Outdoor Photography

ON LOCATION

Photographing Cheshire

Sitting on the Welsh borders between Lancashire and Staffordshire, Cheshire is a mostly rural county that is
also home to some truly unique tourist attractions, from medieval walkways to a modern scientific marvel.
Alan Novelli is your tour guide

Cheshire is often overlooked by photographers Often described as Peak to Plain, the county magnificent medieval timber-framed city of
in favour of the neighbouring Peak District, has a high point in the east of 559m (1,834ft) Chester bordering north Wales.
but it is a county offering a wealth and variety at Shining Tor. This is Cheshire’s own slice of
of beautiful landscapes, attractive architecture the Peak District National Park, a wild and Even the Plain is not totally flat, as a
and wonderful wildlife opportunities. windy area extending westwards before falling range of low sandstone hills known as the
steeply off the Pennine Hills towards the old Mid Cheshire Ridge runs north to south
Renowned for its fertile Cheshire Plain, mill town of Macclesfield. throughout the county, dividing it almost
you would be forgiven for imagining a flat in half and offering opportunities to gain
and featureless landscape, but nothing could This is where the Cheshire Plain begins. It elevation for panoramic views over the
be further from the truth. stretches for 30 miles across the county to the surrounding countryside.

Where to shoot

Windgather Rocks Windgather Rocks
Delamere Forest
Set high up on windswept moorland at the
edge of the Peak District, this is a favourite
location of mine which has so much potential
for landscape photography. The best part is
that this photogenic gritstone rock formation
catches the very last rays of the setting sun
at all times of year, meaning that golden
hour photography here can be really special.
Windgather Rocks are fully exposed to the
harshest of weather and stormy conditions
often produce the best light.

There is easy parking close to the base of
the rocks, or alternatively park at Oldgate Nick
car park one mile away and walk in towards the
rocks. Doing this offers up some very pleasing
compositions.

Delamere Forest

One of the great Norman medieval hunting
forests, Delamere Forest was originally called
the Forest of Mara and Mondrum. The literal
translation of ‘Delamere’ (from the French ‘De
la Mare’) is ‘of the sea’ and many lakes and
pools can be found throughout the forest,
often taking centre stage at some of the best
photographic locations. Look out for Black
Lake, Dead Lake and Blakemere Moss, which
all have their own ecosystems.

Within the forest’s 1,300 acres, there are
miles of forest trails to explore where you are
able to find solitude. Autumn is prime time to
visit Delamere, affording photographers an
opportunity to shoot stunning woodland images
of beautiful and mature deciduous trees bursting
into autumnal hues of orange, gold and russet.

Jodrell Bank

The defining landmark feature of Cheshire
is the giant Lovell Telescope of the Jodrell
Bank Observatory near Holmes Chapel. Its
huge 76m parabolic white dish dominates the
skyline for miles around and the telescope was

50 Outdoor Photography

Through the seasons Jodrell Bank Bickerton Hill

In spring, early wildflowers abound in the the Mid Cheshire Ridge. From the top, Chester
many stately houses, gardens and castles. close to the old Iron Age hill fort of Maiden
Bluebells at Rivacre Park near Ellesmere Castle, it offers almost 360º views over Chester
Port are a particular highlight. the surrounding countryside. Covered in a
mixture of deciduous woodland, spring and Chester, like York, has a huge number of black
Summer is a time to shoot attractive autumn are fabulous times to be up here. and white (so-called ‘Magpie’) half-timbered
villages such as the popular film location buildings to delight any photographer with an
Great Budworth. Alternatively, head to the Bickerton Hill is also home to the largest interest in architecture.
higher ground of Tegg’s Nose or Bickerton continuous area of lowland heath in the
Hill where heather covers the landscape. county and in summer the hillsides are It truly is a picturesque city to photograph,
covered in heather and bilberry, offering a with images to be made at every turn, and
Autumn is a time for forests, so head to riot of colour. With an easy approach to its its highlight is the historic Rows. These are
Delamere or, for a real treat, Macclesfield summit gained in less than 20 minutes, a series of double-level walkways housing a
Forest, awash with golden brown larches. once there you will discover a network of continuous line of covered balconies which
well-maintained paths allowing you to meander past wonky and ornate timber-framed
Finally, winter is a time to be up on the explore the area fully. buildings. Some of these date from the 13th
Pennine Hills. Snow is almost guaranteed, century and the Rows are unique in the world.
so be very careful if you plan to tackle the Sunrises can be dramatic from here and
infamous Cat and Fiddle Road. if early morning mist or fog is forecast, They extend over a series of four streets and
atmospheric images can be taken of the are fully accessible, albeit with steep stone
Wildlife Cheshire Plain. steps leading up to the second floor. The Rows
can be photographed effectively as a whole,
For wildlife enthusiasts, head over to but picking out details in the architecture also
Northwich Woodlands just north of the works really well.
town of Northwich in central Cheshire. This
373-hectare site of publicly accessible
countryside is made up of nine areas:
Marbury Country Park, Anderton Nature
Park, Dairy House Meadows, Forge Wood,
Hopyards Wood, Marshall’s Wood, Furey
Wood, Carey Park and Ashton’s and
Neumann’s Flashes.

There are several bird hides, reclaimed
lakes, a dragonfly pool and owl-nesting
boxes. It is home to hundreds of species
of birds, mammals, plants and insects.

Tips and advice

There are several viewpoints that offer
panoramic views over the Cheshire Plain.
Perhaps the finest is from the edge of
Bosley Cloud, just east of Congleton.

In winter, snow often closes the Cat
and Fiddle Road between Macclesfield
and Buxton, so make sure you are well
equipped for bad conditions.

given the honour of UNESCO World Heritage
Site status in 2019.

You can visit the Discovery Centre for a
close-up look at this beast, although images
taken from the surrounding roads are
arguably more pleasing. The great thing about
photographing Jodrell Bank is you never quite
know what image you will come away with, as
the telescope is fully articulated, being able
to turn through 360º, and its dish able to point
from the horizon to a fully vertical position.

Images of the dish can be taken at all times
of day and in all seasons, although a good sky
adds an extra dimension. The telescope also
looks particularly photogenic as a silhouette
at sunset.

Bickerton Hill

Bickerton Hill lies at the southern end of

Outdoor Photography 51

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LOCATIONS
GUIDE

We want to see your best shots 4 5
from around the UK and Ireland. 2
Each month the winner will
receive £200! For submission 3
details, turn to page 72
5
1 Freshwater Bay
Isle of Wight

2 Haweswater
Cumbria

3 Shining Tor
Cheshire

4 Lough Auva
County Donegal

5 Thorpe Bay
Essex

6 Dunstanburgh Castle
Northumberland

1

These are based around an ‘averagely fit’ person.
Below are loose guidelines to what the ratings mean
(N.B. they are assigned by the author and not verified by
OP. Walk distances are one-way only):

1/5 Easy access. You 3/5 Medium length 5/5 The most difficult
can pretty much get straight out of your car and walk of up to about two miles, over quite easy access. Long hike over challenging terrain (e.g.
quickly be at the viewpoint via good quality paths. terrain. mountains/summits/steep coastal terrain); or
involves travelling over particularly extreme ground
2/5 Gentle walking is 4/5 Longer length hike (e.g. scrambling on rocks/exposed coastal paths or
involved, which may be on mixed quality paths. up to about four miles over mixed terrain, possibly mountain ridges) over any distance.
with some quite steep gradients.

5 miles from Yarmouth • 14 miles from Newport ACCESS RATING

54 Outdoor Photography

VIEWPOINTS

WINNER
Scott Macintyre

scottmacintyrephotography.co.uk

Freshwater Bay,
Isle of Wight

O ne of the best coastal
views on the Isle of Wight,
Freshwater Bay is situated
near the western tip of
the island. It is surrounded by chalk
cliffs and stacks where caves have
formed beneath. An amazing four-
mile trail heading west continues to
the needles across Tennyson Down.
How to get there: From Newport,
follow the Newport Road (B3401) for
11.3 miles, continue straight on the
Middle Road (B399) then turn left
to Freshwater Bay. On the Military
Road (past the golf course) on the left
is Freshwater Bay Clifftop car park.
The car park is a five-minute walk
across the road to the cliff top.
What to shoot: Chalk cliffs and stacks,
dramatic waves, sunsets, wildlife.
Other times of year: Spring to summer;
best photographed on summer evenings.
Nearby locations: The Needles
(3.5 miles); Newtown National
Nature Reserve (9 miles).

Congratulations!

Scott Macintyre wins £200
for his stunning photograph!

Outdoor Photography 55

VIEWPOINTS

Christopher Shawcross miles from Penrith, in Shap, there is
a right turn signposted to Haweswater
Haweswater, Cumbria and Shap Abbey. Follow the single-track
road with passing places for a further six
Haweswater is surrounded by wild miles until you reach a small car park,
mountains and deep valleys, and which is a dead end at the reservoir.
is without doubt one of the most What to shoot: Dramatic views
picturesque areas in the Lake District. across Haweswater from Harter Fell.
There is easy access from the A6 Other times of year: All year round,
(signposted Haweswater). The road leads to but best in autumn, particularly early
a car park near the reservoir and there are morning in October.
several footpaths to explore: the footpath Nearby locations: Tarn Crag (3 miles);
leading up to Harter Fell gives excellent Shap Abbey (4 miles).
views of Haweswater and the hills beyond.

How to get there: Take the A6 from
Penrith signposted to Shap. About 10

7 miles from Shap • 14 miles from Penrith ACCESS RATING

56 Outdoor Photography

6 miles from Macclesfield • 7 miles from Buxton ACCESS RATING

Anthony Murden

anthonymurdenphotography.picfair.com

Shining Tor, Cheshire

S hining Tor is the highest hill in How to get there: Park opposite the
Cheshire. The tor offers great Cat & Fiddle pub on the A537 Buxton to
views of the surrounding Peak Macclesfield road. From here, walk west
District, the Cheshire Plains and the down the A537 until you get to a left-hand
peak of Shutlingsloe, as well as Jodrell bend. Follow a path that goes straight on
Bank. The summit can be reached via and then after 250m take a right fork.
several routes, most notably from the A gap in the wall and a path left takes
Upper Goyt Valley or from the parking you to the summit.
area near the Cat & Fiddle Inn. It is great What to shoot: Dramatic views of the
in all seasons and particularly at sunset Peak District and Cheshire Plains; Jodrell
and sunrise. Flora and fauna abound, Bank; rocky outcrops; wildflowers.
particularly in the summer, with marsh Other times of year: A great peak at all
orchids, cotton grass and short-eared times of year, but excellent in winter and
owls all present. good for sunrise and sunset.
Nearby locations: Errwood Reservoir
(2 miles); Goyt Valley (4 miles).

Outdoor Photography 57

4.5 miles from Carrick • 8 miles from Meenaneary ACCESS RATING

Jess Irvine

@jirvine.photography

Lough Auva, County Donegal

N ow, most wouldn’t think twice How to get there: Just over one mile from Other times of year: Late afternoon
about this loch from the roadside, the mill factory in Malinmore, towards the seems to be the best time of the day
but as you travel down the grass main road to Carrick, the lake will be on here, especially in winter.
track to the water’s edge, you’ll start to your right; it’s easy to spot and to get to. Nearby locations: Slieve League
notice just how beautiful it is. It’s quiet Take care not to disturb local farmers and (6 miles); Silver Strand (6 miles).
and tranquil, with Slieve League mountain their livestock.
looming over the area. Remains of an old What to shoot: Mountain landscapes
pier still show today, making for a great filled with lakes, forests and wildlife
piece to construct your composition. (birds and deer).

58 Outdoor Photography

Justin Minns

justinminns.co.uk

Thorpe Bay, Essex

Southend-on-Sea, while not an obvious
choice for landscape photography,
hides a number of gems. One of
them is Thorpe Bay, a long swathe of sand
lined with beach huts. As the tide goes out,
it leaves scores of boats scattered at jaunty
angles across a vast, flat beach that stretches
to a distant horizon. Anchor chains, buoys,
pools of water and sand ripples provide
endless foreground interest for images of
the boats, but you’ll need wellies, as the
mud can be soft in places.

How to get there: Take the B1016 Eastern sunrises and sunsets are the most beautiful Nearby locations: Wakering Common
Esplanade east from Southend-on-Sea. and positioned best for compositions. (6 miles); Hadleigh Castle (6.5 miles).
Follow it for almost two miles and park in
one of the spaces along the roadside.
Thorpe Bay beach is just across the road.
What to shoot: Boats scattered on the
beach at low tide, sand ripples, sunrise
or sunset.
Other times of year: This location works
all year, but I prefer October to March, when

2 miles from Southend-on-Sea • 22 miles from Chelmsford ACCESS RATING

John Cuthbert are fine, with great sunrises and sunsets Nearby locations: Low Newton-by-the-Sea
if conditions are favourable. beach (3 miles); Ros Castle Camp (14 miles).
facebook.com/john.cuthbert.963

Dunstanburgh Castle,
Northumberland

D unstanburgh Castle, a 14th-century
fortification, is a great photography
location with very few distracting
elements. That said, it has some
challenging rocky terrain on the coast,
where care must be taken if including
the rocks and shore in the composition.

How to get there: You can take the
one-mile walk from Craster along the
scenic coastal walk, or the B1339 north to
Embleton. Just before you enter the town,
turn right on to WT Stead Road, then after
just a quarter of a mile turn left (signposted
Dunstan Steads). This road ends after one
mile, with parking on the side of the road.
From there, follow the dune path towards
the castle remains.
What to shoot: The boulder-strewn
shoreline, castle ruins, sand-dune
seascapes, flora and fauna.
Other times of year: All times of year

2 miles from Embleton • 10 miles from Alnwick ACCESS RATING

Outdoor Photography 59

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INSIDE TRACK

On the muse and the moon

It’s with us all the time but for some inexplicable reason plays a very small part in our lives.
Yet the moon is an endlessly fascinating photographic subject, not just for its beauty,
but for the visual tales of those who’ve been there. By Nick Smith.

I missed the harvest moon the other night, which shot by astronauts, because none of these astro-
was a shame, for to judge by the smartphone explorers was a bona fide photographer. They were
snapshots sent to me the following day, it had been engineers, scientists, technologists, test pilots:
a good one. In my neck of the woods, looking south military men who you feel were given a crash course
over the Bristol Channel, we tend to get excited in how to use a Hasselblad as part of their jobs, while
about these coppery gongs that hang over the bay they got on with the real gig of collecting rocks,
from time to time: so much so that we photograph measuring gravity and analysing the atmosphere.
them in our droves. My friend wondered if he’d They didn’t have to be great photographers either
photographed a lunar eclipse. A quick check through because their objective was to get reference shots to
various almanacs confirmed that the sighting, as provide ‘systematic’ views of the lunar surface. The
wonderful as it was, recorded in all its magnificence iconography that routinely makes the front pages of
through the silhouette of a bare winter oak, was magazines to this day had no mission relevance other
something less special. I informed my crestfallen than to publicise it. As an aside, it’s an interesting
friend that the tangerine in the sky over which thought that there have been no digital photos taken
he’d gone into raptures was probably caused by on the moon by a human photographer.
Rayleigh scattering due to airborne particle pollution
from Port Talbot’s steelworks. And yet my misgivings could be fleeting (in
galactic time) as a new era of manned missions is
Maybe it’s because we have so much sky here, planned, with the US and China leading the way. But
or because I live on top of such a large south facing for the time being we should be grateful for what
hill, but we see a lot of silver Luna. And although we’ve got (and doubly grateful to the excellent Nasa
I’m never particularly tempted to photograph her, for not copyrighting most of its archive, effectively
I don’t get tired of gazing in awe. This may have donating its imagery to anyone interested enough
something to do with having once met Buzz Aldrin: to use it). Which further means that it’s downright
it’s a strange sensation, looking at another celestial churlish to wonder how good the shots might have
orb 238,855 miles away and reflecting that you’ve been had there been a decent photographer in the
spoken with someone who has actually walked on its crew. After all, the films were exposed correctly and
surface. While he was up there as the Apollo 11 lunar brought home safely, allowing us to see exactly what
module pilot, he and Commander Neil Armstrong those explorers saw. Which is good enough. Only
both took photographs with film cameras. Arguably, it’s more than that: one of the mighty virtues of this
Armstrong’s heroic ‘spaceman’ shot of Aldrin is one visual record – particularly of Apollo 17 – is that it
of the most instantly recognisable snaps ever taken. reminds us not so much of the voyage’s achievements
I never get tired of looking at those images either. as the stories of the people that played their part in
visiting space for the benefit of mankind.
But as I reviewed my friend’s efforts on my phone,
I wasn’t thinking about the first man to walk In being the last person to walk on the moon, to
there, but the last, Eugene ‘Gene’ Cernan. A laid- regular earthlings Cernan had entered the pantheon
back engineer from the Midwest, Cernan was also of great American heroes, in the process perhaps
photographed on the moon. In similar compositions, becoming something of a Superman (after returning
the Apollo 17 astronaut wore an identical space suit to Earth, the showboating Aldrin even went on to
to Aldrin’s in front of a familiar grey moonscape. marry a woman called Lois). But Cernan was also a
In the foreground there are masses of quaintly retro- devoted father to a small daughter who just wanted
looking space age gizmos that to the non-technical her dad to come home. On 14 December 1972, shortly
eye are barely distinguishable from any of the before preparing to get into the lunar module for the
stuff used on any of the other lunar landings. The last time, Cernan drove the lunar rover a mile away
photographer was geologist Harrison H Schmitt, so that the video camera could record the mission’s
another colossus of space exploration, whose name departure. The astronaut then knelt in the dust
has been all but forgotten outside the admittedly and drew with a gloved finger his daughter Tracy’s
wide circle of Apollo programme aficionados. initials, TDC. These three letters will still be pristine
when the next photographer touches down on the
I don’t know about you, but I find it truly amazing moon. If Cernan’s dying wish becomes reality, this
that we can look at photos taken by a human hand will happen one day. The last words he – or anyone
with factory standard cameras – even allowing for else – ever spoke there: “We shall return
the fact that they were analogue instruments loaded with peace and hope for all mankind. Godspeed the
with film – on a planetary body other than our own. crew of Apollo 17.”
I’m also slightly conflicted about lunar photography

61 Outdoor Photography

READER GALLERY

Each issue we publish the best images from those submitted to our Reader Gallery.
Turn to page 72 to find out how to enter your work. Here is this month’s winner...

Winner Marlon Porter showcasing their unique personalities and Above King of the skies
beautiful physical traits. Each of my photos A portrait of a bald eagle in Mountsberg, Ontario.
I’m a Mississauga-based photographer and represents an intimate encounter, be it in
filmmaker specialising in capturing the little the wild, at a zoo or in a sanctuary, that start Opposite Little moments of magic
moments of magic hidden within the poetry with a quiet moment of reflection with an A portrait of a pair of mute swan cygnets,
of everyday life. I started taking pictures animal, and then turns into a work of art. cuddling and posing for the camera, on the
because I wanted a way to record the shoreline of Lake Ontario.
elegance of nature and the intricacies of the Hometown Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
human experience through my lens and tell Occupation Photographer/videographer
visual stories to my audience. These pictures Photographic experience Four years
are part of an ongoing project entitled Website marlonporter.com
Wild Kingdom, which focuses on creating
striking portraits of animals that focus on

62 Outdoor Photography

Outdoor Photography 63

Above On thin ice
A portrait of a stallion smashing the morning ice with his hooves
to get a cool drink of water in Milton, Ontario.

Submit your best images and win great prizes.
This month’s winner, Marlon Porter, receives a superb
Lowepro PhotoSport III BP 15L AW III, worth £165.

Made from 75% recycled fabrics, the third-generation PhotoSport collection marks Lowepro’s
move towards sustainable products. Built for photo-adventurers looking for a lightweight camera
backpack for day hikes and backcountry travel, the PhotoSport III offers the comfort and capacity
of an outdoor pack with the modularity and protection synonymous with the Lowepro brand.
Find out more at lowepro.com

64 Outdoor Photography

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PHOTO SHOWCASE

Travel Photographer of the Year

The latest TPOTY winners have been announced and, despite Covid restrictions hampering travel freedoms,
the standard of entries is staggeringly high as always. Here is the overall winner plus a selection
of our favourite category winners, runners-up and highly commended entrants

Above and left
Overall Winner

Fortunato Gatto, Italy
Denali National Park, Alaska, USA
I visited Alaska at the end of August,
where I admired the elements that make
the tundra unique: low shrubs, sedges,
reindeer mosses, liverworts and grasses;
and the Taiga with its extensive conifer
forests. The autumnal colour shades were
incredibly rich, but what left me breathless
was the sudden and mighty snowstorm
that transitioned the scene from autumn
into winter.

Eigg, Small Isles, Scotland
It was a cold, wintry sunrise. The
reflection on the wet sand created a
colourful ‘painting’ made of blue and red.

66 Outdoor Photography

Above Below
Jie Fischer, USA Pally Learmond, UK
Lake Magadi, Kenya Haines, Alaska, USA
I had to wait for the right light and angle and find the pattern in Due to the close proximity of the Pacific Ocean, snow sticks to
the lake with the helicopter to shoot this image. I imagined a photo the mountains of south-east Alaska like nowhere else on Earth.
with a surreal pattern that at a closer look becomes a wildlife photo. This creates a phenomenon called spines, which form on top of the
Flamingos are best photographed in flight and the lake pattern normally steep and rocky mountain faces. This provides professional
gives the photograph the right composition of colours, and the freeride skiers with a playground like no other. In this photo,
birds provide a symmetry of geographical pattern. Austrian professional freeskier Fabian Lentsch lets it all go
on a mountain face called Dirty Needle.

Outdoor Photography 67

68 Outdoor Photography

PHOTO SHOWCASE

Opposite (top) Will Burrard-Lucas, UK
Laikipia County, Kenya
I spent a year photographing leopards at
night using a Camtraptions camera-trap
system in Kenya. To expose a leopard with
stars in the sky at night required a long
exposure time. On this night, the leopard
came past while the moon was still above the
horizon, which resulted in this ghostly image.

Opposite (below) Jose Fragozo, Portugal
Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Cheetahs sometimes roll on the savannah
grass to relieve the itching caused by different
types of parasites. This image was taken with
a trap camera hidden on a tree.

Right Yevhen Samuchenko, Ukraine
Kherson region, Ukraine
The first time you see the pink salt lakes of
the Kherson region in Ukraine it feels as
though you are looking at another planet.
During the summer months, microscopic
algae cause the water to turn pink and red.

Below Vladimir Karamazov, Bulgaria
Reine, Lofoten archipelago, Norway
I was shooting something else when I turned
to see the sun begin to pass across the roofs
of the houses. I didn’t have time to adjust the
camera settings and only had about 10
seconds, in which I took five shots.

Outdoor Photography 69

Left (top)
Ngar Shun Victor Wong, Hong Kong
Shing Uk Tsuen, Yuen Long,
New Territories, Hong Kong
Two grizzled pintail dragonflies were
resting on a plant. This was taken in the
very early morning while the temperature
was still cool, so the dragonflies would
remain stationary for roughly a minute.
It was shot handheld in burst mode and
focus-stacked, achieving a relatively sharp
image of the two dragonflies.

Left (middle)
Jai Shet, USA
Young Travel Photographer of the Year 2021
Yosemite National Park, California, USA
My portfolio is a series of forest images
taken during different seasons of the year.
Each forest is a different colour of the
rainbow. Bright reds of fall in Texas, warm
yellows of summer in Wyoming, the cold
blues of winter in Colorado and, shown
here, the lush greens of spring in California.

Left (below)
Trevor Cole, Ireland
Gougane Barra, County Cork, Ireland
The colours of Ireland manifested in the
autumnal reflections seen here at Gougan
Barra in County Cork. People are an
integral part of the history and geography
of Ireland and their ancient bloodlines are
a part of this.

Opposite (top) Alessandro Bergamini, Italy
Jodhpur, India
This young Muslim girl had her face
completely covered, although her graceful
features can be seen through the fabric. She
looked at a nearby man, seeking consent to
remove her veil, and he gave her permission
to do so. The photo was taken at the exact
moment she was about to push aside the
red veil.

Opposite (below) F Dilek Uyar, Turkey
Çomakdağ, Muğla, Turkey
Çomakdağ is a small village which still
keeps some special traditions. The women
wear silk head scarfs and put fresh flowers
on them. Besides the traditional clothes,
Çomakdağ has very typical houses with
colourful windows and doors, as shown
here. In this scene, Fethinaz – who was
born in this village – is preparing food
for the winter, putting peppers on a string
to dry, a method used in almost every
part of Anatolia.

70 Outdoor Photography

PHOTO SHOWCASE

Outdoor Photography 71

YOUR CHANCE

See your work in print + win great prizes!

Online submissions!
Go to outdoorphotographymagazine.co.uk

ONE THING THIS MONTH READER GALLERY

If you only do one thing this month… Each issue we publish the best images from those submitted to our Reader Gallery.
Turn to page 72 to find out how to enter your work. Here is this month’s winner...
Wildlife behaviour

In OP 277, we asked you to send us your
best images of captured moments showing
the behaviours of your favourite wildlife.
Here’s our winner, Jonathan Gaunt, who
receives a Lowepro PhotoSport BP 15L AW
III, and our superb runners-up. For details
of our next challenge, turn to page 94

WINNER Winner Marlon Porter showcasing their unique personalities and Above King of the skies
Jonathan Gaunt beautiful physical traits. Each of my photos A portrait of a bald eagle in Mountsberg, Ontario.
Goosander chicks are often seen getting a lift I’m a Mississauga-based photographer and represents an intimate encounter, be it in
on mother’s back for the first week or so of life. filmmaker specialising in capturing the little the wild, at a zoo or in a sanctuary, that start Opposite Little moments of magic
This mother and chick were photographed on moments of magic hidden within the poetry with a quiet moment of reflection with an A portrait of a pair of mute swan cygnets,
a north Northumbrian river in late spring. of everyday life. I started taking pictures animal, and then turns into a work of art. cuddling and posing for the camera, on the
Canon EOS-1D MkII with 500mm lens plus 1.4x because I wanted a way to record the shoreline of Lake Ontario.
converter, ISO 400, 1/320sec at f/5.6, beanbag elegance of nature and the intricacies of the Hometown Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
jonathangauntnaturephotography.co.uk human experience through my lens and tell Occupation Photographer/videographer
visual stories to my audience. These pictures Photographic experience Four years
Outdoor Photography 89 are part of an ongoing project entitled Website marlonporter.com
Wild Kingdom, which focuses on creating
striking portraits of animals that focus on

88 Outdoor Photography 62 Outdoor Photography Outdoor Photography 63

IF YOU ONLY DO READER GALLERY
ONE THING THIS MONTH
Send us your best outdoor images
Enter our ‘Garden glories’ photo challenge and if you’re chosen as our winner
and you could have your image published your work will take pride of place in
in issue 283 of OP. Plus, there’s OP, plus there’s a brilliant prize on offer.
a superb prize for the winner: a pair This month’s Reader Gallery winner
of Keen NXIS EVO WP hiking boots, received a Lowepro PhotoSport III BP
worth £135. See page 94 for details. 15L, worth £165.

72 Outdoor Photography

COMPETITION OP COMMUNITY

Where in the world? Join the OP community on our social chan-
nels where you can see what we’re keen to
Tell us the name of this scenic port and you could receive a bespoke prize share in the world of outdoor photography.
package from Newell, worth £100
Keep right up to date with news
ENTER ONLINE NOW! THIS MONTH’S GREAT PRIZE OP 277 WINNER by ‘liking’ OP at facebook.com/
Newell gift pack outdoorphotographymag
This lighthouse stands at the entrance to In issue 277 we asked you to identify
one of Europe’s prettiest harbour towns. Worth The winner of this month’s the stunning clifftop pagoda below. Follow us on Twitter at
A busy port since Roman times, it is now The correct answer is: twitter.com/opoty
home to around 18,000 people. £100 competition will receive a c: Wollyu-bong, South Korea
But is it: bespoke prize package from Find us on Instagram at instagram.
Newell. Newell produces Congratulations to our winner! com/outdoorphotographymag
a: St Peter Port, Guernsey rechargeable batteries and chargers for a wide
range of cameras. Manufactured using the Peter Johnson from Hook, Hampshire EMAIL ENTRIES
b: Dubrovnik, Croatia highest quality cells, the batteries are 100%
safe and built using lithium-ion technology to We are unable to accept speculative
c: Manarola, Italy allow for repeated charging and discharging. submissions via email, so please do not send
The prize will be to the work in this way, unless requested to do so
The answer and the winner’s name value of around £100 by a member of the OP editorial team.
will be revealed in OP 283. You can and will comprise either Send via post or online instead.
enter the competition online at: a single battery, two
outdoorphotographymagazine.co.uk/ batteries, or a battery plus WEBSITE SUBMISSIONS
competitions, using Port280 as the code. charger, depending on the
Deadline for entry is 3 June. camera you use. You can send us links to your website, for us
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Find out more at strictly no correspondence will be entered into
GadgetBag.co.uk regarding website submissions. Send the link
to [email protected].
96 Outdoor Photography
PLEASE NOTE
WHERE IN THE WORLD? SOCIAL HUB
Due to the many submissions we receive from
Name the location on page 96 and this month Please send your our readers each month, if you have not heard
you could win a Newell gift pack worth £100. views, opinions and from us within eight weeks (except for
Newell makes rechargeable musings to markbe@ Viewpoints) then it is unlikely we will be using
batteries and chargers for thegmcgroup.com, your work in the magazine on this occasion.
a wide range of cameras. or submit them via
Designed for repeated our website or by GMC Publications cannot accept liability
charging, the batteries are post (accompanying images are welcome). for the loss or damage of any unsolicited
manufactured using the Our next Letter of the Month winner will material, including slides.
highest quality cells. receive a Tenba Tools Tool Box 6.
Please limit your letters to about 200 words EXHIBITIONS AND EVENTS
For more details visit and be aware that your words may be edited
GadgetBag.co.uk before they are used in the magazine. If you would like an exhibition or event included
in Outdoor Photography, please email
VIEWPOINTS [email protected] at least 10 weeks
in advance. You can also submit it online
WINNER through our website.
Scott Macintyre
scottmacintyrephotography.co.uk NEWS STORIES

Freshwater Bay, Is there a current and time sensitive story you’d
Isle of Wight like us to cover in our news pages? Please email
details to [email protected] or submit
O ne of the best coastal it online at: outdoorphotographymagazine.co.uk/
views on the Isle of Wight, contact-us.
Freshwater Bay is situated
near the western tip of WRITE FOR US!
the island. It is surrounded by chalk
cliffs and stacks where caves have We are always on the lookout for inspiring new
formed beneath. An amazing four- features. If you have a great idea for an article
mile trail heading west continues to then please send a short outline (no more than
the needles across Tennyson Down. 60 words), plus high-res JPEG images for
our consideration.
How to get there: From Newport,
follow the Newport Road (B3401) for
11.3 miles, continue straight on the
Middle Road (B399) then turn left
to Freshwater Bay. On the Military
Road (past the golf course) on the left
is Freshwater Bay Clifftop car park.
The car park is a five-minute walk
across the road to the cliff top.
What to shoot: Chalk cliffs and stacks,
dramatic waves, sunsets, wildlife.
Other times of year: Spring to summer;
best photographed on summer evenings.
Nearby locations: The Needles
(3.5 miles); Newtown National
Nature Reserve (9 miles).

5 miles from Yarmouth • 14 miles from Newport ACCESS RATING Congratulations!
Scott Macintyre wins £200
54 Outdoor Photography for his stunning photograph!

Outdoor Photography 55

VIEWPOINTS

We want to see your favourite UK and Irish viewpoints! Send us up to 10 of your best digital images
and if one of them is selected it will be published in the magazine. Plus, there’s £200 up for grabs
each month for the winning image. You can submit online at: outdoorphotographymagazine.co.uk
Don’t forget to include your name, daytime contact number and email address.
And please include camera data for each image submitted.

Outdoor Photography 73

My favourite month I’m thinking more of where I live in the
north of the UK.
Dependable, restorative, redemptive; for Laurie Campbell,
May’s overwhelmingly positive connotations and promises of May just seems more dependable,
new life make it the time of year he looks forward to the most. asserting its arrival with the flush of
It’s just a shame it only lasts for four short weeks… fresh green vegetation that can transform
the colour of whole landscapes. But it
In deciding what to cover for this month’s month of the year inspires us most and why. can be short lived, and by the end of the
column, a question occurred that I hadn’t For me, it has always been the month month, we are well into summer, when
really considered before: do all nature the breeding season of many birds and
photographers have a favourite month of the of May, because after coming through mammals is well advanced and we have
year in which to work? I know it seems a bit the shorter days of winter, the transition lost elements such as the vibrant colour
of a vague notion, in that any photographer into spring, perhaps more than any other and translucency of the fresh green leaves
is going to find something good to seasonal change in a typical year, can be of trees like beech and silver birch. I liken
photograph in any month of the year, but blurred throughout the months of March it to the difference between viewing a slide
my question is more to do with which and April due to unexpected weather on a lightbox followed by a print of the
events such as late falls of snow. But then same image. Knowing that I only have this
window of opportunity, the choice of what
to photograph can become overwhelming
and there is a sense of urgency to make the
most of it.

In May 2020, for example, I had hoped to
visit an oak wood in the West Highlands,
but with lockdown restrictions in place,
I resigned myself to the thought of waiting
for another year. Thankfully, I’m lucky to
have easy access to the mix of deciduous
woodland and river valleys around our
village. The only downside was the risk
of familiarity breeding complacency. All
my career, I’ve been motivated by the wish
to photograph as wide a range of subjects
from the natural world as possible and
I tend to evaluate any potential subject
based on what coverage I already have.
Unless I see an opportunity to do better
or differently, I’ll move on in search of
something else to cherry pick.

One day, while checking an abandoned
outlier badger sett in the third week of
May, I found the remains of a predated
wood pigeon on one of the earth mounds.
This was no sparrowhawk kill and the
musty smell confirmed this was now
an active fox earth. I was immediately
hooked and footage from a trail camera
subsequently revealed the presence of cubs,
although being well into the month, and
more independent, they didn’t seem to be
spending much time around the earth.

The earth was in a small wood only
a few hundred metres from my home,
so it was an easy decision to abandon
plans to photograph everything else for
the rest of the month. I had several
sessions, sitting downwind and behind
a screen of camouflage netting with my
back against a mature larch tree.

Of the few photographs I obtained,
and possibly the only one I’ll keep, is of a
cub that had returned to the earth mound
outside the entrance to the burrow in

74 Outdoor Photography

LIFE IN THE WILD

which it was born, curled up and fallen Emotional attachment urge to make the most of it, a bit like visiting
asleep. It was quite late into the evening a location that has an astonishing number
and lighting was dire, but I’m more My initial disappointment at having to of opportunities, such as a seabird colony.
than satisfied. Moreover, I treasure the postpone my plans for a trip to the Highlands Rather than simply shooting masses of
experience of absorbing the sights, sounds was exacerbated by thoughts of missing out mediocre photographs, ask yourself if any of
and smells of that place at that time of on the opportunity to work on pine martens these are going to really stand out or whether
year in equal measure. in a more natural habitat, devoid of non- you may feel worthy of, say, entering them into
native tree species. Then again, I already a competition. The solution, of course, is to be
Opposite Rather than increase the ISO setting had far fewer photographs of foxes than pine selective and stay with situations that have the
in failing light, I opted to experiment with martens, and many of those were taken in potential to result in something spectacular.
longer exposure times. I am amazed that city parks from when I lived in Edinburgh.
this image is as sharp as it is. Having a connection, an emotional
Nikon D5 with 500mm f/4E lens with 1.7x I always see photographing foxes in attachment, to a time of year can be highly
teleconverter, ISO 200, 25sec at f/9, tripod, the wider countryside as being more motivating and, for me, the month of May
cable release, mirror lock-up of a challenge because they are wary is symbolic of a time when there are just so
Above One of only a handful of exceptionally due to having suffered a long history of many positive things happening in nature. In
large beech trees growing in a wood that is persecution. Late April and early May particular, I find the arrival of so much new
very special to me and that I visit often. can be the key months of the year to life, whether in the animal or plant kingdom,
Nikon D3X with 14-24mm lens at 14mm, photograph foxes anywhere because uplifting and with so much concern about the
ISO 100, 1/2sec at f/14, tripod, cable release, without disturbance, they are tied to one falling numbers of many species, the promise
mirror lock-up location where they have their young. of any new additions is at least encouraging.

Photographing in your favourite month of
the year can be challenging because of the

Outdoor Photography 75

NATURE GUIDE Left The floors of deciduous woodlands
carpeted with wildflowers in spring have
Laurie’s May highlights always been a popular subject, but it’s easy
to underestimate the effects of dappled
76 Outdoor Photography lighting, with what may seem an attractive
scene to our eye, ruined due to the dynamic
range of most camera sensors being unable
to cope with such extremes of contrast.
Worse still, it can be difficult to retain detail in
small white flowers, such as these ramsons
(Allium ursinum). The solution, of course,
is to only work in soft, overcast lighting.
Nikon D3X with 14-24mm lens at
15mm, ISO 100, 1/2sec at f/18, tripod,
cable release, mirror lock-up

Opposite (top) When photographing dense
patches of wildflowers growing close to the
ground, such as this birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus
corniculatus), it’s tempting to try and include
the whole group, but this risks losing detail of
individual flowers as each becomes smaller
in the frame. Try photographing them with
a close-focusing long lens from a beanbag
at ground level and try to home in on one or
two flowers that are taller than the others to
provide a centre of interest. The out-of-focus
mush surrounding those flowers will still give
the impression they were growing in a mass.
Nikon D3X with 200mm f/4 ED-IF micro
lens, ISO 160, 1/640sec at f/6.3, beanbag

Opposite (middle) The beautiful markings
on the plumage of common snipe
(Gallinago gallinago) have evolved to provide
camouflage against predators, resulting in
them being difficult to locate. During the
breeding season common snipe commonly
nest in damp meadows and become more
visible due to their habit of perching on top of
fenceposts to give them a commanding view
over their territory. Alternatively, a hide set-up
in the same habitat can offer the chance of
photographing them in a more natural setting
on the ground. Early mornings are best.
Nikon D2X with 500mm f/4G VR lens,
ISO 250, 1/160sec at f/5, tripod, hide

Opposite (below) On the ground beneath
mature trees, where layers of leaf litter
and mosses make it difficult for other
plants to establish themselves, we can
usually be assured that anything we find
may be photographed against reasonably
clear background when viewed from a
low viewpoint. The oblique, raking light
we have early or late in sunny weather
is capable of penetrating such shady
places for short periods, resulting in
this being the best time to photograph
tree seedlings using backlighting, such
as this sessile oak (Quercus petraea)
I found beneath the parent tree.
Nikon F3 with 300mm f/2.8 AF-D lens,
Kodachrome 64, 1/250sec at f/4, beanbag

More seasonal subjects

Flora

Broom
Nikon D3 with 200mm f/4 IF-ED micro lens,
ISO 200, 1/15sec at f/18, tripod, cable release,
mirror lock-up
Prickly sow-thistle (Sonchus asper) – widely
regarded as a weed, the waxy surface of
the leaves and stem cause water droplets
to remain intact. Best photographed in still,
drizzly conditions.
Broom (Cytisus scoparius) – sometimes
confused with gorse (Ulex europaeus), this
shrub is non-spiny and only flowers from
May to July.
Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) – before this
fern reaches gigantic proportions, look closely
at the unusual and contorted shapes of the
fronds before they expand and unfurl.

Fauna

Redstart
Nikon D3S with 200-400mm f/4 VR lens
at 400mm, ISO 1000, 1/200sec at f/5.6,
tripod, hide
Daubenton’s bat (Myotis daubentonii) –
possibly one of the easiest species of bat to
try photographing in flight because of their
preference to fly low over water when hunting.
Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) – a breeding
summer visitor to the UK with a preference
for oak woodland.
Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) – in windy weather
these birds are capable of hovering, almost like
a kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), when approaching
a mate on a nesting ledge.

Outdoor Photography 77

A MOMENT WITH NATURE

The last frontier

Is there a more challenging photographic environment than the oceans? Probably not, says Graeme Purdy,
but the conservation perils faced by our seas more than justify the need to promote oceanic wildlife

I had a desire to start underwater Finding this elusive action requires the left with is the deep blue in all directions and
photography, and spending time with incredible skill of local fishermen, who after a shimmering silvery fish scales where sardines
striped marlin hunting bait balls seemed lifetime on the water, learn to read the ocean had succumbed to the inevitable. Then it’s
an exciting prospect. I was drawn by the in ways I still cannot fathom. Subtle clues back into the boat to try again. Hours may
fact that good underwater images are so rare only reveal themselves to the seasoned eye. pass between ‘jumps’.
– and now I know why. The vastness of the
ocean and the challenges involved are really When an opportunity does present itself, So, why punish myself with such a steep
quite humbling. you have to move quickly: jacket off, mask, photographic learning curve and challenging
From the surface of the water, there is snorkel and fins on, grab camera, balance shooting environment? Well, our seas
almost nothing to see. When in the oceans, on edge of boat, into the water. and oceans are in trouble. Big trouble.
if the water is clear, you can see a mere 25m; Overfishing, plastics, chemical and noise
beyond that, it’s a big blue nothingness. The sensory deprivation makes it pollution, just to name some of the issues,
Knowing the Pacific is 15,000km wide and otherworldly: your field of view is impaired, are widespread. It’s no less of a conservation
11km deep only starts to sink in after hours as is your hearing and vision; your motor concern than those that face tigers and
spent bobbing around with only the passing skills to control your camera are diminished. elephants, it’s just much harder to share
clouds changing the view. If we were lucky, we would glimpse the the story.
It makes a safari or even Arctic passing sardine bait balls swimming for their
photography look like a walk in the park. lives as they are hunted down by a school All nature is precious and I want to do my
Many times at sea, I questioned my mental of 2m-long striped marlin, lethal predators bit to promote oceanic wildlife, which is as
fortitude for such a challenge. capable of swimming at 25mph. jaw-dropping as it is elusive. Maybe these
images resonate with you, raise awareness
On most occasions, they appear and and allow us to connect with the last frontier.
disappear before you can blink. All you are

78 Outdoor Photography



NATURE ZONE

STEVE YOUNG

On the wing

What started as a frustrating stroll along the beach soon turned into an entertaining frolic
in the dunes for Steve Young, with skylarks, meadow pipits and stonechats providing the entertainment

Spring was a time to celebrate not only find them high in the sky can be surprisingly Left (top) I have cropped this image of a singing
the start of a new season, but also the end difficult considering how loud the song is. meadow pipit, as despite my best efforts it
of lockdown and the decline of Covid (but They appear as a black, distant dot until they wasn’t quite in the centre of the frame. In my
who knew Omicron was just a migration begin to descend, singing as they drop. defence, they swoop down very quickly when
season away). So, it was with the intention they start their descending flight.
of photographing some spring bird If you can find one on the ground, the
behaviour that I headed to the Crosby coast chances of a successful flight shot increase, Left (below) A more familiar sound to many is the
on a sunny early spring morning, with the but only if you have the patience to see if it is skylark, which seem to fly so high out of sight
added attraction of a couple of lingering in the mood for a song. Lose concentration while still making their song heard clearly.
snow buntings that were hanging around and it will be up and away while you are still
on the shore. trying to focus the lens, but it can be great fun Right Male stonechat is a lovely looking bird,
watching and waiting. Skylark will also sing and has the delightful habit of perching up for
The buntings were found easily enough, when either perched or on the ground, but it long periods of time before flitting off to
but sadly there was so much disturbance doesn’t make for such an interesting image. the next suitable perch.
from dog walkers continually walking
between me and the birds that I gave up Meadow pipits are even faster and their the respect they deserve. Both species are
before I got involved in an almighty row. flight song is even called ‘parachute display’, ground nesters, so it is very important to take
It has happened before and no doubt it will as they plunge rapidly back to earth, singing great care anywhere near a potential breeding
happen again, but I’ve promised myself that as they go. Again, great to watch, but difficult site; remember, it is an offence to wilfully
I will just walk away without confrontation to photograph. Out of my six attempts, only disturb any nesting species.
from now on and I did today, but things one bird came close enough and I managed
may change in the future. just a few sharp shots. My final species of the day in the dunes
was a delightful pair of stonechats, both
After taking a few snaps, I headed into the Please don’t approach these birds too perching on dead stalks as they flitted around
sand dunes, attracted not only by the obvious closely – just wait and see, and hope their a grassy area among the dunes in search
singing of skylarks – a familiar song to many – flight takes them within range of your of insects. They did feed at a reasonable
but also by singing meadow pipits, which won’t camera. Late-winter singers are best, as they distance and I managed some nice images to
be as familiar to most. Skylarks are a delight will probably just be ‘practising’ or singing for round off what had started as a disappointing
to watch and listen to, although trying to a mate rather than be on nesting territory, but day with the snow buntings, but ended a very
it’s always best to be sure and give the birds pleasant and successful one.

80 Outdoor Photography

BIRD OF THE MONTH

I thought I’d link the main text into Bird of the close to my home, so I’m fortunate to be able to species, females are a duller-looking version,
Month and talk a little more about stonechat, see and photograph them when I want. Winter mainly brown with less orange and no black.
which is a relatively common breeder in the UK, males look browner and slightly washed out
present all year round and easy to see in their when compared to their summer plumage, which Habitually, they like to perch up on
dunes or heather and moorland habitat. is a very attractive mix of orange, with brown vegetation such as dead stalks, branches etc
back and black head. As is the norm with chat and can be relatively easy to photograph with
There are a number of pairs along the coast care and lots of patience.

Left A spring male stonechat
is a stunning-looking bird.

Right Females are duller
than the males, but are still
very attractive and both
share a love of perching up
on rocks or twigs for short
periods, making them a
delight to photograph.

BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY TIP

This is less of a photo tip and more advice Birders can also play their part, with one was held over a ditch while the other scuttled
based on personal experience. I touched on particular incident coming to mind involving away, collecting the chairs they had brought.
dog walkers in the main column, but not all are tape-luring (or phone-luring) of hard-to-see
irresponsible. It just seems that whenever I lesser spotted woodpecker. When I challenged Unlike me, don’t get involved. On a nature
head for a public area to photograph anything, them, the reply was: ‘We’re doing no harm and reserve, report disturbances to whoever will be
the birds will virtually always be flushed by dogs. there’s two of us so what you going to do?’ in charge, but in public places there is very little
you can do, so just grit your teeth, smile and
What do you do in these situations? Well, I can’t write my reply, but suffice to say one carry on with your photography.
as someone who has expressed his feelings
both eloquently and not so eloquently, I would
recommend that you say nothing; don’t get
involved and try to carry on taking your photos.

However, it’s not just dogs: at Crosby beach,
Antony Gormley’s Another Place sculptures
have proved very popular (for some reason) and
crowds of visitors will walk along the shore year-
round, meaning disturbance to waders.

The subject of the tape-luring incident: lesser
spotted woodpecker is difficult to see, but at

The subject of the tape-luring incident: lesser The presence of 100 sculptures doesn’t frighten the birds, but the number of visitors to the shore does.
spotted woodpecker will show with patience.

Outdoor Photography 81

GEAR ZONE

The OP guide to…
waterproof trousers

While waterproof jackets are often bright, bold and the focus of our
weatherproofing wardrobe, a solid and reliable pair of waterproof
trousers is just as important for photographers who are out in all
weathers and may spend much of their shooting time on their knees.
Here’s our round-up of the five best options, ranging from the best
general-purpose pants to some truly exceptional legwear

Montane Minimus Waterproof Pants

Best for warmer days where it shouldn’t rain but probably will
Allegedly (and I’ll be honest, I’ve not done the research to either confirm or deny this), these
are the world’s lightest and most breathable waterproof mountain pants. That’s a heck of a
statement, but one that’s entirely believable. Weighing as little as 150g (depending on the size
and leg length), and with a packed size only marginally larger than a Cripps Pink apple when
tucked away into their stuff sack, you’re unlikely to even notice that these are in your kit bag. The
trade-off for this is that they’re made of thinner, more delicate material that’s not especially warm
and won’t tolerate the kind of rough and tough abuse that most photographers put their gear

through. However, for those
summer days where the
forecast suggests it’s not
supposed to rain, but the
notoriously fickle weather
can’t be counted on to do
as it’s told, these are the
perfect just-in-case option.
£100 montane.com

Berghaus Deluge Pro 2.0 Overtrousers

Best for reliable protection at an affordable price
These no-nonsense trousers from Berghaus are a significant step up from your basic pac-a-mac trousers.
For starters, they won’t make your legs sweat like less breathable options, a problem that can cause you to
become as damp from perspiration as you would from precipitation. This is thanks to Berghaus’ proprietary
two-layer Hydroshell fabric, which keeps the rain out while allowing water vapour to escape. The three-
quarter-length leg zips are protected by a storm flap with press studs, and this serves two purposes: firstly,
it adds an additional level of weather protection; secondly, it enables the zips to be opened for venting while
keeping the storm flap in place. The length of the zips combined with the elasticated and adjustable waist
also make it possible to pull these overtrousers on without having to remove bulky footwear.
£60 berghaus.com

82 Outdoor Photography

EDITED BY BEN WEEKS

Páramo Velez Adventure Trousers

Best for all-day comfort and toughness
It’s impossible to cover any round-up of waterproof
clothing without including Páramo’s unique approach
to it – and I make no apologies for doing so again now.
Unlike every other pair of trousers on these pages,
rather than having a slightly stiff outer shell backed by
a waterproof membrane, the Páramo Analogy system
works in an entirely different way: it’s directional,
actively moving moisture away from the body. Rather
than overtrousers to be pulled on over your regular
legwear, these are designed to be worn all day next
to the skin. As such, they are soft, comfortable and
highly breathable, as well as being extremely tough;
unlike other ‘hard shell’ waterproofs, if these are cut
or punctured, they can be sewn up and still work just
as well. They are quite warm, though, so the ability to
vent them via thigh zips is appreciated on hotter days.
£155 paramo-clothing.com

Rab Kangri Gore-Tex Pants Mountain Equipment Polar
Expedition Salopettes
Best for the ultimate in reliable waterproofing
If there’s one name that’s synonymous with waterproof Best for photographers working in the
apparel, it’s Gore-Tex. In its Kangri Pants, Rab has made most extreme environments
use of a three-layer, 70-denier Gore-Tex fabric. This offers a If the name of these waterproof salopettes
hydrostatic head rating (a measure of how waterproof a fabric doesn’t suggest a specialist piece of equipment,
is) of 28,000mm – one of the highest available. But such the price tag will – these are not waterproofs for
top-end materials come at a cost, so what are the benefits your average outdoor photographer. However,
of spending £200 on a pair of waterproof trousers? Well, for those who shoot in the most extreme
in addition to Gore-Tex reliability, you’re getting the design environments – and we’re talking polar, high
expertise of Rab, one of the most respected names in outdoor altitude and gnarly Scottish winters – the features
clothing. The Kangri pants feature a fully adjustable waistband on offer justify the investment. In addition to the
with hook-and-loop (that’s Velcro to you and me) waist-tab extra protection that salopettes offer as standard,
adjustment, articulated knees for unrestricted movement, and Mountain Equipment’s Drilite waterproof fabric
under-boot cord-attachment loops to prevent the ankle cuffs with an Electrospun membrane is combined with
riding up. They also have full-length leg zips, making putting Polartec Alpha insulation in the thighs and seat –
them on a doddle – you don’t need to remove boots, stand on the areas most susceptible to cold. The closed-
one leg or risk getting the insides covered in mud. cell pads in the knees are included with pitching
£200 rab.equipment tents in sub-zero conditions in mind, but are
equally suited to setting up tripods or framing low-
level shots in the same conditions. The full-length
leg zips and handy pockets – two on the chest
and one on each thigh – will also be appreciated.
The Polar Expedition Salopettes may be beyond
the budget and needs of most photographers,
but if you need this level of protection, the
options are few and far between.
£400 mountain-equipment.co.uk

Outdoor Photography 83

Robens Polarshield 80

This new self-inflating mat from Robens is perfect for adventurous
photographers camping on location. The 80mm version measures
200 x 70cm, packs down to 34 x 20cm and weighs 1.59kg. It uses
an innovative foam core to keep it comfortable, and used a 20D
390T nylon fabric with a double-square ripstop weave and improved
side-wall stability, so the mat doesn’t deform under pressure. Offset
horizontal channels in the top and bottom
surfaces also help deliver an even
thickness of insulation across the
mat, so no more cold spots.
Guide price £169.99
robens.co.uk

Manfrotto Professional
CFexpress Type B Reader

If you’ve recently upgraded to a camera that uses CFexpress cards,
you’ll need to upgrade your card reader as well. Manfrotto, which
also produces CFexpress cards, is offering this reader with
a host of neat features. Using a USB 3.2 Type-C Interface,
it’ll hit speeds of up to 10Gbps, which is twice the pace of
USB 3. It also has a highly durable anodised aluminium
casing, rubber end cap and additional built-in storage.
Cables are also included.
Guide price £64.95 manfrotto.com

GEARING UP

Sigma 20mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary Tenba DNA 16 DSLR

Sigma’s ‘I’ Series is designed to offer great image quality in a small, This multipurpose backpack is highly adaptable and packs in
light, durable format, and its latest wideangle prime looks set to a surprising amount of kit. Available in black or dark blue, it’ll fit
continue the trend. The 20mm f/2 DG DN comes in Sony E-mount a medium-sized full-frame mirrorless plus up to six lenses
and the L-mount shared by Panasonic, Leica and Sigma itself. and a 16in laptop if you
It features a metal barrel, weighs 370g and measures only 72mm. need it. Kit is split into
The f/2 maximum aperture makes it a decent option for low-light upper and lower
landscapes and, unlike Sigma’s 20mm f/1.4 Art, the new lens has sections, and the
a 62mm filter thread for easier mounting of screw-in NDs, polarisers roll-top upper allows
or filter holders. A minimum focus distance of 22cm also allows for some expansion.
detailed foregrounds. The outer is TPU-
Guide price £649 sigma-imaging.uk.com coated for weather
resistance, but
a reversible rain
cover is included,
and there’s
webbing for
attaching a tripod
on the side. The
unladen bag weighs
1.36kg and measures
28 x 51 x 20cm.
Guide price £200
uk.tenba.com

84 Outdoor Photography

GEAR ZONE

Panasonic Lumix GH6 Benro Tortoise TTOR24CLV

After last month’s release of the micro four-thirds OM Systems OM-1, Panasonic has This four-section, centre column-less
also refreshed its range with the GH6. Like the other GH models, this is a hybrid camera, carbon-fibre tripod is a portable but stable
bringing some brilliant stills and video options for wildlife enthusiasts, all in a small, light, landscape solution. Its quick-action twist-
weather-sealed body. Its new Venus Engine processor can deliver speeds of up to 14fps lock legs make it fast to set up, while it adds
with its mechanical shutter and 75fps with its electronic shutter. Subject recognition and a levelling bowl system at the top, below
tracking AF are joined by 7.5-stop image stabilisation for sharper telephoto shots, while the where an accessory head or gimbal would
IS system also allows 100MP multi-shot stills. In terms of video, it’s a real powerhouse, but be fitted. This system lets users level the
alongside the headline 5.7kК 30pК capture, it also has 120p and 300p slow motion in 4K and tripod quickly and accurately, rather than
Full HD respectively, allowing glorious wildlife footage. doing it via the legs or head, so it’s great
Guide price £1,999 panasonic.co.uk when a geared head is used. It weighs
1.38kg, has a maximum height of 148.5cm
and packs down to 54.5cm. It comes with
a bag and additional spiked feet.
Guide price £240 uk.benroeu.com

Lexar Professional 2000x Canon RF 800mm f/5.6L and RF 1200mm f/8L IS USM
256GB UHS-II Gold Series
Canon has launched two new RF super-telephoto lenses, and although they’ll be out of reach
When using cameras with a fast frame rate, to most photographers, they look amazing enough to start saving for a weekend’s loan at
you need the fastest SD cards. This new least. The RF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM and RF 1200mm f/8L IS USM will be hugely attractive
model from Lexar won’t disappoint. Its UHS- to any wildlife shooters. In fact, the 1200mm offers the longest focal length of an optic on the
II interface allows write speeds of 260MB/s, market that isn’t classed as a telescope. For even more reach, the lenses are compatible
perfect for high-resolution Raws or 4K video, with the RF 1.4x and RF 2x extenders, while retaining AF and image stabilisation. The 800mm
and read speeds of up to 300MB/s make is also Canon’s lightest 800mm L-series lens ever, weighing just over 3.1kg. It also boasts
workflow a breeze. Available up to 256GB, a 2.6m minimum focus. The 1200mm weighs 3.34kg and has a 4.3m minimum focus.
you won’t be short of room, while these Guide price £19,099 / £22,449 canon.co.uk
cards are also water, temperature, shock,
vibration and X-ray-proof.
Guide price £374.99 lexar.com

Outdoor Photography 85

Landscape
Photography Workshops

Supported by Kase Filters, UK Digital and Novo

Take your photography to the next level with Sarah Howard

Upcoming Outdoor Workshops

©Andy Page ©Andy Page

Impressions of Westonbirt Arboretum Long Exposure Workshop

April 12th & 24th, May 12th, June 15th April 14th & 28th, May 14th, June 13th, August 10th

©Sarah Howard ©Sarah Howard

Dramatic North Cornwall The Essence of Tuscany

April 26th - 29th May 14th - 20th

©Sarah Howard ©Sarah Howard

Waterfalls of the Vale of Neath Yorkshire Dales

May 24th June 16th - 19th

Practical based workshops • Expert tuition
All abilities welcome • Inspiring locations • Small group sizes

For more information on all our workshops

www.imageseen.co.uk 07760 498 112

EDITORIAL NEXT ISSUE

Editorial Mark Bentley, Claire Blow, Outdoor Photography 281 | On sale 19 May
Ben Hawkins, Scott Teagle
[email protected] The high-end Nikon Z 9 – tested and rated
Designer Toby Haigh Kevin Morgans celebrates the beauty of puffins
Deep dive with Underwater Photographer of the Year
ADVERTISING
© Alex Dawson / Underwater Photographer of the Year
Guy Bullock
[email protected]
01273 402855

MARKETING

Digital marketing Sophie Medland
Marketing executive Anne Guillot
[email protected], 01273 402871

PRODUCTION

Production manager Jim Bulley
Production controller Scott Teagle
Origination and Ad design
GMC Repro. [email protected],
01273 402807
Publisher Jonathan Grogan
Printer Precision Colour Printing, Telford,
01952 585585
Distribution Seymour Distribution Ltd
Outdoor Photography (ISSN 1470-5400)
is published 13 times a year by GMC Publications Ltd.
86 High Street, Lewes, East Sussex BN7 1XN.
Tel 01273 477374

© Guild of Master Craftsman Publications Ltd. 2022

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Outdoor Photography 87

ONE THING THIS MONTH

88 Outdoor Photography

If you only do one thing this month…

Wildlife behaviour

In OP 277, we asked you to send us your
best images of captured moments showing
the behaviours of your favourite wildlife.
Here’s our winner, Jonathan Gaunt, who
receives a Lowepro PhotoSport BP 15L AW
III, and our superb runners-up. For details
of our next challenge, turn to page 94

WINNER
Jonathan Gaunt
Goosander chicks are often seen getting a lift
on mother’s back for the first week or so of life.
This mother and chick were photographed on
a north Northumbrian river in late spring.
Canon EOS-1D MkII with 500mm lens plus 1.4x
converter, ISO 400, 1/320sec at f/5.6, beanbag
jonathangauntnaturephotography.co.uk

Outdoor Photography 89

ONE THING THIS MONTH Left (top) Claire Waring
Young southern elephant seal pups were play
90 Outdoor Photography fighting on the beach at Royal Bay, South
Georgia. This may have been for play, but it
gives them the skills they will need when, as
adults, they must try to win and then defend
their breeding harem.
Canon EOS-1D MkIV with 100-400mm lens,
ISO 200, 1/1000sec at f/5

Left (middle) Gordon Chamberlain
I was photographing yellowhammers on
the ground when a male chaffinch joined
in. Then the bumblebee appeared over the
chaffinch and was bouncing off the bird’s
head, which caused the chaffinch to become
concerned. It was all very amusing and this
was the best of the images taken.
Canon EOS R6 with 100-400mm lens,
ISO 640, 1/500sec at f/7.1, beanbag
flickr.com/photos/132581998@N04

Left (below) Graham Clark
Chacma baboon grooming her young
in Kruger National Park, South Africa.
Nikon D70 with 300mm lens, ISO 200,
1/125sec at f/4
wildimage.co.uk

Opposite (top) Julia Cook
Two bull moose sparring under fall leaves
in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming.
Canon EOS R5 with 150-60mm lens,
ISO 640, 1/400sec at f/5
littlelightningnature.com

Opposite (below left) Morris Gregory
On the banks of the Chobe River in
Botswana, these two adolescent elephants
chased each other around to establish which
one was dominant. They seemed oblivious to
anything around them, so I was pleased to be
in the relative safety of a large vehicle.
Nikon D850 with 150-600mm lens,
ISO 400, 1/800sec at f/6.3

Opposite (below right) Lesley Wright
My little Nottinghamshire garden is a true
haven for a variety of wildlife. I’m always
captivated by the wonder of nature and
this day was no exception. I’d noticed a
little wood mouse scurrying around in the
undergrowth collecting vegetation. Patience
was definitely needed to capture this moment
and after sitting quietly and watching its
movements, I eventually got my shot.
Canon EOS 5D MkIII with 100-400mm lens,
ISO 12800, 1/3200sec at f/5.6

Outdoor Photography 91

Left (top) Graham Lewis
Taken in Kruger National Park, South
Africa. We had stopped to watch some other
animals when I noticed this male southern
masked weaver bird constructing a nest in
a nearby tree. Among all the shots I had
taken of him, I was so pleased to capture
the bird demonstrating his amazing and
delicate sewing skills.
Canon EOS 5D MkIV with 150-600mm lens,
ISO 400, 1/640sec at f/8, beanbag

Left (below) Jane Hope
One morning in August, a recently fledged
blackbird chick wandered on to the drive.
A pretty suicidal place to be, but the slightly
ragged-looking mother continued to
respond to its persistent demands for food.
Eventually, it wandered to safer ground
under a bush.
Canon EOS 7D MkII with 100-400mm lens,
ISO 500, 1/500sec at f/6.3

Opposite (top) Sam Woodhouse
First dance. Taken in Hampshire.
Canon EOS 5D MkIII with 70-200mm lens,
ISO 400, 1/640sec at f/2.8

Opposite (middle left) Richard Sheldrake
The buzzard’s glare, Hungary.
Nikon D500 with 500mm lens,
ISO 400, 1/500sec at f/5.6
richardsheldrakephotography.co.uk

Opposite (middle right) Anthony Murden
A close encounter with an osprey that
stopped off for breakfast at a small
lochan in Aviemore.
Nikon D750 with 300mm lens, ISO 1600,
1/2000sec at f/4, tripod
anthonymurdenphotography.picfair.com

Opposite (below) Georgina Strange
Taken at New Island, Falkland Islands.
Peale’s dolphins surface in the crystal-
clear ocean. The colours of the setting sun
reflecting off the sandstone cliffs where I was
standing mirrored perfectly with their skin.
Canon EOS 5D MkIII with 200mm lens and
1.4x extender, ISO 1600, 1/500sec at f/5

92 Outdoor Photography

ONE THING THIS MONTH

Outdoor Photography 93

ONE THING THIS MONTH Left (top) Andrew Gibson
Red in tooth and claw. Taken on the
94 Outdoor Photography Amstel canal, Amsterdam.
Canon EOS 5D MkIV with 100-400mm lens,
ISO 400, 1/2000sec at f/5.6

Left (below) Nick Dale
A European bee-eater perched on a dead
tree stump tosses a fly up in the air.
Photographed at Kicheche Bush Camp
in the Masai Mara, Kenya.
Nikon D850 with 800mm lens,
ISO 250, 1/640sec at f/5.6
nickdalephotography.com

Your next challenge
ENTER ONLINE NOW!
Garden glories

This month we are asking you to
send us your pictures of the glorious
colours blooming in our gardens
and parks. We want to see your
best images that display beautiful
flowers and foliage. The winner and
runners-up will be published in OP
283. To enter your images, go to
outdoorphotographymagazine.co.uk/
submissions. The closing date for
entries is midnight on 3 June.

See page 72 for more details
and terms and conditions.

Enter and you could win a
pair of Keen NXIS EVO WP
hiking boots, worth £134.99!

Keen’s new NXIS EVO WP combines
the stability and comfort of the brand’s
award-winning hiker, the Targhee, but
with the lightness and flexibility of a trail
runner. Built to hold your heel firmly in
place and with room for your toes to
spread out, they feature a speed lace
webbing system with top collar hooks
for a swift and secure fit. A vented
mesh upper, made from recycled
plastic with TPU overlays, provides
extra durability in exposed areas.

Find out more at keenfootwear.com

READ ANYWHERE FROM

ONLY
£3.25

PER ISSUE

COMPETITION

Where in the world?

Tell us the name of this scenic port and you could receive a bespoke prize
package from Newell, worth £100

ENTER ONLINE NOW! THIS MONTH’S GREAT PRIZE OP 277 WINNER

This lighthouse stands at the entrance to Newell gift pack In issue 277 we asked you to identify
one of Europe’s prettiest harbour towns. the stunning clifftop pagoda below.
A busy port since Roman times, it is now Worth The winner of this month’s The correct answer is:
home to around 18,000 people.
But is it: £100 competition will receive a c: Wollyu-bong, South Korea
bespoke prize package from
a: St Peter Port, Guernsey Newell. Newell produces Congratulations to our winner!
rechargeable batteries and chargers for a wide
b: Dubrovnik, Croatia range of cameras. Manufactured using the Peter Johnson from Hook, Hampshire
highest quality cells, the batteries are 100%
c: Manarola, Italy safe and built using lithium-ion technology to
allow for repeated charging and discharging.
The answer and the winner’s name The prize will be to the
will be revealed in OP 283. You can value of around £100
enter the competition online at: and will comprise either
outdoorphotographymagazine.co.uk/ a single battery, two
competitions, using Port280 as the code. batteries, or a battery plus
Deadline for entry is 3 June. charger, depending on the
camera you use.

Find out more at
GadgetBag.co.uk

96 Outdoor Photography

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WhiteWall Ambassador
Fuji Crystal DP II | 120x85 cm | Photo print under acrylic glass | Shadow gap frame Basel natural oak

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