55 PHOTO DAYS OUT
Brilliant locations to give you and your DSLR a treat
Free with the July issue of
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Oxford GiclĂŠe Ltd The team at Oxford Giclee Limited are delighted to act as sponsors for this supplement, to have the opportunity of sharing the images below with readers, and introduce our high quality services.
Blenheim Palace, Alexander Melville, Digital Canon 1DS MKII
Afternoon In France, David Smith, 5x4� negative, Ilford FP4
Darjeeling, Daniel Mark Taylor, 35mm negative, Agfa APX100
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Welcome Last week, I had a day spare, which is a rarity. So I decided to reward myself with a day taking pictures. I rounded up my camera, tripod, memory cards and filters and chucked them in the car. But then I hit a problem. Where to go to maximise my free time? I didn’t want to stay local as every half-decent location in a ten-mile radius has been photographed to within an inch of its life. But equally I didn’t want to make a wasted journey to somewhere further afield. What I needed was this supplement. While it’s now a little too late for my free time, I’m hoping you’ll be able to put this supplement to good use. Put simply, we’ve divided the country into eight separate regions and, within each, nominated six fantastic locations for you to go and take pictures. We’ve even got some Digital SLR readers to throw in their favourite spots as well. Whether you’re after rolling hills, rocky crags, old or new architecture or spots by the sea, we’ve got the lot. While we’ve picked the best spots, we’d always advise you to do your own research. Google the places or type your destination into Flickr and you’ll come up with ideas and location advice to make your trip even better. Make sure you send me your shots. You can email them to me at rogerpayne@bright-publishing.com – I’m always looking for shots to make a Photoblog or to appear in Reader Gallery. Alternatively, post them in the Gallery section of www.dslruser.co.uk and invite feedback from readers. I hope you enjoy both the supplement and the magazine. If you like what we do, why not take out a subscription? See below for our latest offer.
Roger Payne, Editor
THE REGIONS 6 South East 8 South West 10 Central 12 East 14 Wales 16 North West 18 North East 20 Scotland
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55 PHOTO DAYS OUT Technique & planning
How to bring home great shots So many amazing locations... and so little time to visit them. Here are a few tips on how to make the most of the subjects you’re likely to find
Landscapes & coasts
We’ve got some amazing landscapes in this country; places that can be as beautiful as anywhere in the world. No one who makes the effort to visit the heart of the Lake District or the Scottish Highlands could fail to come away having seen some breathtaking sights, and hopefully with some really great pictures. On top of that, as a fairly small island nation, nobody in Britain is ever further than a couple of hours’ drive from fabulous coastline. There are some key things you need to remember, wherever you take your camera to. To get images that you’ll be proud of, you need to be careful in every way, and that comes partly as a result of using a tripod. They slow you down, allowing you to think more carefully about what you’re doing. As well as a good tripod, look at the various types of neutral density filters. Some affect the whole frame while some just hold back the brightness of the sky, but they’re essential if you want to bring home the bacon in the landscape stakes.
Images like these are easy to capture when you know a few tricks of the trade. The two key ones are to use a tripod and graduated neutral density filters, which allow you to manage contrasty scenes.
Stately homes & castles
Britain is an old nation, with evidence of settlements going back thousands of years. It’s the buildings from the last thousand or so that tend to make the best photos, though, and wherever you live, you won’t be short of castles, abbeys, stately homes and grand old halls, all within relatively easy reach. Buildings like these are the kinds of places you could spend a full day at even if you’re solely there to take pictures. Patterns in brickwork, landscaped gardens and even actors in period costume can give you so many chances to take away a bucketful of ‘keepers’, and that’s before you consider capturing the outside view of the building, set in its glorious surroundings. What you need at these venues is versatility, so a standard zoom lens is perfect. But the key is to keep your eyes peeled for potential subjects, and your brain ticking over with ideas. You might end up doing a lot of walking, so good, sturdy shoes are essential.
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Make a bee-line for the best-looking buildings in town. If you’re in amongst tall, closely-packed buildings you’ll need to raise your ISO to around 400 to keep your shutter speed up.
Towns & cities
Shooting in a town or city takes a bit of readjustment, because the photos will come less from the weather and the light, and more from the people and buildings around you. What’s great about urban locations is that there’s so much to do on top of taking pictures, and whether you’re on your own or with family or friends, none of you will ever be stuck for something to do or somewhere to go. In amongst tall, closely-packed buildings the light levels drop, and it’s a good idea to raise your ISO to 400 to counter the slower shutter speeds you’ll be otherwise forced to use. If ever there was a time to use the program mode (P) this would be it, because for street photography the key is to capture the moment. For architecture, stick to aperturepriority mode (A or Av) and about f/11. There are fantastic buildings, statues and sculptures in every town, so do your research and make a plan to visit a few, if you can.
Flora & fauna
Plant life and wildlife are two of the most enjoyable subjects to photograph. The challenge of getting really great images of our secretive British wild animals is matched by the challenge of creating and managing the subtle lines and gentle tones of flowers, whether wild or bought in. Neither is easy, but then that’s perhaps why we enjoy them so much. There are a lot of wildlife parks and sanctuaries up and down the country that freely allow photography, and while it’s good to get your lens as close as possible to enclosures, remember not to stick your fingers in. Carpets of wild flowers cover the landscape at this time of year, whether you’re in woodland or on cliff tops. A macro lens will serve you well, but a cheap 50mm prime lens is a great bonus – its wide maximum aperture will really let you blur the background out of focus. Wildlife photography is incredibly popular in Britain, and with such fabulous animals in our countryside, it’s understandable. Use your longest lens for wildlife, but a fairly cheap 50mm lens (right) is perfect for wild flowers.
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South East
1. The London Eye NEAREST TUBE: WATERLOO London offers an embarrassment of riches when it comes to photography, but we think the London Eye offers great variety. On a sunny day, the Eye makes for great images – home in on the pods and the metalwork, while climbing on board affords fantastic views over the capital. Back on terra firma, the Houses of Parliament are just a short walk away, plus, being a popular tourist area, there are some ‘grab’ photo opportunities with street vendors and candids. Telezooms are the order of the day and get the ISO up to 400 to avoid any camera shake.
2. Leeds Castle BROOMFIELD, KENT Leeds Castle was built in 1119 and in Tudor times was visited by Henry VIII. The castle is now home to a variety of events from jousting and concerts to a fireworks display. In quieter times, the castle makes a wonderful subject with plenty of opportunity in the surrounding grounds for foreground interest. Use the wide-angle setting of your standard zoom and select a small aperture of around f/16 by using the aperturepriority (A or Av) mode, to ensure everything is sharp from front to back. 6 DIGITAL SLR JULY 2011
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5. The New Forest SW HAMPSHIRE SE WILTSHIRE This National Park occupies nearly 600 square kilometres, although the forest itself is much smaller, and includes 26 miles of coastline. The area has a wide range of plants and animals making it a great location. If you don’t fancy capturing animals in the wild, head for the New Forest Wildlife Park near Ashurst, while the New Forest Tour – which starts on 25 June – is an open-top bus route that takes in the most photogenic parts of the area.
3. Wisley RHS garden SURREY Just a few miles from the M25 is the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) flagship garden. The beautifully tended beds and lawns are the obvious attraction, but there’s also a brand new glasshouse that’s perfect for graphic compositions. Use either the wide-angle setting on your zoom to take in a large view, or zoom to the telephoto end for plant portraits and details. Make sure you take a macro lens too, if you have one. Flowers are best photographed when the sky is overcast, so this could be one to save for a rainy day.
4. The White Cliffs of Dover KENT
6. British Wildlife Centre
Arguably the most iconic location on the English coastline, the famous chalk cliffs stand up to 107m above the Channel – no wonder they can be seen from France on a good day. Getting shots from sea level is a challenge. The best option is to take a steep path down to Langdon Bay, which ends with a climb down a ladder. It could be a better (and safer) option to take the coastal path. Start at the visitor centre at Langdon Cliffs then head towards the South Foreland Lighthouse. Keep away from the cliff edges.
Here’s an option to get some great wildlife pictures. The centre is home to many wild animals and is open every day from March to October. A telezoom lens will be ideal and try to frame your shots so the animals look like they’re in their natural habitat. Use a wide aperture of f/5.6 to concentrate attention on the subjects. Find out more at www. britishwildlifecentre.co.uk
LINGFIELD, SURREY
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South West 7. St Michael’s Mount MARAZION, CORNWALL An offshore castle steeped in history that’s temporarily connected to the mainland every day by a stone causeway. Make a day of it, visiting the castle, gardens and harbour during the day, then get back to the mainland for sunset and shoot back across the water as the sun sets. Access via the causeway varies according to the tide times so check before you go – especially if you’re intending to walk both ways! Visit www.stmichaelsmount.co.uk for more details.
8. Lanhydrock House
9. Durdle Door
10. Dartmoor National Park
BODMIN
NEAR LULWORTH, DORSET
DEVON
Lanhydrock House stands in extensive grounds (360 hectares or 890 acres in old money) above the River Fowey and has been owned and managed by the National Trust since 1953. Much of the present house dates back to Victorian times but some sections date from the 1620s. It can be photographed throughout the year but late spring is particularly good when the rhododendrons are in bloom. The parterre garden is a brilliant colourful design to use as a foreground. This is best accomplished using a wide-angle lens, which gives the impression of being able to walk right into the garden.
The location for the fantastic shot by Andy Brown in this month’s Reader Hero piece, Durdle Door is a naturally formed limestone arch. While you could shoot it from the cliffs above, photographers who make their way down to sea level will get better results by including the curve of the beach as foreground interest. Pack your neutral density filters and go for a long exposure to render the sea as a serene blur. Make a couple of Internet searches to see some of the thousands of images already taken there. They’ll give you inspiration to follow in those photographers’ footsteps, and maybe even to create something different.
Dartmoor National Park is a honeypot for many landscape photographers because it offers a wide variety of geographical features. Probably the most well known are the large number of granite tors that pepper the landscape. Most are found on the northern part of the park. Combestone Tor is the most accessible one as it’s only about 70 metres from the nearest car park. But on the down side, because it’s so easy to get to, it can get busy. Arrive early or stay late for the best (people-free) shots, and, while you’re waiting for the best light, you’ll get some great views over the Dart Valley below, and of the cloud formations above.
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11. The Eden Project ST AUSTELL, CORNWALL Built in a disused clay mine, the distinct golf ball-style domes of the Eden Project house a wide variety of exhibits to help visitors learn more about the world. The domes themselves make for great subject matter, plus there are also millions of plants to point your lens at, sculptures and the world’s largest indoor rainforest. Take your standard zoom lens and lens cloths. For more information visit www.edenproject.com
12. Westonbirt Arboretum NR TETBURY, GLOUCESTERSHIRE While many photographers would wait until autumn for a visit to Westonbirt, this Forestry Commission-run site is worth a visit all year round. Home to a huge variety of trees, there’s plenty to shoot from leaf details through to avenues. There’s a monthly digital photography workshop as well, up to and including July. Find out more information at www.forestry.gov. uk/westonbirt JULY 2011 DIGITAL SLR 9
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Central 13. Radcliffe Camera RADCLIFFE SQUARE, OXFORD You will find no cameras here, only books. The Bodleian Library is the main research library for the University of Oxford and is one of the oldest libraries in Europe. It is second in size only to the British Library. The camera, (the word simply means ‘room’) was built from 1737-1749 with a circular dome in a Palladian design. Unfortunately, the library is not open to the public. Rather than photograph from ground level, there is a good view from the University Church of St Mary the Virgin, looking over Radcliffe Camera and All Souls College. Oxford is a great place to explore on foot and a nightmare for parking, so leave your car at a park and ride.
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14. The Roaches NR UPPER HULME, LEEK, STAFFS Ramshaw Rocks are found beside the A53 Leek to Buxton road on the southwestern edge of the Peak District National Park. Shoot dramatic and spectacular rock formations weathered by the full force of Mother Nature. Dawn and dusk offer the greatest photo opportunities here.
15. Selfridges, Birmingham CENTRAL BIRMINGHAM Arguably this is the most photogenic building in the UK. From every angle there is a new shot to take, and the silver discs that cover the entire exterior are fantastic for abstract, wide-angle compositions. Don’t forget to shoot it at night, too, when it’s beautifully floodlit.
17. Witley Court & Gardens WORCESTERSHIRE This Grade I listed building is managed by English Heritage, so members get free access to its amazing ruins. It was rendered a wreck in 1937 by a huge fire, and has been only partially restored since then. Highlights include the woodland walk around the grounds, the fully functional Perseus & Andromeda fountain, and the restored Great Witley Church, with its remarkable artwork. Definitely try to visit on a sunny day. Visit www.englishheritage.org.uk for details.
16. Stanage Edge NR BAMFORD Stanage Edge, situated on the Derbyshire moors north of Hathersage, is an impressive gritstone edge that is popular with rock climbers. Millstones were once chiselled from the cliffs, and there are still several lying around that make good foreground interest.
18. Burghley House NR STAMFORD, LINCOLNSHIRE Amazing architecture, lush green lawns and wide-open skies are the order of the day at Burghley House. The building is around 450 years old, and fabulously styled for a very rich and powerful man of the time. It hosts the famous Burghley Horse Trials, but is great to visit at any time of year, especially with the family in tow. Visit www.burghley.co.uk JULY 2011 DIGITAL SLR 11
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East 19. Southwold Pier N PARADE, SOUTHWOLD, SUFFOLK There is an abundance of subjects to photograph at Southwold and the pier makes an interesting subject especially at sunrise. Try using a neutral density (ND) filter to create long exposures that give the sea a calm, misty effect.
20. Ely Cathedral
21. Turf Fen Mill
ELY, CAMBRIDGESHIRE
HOW HILL, NORFOLK BROADS
Ely Cathedral is the crowning glory of the Fens, dominating the flat terrain and visible on approach from every direction. It’s not until you enter its grand interior that you realise the true photographic potential. Try using a wide-angle lens to capture the symmetry of the Octagon Tower. A tripod is a must and well worth the effort.
Turf Fen Mill is an iconic feature of the Norfolk Broads and is ideal for shooting at sunset when the River Ant is like glass, producing mirror-like reflections. It was built in 1875 to drain the Horning marshes into the River Ant and is part of the How Hill estate. Traditional reed cutting is still performed to provide materials for thatching. On breezy days you can photograph the traditional sailing yachts passing by the mill.
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EAST
23. King’s College CAMBRIDGE The whole city of Cambridge is well worth a visit, but King’s College is the real jewel in the crown. Start in the town centre and capture The Gatehouse and Chapel from King’s Parade before heading away from the shops and shooting this classical view back across the river. As well as general views, architectural details abound so be sure to pack your telezoom and go in close to pick out turrets and archways.
24. Imperial War Museum (IWM) 22. Hunstanton
© PHILIP MORGAN
NORFOLK On the one hand, ‘Sunny Hunny’ is a typical seaside resort with fish & chip shops, arcades and sweet shops lining the seafront – there’s also the Sea Life Centre for the animal lovers among you. Landscape photographers, on the other hand, should head for the multi-coloured cliffs at Old Hunstanton. As the town is the only one on the east coast where the sun sets over the sea, the cliffs look their best at the end of the day. Get down on the stony beach and shoot back towards the cliffs, using a graduated ND filter to retain detail in the sky.
DUXFORD The IWM provides great photo opportunities. Alongside the static displays there are also fantastic outbuildings with plenty of period details. The glassfronted American Air Museum is also worth a few graphic shots. Light levels are low inside, so be sure to increase your ISO to compensate. Visit on one of the air show days when plenty of planes take to the sky and people walk around in period costumes. Details from duxford.iwm.org.uk JULY 2011 DIGITAL SLR 13
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Wales
25. Brecon Beacons SOUTH WALES The outstanding natural beauty of the Beacons marries rolling hills and mountains with patches of forest, amazing waterfalls and breathtaking valleys. If you can’t find a stunning landscape around here, you should have gone to Specsavers. You’ll want to take reliable outdoor clothing including walking boots, a waterproof jacket and overtrousers, and a backpack for carrying your gear. Check out the buyer’s guide in the main magazine!
26. Snowdon SNOWDONIA NATIONAL PARK Mount Snowdon is the highest mountain in Wales, at 1085 metres, and is known locally by its Welsh name of Yr Wyddfa (The Tomb). There are magnificent views from Capel Curig and the lakes of Llynnau Mymbyr and Llyn Ogwen. If you’re up for a challenge, try one of the six hiking routes to the summit or take the easy way using the Snowdon Railway. When trying to capture reflections of Snowdon from one of the surrounding lakes, it’s best first thing in the morning before the wind gets up. Use rocks in the foreground to add a sense of depth to your images. 14 DIGITAL SLR JULY 2011
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29. Portmeirion GWYNEDD, NORTH WALES
27. South Stack Lighthouse
Built over a 50 year period on the Dwyryd estuary, Portmeirion is a tribute to the lifestyle of the Mediterranean. Its charm has seen countless celebrities fall in love with it, along with it being chosen to appear in television shows like Cold Feet. It’s unlike any other seaside town in the country, and for that reason it’s a fascinating place to visit. www.portmeirion-village.com
WEST ANGLESEY South Stack Lighthouse is located on Holy Island, on the extreme west of Anglesey. It’s an inspiring location, set among dramatic and rocky headlands weathered by the full force of the southeasterly winds that sometimes batter the coast here. Wander carefully over the cliff path in search of an ideal composition to show the lighthouse in its awesome setting. In late spring and early summer, wildflowers carpet the cliffs here, adding vibrant colours and interesting foregrounds to your images. Sunsets can be particularly spectacular.
28. Cardiff Castle CARDIFF This iconic feature of the Welsh capital’s skyline has a long and rich history dating back to Roman Britain, but the real pull for photographers is its interior. Famed for its intricacy and fantasy, the smallest features are exaggerated in the most ostentatious and glamorous ways, offering countless details, colours, shapes and sculptures to feast your eyes on. Don’t be too overawed to take a picture or two, though. For more information about the castle visit www. cardiffcastle.com
30. Llandudno Pier LLANDUDNO, CONWY It’s important to consult the tide timetables when planning to shoot Llandudno Pier. Photograph during a receding tide as the waters race in quickly here over the mud flats and you don’t want to become trapped! Wellies are a must. Visit www. visitllandudno.org.uk JULY 2011 DIGITAL SLR 15
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North East 31. Millennium Bridge (Newcastle) NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE The waterside area of Newcastle is rich in photographic potential. Whereas the city centre has old and grand architecture, the quayside is modern and vibrant. The five bridges that cross the Tyne are all unique in shape and the most recent, the Millennium Bridge, is the most eye-catching of all. At night the area really comes alive. Catch the afterglow of the day’s sun as a backdrop to the stunning Sage Concert Hall, as the river reflects the tapestry of colour from the artificial lights on the quayside.
32. Whitby NORTH YORKSHIRE Chances are you might have seen stunning images of Whitby already. Its picturesque vistas of characterful roofs rising up from the estuary of the River Esk are not to be missed. Climb the hills that lead up through the town and look back on the town when the sun is lower in the sky for a magical moment of light.
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33. Angel of the North
© JOHN STEEL
NEAR GATESHEAD, TYNE & WEAR Easily accessible and dominating the landscape beside the A1, the Angel of the North can be shot throughout the day. Zoom in on the bright orange steelwork creating abstract images or step back, fit a wide-angle lens and include a visitor to show the sheer scale of this famous Gormley work of art.
35. Malham tree NEAR MALHAM TARN, NORTH YORKSHIRE Limestone paving, golden light, leading lines, a stump, a tree, an evening in the Yorkshire Dales. What could be better? This tree is close to Malham Tarn and its broken ‘pavement’ of rocks. The light can be absolutely stunning here, and you’re likely to want to include the sky. To keep some colour and detail in the sky you should use a graduated ND filter. You’ll want to have everything in focus so choose a small aperture, and to be sure of sharp shots you should use a tripod. There is something magical about the Yorkshire Dales in golden light and this location really captures it.
34. Bamburgh Castle BAMBURGH, NORTHUMBERLAND This is one of the most recognisable castles in the country. Built on a rocky outcrop right on the Northumberland coast, its history includes wooden forts, Viking raids, the War of the Roses and more. There are many angles you can shoot the castle’s exterior from, so why not take a walk down the beach and around it. It’s an especially nice day out because the air quality is known to be excellent. www.bamburghcastle.com
36. Castle Howard YORK, N YORKS Visit this stately home for its architecture, its landscaped gardens and the unique monuments. Black & white modes should be given a good leg-stretch here. For details visit www.castlehoward.co.uk JULY 2011 DIGITAL SLR 17
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North West 37. Castlerigg Stone Circle NR KESWICK An iconic Lakeland location that should be in every landscaper’s portfolio. For peoplefree pictures get here early or stay late. The combination of great light and breathtaking scenery is sure to produce something special.
38. Derwentwater KESWICK Derwent is just one big photographic opportunity. Get there at dawn for rising mist and great light.
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NORTH WEST
41. Ashness Bridge NR KESWICK Probably the most famous small bridge in the UK. This gem has been photographed to death, but it’s still worth visiting. Around 10am is the ideal time to arrive for a sunlit shot, as by midday it’s cast in shadow again. However, try it later in the day too, as in this capture. Barrow Beck stream provides the perfect foreground interest to the bridge, with Falcon Crag to the right creating a nice backdrop, along with Skiddaw in the background. The trip up this road is worthwhile as it leads to Watendlath Tarn, another great location with more lovely views.
39. Blackpool Tower LANCASHIRE Built as an observation tower – a tower built purely for looking out from a high vantage point – Blackpool Tower rises to 158m. You can climb to the top for panoramic views of the town, or you can photograph the tower itself. If the sky is full of moody clouds, shoot up at the tower in your camera’s black & white mode for a powerful effect. Visit www.theblackpooltower.com
42. Hornby Castle NEAR LANCASTER
40. Liverpool Docks LIVERPOOL Photographing at the docks is all about managing the imposing skyline. Modern meets the traditional in a place that saw the thick end of the industrial revolution and the slave trade. The best time to shoot is late on a clear day when the sky turns a deep blue, but it’s well worth spending a full day at the docks to take in the incredible history (and potential for close-ups) it has to offer.
Located ten miles northeast of Lancaster, shoot the castle from the bridge over the River Wenning. It’s private property so you can’t get up close. The climbing plants are colourful extras that help to boost your pictures, though. Try using your longest focal length along with your ‘Vivid’ or ‘Landscape’ picture control mode. JULY 2011 DIGITAL SLR 19
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Scotland 43. Eilean Donan Castle LOCH ALSH, DORNIE, ROSS-SHIRE Eilean Donan Castle is by far the most photographed castle in all of Scotland. It has appeared in countless films and on biscuit tins. Because of the position of the castle on Loch Alsh, it can be photographed from numerous positions. The loch is tidal so it’s best photographed when the tide is in to capture the castle reflecting in the still waters in the morning and evening. Try photographing the last light on the castle from the west side, then go around to the east side to capture the afterglow behind the castle when the lights come on. Visit www.eileandonancastle.com
44. Glencoe BALLACHULISH You can’t go to Scotland without going through Glencoe. There are the much-photographed mountains such as the Three Sisters, but you can venture up one of the hiking trails for a different kind of viewpoint.
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SCOTLAND
45. Old Man of Storr
46. Edinburgh City Centre
NORTH OF TORVAIG, ISLE OF SKYE
EDINBURGH
The Old Man of Storr is probably one of the best views in Britain. Located on the Trotternish peninsula on the Isle of Skye, it’s a remnant of ancient landslips. There is a car park on the A855 just north of Loch Leathan. From there you walk about a mile through a pine forest until it emerges from the trees. You will then see before you an amazing lunar landscape in the distance below a sheer cliff. The climb is steep but once you reach the base of the pinnacles and turn around, it will all be worth it as you will witness gorgeous views over to Raasay.
Where to start? And where to finish! Quite simply, Edinburgh is one of the most complete cities in the world from a photographer’s point of view. Public gardens, historic buildings, the castle, endless sets of stairs and hundreds of winding alleyways make it a mind-boggling place to take in. But one thing’s for sure – you’ll never, ever be short of something to photograph in or around Edinburgh city centre.
47. Glasgow SECC MYERS VIEW, GLASGOW The Scottish Exhibition & Conference Centre (SECC), or the ‘Armadillo’, sits on the northern bank of the River Clyde in the regenerated docklands area of Glasgow. When an event is on at night the exterior is magnificently illuminated by a host of purple spotlights set into the folds of its roof. The iconic shot of the building is to capture it at twilight, reflected in the still waters of the Clyde, with Bells Footbridge sweeping across the river towards the SECC. Other notable photographic features in close proximity are the Finnieston Crane, Clyde Millennium Arc Bridge and the IMAX Building. For details visit www.secc.co.uk
48. Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness NR STRONE, GRAMPIAN Sitting proudly above the banks of Loch Ness are the ruins of Urquhart Castle, a great spot for Nessie watching. When you get tired of waiting for her, try photographing the castle illuminated at twilight. JULY 2011 DIGITAL SLR 21
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49. Stratford-upon-Avon
50. Salford Quays, Manchester
NOMINATED BY: JAMES LAWRENCE
NOMINATED BY: LEE SPEIGHT
“Best known for Shakespeare, Stratford is a photographer’s delight. It’s the variety that draws me back: riverscapes, bridges and weirs, ancient buildings, a beautiful church, canal and barges, the theatre, intriguing street lamps (sponsored by towns around the country), and, on a weekend, lots of opportunity for candid shots. Park just outside in the free car park off the A439 and walk in to avoid the traffic. Perfect!”
“Not for typical landscape photographs but urban scenes, with modern buildings and bridges instead of farms and fields. Chrome, concrete and steel replace grass and trees and the Manchester Ship Canal is a worthy replacement for many rivers. It’s great by day but spectacular by night, when the water reflects the bright lights all around. Also, my wife can shop or sit in a cafe while I take photographs!”
51. Brighton seafront
52. Fountains Abbey, Ripon
53. Burrator Dam, Devon
NOMINATED BY: JOHN FISHER
NOMINATED BY: ALICK DOYLE
NOMINATED BY: ROGER BULPITT
“I love the seafront area in Brighton, between the two piers. There is always something happening, the buildings are interesting and the sea adds another dimension. It really doesn’t seem to matter what time of the year you go either, as each season offers something different.”
“An old ruined abbey, decimated by Henry VIII, that draws in thousands of visitors every year. It is set in a beautiful valley and it’s so peaceful (no phone signal helps) you almost feel cut off from the 21st Century. Photographically, it offers something for everyone: landscape, architecture, wildlife, woodlands history, walks and a change with every season.”
“I love the Dartmoor National Park – all 368 square miles of it, but the spot I particularly like within the park is Burrator Dam, north of Plymouth. The dam was originally built in 1898 and was raised by an additional ten feet in the 1920s.”
Down your way Seven of our readers pick their favourite photo locations
with Don’t keep it to yourself; share it r fave You ers! read SLR tal Digi w your fello ea mak ld place for taking pictures wou re whe e azin mag the for great Photoblog the tell and ges ima r you w sho you can ’ve world what makes it so good. If you to: ges ima d sen se plea ion, got a suggest m g.co shin ubli ht-p brig ne@ rpay roge
54. Cullen Beach, NE Scotland
55. Paper Mill Lock, Essex
NOMINATED BY: JENNI LANTHROPE
NOMINATED BY: RYAN GILBERT
“Cullen Beach has miles of empty golden sand, caves, sticks for the dog, picturesque winding little streets, dolphins, whales, seabirds by the hundreds, myriad designs of boats, cliffs, snow, sun, fantastic views to get there, and its on my doorstep! Need I say more?”
“Paper Mill Lock in Essex is a hidden gem for landscape photography. Secluded between Little Baddow and Hatfield Peverel. The lock is home to active barges of all colours and sizes that fit seamlessly into the open surroundings. Images of a summer sun setting over the barges and fields makes this location a dream attraction for photographers.”
22 DIGITAL SLR JULY 2011
55LOCATIONS_022lgRP.indd 22
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