Fine Art Landscape Photography of England

The Four Seasons, Salisbury Plain

The Four Seasons - this particular series of images spans about 20 years, note the different times of day and different lighting conditions that add extra layers of interest in what has quickly become one of my most successful images.

The four individual images from which this combination is created are successful images in their own right as the tree sits with perfect aesthetic balance within the folds of the chalk downland.

Hardraw Force, Wensleydale, Yorkshire Dales National Park

England's highest single fall. Strangely the only access to these falls is through the local pub, The Green Dragon in the hamlet of Hardraw - a small charge is levied. When in spate Hardraw Force is pretty impressive but on this occasion a more gentle character is revealed. Vertical panoramic images are often difficult to achieve but this fall lends itself to that format perfectly.

The contrast between the water and the dark rock, the hint of autumn leaves and the spread of the fallen water gives impact and interest throughout the image.

The Four Seasons, Summer - Salisbury Plain

Trees so well reflect natures rhythms and I have always held a fascination for trees and this one in particular - I have been photographing it for nearly 30 years (!!), in all moods and in all seasons and will hopefully continue to do so.

The Four Seasons, Winter - Salisbury Plain

Trees so well reflect natures rhythms and I have always held a fascination for trees and this one in particular - I have been photographing it for nearly 30 years (!!), in all moods and in all seasons and will hopefully continue to do so.

Somerset Lavender

Light transforms landscapes and there's no better example than this shot taken in the Somerset countryside near Bath. The Lavender farm is not far from me so I was able to visit on several Summer evenings when the lavender was in full bloom.

On this day there had been several Summer storms but the sun finally emerged from dark clouds to provide dramatic lighting not long before sunset. This terrific light contrasts so well against the retreating storm clouds, the green of the trees, the lavender colours and the warmth of the stone wall - photographers just love this light - its simply stunning.

If you are in the area this Summer the farm is well worth a visit, it's a wonderful location, there's a lovely tea room and there's always a warm welcome - check it out at www.somersetlavender.com

Clifton Suspension Bridge, Avon Gorge, Bristol

A classic landmark and one of Brunels masterpieces. I have made many trips to capture this scene but the elements were never quite right. I always arrive around sunrise and on this occasion it was high tide. It was a cold Autumn morning and a mist hung over the river, perfect. Well it would have been had it not been for a survey vessel which had decided this was the perfect time to start work on this stretch of the river, I was fuming !

After what seemed an eternity it moved upstream and the water gradually became still again. The light was still lovely but the mist had disappointingly gone. Just as the water returned to calm and reflections were perfect the vessel returned - snap - just in the right place below the bridge, brilliant, frustration averted. When on location we never quite know what to expect - be prepared - take advantage - always wait, just in case, it would have been so easy to have left early but patience paid off.

Bethruthan Steps near Padstow, North Cornwall

Yet another stretch of stunning coastline that I return to time after time. Winter can be dramatic with Atlantic storms crashing in but in Spring the coating of pink thrift adds colour and life to the cliffs. It seems that every time I visit a different face and character is revealed - good enough reason for many more trips to come.

Autumn Beechwoods, near Hathersage, Peak District National Park

Working on Stannage Edge, a gritstone outcrop very popular with climbers, the weather closed in - it was time to move down to lower levels and this wood proved ideal.

The low cloud and mist helps create atmosphere and the colours and shapes of Autumn are brilliantly recorded using Velvia film. Another good example of having researched alternative locations when, for whatever reason but usually weather, a particular angle is not working.

Majestic Beechwood, New Forest National Park

The New Forest, recently designated a National Park, is an area I visit every year, Spring and Autumn I love. I research many locations, I arrive before sunrise and before the crowds and before photographers (!) and I hope for light this good. It's just flooding the whole scene with golden warmth.

The colours that Autumn were amazing - what a combination. These ancient beechwoods are truly magnificent, the light is not always this good so go often - enjoy.

Autumn Gold near Hathersage, Peak District National Park

It's that combination again, Velvia film and autumn colour - just brilliant. This time the misty conditions add sublety and mystery. Pictures always look good in sets of three. Atumn Gold, Avenue of Limes and Autumn in the New Forest make a fine themed Autumn collection.

Durdle Door, Dorset

This is dramatic coastline, this is the Jurassic coastline of Dorset, a fabulous stretch of coast from the chalk cliffs of Ballard Down in the east to Portland Bill and Chesil Beach in the west.

The section from Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door is spectacular and a great short walk featuring coves, caves, sea stacks, towering cliffs, fascinating geology and this iconic natural arch. This gentle atmospheric image was created by a number of elements, a late evening stillness, fine soft light, autumn colours, textural light on the arch and viewpoint, all in all a lovely coastline study.

Poppies and Sea Mist, near Crantock and Newquay, North Cornwall

This headland near Porth Joke is owned by the National Trust and the farm is managed using traditional methods which encourage natural flora and fauna to grow. The poppies, which require disturbance to germinate, and the corn marigolds flourish here as must have been the case before modern agricultural practices eliminated scenes such as these.

A cold sea mist rolled in just after sunrise (very early at this time of year !) and lasted just long enough for a series of unusual but successful images before the Summer sun burnt it off.

Hay Tor, Dartmoor National Park, Devon

Heather moorland in full flower is impressive and here with the distinctive backdrop of Hay Tor, Dartmoor's most popular and well known Tor, and dark brooding skies give this image a dramatic edge. Dark skies and low slanting light are always a great combination and excite photographers the world over, I'm no exception.

The Logan Rock, near Treen and Porthcurno, South West Cornwall

The Cornish coastline offers stunning scenery and this area around Pendvounder Beach and The Logan Rock is no exception. It is a favourite and accessible area of mine for both walking and photography. In this shot the effect of the rippled sand beneath the turquoise waters was unplanned but very welcome - nature is unpredictable and can offer pleasing surprises. Earlier, from the cliff top, I was entranced as seals played in the crystal clear waters below.

Dunstanburgh Castle, Northumberland

This was a seriously good sunrise, Northumberland is blessed with a seriously good coastline, a good combination.

The morning was cold, very cold, the sand underfoot crunched with frost. Dunstanburgh Castle makes a perfect silhouette and the long shutter speed, necessary because of low light levels at this time of day, gives movement and energy to the waves.

Cherhill White Horse, Calne, Wiltshire

Wiltshire has 11 white horses carved into the escarpment of the chalk downland and this one, situated on Cherhill Down between the towns of Calne and Marlborough, is a prominent feature for miles around. It is carved just below ancient earthworks known as Oldbury Castle.

On this occasion the farmer had planted rapeseed which makes for a great foreground so I turned up for several evenings and captured many successful images. On the last of my visits a frontal system came across to give a dramatic sky and the picture was shot when only a little of the blue sky remained above the chalk. Yet another example of persistence paying off to produce a striking image.

Sunset, Snape Maltings, Suffolk

This was a great sunset. It was taken at the Snape Maltings, old malt houses converted into a very special and world renowned concert hall made famous be the Aldeburgh Music Festival. The location on the Alde Estuary surrounded by reed beds has rich potential for photography but to catch a sunset this good requires much luck. The old adage applies once again - the more often you are out taking pictures the more luck comes your way.

Bluebells, Savernake Forest, Wiltshire Downland

This is one of my most popular bluebell images, the bluebells just seem to go on and on, a real carpet of colour. The panoramic format is photographically very successful, it mirrors our own vision closely.

The majority of my work is now shot using the 6 x 17 panoramic camera for precisely that reason. It may be heavy and awkward to carry around but for landscape work and the way I see the landscape, it is unmatched and the quality achieved on its large format is truly outstanding.

Bethruthan Steps near Padstow, North Cornwall

Yet another stretch of stunning coastline that I return to time after time. Winter can be dramatic with Atlantic storms crashing in but in Spring the coating of pink thrift adds colour and life to the cliffs. It seems that every time I visit a different face and character is revealed - good enough reason for many more trips to come.

On the Ridgeway, Avebury, Wiltshire

The Ridgeway is an ancient routeway stretching from Avebury to Ivanhoe Beacon in Bedfordshire. Here at Avebury, close to the stone circle, it makes for fine open ridge walking on the chalk downland.

The area is crammed with ancient monuments and remains, the characteristic clumps of beech trees mark old burial mounds. These make a pleasing contrast between the blue skies and the yellow rape fields - the whispy cirrus clouds - a stroke of very good fortune.

Cotswold Sunflowers, Wiltshire

Not so often do we find sunflowers in this country but when we do photographers swarm to them. I joined the swarm, well much too early for them and came across this view, it just looked right.

I love the textures and the colour gradations in the greens and yellows - unusual maybe but successful none the less. Rules and conventions are there to be broken, break them.

Constantine Bay and Trevose Head, near Padstow, North Cornwall

Cornwalls' fine beaches go on and on, no wonder it is such a popular holiday destination. Here the low early morning sun highlights the rippled sand and makes for a foreground full of interest and leads the eye out across the bay towards the headland, Trevose Head. I enjoy running and the run here along the coast path to Harlyn Bay via Trevose Head and back is one of my all time favourites.

Woolacombe Sands and Baggy Point, North Devon

Woolacombe is one of the many fabulous beaches found on this stretch of North Devon coastline. It is also very popular, so to catch it empty of surfers and walkers early starts are essential - this was early.

After a cold night early morning mist was rolling seawards adding a surprising element of interest to the picture. This soon burnt off but by then the light had lost its magic, the surfers had arrived and joggers and walkers were enjoying the beach - time for a well earned breakfast.

Sediments at Sandymouth, North Cornwall

This is very much a personal favourite, I just love the rich subtle colours and you can almost feel the texture of the rocks. The lack of anything defining scale emphasises the abstract nature of the image, a very hazy evening light helps control the contrast and the vibrancy of Velvia film is just perfect for the colours. This looks great on a large canvas (well I think so).

Avenue of Limes, Sherwood Forest, Nottingham

For two weeks I had been in the Yorkshire Dales trying to capture Autumn, but lousy weather had been the winner - a stable air mass had trapped a heavy dullness that was going nowhere. Time to research new areas so off to the Sherwood Forest, now found I will return, it's wonderful, full of potential. This avenue is a photographers delight. The apparaent brightness suggests gentle sunlight - wrong, it was another deeply grey day with a hint of drizzle but the bright leaf colour and Velvia film really do the business.

Early Summer, Exmoor National Park

This is a wonderful image. It is taken high on Exmoor near Dunkery Beacon on what is probably an old Drovers routeway that has become overgrown by time. I have always been fascinated by the dynamic and sculptural forms that trees possess and the ancient beeches exhibit these qualities beautifully - they create an almost magical charm, can you imagine Hobbits here?

The mosses and lichens, the rich evening light and the vibrant spring green impart terrific unity to the image - I just love it.

Autumn, New Forest National Park

The richness, subtlety, depth and tonal range of Autumn colours always excites me - we are very fortunate to enjoy such seasonal splendours. The New Forest is lovely in all seasons but excels itself in Autumn.There is always new angles to find and new route to explore, with open moorland, birchwoods, mixed woods and these ancient beechwoods - I never tire of it.

Ash Tree Silhouette, Yorkshire Dales National Park

This ash tree is actually growing from bare limestone pavement high up on the moors above Ingleborough. I'd been on Whernside, Yorkshire's highest mountain, all afternoon and stayed up for evening and sunset shots towards Ingleborough, a very distinctive mountain across the River Doe Valley.

On my way down this sculptured form of an ash tree held my fascination. The silhouette against a rich but quickly fading sky made for a perfect shot and well worth the walk back down in darkness.

Aspens in Winter

Aspens are distinguished by their nearly round leaves on mature trees, 4-12 centimeters in diameter with irregular rounded teeth. They are carried on strongly flattened leaf stems, that cause the leaves to twist and flutter in slight breezes. Aspens are all native to cold regions with cool summers, in the north of the Northern Hemisphere, extending south at high altitudes in the mountains.

Bluebell Woods, Savernake Forest,Wiltshire Downs

Many of us are lucky enough to remember youthful wanderings in bluebell woods. Fortunately there are still many fine bluebell woods scattered throughout the British Isles. This one near Marlborough is particularly good and I have enjoyed visiting for many years. Carpets of colour, air full of scent and the spring green of the beech canopy make it a great location.

Photographing bluebells is challenging, but as I wander through the woods I stay very focused and inspiration is never far away, new ideas and new angles always present themselves - this means there is always a good selection to choose from.

Glastonbury Tor, Somerset Levels

Glastonbury Tor stands out from the Somerset Levels, it can be seen from miles around - it is an iconic location with a deep spiritual heritage finely balanced between fact and legend. It draws visitors from around the world but few get to see it from this angle or in this light on a cold winters day. This is a great image that looks really impressive on stretched canvas.

Stonehenge, World Heritage Site, Wiltshire

With so many imposed restrictions, Stonehenge is not an easy area to photograph with the same freedoms I enjoy elsewhere. What are English Heritage afraid of ? This is a site of international importance, it belongs to us all.

It is another location I had visited many times but this sunset was special. It is one of the few images that is filtered, it has an 81B slight warm up filter which emphasises the rich colours and makes the silhouette of the Stone Circle really stand out.

Winter Oak

Click here to view Winter Oak at a larger size and to choose print options.

Poppies & Corn Marigolds

Click here to view Poppies & Corn Marigolds at a larger size and to choose print options.

Winter Oaks

Click here to view Winter Oaks at a larger size and to choose print options.

Winter Wood, near Yoxford and Minsmere, Suffolk

One of a series of black and white  pictures taken during a hard winter some time ago. It is quite simply, lovely - its beautiful. It combines my passion for trees and a visual simplicity that is not always easy to achieve and being in black and white there is no colour to distract. I`m often told ( as a compliment I`m sure ) it`s like a line drawing and when seen on a canvas its painterly qualities certainly stand out.

Its one of my most successful all time images and looks great on canvas or as a fine art print, especially when framed in a simple dark moulding.

Misty Pines, Quantock Hills, Somerset.

If I were asked which of my images gave me the greatest sense of pleasure it would be this black and white image. It is not my most popular picture but for me it excites a very deep sense of joy. Taken some time ago in the Quantock Hills, I just love the misty conditions, the pronounced grain and textural depth achieved. Its sometimes difficult to explain ones emotional feelings but perhaps that mystery is part of the pleasure. A large print of this hangs in our sitting room and continues to give enjoyment.

On Salisbury Plain

Trees so well reflect natures rhythms and I have always held a fascination for trees and this one in particular - I have been photographing it for nearly 30 years (!!), in all moods and in all seasons and will hopefully continue to do so.

Holywell Bay, Newquay, Cornwall

Taking pictures close to mid summers day means early starts, very early. On this morning peace, stillness and soft light create the gentle calm of an early summers morning - a good time for quiet reflection.

This beach became known as Holywell Bay because pilgrims believed a cave there contained a source of water with healing properties.

Logan Rock, Pendvounder Beach, near Porthcurno, SW Cornwall

Another shot of the Logan Rock, this time in square format - this is great coastline. I'm often asked if this is really England. Yes we do have a stunning coastline and here in Cornwall crystal clear waters, great for watching seals play - perhaps one day basking sharks, now that would be special.

High Tide, nr Bude, North Cornwall

Same location as Rock Veining and same poor weather, but ideal for pictures such as these. The poor light and slow shutter speed add movement and energy to the scene, also a sense of the big seas that evening.

Rock Veining, nr Bude and Widemouth Bay

Another textural favourite of mine. With no apparent sense of scale it's abstract nature achieves a balance and unity. The deep rich colour of the wave worn shale rock is crossed with quartz veining and also a more subtle iron rich layering. A canvas of this hangs in my bathroom - it looks great.

Beech Trees, Exmoor National Park

This is a wonderful image. It is taken high on Exmoor near Dunkery Beacon on what is probably an old Drovers routeway that has become overgrown by time. I have always been fascinated by the dynamic and sculptural forms that trees possess and the ancient beeches exhibit these qualities beautifully.

Harlyn Bay, nr Padstow, North Cornwall

Harlyn Sands, a lovely gently sloping beach, is located between Bedruthan Steps, Constantine bay and Padstow on the North Cornwall coast, one of my favourite areas of Cornwall. Here the curve of fine sand sweeps round towards Trevose Head in late Spring. An intermittent sun brightens the beach against a dark sky - always a good combination.

Porth Nanven, St Just, Cape Cornwall

This is another area where my passion for geology and rocks is well catered for. The granite coastline has been wave worn into fantastic sculptured shapes. Barbara Hepworth (and Henry Moore ) just must have been influenced by this aspect of Cornwall`s strikingly beautiful coast. Barbara Hepworth lived and worked  not far from here in St Ives and her sculpture garden is open - please visit, its one of the most amazing places in Britain.

In this image feast your eyes on the contrast  between the sea washed, wet grey slate pebbles and the feldspar coloured granite cliffs, add a little soft light of a hazy setting sun - result, a terrific sculptural study.

Granite Foreshore

Porth Nanven (also known as Cot Valley Beach) is a beach in the far west of Cornwall, United Kingdom. It is located half-a-mile west of the village of St Just.

The beach is at the seaward end of the Cot Valley and is part of the Aire Point To Carrick Du Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Porth Nanven is sometimes referred to as 'Dinosaur Egg Beach' because of a remarkable deposit of ovoid boulders covering the beach and foreshore. These boulders come in all sizes, from hen's egg to a metre or more in length, and have proved so tempting as souvenirs that they are now legally protected by the National Trust which owns the beach.

Winter Jetty.

A very simple composition and almost monochromatic in nature, it emphasises the gentle calm of a winter landscape softened by snow - you can almost feel the quiet here.

Winter Wonderland.

Taken in the woods on the northern slopes of Bath. These days it is not often we can wander in woodland softened by deep snow, well certainly not here in Bath, so what an opportunity we were given this winter. The snow lay deep and crisp and even and creates an almost monochrome image - there is a hint of colour in the beech trunks and leaves. Sadly heavy snow followed so no more picture taking but it was great fun spending time  walking the silent woods. This image manages to do exactly what the title says!!!

An English Winter, Dunkerton All Saint's, Somerset

An English Winter, Dunkerton All Saint`s, Somerset. Dunkerton, a small village, nestles in the folds on the edge of the Cotswolds, just south of Bath. An unusual amount of snow this winter caused problems for many but for photographers it presented an opportunity not to be missed. This is another of those images in my collection that convey an atmosphere that is very English, a gentle reminder of our pastoral past.

Chesil Beach, Burton Bradstock, Jurassic Coastline - World Heritage Site

Our only world heritage coastline - looking towards Portland Bill, the intense warmth of the setting sun, again no filters here, highlights the amazing colours of the sandstone and marl cliffs. A slow shutter speed, a wave breaking just perfectly and a hint of high cirrus creates an image that really excites my sense of colour and balance - this is a cracking picture and has rightly made it onto the front cover of my 2011 Calendar.

Walk in the Woods, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire.

Having been to the Forest of Dean very little since geology field trips many years ago, it was apleasure to return several times this year - there`s much to explore here.

Bluebells this year were weeks late but strangely the beech canopy not so, so when I came across this scene I was really excited. I just love those fresh spring greens, the path breaks the image and leads the eye in and there`s that hint of bluebells. Good bluebell images are always popular and this is a great addition to the collection.

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