The talks season is now in full swing and I will be touring up and down the country till this run ends in May. I thoroughly enjoy visiting the photography clubs and it is always a delight to meet like minded people. Long may it continue!

It is a pleasure discussing how others view the way they work with a camera and how they strive to improve their photography, so I do my best to ensure that the talks are informative, educational, hopefully inspiring and enjoyable. That is always my aim. If people choose to come out and sit and listen to me, then I feel I have a duty to fulfil all of those markers. I am also proud of the testimonials I receive and you can read them here.

This week (wc 19th Feb) sees me travel down to Biggleswade, to a club that I visited on a couple of occasions prior to covid and have made some wonderful friends as a result. I will be delivering ‘IN HIS ELEMENT’ which is about my working 365 days a year, whatever the weather.

Just a few weeks ago, Vicki Procter and I were above Hodge Close and were caught in a sudden snow storm that epitomises what the talk is all about. We could see the storm approaching the Langdales and head on towards us but we were suddenly taken off guard when hit with a heavy flurry of snow coming at us from the side. As we were still low down on the fell and protected by trees to our left, we were literally blindsided. The hoods were already on the lenses and the brolly was up to protect the gear as a ‘just in case.’

When it passed, (the snow didn’t actually stick on the ground) the sun and ‘god light’ suddenly punched through the cloud, producing a fabulous scene for us to witness and photograph.

If we had gone back down to the car…..It also teaches you to have the right clothing on whilst on the mountain and I can report that I am forever grateful to Berghaus!!

The weather is just something that we as landscape photographers have to manage. For me, going out onto the landscape when it is inclement and the forecast isn’t the best, never puts me off and I find it is the time I know that I will usually come back with one or two good images. We knew it would probably turn that day but not the volume that was chucked at us!

If you do decide to venture out, I would always advocate going with someone to work alongside and then you can share brolly duities! I t is also a good idea to first check that your kit is weather sealed and handy to have a rain cover too. With the latter, I would always get used to how it works before you venture out. They can look a tad awkward but using it in a nice dry environment and seeing how it fits will save time.

In other news, it is always nice when an editor asks for your work and an image I took of ‘Tongue Pot’ from the Esk Valley is a full page, in this months edition of ‘Country Living’ magazine.

There are also irons in the fire with articles I am currently working on and of course the workshops are also in full flow.

I love the winter but hopefully the lighter nights and warmer weather will not be too far away. Spring is the season I look forward to the most, as I like the ‘awakening’ that erupts on the landscape. So much to see and I have noticed that bird song is more evident now. Always a good sign!

Whatever you do, wherever you go, take your camera with you and enjoy your photography.

Regards

Mark