About The Image
I probably spend more time researching images and viewpoints in the studio than I do taking pictures out in the field. That was certainly the case with ‘The Ogwen Valley in Winter’. I certainly believe that planning a shoot well in advance and thoroughly carrying out all the preliminary work leads to a successful outcome when the time comes to fire the shutter. It was certainly the case with this composition.
As a young photographer in 1972, one of the most influential photographs that I came across was by the famous mountain photographer W.A. Poucher in his book ‘The Welsh Peaks’; the image was titled ‘Tryfan in Winter Raiment’. It certainly inspired me to develop my mountaineering and photography skills, and it also fired my interest in Tryfan and the peaks of the Ogwen Valley in Snowdonia.
My intention here was to maintain the fine aspect of Tryfan’s east face as seen by W.A. Poucher, whilst, at the same time, capturing more of the adjactent mountains of the Ogwen Valley – Y Garn, Foel Goch and Pen-yr-oleu-wen. This is not really possible in 35mm or 645 format, so yet again the opportunity only presented itself to me when I began using the Fuji GX617.
It took a while to identify the precise location of the viewpoint and also the lens that I would need. Once again I ended up spending a lot of time browsing large scale maps and performing trignometrical calculations. As it turned out, the location I chose was just off the track to the Ffynnon Llugwy reservoir in the southern Carneddau, so I did not have far to carry all my equipment.
By virtue of the fact that the Glyder range lies in central Snowdonia, its peaks are often clear of cloud when the higher neighbouring summits of Snowdon or the Carneddau are not. This enabled me to carry out some preliminary field work on this composition during several abortive visits to Snowdon itself. When the conditions were right I knew exactly where I needed to be.
This image was actually taken on the same day as my “Sunrise over Snowdon” and “Winter Snowdon” shots on my return down the Ogwen Valley. after completing the work at Royal Bridge, Capel Curig. The image was taken at 0845 am on a morning which was alpine in character. The original assessment of exposure was increased by one full stop to compensate for the snowy conditions and to ensure that the eastern aspect of Tryfan was recorded to perfection.
About The Print
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.
About The Frame Mouldings
All my frame mouldings are made of real wood from a sustainable source.
Barefaced finishes possess a natural grained pattern which will vary along the length and breadth of the moulding.
I do not use cheaper plastic composites. Availability of some materials can be limited, so not all mouldings are offered for sale at the same time.
All framed prints are also supplied with a bevelled mount embellished with a single'v' groove before being fitted into the selected frame.
Flat Mahogany
Colour : Mahogany
Profile : Flat
Finish : Stain
Face Width : 34mm
Face Depth : 15mm
Rebate : 10mm
Barefaced Oak
Colour : Barefaced Oak
Profile : Flat
Finish : Barefaced
Face Width : 34mm
Face Depth : 20mm
Rebate : 14mm
Ebony
Colour : Black
Profile : Bevelled
Finish : Paint (lustre)
Face Width : 35mm
Face Depth : 15mm
Rebate : 11mm
Pewter
Colour : Pewter / Black Edges
Profile : Flat
Finish : Scratched Foil
Face Width : 36mm
Face Depth : 14mm
Rebate : 13mm
White
Colour : White
Profile : Flat
Finish : Paint (lustre)
Face Width : 34mm
Face Depth : 15mm
Rebate : 10mm
Wenge
Colour : Dark Brown
Profile : Flat
Finish : Stained
Face Width : 29mm
Face Depth : 13mm
Rebate : 10mm
Graphite
Colour : Dark Grey / Black Edges
Profile : Cushion
Finish : Metallic Paint
Face Width : 38mm
Face Depth : 20mm
Rebate : 25mm
Shipping
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.
Guarantee
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
