The most evocative and uplifting moments I have experienced in the mountains of Britain and the Himalaya have been during the twilight hours, particularly in the pre-dawn, when one is alone, the world around is still, and the only sound to be heard is that of silence.
Such was the case one very still and bitterly cold morning in early January when I found myself at Barrow Bay on the eastern shores of Derwentwater looking across a frozen lake towards Skiddaw. As is customary I had arrived in darkness, and with cold and stiff fingers had assembled my cameras with a view to capturing what I hoped would be a colourful midwinter sunrise on the snow laden slopes of Skiddaw. However, the spectacle that was about to unfold was much more than I had anticipated and before I would depart some hours later I was to enjoy one of the most magificent displays of light and colour that I had witnessed throughout a lifetime behind-the-lens.
To pass the time as I waited impatiently in the icy cold pre-dawn, mug of coffee in one hand and cable release in the other, I ran off a few exposures simply to ensure that my camera was working correctly in the sub-zero temperatures. With my attention distracted by the outcome of those images, it was only during a brief glance upward that I suddenly realised that I could clearly identify the Earth’s shadow across Derwentwater’s unobstructed western horizon. Lethargy was instantly replaced by industrious endeavour.
Over the next few moments, the shadow’s dark blue fringe developed and blended into a magnificent pink band which illuminated not only much of the sky but the frozen surface of Derwentwater also. I had seen this phenomenon, known as the ‘Belt of Venus’ or the ‘Anti-Twilight Arch’ many times before, but never in quite such a dramatic display as on this occasion which was obviously enhanced by the contrasting and vivid white of Skiddaw’s snowy slopes.
I carefully and systematically captured, in a variety of compositions, the scene that lay before me. It is at such times that I welcome the development of digital photography, for when the scene finally gave way to the arrival of the long anticipated sunrise I was confident that a wonderful selection of beautiful and totally unanticipated material was safely ‘in the can’. A colourful sunrise followed as the sun’s warming rays illuminated Skiddaw with beautiful soft pink, followed by orange and then yellow light, but for once a lovely sunrise was up-staged by the magnificent spectacle that had preceeded it.
All of my prints are made to order.
My prints are painstakingly crafted and printed from only my very best images; the vast majority of which were captured to strictly observed standards using high end professional cameras and lenses, in particular the Fuji GX617 panoramic camera, one of several Canon EOS full frame digital cameras or, more recently, the highly respected market leading Nikon D850 digital camera.
Quality is maintained by respecting the relationship between original image size and final print size; optimising the level of magnification between the two ensures that my prints always contain infinite and crisp subject detail.
I produce all my prints on premium quality inkjet media that enables the extensive colour gamut, best contrast and finest nuances required for impressive pictures.
All my prints are produced on the very latest Epson printers using Ultrachrome HDR pigment inks. These printers take inkjet (giclee) technology to an entirely new level with higher colour accuracy, greater subtlety and smoother gradations. Grass and foliage is much more vivid and natural whilst orange tones in sunrises and sunsets are more dazzling.
All prints have at least a 2" (5cm) white border on all sides of the image.
I apply a simple shipping charge of £7.95 to each order for all UK destinations including the Scottish Highlands.
Print only orders are dispatched within 24-48 hours by Royal Mail First Class Post.
Framed prints are dispatched directly from our framers within 7-10 working days using a tracked service.
Customers are informed of despatched orders by email which includes a tracking reference.
All of my products come with a 30 day no-quibble money-back guarantee. Prints are manufactured individually for each customer and they are inspected before shipment to ensure that they are in perfect condition. If you are not satisfied with the merchantable quality of a product, or if it arrives in a damaged condition, then I will replace them or provide a full credit including postal charges upon safe receipt of the returned goods. Any damages must be advised within 5 working days of receipt of your order.
Please note that this guarantee relates to the merchantable quality of the products which are supplied in accordance with the Customer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000 as amended by the Consumer Contracts Regulations (2014). Customers should also be aware of the separate cancellation and returns policy which is included in the Terms and Conditions of Business