Photographing The Lake District

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The Lake District looks gorgeous at any time of year, but if you only get one shot, then head over during the winter or fall. I would take a selection of ND filters if you like to shoot long exposures and Graduated ND filters a polarising filter to help balance the light in your images. Blea Tarn nestles in the Little Langdale valley, adjacent to its larger cousin, just over the other side of Lingmoor Fell, Great Langdale. This entire area is festooned with breath-taking locations and a walk anywhere from either of these two valleys will be rewarding. The area around Buttermere is another beautiful Lake District spot for sunrise. Walk around the lake making sure you are near the stand of trees for when the sun finally appears over Dale Head and lights up the scene. CONISTON & ELTERWATER One of the most remote valleys in the Lake District, take a short walk up the slopes of Great Gable at the head of the valley. Then turn and look down the flat fields and ancient drystone wall patterns of Wasdale Head with Wastwater behind, all beautifully framed between Lingmell and the Wasdale Screes on the left, and Yewbarrow on the right.

There are several hiking trails in the leafy park ranging from 0.5 miles to 2 miles and family friendly facilities including picnic spots, toilets and a café. There are lots of footpaths to explore and several hides which look out over a tarn and wetland, perfect for bird watching. The habitat surrounding the falls is helping protect the endangered Red Squirrels, so keep an eye out for them as you wander along one of the many waterfall trails. There is also an incredible collection of exotic trees with information boards to explain the different varieties. MAP / THINGS TO DO IN THE LAKE DISTRICT I also offer an annual bestselling Lake District Calendar, two landscape photography book called Capture Lakeland Volumes 1 and 2, Lake District postcards and mini landscape prints gift items. From the screes on Illgill Head, which drop sheer into the water, to the mountains that guard all around the lake, the views are as dramatic as you could imagine. The place has both beauty and grandeur in measures that are hard to compete with. There is sometimes a brooding air to this great valley and the water can be foreboding; it’s not surprising to learn that this is the deepest of the lakes.What equipment would you recommend a photographer takes when visiting the Lake District? (clothing and camera equipment) L’Enclume // The first of Simon Rogan’s restaurants, L’Enclume has 2 Michelin stars, a farm-to-table philosophy, and traceable local ingredients that are expertly prepared.

If you’ve read my description of the best time to photograph Wastwater you’ll already know I highly recommend not being restricted to time of year, or time of day. I would apply this recommendation to all the locations I suggest. Work with what you have at the time – there are numerous possibilities to create some magic here at any time of year, any time of day. Better to focus on compositional opportunities than to worry about if there’s a better time. With camera in hand, right now, there is no better time! LEE: There are sixteen lakes in the Lake District and many Tarn’s (small mountain lakes) each with many areas of interest around them. One of my favourite areas within the Lake District is the town of Ambleside that sits at the head of Windermere, England's largest natural lake. There are a variety of walks and hiking trails around Windermere (as well as the rest of the Lakes) varying from gentle walks around the lake to more strenuous hikes in the fells.

4. Buttermere

It’s a fabulous location that creates a real sense of scale and perspective. For this particular image I used the golden rushes as a bit of a leading line and the broken ice not only creates some contrasting texture, but also adds to the foreground interest. The broken ice combined with Blencathra's first dusting of snow that winter gave the image a real wintry feel and added to the overall power of the image. There’s a very picturesque little waterfall and an old building that has been used to view the falls since Victorian times. You can shoot from standing on the bridge that spans the river, but I personally think you get better shots from down at river level. Be warned though, the banks are very steep and unstable. It’s probably better to wear wellies and cross the river (very carefully and when conditions allow) to access the best viewpoint. 3. Blea Tarn For the many walkers that visit, it’s the chance to get away from the urban environment and explore the region’s unspoilt peaks and fells. With four mountains reaching over 3000 ft, and many more with spectacular viewpoints over the various valleys and lakes, there’s a challenge available to suit everyone’s ability level. Aira Force is an amazing 70 ft high waterfall surrounded by beautiful woodlands with a stone bridge at the top of the fall. The grounds are owned by The National Trust so expect to pay for parking here.