Fine Art Landscape Photography of Wales

Snowdon Ice, The Snowdon Horseshoe, Snowdonia National Park

This was an excellent morning for photography - a great sunrise and continuing good light led to a series of successful images. The snow covered water makes for a strong foreground but it is the mountains that dominate with Snowdon as the centrepiece.

Y Lliwedd on the left and Crib Goch complete the horseshoe. Llanberis and the lower slopes of the Glyders to the right. On such a good day Snowdon would be busy with walkers but on this mountain I was able to work and enjoy total solitude.

Llyn Ogwen, Y Garn and the Devil's Kitchen, Snowdonia National Park

This was a great day in the mountains. After a dawn shot of Tryfan from the lower slopes of the Carneddau, a walk down to the frozen shores of Llyn Ogwen for this classic view of Y Garn and the Devil's Kitchen.

The cold, the stillness, the partly frozen lake and the hint of high cirrus combine to create this stunning image. Not long after this shot two low flying jets destroyed the peace - it was time to leave.

Tryfan and the Ogwen Valley, Snowdonia National Park, North Wales

This mountain dominates the Ogwen valley north of Capel Curig and is a favourite for climbers and scramblers as it contains many routes for all abilities - Everest expeditions have been known to practice here.

The clear dawn light highlights the outlines of Glyder Fach, Tryfan, Devil's Kitchen and Y Garn and Pen yr Ole Wen to the right. llyn Ogwen, location for the previous photograph, can be seen, still in the shadow of Y Garn, in the centre.

Pen y Fan and Cribyn, Brecon Beacons National Park, South Wales

At 886 metres, Pen y Fan is the highest mountain in the Brecon Beacons. After a cold and early start I had reached the summit of Cribyn for sunrise, but disappointingly a cloud bank prevented this. Fortunately, for it was bitingly cold, the cloud slowly moved to allow the early morning sun to reveal this terrific view of the north east face of Pen y Fan.

The real advantage of early starts is the quality of the light around dawn. An added bonus is that for the few hours I was on the mountain I saw nobody - I could feast in isolation.

Frozen Pond, Fan y Big, Cribyn and Pen y Fan, Brecon Beacons National Park, South Wales

Heavy overnight snow prevented me getting close to the mountains, my camper van is not good in ice and snow! Earlier research had shown the potential of this location so once again I was up for sunrise. The slanting dawn light emphasises the texture of the snow covered pond and highlights the peaks of Fan y Big, Cribyn and Pen y Fan beyond. A good example of the importance of fully researching your locations so you can be at the right viewpoint at the right time.

Evening Glow, Black Mountain, Brecon Beacons National Park, South Wales

After snowfall all afternoon I thought that was it for the day. Minutes before sunset however, the sky cleared a little and allowed the last rays of sunlight to cast this wonderful glow over the snow covered Black Mountain. Luck? The more often you are out there the more lucky you become.

Rhossili, The Gower, South Wales

The Gower possesses some very fine stretches of coastline - it just doesn't get much better than this. I had been trying for several years to capture a successful image of Rhossili but never quite managed it. On this occasion there were seriously heavy rainstorms all afternoon which drove everybody home except me on the cliffs and a lone fisherman on the beach.

Our persistence was rewarded just before sunset as the clouds opened and the sun cast this terrific light over the panorama in front of us. The solitary farmhouse and stormy seas complete a pretty impressive scene.

Three Cliff Bay, The Gower, South Wales

Named for the distinctively shaped cliff on the left side. Another great beach on the Gower, a little less well known than Rhossili but well worth the visit. This was another day of sunshine and heavy showers, always promising for photographers.

It doesn't matter how early you set out, beaches always seem to attract early morning walkers, however on this occasion the rain had discouraged them and I was able to work on my own without footprints or people in view. Minutes before this shot there was a downpour, the towering thunder cloud can be seen to the right, and the heavy rain has beautifully textured the sand in the foreground - worth staying out in the rain sometimes!

Marloes Beach, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, S.W. Wales

Britain is blessed with endless miles of terrific coastline and Pembrokeshire certainly has its own share. Marloes just has to be one of the finest on offer with towering cliffs, caves, sea stacks, islands, rockpools and a fantastic beach (well at low tide anyway!) - there`s always something to photograph here. In this image the combination of a great sunset, well placed clouds and rock silhouettes come together well to give a very pleasing overall balance.

Cadair Idris, Aran Fawddwy and the Mawddach Estuary, Snowdonia National Park, North Wales

What a viewpoint. As often happens the light was not good on the first evening, so returns were necessary. My passion has always been our landscape and spending time in these locations is a real pleasure, even if sometimes a little chilly. With few if any other people around at this time of year, total focus was possible in a special place - work doesn't get much better than this. Cadair Idris is a great mountain to climb and snuggled here in the southern part of Snowdonia its usually less crowded than in the northern areas.

Morning at Marloes, Pembrokeshire

Marloes is situated on the Marloes Peninsula 11 km west of the port of Milford Haven and forms the westernmost tip of the southern shore of St Brides Bay. It is within part of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The parish has 10 km of mainland coastline accessible throughout by the Pembrokeshire Coast Path.

Snowdon, Y Lliwedd and Crib Goch - The Snowdon Horseshoe, Snowdonia National Park

A classic viewpoint of the Snowdon Horseshoe, but rarely seen with such dramatic lighting. Fleeting dawn light fills the storm clouds, soon gone and not to return - a fine picture and another lucky moment.

Sunset - Freshwater West, Pembrokeshire

Freshwater West is a beach near Castlemartin, Pembrokeshire in south-west Wales. Surrounded by sand dunes, it has fine sand and faces due west. However despite its natural beauty Freshwater West is unsuitable for bathing due to dangerous offshore swells and strong currents. The beach also has areas of unmarked quicksand.

Broad Haven South, Pembrokeshire

Broad Haven South is without doubt one of the best beaches in Wales. Best in winter when you can do a circular walk to it through the lily ponds

Aber Falls, Northern Edge of the Carneddau Mountains, Snowdonia National Park, North Wales

Conditions in the mountains are not always good for making pictures or even researching new locations. Blame the usual culprits - high winds, low cloud, lashing rain etc. Good time to seek out new locations and in wet weather waterfalls can be a good option. Here wet weather and snow melt combined for a great fall but also a good soaking!

Snowdon, Y Lliwedd and Crib Goch - The Snowdon Horseshoe, Snowdonia National Park

A classic viewpoint of the Snowdon Horseshoe, but rarely seen with such dramatic lighting. Fleeting dawn light fills the storm clouds, soon gone and not to return - a fine picture and another lucky moment.

All photographs are copyright © Ed Collacott - all rights reserved.
Images from this site may not be reproduced without permission.

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