Such a diverse country for a relatively small island. Rolling hills, ancient forests, picturesque villages, mountains, historical sites and great architecture. The weather can be challenging however this often just adds to its beauty.
The ‘Secret Mill’ as it’s known amongst local photographers has long been on my ‘must shoot’ list of places. It’s exact location is kept pretty well hidden however after much research I found where I thought it was so made the trek out on my latest visit to the Lake District. Happily for me I found the mill and was blessed with dappled sunlight during my time there.
The Natural History museum in London is not only a great (and free) place to spend a few hours but architecturally the building (inside and out) is just stunningly beautiful. The 128m skeleton of the blue whale, entitled ‘Hope’ hanging in the entrance replaced ‘Dippy’ the Diplodocus in 2017.
York, with its Viking and Roman history is reputed to be one of the most haunted cities in the world. Its Gothic Minster and myriad of alleys (or snickleways) make for some very atmospheric shots, especially after dark.
I really do like shooting in winter due to the drama, colour and texture it often produces. This is Honnister Pass in the English Lake District which is one of the steepest roads in England, often getting to a 1:4 gradient but the views are so rewarding.
The Shambles in York was once the street that butchers showed their wares and with buildings dating back to the fourteenth century it really does give a medieval feel especially once the sun has long set.
Honnister Pass, is set deep in the English Lake District, it is located on the B5289 road, linking Seatoller, in the valley of Borrowdale, to Gatesgarth at the southern end of Buttermere. Reaching han altitude of 1,167 feet (356 m), making it one of the highest in the region, and also one of the steepest. It can be a very bleak place, especially in winter but it’s beauty is year round.
The old Pack Horse bridge at Ashness is probably the most photographed bridge in the English Lake District. Sitting above Derwent Water lake it provides brilliant views over Borrowdale and Skiddaw.
Northumberland is known as the county with the most castles and possibly it’s most dramatic is Bamburgh which sits atop the Great Whin Sill overlooking the North Sea. A Castle of some description has been on the site since AD547.
Lindisfarne castle sits high on its rocky perch watching over Holy Island in Northumberland. Accessed by a tidal causeway the island is a place of great significance for English Christianity.
Pickering station in North Yorkshire is the starting point for journeys on the North Yorkshire Moors Steam Railway. This image shows the 80136 Standard Class 4 Tank entering the station to start its journey through the villages of Goathland, Grosmont, Levisham and on to Whitby. Run entirely by volunteers the steam trains are a fantastic sight along the moors countryside.
Like Uthred in The Last Kingdom novels I am always drawn back to Bamburgh whenever I get the chance to return to Northumberland. It is a stunning location at any time of the year but, for me, it’s truly at its best during the storms that often batter the North East coast.
Scotland is simply a place of epic natural landscapes. From the castles and stately homes of the Borders to the stunning natural landscapes of the Western Highlands and beyond it has a rich heritage and offers the landscape photographer so much. It is a land I hope to explore more extensively.
The abandoned fishing vessel on the shore at Corpach near Fort William sits below Scotland’s highest peak, Ben Nevis. On this particular visit it was a cold and blustery evening with much cloud overhead and promised little. Thankfully I stuck it out and was rewarded with the clouds parting enough to offer a lovely sunset over the mountain.
The Quiraing near Staffin on the Isle of Skye has long been a place I wanted to visit and it definitely did not disappoint. This image of the lone tree clinging on to the edge of the ridge sums up perfectly the rugged beauty of this area.
Glencoe has a pretty chequered past however no-one can deny its natural beauty. The drive along the A85 through the Glen has to be one of the best in the world. These small falls run alongside the road and are dwarfed by the mighty Buchaille Etive Mor which towers above them.
Samilholm tower sits high up on a rocky crag just over the Scottish border near to the town of Kelso. It was built by the Pringle family in the 1400’s as a border stronghold to protect against the border reivers (cattle thieves). With it’s prominent position and walls which are 2.5metres thick it was no doubt a formidable fortress.
Western Australia is a diverse state with hundreds of kilometeres of sandy unspoiled coastline, turquoise water and a mix of sheltered bays and rugged coastline, as well as the inland pastoral beauty of the Wheatbelt with it’s yearly carpet of wildflowers. The state boasts several natural wonders which can only be found in a few places on earth.
The coastline makes it a mecca for surfers, it also has an abundance of native wildlife, birds and fauna making it an ideal spot for photographers. Added to this it’s Mediterranean climate, myriad of wineries, local craft breweries and world class eateries means it is an all year destination for those wishing to have a break from the relative hustle and bustle of the state capital, Perth
My home in the South West of the state is only a leisurely 2.5 hour drive south of the state capital and offers great photogenic locations right on my doorstep.
Set in the secluded and sheltered Castle Rock Bay the ‘Castle’ itself adds a nice focal subject on a calm pastel finish to the day.
This south west icon is possibly the most photographed rock in Western Australia. Sitting in Naturaliste Bay it provides an imposing feature on both calm and stormy days. Shot at sunset just after a rain shower.
Canal Rocks is another iconic location in the SW, however for this shot rather than concentrate on the more popular natural canals I shot the nearby old boat ramp. The texture of the wooden jetty makes a nice contrast against the pastel hues of the autumn sunset sky.
The town of Busselton is the gateway to the South West. Famous for its wooden jetty which protrudes 1.8km’s out into the Indian Ocean it is also known as WA’s events capital hosting such things as the WA Ironman, the Jetty Swim and the CinefestOZ film festival. Shot between heavy showers this image shows the iconic blue jetty huts.
There are few better views than the Busselton Jetty huts when nature decides to turn it on for sunset. This is my favourite view of this icon with its four ‘huts’ that form the visitor centre and shop and that 1.8km wooden jetty stretching out into the Indian Ocean.
Shot at first light at the ever popular Quindalup boat ramp which looks out over Dunn Bay. This location always seems to have a constant stream of fishermen launching their boats so I was lucky to have the place to myself this particular morning.
Another popular spot with sunbathers and surfers alike, Smith’s Beach has a long stretch of sandy white beach for those wishing to soak up some rays or simply feel the sand under their feet. For the more adventurous, supertubes surf break provides both left and right hand breaks.
The small town of Yallingup sits nestled into the hillside overlooking the Indian Ocean. Yet another popular spot with surfers the reef itself helps create world class conditions.
This iconic SW landmark used to be a 5 minute drive from home which meant it became a nice and easy ‘go to’ spot on those days where the sky produced something unexpected. This was one such October evening which necessitated a mad dash to get set up and capture this sunset.
Bluff Knoll is probably the best known peak in The Stirling Range in the Great Southern part of WA. Whenever I go it always seems to produce some great light and, for me, is especially photogenic during those stormy overcast days.
This particular location is a leasurely 5 minute drive from home and in this instance it was a good job as I had no intention of shooting at all. Having got up early as I generally do I surveyed the sky (as I always do!) and saw a nice break on the horizon and high cloud. I quickly packed the bag, started the car and ended up watching this unfold.
Whilst in the small town of Boyup Brook recently I was lucky enough to encounter some heavy fog. Thankfully the town was built around the logging trade so is surrounded by trees…the one thing that is made for fog!
Ever since myself and fellow photographer Hamish Stubbs discovered these rocks we have both been visiting this spot regularly as they have been barely visible underneath the beach, however the shifting tides have now uncovered them and for me they are best paired with dramatic stormy skies and crashing waves.
Quindalup tends to be my ‘go to’ spot as it’s only a 5 minute drive from home. This particular morning I got up late with no intention of shooting, however the developing sky necessitated a mad dash to get here for sunrise. Massive tides and beautiful skies made for a magic start to the day before a very large rain front came through.
Quinninup Falls are one of the South West’s hidden gems. It’s rare to find a waterfall in this part of the world however these beauties are on the Cape to Cape track near Wilyabrup. The 35-45min trek can often be wet going but the rewards at the end are worth it.
It is a very rare occasion that everything, location, weather and light combine to produce great results. This was that rare time. I had initially gone to another location to meet a friend however on the drive there the cloud appeared to be heading to this side of the Cape so after a quick catch up I drove back to Castle Rock, set up and waited. Little did I expect this perfect cloud to gently float in to my shot just as the sun went down. Gleefully I snapped frame after frame watching the light change and for once gloating that I had made the correct decision!
This is the new boat ramp at Canal Rocks. Not quite as picturesque as its predecessor but no doubt a lot safer for those launching from this location. Regardless it still makes a great subject for this area of stunning coastal beauty.
Cape Leeuwin lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse on mainland Australia and sits south of the town of Augusta. It is also the most westerly point on the mainland of the continent.
Another much loved and much visited spot and another that very rarely fails to provide a decent image.
Recently the first if the winter fronts have been coming through which always means that the sands along the coast uncover a few hidden gems. This rock formation is one of those, Only visible for a few months I took the opportunity of shooting it as another rain front passed.
The light looked fantastic as I peaked out of the window at home so off I went to the nearest spot and was rewarded with some fantastic pre sunset light.
The first of the big Autumn storms rolled in so I packed the bag and took a punt on this location which is always good when it’s wild weather. I was lucky enough to watch the storm develop and also to catch a couple of lightning strikes if you look carefully enough.
These rocks have quickly become a favourite of mine. They are only fully visible during winter when the tide uncovers them fully and I have always promised to shoot them at sunrise but never managed it. This particular morning I was determined to make it happen…luckily I did as I was greeted with this stunning colour and the added bonus of the rainbow.
The coastline along the south west has many distinctive characteristics with the colours in the rocks being one of them. This intimate landscape image showcases those colours.
A grey evening trip to my usual local beach to get some ‘moody’ shots ended with me taking this particular image. I know the area really well and had seen these moss covered rocks on my way to shoot Castle Rock. As I was sitting at my first location I could see colour developing unexpectedly behind me so packing up I walked the length of the beach back to the rocks I’d seen earlier. With this shot I was drawn to how the clouds and water flow appear to mirror each other.
Taken 17 years to the day that I began a new chapter of my life in Australia it was the perfect way to celebrate another milestone.
Another stunning end to the day at one of my favourite places to shoot, Sugarloaf Rock.
Taken on the same evening as the previous shot it’s always a joy to watch how vibrant the colours get over this magnificent location.
Someone once said that “the world is a book and those that don’t travel only read one page.” I certainly subscribe to this theory but I’m not even halfway through my book yet.
These images are a personal selection from my travels both around the globe and of the other states in Australia. Many have a story attached to them some are just images I like.
One of the most spectacular towns I have seen, Riomaggiore nestles into the hillside in Cinque Terre, Italy. With its quaint sheltered harbour and brightly coloured houses it makes a spectacular backdrop to any sunset.
The opulence that exists in Dubai is unbelievable and it’s a city that is made for when darkness falls. For this shot I had to deliberately book into a particular hotel which, from its rooftop balcony afforded views of the Sheikh Zayed Road with the 830m Burj Khalifa looming over it.
This DC-3 plane was long on my list of places to shoot so when I had the chance to visit Iceland it was something I needed to do. The plane crashed onto the black sand beach in 1973 (all crew survived) and has been sat there ever since. The walk in is about 3kms and its sparse and wild surrounding landscape creates a great visual contrast to the gnarled metal of the wreckage.
A second morning visit to the area saw me once again climbing steeply in order to try and get a particular shot of this iconic pyramid shaped mountain. About half way up I had stopped for a rest and was lucky enough to spot this clump of Foxgloves in full bloom which also coincided with the first light of the day just beginning to kiss the peak of Tryfan.
Kirkjufell on the Snaefellsness Peninsula is possibly the most shot destination in Iceland and with good reason. The usual shot is with the Kirkjufellfoss waterfall cascading below it however on this visit I really wanted to try and find something different so ventured down to the sea below it’s arrow shaped peak. The summer colours in the grasses made for some nice foreground interest and lead your eye to this magnificent monolith.
The black church at Budir in the Snaesfellsness Peninsula in Iceland is well known to those who have visited the land of ice and fire. It is isolated, desolate but oh so beautiful.
How much history has walked over those cobbled stones? Shot very early one spring morning in the Italian capital in order to get an image without the throng of tourists who are usually milling about this historic site.
The advent of drones has now made what was once a very expensive pastime a reality for many. No longer is it a necessity to hire a plane to take to the skies with advances in drone technology meaning that we are now able to see the world from a different perspective and in many places where planes are not readily available.
That said, there really is no substitute for actually being up in the air yourself with a camera in hand trying to construct an image through an open window or better still a plane with the door off!
This set of images is a mixture of both drone and plane photographs which I hope show the difference and abstract beauty of the earth from above.
The numerous salt lakes dotted around WA, especially in the Wheatbelt area provide great abstract subject and this one is no exception. Everyone sees something different in the images but this one is named after one of the dragons in GOTs as that was the first thing I saw.
A shot of one of the salt lakes around Lake Campion nature reserve which is about a 6 hour drive from home.
Cranbrook in the states Great Southern region has a number of pink lakes. The pink colouring is due to the bacteria which live in this high salinity environment and secrete a caretonoid pigment which is red in colour and gives the lake its hue.
Another image from the pink lakes around Cranbrook. This image reminded me of a meteor about to crash to earth.
The variation in colours from one lake to the next is amazing. This particular lake sits next to the main freeway through the area, yet from ground level you could quite easily miss it.
Shark Bay sits 800km north of Perth in the Coral Coast region of WA. With its red Soil and turquoise water it makes a fantastic subject when viewed from the air.
Shot above lake Norring in the Wheatbelt region of WA.
I very rarely fly my drone when I’m out on a shoot with my camera, however this particular morning I wasn’t able to catch the approaching clouds from ground level so up she went to catch this image of the approaching storm.
Shark Bay is an 800km drive north of Perth but it really is a worthwhile trip. The area itself is World Heritage Listed and is home to an abundance of wildlife, flora and stunning scenery…and from the air that beauty becomes ever more apparent.
One of many images I shot with the drone from above this salt lake out near Merredin. Such a great place to shoot with so many opportunities to create images.
A wider version of the previous shot this image shows the diverse range of colours and textures that these salt lakes produce.
Another abstract from this stunning salt lake in the Wheatbelt of WA.
Another shot from near the small town of Pingrup in the wheatbelt region of WA. I saw this salt lake whilst shooting another so took a quick flight to check it out and was amazed by the stunning soft pastels.
Taken above the BASF processing plant just outside Port Gregory in WA’s north west. The vivid colours combine with the man made machinery to produce a truly psychedelic feel.
The salt pans of the BASF plant create stunning colours all year round.
A shot of one of the many salt lakes that can be found around the Wheatbelt area of WA. From ground level they often look mundane but once above they can provide an aerial feast of colour and texture.
Useless Loop is a large salt mine approximately 250 km’s from Shark Bay on the Coral Coast of Western Australia. A doors off flight allowed me some stunning views of this unique area. The ponds are normally a pastel blue colour however just before my arrival a sand storm passed through rendering them a reddish brown colour.
An aerial view of one of the many glacial rivers that run down from the glaciers in Iceland. Shot near to Hofn in the South West of the island it was the only day out of our 11 day trip that I could launch the drone. It’s only once you are above them that the rivers reveal their true colours.
Black and white photography has always been my passion ever since I first started to develop film at home. Black and white images are timeless and provide great decoration to every home regardless of colour schemes.
How much history has walked over those cobbled stones? Shot very early one spring morning in the Italian capital in order to get an image without the throng of tourists who are usually milling about this historic site.
The Shambles in York, England dates back to the 14th Century with many of the current buildings dating from circa 1350-1475 when butchers were present. Although the butchers have now vanished, a number of the shops on the street still have meat-hooks hanging outside and, below them, shelves, or ‘shambles’ on which meat was displayed. It has also been touted as the inspiration for Diagon Alley from the Harry Potter series of books and movies.
St Paul’s cathedral sits on Ludgate Hill, the highest point in the City of London and has become one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks. Designed by Christopher Wren it later survived the Blitz when Winston Churchill declared it must be saved at all costs.
This modern steel suspension footbridge links the City of London with Bankside and, as the name suggests was opened in the year 2000. Flanked by St Paul’s on one bank and The Tate Gallery on the other it is usually bustling with commuters and tourists alike. This image was shot early on my first morning in London when jet lag meant a very early start was possible.
Sugarloaf Rock sits at the end of Cape Naturaliste and provides an impressive and imposing structure whatever the weather. As it sits on the less sheltered side of the cape it is often a stormy contrast to the sheltered bays of Meelup, Eagle Bay and Castle Rock.
Busselton Jetty is the longest wooden structure jetty in the southern hemisphere, jutting out 1.8km’s into the Indian Ocean. Originally constructed for ships carrying timber from the region it is now a tourist attraction. An undersea observatory sits at the end of the structure which can be reached either by walking or by the minature train that runs to the end.
The black church in Búðir (or Búðakirkja) sits in Iceland’s Snæfellsnes peninsula. The hamlet itself consists of nothing but the church and a hotel but the surrounding landscape more than makes up for any lack of amenities.
Kirkjafell looms over the small town of Grundarfjörður in the Snæfellsnes peninsula of Iceland. Recognisable as ‘Arrow Head’ from the popular Game of Thrones series it is the most photographed mountain in Iceland and it’s not at all hard to see why. Below it sits the also impressive Kirkjafellfoss waterfall. This image was shot just as a snow storm began to develop.
Quinninup Falls are a rare find in the south west of WA as we don’t have too many waterfalls to speak of. They only run during winter or after periods of heavy rain and whilst the walk in to them can be physically demanding the view at the end is definitely worthwhile.
Winter weather combined with the tones and textures of the rocks in this area make Sugarloaf a prime place to shoot during winter. For this shot I actually went out during some heavy showers and had to wait for a break in the clouds. When that break came however it gave me stunning light.
Shot at the same spot as the previous image just prior to the storm coming in. The light, tide and beautiful clouds just asked for a black and white image.
Stormy weather, the textures of the rocks here in the south west and monochromatic images really seem made for each other. Whilst taking a walk with the camera I came across this rock formation which caught my eye due to the light and texture.
Quinninup falls only run during winter and this year in particular has seen some pretty heavy rainfall so one overcast and rainy afternoon I headed along the Cape to Cape track to see how they were going. I have to say I have not seen them with this much water before so I made the slightly precarious climb to the ledge above and managed to capture this image.
Bebbanburg is the old medieval name for this majestic fortress. Sat atop the Great Whin Sill it is windswept and at the mercy of the harsh North Sea elements yet it remains stunningly beautiful.
I promised myself I would photograph 30 St Mary’s Axe upon my return to London. Affectionately known as ‘The Gherkin’ it is a wonderful piece of modern architecture just made for black and white photography.
The SECC and Hydro sit side by side as symbols of Glasgow’s new life. For me both buildings are fine examples of good modern architecture and both make great subjects especially on overcast days.
Many of the old fishing boats on Holy Island have been recycled once their life at sea has ended. Fishermen upturn them on the shore and they become sheds to house gear. Better still they make great subjects sitting in front of Lindisfarne castle
Moody clouds gather over the island of Lindisfarne with rain appearing behind the castle.
As the name suggests this is a collection of my latest images; some may make it into the Galleries others will simply disappear after a period of time.
Make sure you keep checking back to make sure you don’t miss any!
A classic view of Edinburgh castle and definitely one of the most popular amongst photographers. Located in the Grassmarket area of the city it’s easy to see why as it affords a superb view of Castle Hill and the historic fortress. Shooting first thing in the morning is the best (and sometimes only) way to make sure you have no other prople in shot.
Sunrise on ANZAC day proved to be a fantastic place for reflection as I had the entire beach to myself. Standing watching the sun come up and reflecting that many young men gave their lives so that were free to be able to do this.
Whilst staying in Busselton prior to our move back to the UK I was lucky enough to be up early one morning to encounter a huge storm of sheet lightning lighting up the sky over the iconic jetty.
Taken during an epic lightning storm which lit up the skies around this SW icon.
Taken on a lovely spring evening on my first foray out with the camera after moving back to the UK. Newton Wood sits on the western edge of the distinctively shaped Roseberry Topping in between Great Ayton and Newton under Roseberry, North Yorkshire. Late April to early May every year a carpet of Bluebells appears.
Whilst driving through countryside near York I noticed another set of Bluebells in woodland. Unfortunately the weather wasn't grat so I made a note and returned later that evening when the light was better. The soft light filtering through the trees gave a dreamlike feel to the scene and led me to give this image an almost impressionistic feel.