Camera clubs
9
Members of the City of London and Cripplegate Photographic Society (COLCPS) enjoyed a week in The Lakes recently Photographing in the LakeDistrict
Words & pictures by Greg Lambert LRPS
Lakeland Photographic Holidays (LPH) offers photographic clubs the opportunity to use its facility, Fern Howe, in Braithwaite as a base to photograph in and around the Lake District at certain times. LPH, run by Gail and John Gravett, is a well-known venue offering various workshops and tuition. Our stay was a bit different as John was photographing in Italy but Fern Howe was available for use as a B&B catering to club photographers. The opportunity was terrific and nine members of COLCPS committed to a week in late September. On arrival we were greeted by Gail who not only oversees all the arrangements, but is a terrific cook with a wealth of local knowledge and suggestions for the best places to photograph. The facility has a number of en-suite bedrooms, a media room, dining room and drying room for wet clothes and muddy boots. Hanging on the walls are inspirational and beautiful photographs taken by John – as if any additional motivation was needed to get the creative juices flowing. The media room can be used to display people’s images taken during the day. We realised the best way to do this is to shoot JPEG images in addition to Raw – assuming you are shooting Raw – as displaying unprocessed Raw images from various cameras proved to be problematic. A typical day began with a predawn shoot to take advantage of the mist we were blessed with on Castlerigg,
TOP LEFT Overlooking Newlands Valley. Taken with a 24-70mm lens at 50mm, 1/60sec at f/22, ISO 100. ABOVE Early morning mist at Castlerigg Stone Circle near Keswick. Taken with a 70-200mm lens at 85mm, 0.6sec at f/16, ISO 100.
blessed with misty mornings, lovely cloud cover, moody skies and only a brief period of rain which didn’t dampen our spirits. The views are stunning and we captured images from the beach in Silloth to waterfalls like Aira Force and The Grot, built in 1668 as a place to frame and enjoy the spectacular lower Rydal waterfalls. We stopped at the Borrowdale Shepherds’ Meet, replete with Herdwick sheep, sheepdog trials and local artisans weaving baskets and spinning wool. We photographed in rapidly changing light at Blea Tarn and climbed up a steep fells slope at Martindale to enjoy and capture the beautiful pastoral scene in the valleys below. Of course many of the shots could be taken again and again under different light conditions in search of the ‘perfect image’. Dinner each evening was prepared by Gail and her son; we were famished by the time we sat down. The meals, sourced from local suppliers, were varied and delicious. We were treated to Gail’s signature dish of sticky toffee pudding which is not to be missed (neither are the beers at the local pubs). Did the experience live up to our expectations? Judging from cards full of landscape and pastoral images, the answer is yes! It’s a great venue and location, with unmissable views and photographic opportunities, lovely food and ever-changing weather and light. The week was over all too soon but as we left, we all entertained thoughts of a return to this inspiring and extraordinary photogenic region of England. π To find out more about City of London and Cripplegate Photographic Society, go to www.cityandcripplegate-ps. org and for Lakeland Photographic Holidays, go to www. lakelandphotohols.com.
complete with a Druid as it was the autumn equinox; or a sunrise while looking over the valley from Latrigg, including a mad dash up the hill as the sun was rising; or moody shots across Derwent Water, interrupted by two early morning swimmers who caused ripples in the reflective water – oh well, always a hurdle to overcome! The morning shoot was followed by a sumptuous breakfast prepared by Gail who then provided a commentary covering the anticipated weather conditions in the various sections of the Lake District and suggestions for the best places to visit and photograph during that day. Our group of nine broke into smaller groups and headed off for a day of shooting. We were
LEFT Hallin Fell in the Martindale Valley. Taken with a 24-70mm lens at 24mm, 1/4 sec at f/22, ISO 100.
www.photography-news.co.uk
Issue 15 | Photography News
Powered by FlippingBook