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Wed Nov 23 06:25:00 ACT 2011 
I'm no wildlife photographer by a long stretch, I couldn't name more types of bird by sight than I have fingers on one hand. However there is just something that I have always found fascinating about the highland cattle on Baslow Edge. Whether it's because they're traditionally something seen in Scotland or that they're just so tame (in one...
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Mon Oct 31 06:42:42 ACT 2011 
This photograph was taken on Stanton Moor, a wonderful and magic place especially when it is covered in low cloud with the sun shining through as it was on this day. It can be quite spooky up there in the early hours sometimes, with the cloud swirling round and shapes appearing through the trees. It has a fascinating history with the stone...
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Mon Oct 17 04:08:46 ACT 2011 
The start of October was fantastic but then rapidly deteriorated to dank wet and miserable weather, I was finding myself going stir crazy waiting for conditions to change to be able to go out and shoot some landscapes. Friday evening (14th) looked promising with a nice sunset followed by a rapid drop in temperature so a morning mist would be...
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Wed Oct 12 07:48:42 ACT 2011 
Living in Derbyshire I feel myself lucky to be so close to lots of great landscapes and definitely don't take it for granted. However, sometimes I do forget what's closer to home and usually end up heading off into the heart of the Peak District. However, I have become a little stale with photographing the same Peak District scenes as...
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Thu Oct 06 03:22:19 ACT 2011 
This is yet another early morning shot, near Wolfscote Dale in the Peak District. The light was incredible especially with this stormy looking sky heading my way, had enough time to take some shots before the rain got to me. I feel it is so rewarding getting up early to experience light like this, and often think what people are missing...
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Wed Oct 05 03:29:08 ACT 2011 
This last weekend has been unseasonably warm with temperatures in the day hovering around 26 degrees then cooling off steadily through the night, ideal conditions for producing low lying mist in the bottom of the valleys and a perfect photographic opportunity. Saturdays plan therefore was to shoot the sunrise looking down over the Hope...
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Mon Sep 26 05:26:28 ACT 2011 
The 18th Century Guide Stoop at Curbar Gap Curbar Edge and Froggatt Edge are in fact a single stretch of gritstone escarpment. It is difficult to know where one ends and the other starts. Starting from the southern end of Curbar Edge, ticketed parking is available at Curbar Gap Car Park. If you don't mind a bit of a...
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Mon Sep 26 04:58:41 ACT 2011 
For roughly three weeks of the year, every summer starting around mid-August the Peak District comes to life with raging purple heather transforming otherwise dark, brown moors into something that looks like it could be from a child's painting. Heather can be found mainly in the Dark Peak although there's the random bits scattered in area's...
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Mon Sep 19 04:42:52 ACT 2011 
A strange thing happened to me earlier this week, after I’d dropped my son off at school I decided to have a walk up onto Higger Tor with my camera, it was a nice sunny morning, a blue sky with patches of fog in the valley below, not a bad day for shooting some landscapes. Walking over the top moor towards the shelter stone a grouse...
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Fri Sep 09 04:53:44 ACT 2011 
A winter sunrise at Stanage Edge southern trig point. A summer evening on Stanage Edge. At approximately four miles long, Stanage Edge is one of the Peak District's best known and impressive locations. A walk along Stanage Edge is a journey through not only through the geology and natural history of the area but 4000 years of human...
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Mon Sep 05 06:04:33 ACT 2011 
It was approaching the end of august and I had been scheduled to do some filming for the ‘Visit Peak District’ website along with some other Destination Photography Partners. The brief was for an informal interview followed by some footage of us in action shooting the landscape. As you could probably guess when working to a set date...
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Thu Sep 01 05:56:58 ACT 2011 
As some of you may know, the Monsal Railway used to run from Bakewell to Buxton and was turned into a trail after the railway was closed.. However, the trail was never quite complete as the tunnel's along the railway were closed off to the public and the trail could not be completed but you had to instead divert around. Julia...
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Fri Aug 26 08:01:55 ACT 2011 
They say that you need at least 7 touches before a typical customer will buy from you. Often the first touch will start with a customer visiting your web site or social media page. Therefore you need to start building your customer relationship at this stage. No matter how good your marketing information is,...
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Tue Aug 23 06:04:05 ACT 2011 
Shots of Inspiration are photographers based in Derbyshire and Devon who specialise in Commercial, Portrait and Wedding Photography. Their aim is to make great images affordable for both consumers and businesses. Have a look at their portfolio and if you like their work contact them to discuss your requirements. Ian Lancaster - Creative...
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Mon Aug 22 04:43:39 ACT 2011 
Introduction In this final installment I examine perhaps the most enduring and romantic legend attached to Castle Hill, that of the Dragon and the Golden Cradle and see how this could possibly connect the hill to another feature in the surrounding landscape. The Victoria Tower at Castle Hill looking west to West Nab. The Dragon...
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Fri Aug 19 08:16:13 ACT 2011 
Out early morning to get the sunrise and besides it being wonderful being out at this time of day you also get unexpected welcome surprises. I was set up for the sunrise and just happened to look to my left and saw these two Brown Hares heading my way,luckily I had my 200mm lens on the camera and without scaring them away I managed to swing...
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Mon Aug 15 05:39:04 ACT 2011 
Another early start to the day. This is a sunrise shot looking towards Wolfscote Dale in the Southern Peak District. I was a little late arriving at my designated destination but was rewarded with this shot. I was actually on my way to photograph a totally different view when the sun started to catch the fields and the top of the dale in...
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Mon Aug 15 04:00:21 ACT 2011 
Introduction Continuing from the previous installment that looked at the history of Castle Hill, this part now concentrates on the many aspects of folklore and legend that are associated with the hill. As would be expected from a prominent location that has been occupied variously by so many different cultures, over such a long time-span, it is...
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Mon Aug 15 03:39:29 ACT 2011 
First off Just want to say thank you to Peak District Online for inviting me to be a featured photographer and letting me blog. I want to talk about a little realisation I had the other day which is that I believe most people take the present for granted, it's not until it becomes the past and eventually a memory that you look fondly...
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Mon Aug 15 01:30:57 ACT 2011 
This is my first entry for the Peak District online blog and I’m looking forward to contributing some of my images taken while out and about in the Peak District. It’s early August which is a great time in the Dark Peak for photography, the heather is bursting into flower painting the moors a deep purple which then...
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Fri Aug 05 05:05:03 ACT 2011 
A very early start to get this weeks photograph of Rainster Rocks a limestone outcrop in the south of the Peak District. I am in the process of photographing these rocks throughout the year. At the moment with the leaves on the trees being green you can't see much of the rocks themselves, so I am looking forward to Autumn for the colour...
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Thu Aug 04 04:10:56 ACT 2011 
Introduction It is common for ancient sites to be linked with other landscape features, visible in the surroundings. In the latest part of this short series I would like to demonstrate how landscape features can be linked in folklore, using an example that straddles the northern boarder of the Peak District National Park. The history...
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Tue Aug 02 08:13:42 ACT 2011 
Robert first picked up an SLR camera when he was 12 years old. An interest in photography developed from his father taking him to see steam trains. Before long Robert built up a passion for photography and soon turned his camera towards photographing landscapes. The Peak District is just 2 miles from where Robert lives and has become a...
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Tue Jul 26 05:03:24 ACT 2011 
This is my first photograph for Peak District on Line so I would like to start by saying a big thank you to James and all at Peak District on Line for inviting me to contribute to this exciting venture. This photograph is all about light and how it affects the image and most of all patience!! I actually went out to...
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Thu Jul 21 04:15:57 ACT 2011 
Introduction Folklore is often relegated to the realms of fairytales. Bedtime stories or tales to be told around on open hearth on a cold winter's night. Often however, it can direct us to places that can be a joy to capture images of throughout the seasons. Sometimes there is a grain of truth in these tales that, with a little research, can...
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Thu Jul 14 04:11:55 ACT 2011 
Introduction Besides landscape photography, one of my other long-term interests is history, particularly how the landscapes of our isles were formed. Like many of Britain's rural areas, the Peak District has a wealth of archaeology and folklore that takes us deep into Britain's history. At first, this may seem to have little connection with...
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Thu Jul 07 04:50:50 ACT 2011 
First of all, I would like to thank Peak District On-Line for inviting me to contribute this blog and offer my view of landscape photography in the Peak District to you. I hope that I manage to do their faith in me justice. Often, photography talk is centered on equipment. The pros and cons of the latest round of camera releases,...
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Fri Jun 17 07:14:26 ACT 2011 
The opening of the tunnels has been big news in the Peak District lately, and been featured on the BBC news. There is now an accessible walking and cycling route along the old railway lines from Bakewell to Cheedale. One of the most popular views over the Wye Valley is Monsal Head, sitting high over the viaduct and really comes alive with the...
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Thu May 19 04:33:07 ACT 2011 
My quest for new locations started off well this year. So far I’ve managed to find some new bluebell woods and am in the middle of scouting new locations in the Peak District to shoot from. This led me to having a ‘reccie’ on Winnats Pass one evening. After checking the sunset position, I thought it would be worth...
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Mon May 09 04:31:44 ACT 2011 |
Peak District Online presents the second of two videos was launched today showing the bird life within the peak district national park. Published by Peak District Online the videos show visitors what they can expect and enjoy from the areas wild and garden birds. From the humble blackbird and blue tits , to little and barn owls the peak district...
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Sat May 07 01:21:58 ACT 2011 
Todays Picture Show is about the local birds to Great Hucklow , and nearby places , including a lovely meadow pippet posing perfectly on a post and a female chaffinch arriving for her breakfast. Birds around the area seem to have thrived this year with pairs of Curlews , Barn Owls , Little Owls , Meadow Pipets , Goldfinches and even a pair this...
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Sat Apr 16 07:12:25 ACT 2011 
Pheasants , Lambs and a Rabbit and Cat race!! Not often you can say that but this morning in our field that exactly what happened! Went out around Wardlow this morning also and grabbed a lovely pheasant basking on the wall in the early morning sunshine. I missed by about half an hour the lovely rolling mists that often cover the valley and as i...
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Fri Apr 15 04:39:33 ACT 2011 
I saw on the news yesterday that the bluebells had sprung early this year. This year seems to be going quicker than usual anyway but for the bluebells to be out is really something! I find photographing in woods challenging, it’s often hard to pick a clean composition as there are always stray branches and unwanted elements...
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Wed Apr 13 00:42:23 ACT 2011 
A great night was had on Saturday with a 60s night being the theme a locals birthday , everyone really made a fantastic effort and the party grooved into the night with a fabulous retro atomoshpere. The Bulls Head in Foolow hosted the evening and did a fabulous roast of beef from nearby James Hancocks famous Castlegate beef farm and he was...
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Sat Apr 09 00:29:15 ACT 2011 
Black And White! For me sometimes black and white can be really effective , with real underlying mood or power , and i really enjoy the fact that turning to black and white on a day which is cloudy or overcast is the perfect way to carry on enjoying photography even though the light is bad! Todays shots are of some wild ponies near Litton and a...
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Thu Apr 07 04:12:14 ACT 2011 
Today I thought I’d talk about timing and patience in photography. A single 10 seconds of light can make such a difference to a scene and can turn an average photograph into something special. My first visit to Three Shire Heads demonstrated this perfectly. Three Shire Heads sits on the on the Cheshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire border...
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Sat Apr 02 01:21:27 ACT 2011 
Todays photographs of the peak district show the fantastic new life created in the world of peak district wildlife ! From a new born calf who was no more than 4 or 5 minutes old to two you lambs huddling together to fight the morning frost. The wildlife in the area has come alive this month with the wonders of nature and new born life. Then we...
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Fri Apr 01 03:30:03 ACT 2011 
Today I fancied talking about an image that will probably be quite controversial to many photographers. When learning about photography , people often talk about the rules of thirds. Whilst I agree that objects work best on a vertical or horizontal third (i.e. generally 1/3rd of sky and 2/3rd of landscape) there are times where this rule...
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Sat Mar 26 00:45:28 ACT 2011 
The birds return at last! Meadow Pipets and Pied Wagtails abound , such a fantastic part of the year as the migratory birds arrive back from their amazing journeys to continental Europe and sometimes even further. What i do know is they are back and in big numbers. Today pictures are from Ashford In The Water , and Great Longstone. The pheasants...
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Thu Mar 24 04:48:42 ACT 2011 
This photo was taken in August when the Peak District typically looks its best. The heather is in full bloom, nestling around the grey gritstone rocks and adding a real punch of colour to the scene. Most of the year the heather is a brown colour with no real interest but for these 2 weeks, I always try and get out as...
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Fri Mar 18 04:42:28 ACT 2011 
Peak-Photos: An introduction For those who don’t know me (and I believe that will be most of you!), let me introduce myself. My name is Richard Wheeler from Peak-Photos . I am a landscape photographe r who lives in Sheffield just a stones throw away from the Peak District . Over the last 5-6...
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Tue Mar 15 06:18:14 ACT 2011 
It would be marvellous to say that I had blossom out on my trees before anyone else, but it would be an outrageous lie. I could say that I have scoured the countryside to fine a shot that would enliven these pages and that would be an equal lie. I simply enjoyed the early spring sunshine and thought blow it to carrying a...
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Sat Mar 12 01:35:43 ACT 2011 
Another week gone by and another grey one apart from the odd flash of sunshine ! Todays pics include a rainbow over Abney , a mysterious lady from Foolow , and one that surely says Let Sleeping Dogs Lie , and then of course we have the pub friday night with all the locals at the Bulls Head in Foolow. Dont forget its Grindleford Gallop day...
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Sun Mar 06 03:50:34 ACT 2011 
Welcome to the Peak District Wildlife blog 2011! A new blog for Peak District Online covering every living thing in the peak district (literally) . We hope to show you all the fabulous wildlife in the region on a weekly basis so please do keep tuned in to see whats new and whats out and about at the moment within the peak district national park....
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Sat Mar 05 01:21:02 ACT 2011 
THE MARCH HARE March! well i guess living out in the countryside there really is only one animal that springs to mind and thats the fantastic hare! Brown hares feed mainly on herbs in the summer, and predominantly grasses in the winter. They also feed on cereal and root crops, and in bad seasons, it has been suggested that they may...
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Fri Mar 04 06:29:02 ACT 2011 
I’m not going to wax lyrical about the historical background of Ladybower reservoir . Or shall mention the tenuous connections with famous Dambuster flights. I’m not even going to talk about the thousands of man ours dedicated to creating this feature in the Peak District landscape. I shall merely mention that this...
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Sat Feb 26 02:23:47 ACT 2011 
A varied selection this morning to be sure! A lovely female kestrel soaring away at monsal head using barely any energy as she balanced in the wind - then we have Elvis the horse doing his normal party trick of smiling after being given a polo! Also we have Saunders the chicken sat near the wildlife webcam but refusing to stand in front of it...
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Mon Feb 21 07:24:42 ACT 2011 
A quick look on the web recently turned up the fact that there over 80 different types of crocus. My mind reeled. How on earth am I going to make a dint in this total with the small number that adorns my own garden? I have blue crocuses and yellow crocuses, beyond that my garden is wholly misrepresentative! To be honest I...
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Sat Feb 19 02:48:58 ACT 2011 
Can You Believe Snow Again! Almost knocked me over waking up this morning to a complete white out of snow , unreal!!! Not sure whether to be excited or sigh with exhaustion of seeing it all over again . Theres a shot of a road above Grindleford called The Sir William Hill . Also i have posted 3 images from the last time it snowed - The Snows of...
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Wed Feb 16 06:41:04 ACT 2011 
All of images above were taken saturday morning with stormy looking weather ahead and a really nice shot of a robin in Foolow taken as i just pulled up in the car - he just jumped down from a bush and i took this through a rain soaked car window and am amzed how clear it came out - thanks mr robin very kind pose! Also is a horse galloping in a...
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Sat Feb 05 04:54:40 ACT 2011 
Well its drizzling and windy outside so i thought i would look at some early morning pis this week of wildlife - first we have two cows - the cutest little calf ive seen who was so fast asleep and oblivous to the world i was able to get quite close - she was near Great Hucklow - and then a highland cow with a blue rinse from Wardlow , and then...
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