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Author Topic: Uk Locations  (Read 11464 times)

Lisa Nikodym

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« on: January 05, 2005, 06:24:21 pm »

A question to start with: where are you from???  I ask because...

I live in the western U.S. but have spent perhaps a total of a month or two travelling around Britain.  In general, Britain can't begin to compare with the western U.S. for interesting and beautiful outdoor scenery (tastes vary, of course, so some people might take issue with that statement - YMMV).  However, it's full of fascinating and historic architecture (gothic cathedrals, ruined abbeys, neolithic standing stone sites like Stonehenge) that the U.S. doesn't have.   What I'm saying is that if you're accustomed to photographing the western U.S. (or anywhere else with spectacular outdoor scenery), and if you have any interest in architecture and/or history, I'd focus (pardon the pun) on the historic architecture instead.  If you're from somewhere with more history than outdoor scenery, though, then I'd follow pom's suggestions.

A few good places for historic architecture (non-inclusive, just the ones I've been to that immediately come to mind):
Canterbury
Salisbury & the Salisbury Plain (Stonehenge, Avebury, etc.)
northern Wales (castles)
York & the Yorkshire Dales

Lisa
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DiaAzul

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« Reply #1 on: January 06, 2005, 12:17:32 pm »

The following link may be instructive on the national Parks in England, Scotland and Wales. If you are coming for two weeks then at most pick two relatively close areas for photography...you don't want to spend a lot of time travelling as congestion in some of the more beautiful areas can be a problem in summer.

National Parks
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howard smith

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« Reply #2 on: January 06, 2005, 02:02:39 pm »

I look at pom's images and find it a bit hard to just take on faith that UK can't compare with the western US.  Yes, my MVs.

Generally speaking, "old" western US is practically new in Europe.  I once lived in Duxburry, Mass.  The really old cemetaries there were populated with people leaving the old life in Europe.
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Joja

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« Reply #3 on: January 07, 2005, 06:08:14 am »

ive never been in the us. but i know one thing, that there are indeed fantastic photographic possibilities in the uk. (ive been there more than enough to know that)
the reason that there are fantastic photographic possibilities in the uk is 'the light'! the weather doenst often coperate, but when it does, then there are trembling photographic possibilities!
the light, thats what photography is all about !
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drew

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« Reply #4 on: January 12, 2005, 12:52:10 pm »

Agree with the 'different' point again. If you want to see examples of great colour landscape photography in the UK, take a look at any of Paul Wakefield's books or 'First Light' by Joe Cornish. For black and white, I would recommend Fay Godwin or John Blakeborough. As for locations, I see cornwall, Western Scotland and the islands as well as the Lake District mentioned. No one has mentioned the Northumberland coast which is truly fantastic. As for Wales, I live there and recommend just about anywhere along the South coast and heading West. The Gower peninsula and Pembrokeshire are obvious choices for seascapes with rocks. Also, the Brecon Beacons. As for camera shops, there is Leeds PhotoVisual in Newport. Walters has branches dotted around South Wales as well as Bath (another good location) and then there is the ubiquitous Jessops which is not usually a great shop in itself, but they will order in just about anything and they will price-match against anything in the UK including on the web.
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russwhe

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« Reply #5 on: January 12, 2005, 04:01:28 pm »

Hi, Wim. I agree very much with your point. Here in the UK humans have adjusted the country side for years. The national parks themselves prove this. Also some of the best landscapes i have seen have included ruins of old mines and other heritage. The americans should follow suit. Yes they do have many miles of untouched land but a visual record of "human adjustment" in america would be historically useful as well as facinating. Does any one have such shots of the US to show?

AGW

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« Reply #6 on: January 13, 2005, 02:52:42 pm »

 Oh Lisa...
Given the background of US paranoia against photographers, I was all worried  when I first saw that pic. I thought that you had just booked yourself a free holiday to Guantanamo Bay! I know you actually do have many more interesting examples of built heritage!   

We "old worlders" do tend to take history for granted, my dad lives in house that was built in the 1780's, in the centre of Kilwinning we have a ruined 12 century abbey where the local youths hang out and on Arran there standing stones and burial cairns many thousands of years old....its just around you all the time and you tend not to notice it. What is amazing is...that despite the continuous accupation and use of the land over the passed 5000 years there are still unspoilt corners which we can all enjoy!  

Graeme
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gha

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« Reply #7 on: January 23, 2005, 07:51:46 am »

I have now had the experience of attending 2 workshops with Joe Cornish - the last being a large format one in Northumberland. Along with Joe was David Ward. Both of them are gifted artists and to spend days with them was a real eye opener. Northumberland is the place to go

In particular, the coast - Dunstaburgh, Bamburgh, Sea Houses and up to Holy Island are simply breath taking. Few tourists, friendly people and acres of sky, sea and rock. It is a favourite of mine - having been there 4 times in the last 12 months I am constantly busy! In fact I am up there again at the end of Feb - I can recommend a good place to stay if you like?

Further south, Mewslade Bay (and the Gower) is dramatic (watch out for the fast tides) Dunraven Bay, Burton Bradstock, Pentire Head..Ahhh I could go on and on
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gha

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« Reply #8 on: January 23, 2005, 01:49:42 pm »

Hi

I have sent you a mail with some details - let me know if I can be of any further help. Oh and Light and Land whilst expensive are very very good at what they do

Good light!
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russwhe

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« Reply #9 on: January 05, 2005, 04:06:08 pm »

Hi, I am planning a week to two week break this summer planning to vist as many uk locations as i can. Being new to landscape photography i was wondering if anyone had any good places to go and advice on what kit would be useful (filters etc). Cheers

Ben Rubinstein

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« Reply #10 on: January 05, 2005, 04:45:16 pm »

Ardenaig Waterfall, Highlands of Scotland

Eileen Donan Castle, North Scotland

Sconser, Isle of Skye

Ullswater, Lake District

Elterwater, Lake District

Peak Cavern, Peak District
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Joja

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« Reply #11 on: January 05, 2005, 06:41:16 pm »

over a few weeks i will move to the united kingdom!
ive been there a couple of times, some time in the highlands (see the image of glen nevis on  My Webpage),  a year later ive spend some time on the isle of skye (also featured on my site), ive been a couple of times in london (both busines and pleasure ;-) and half a year ago ive also been for some time in snowdonia...
but now the big question .. i will live nearby cardiff. and im looking for locations .. both nearby cardiff and places farder away where i then would stay for some time. do you maybe have some tips?
i want to photograph beaches with rocks (i think cornwall will be interesting for that) and places with rocks, mountains and lakes ..
the lake district is a good place i think but do you have some more specific advice, regarding to locations, places to stay, ...
i would be very thankfull !!
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Ben Rubinstein

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« Reply #12 on: January 06, 2005, 08:38:41 am »

Cornwall isn't very near Cardiff, though you American's wouldn't think twice about a 6-8 hour drive. The good news is that you have to drive over 80mph before the police bother on the highway. :cool:

Wales is a country in it's own right, it has a great coastline and loads of mountains. If you want lakes, the Lake District is about 4-5 hours north of Cardiff, and there are about 5 zillion beautiful lakes there, as well as mountain ranges, etc.

Locations in the Lake District, hmmm....
The lake district is very small, especially for you Americans. I'm sure some of your national parks are as big as the whole of England if that gives you some idea    I would suggest starting with Windermere Lake, following up through Grasmere and Ambleside, heading North for Penrith but coming down using a small road through to Ullswater, from Ullswater head down and take the mountain pass back to Windermere. From there take the forest road through to Coniston Lake and circle it.

Technically that drive will take you no more than 3-4 hours so you get some idea of the size! I have of course left out the whole west of the Lake District, and the southern mountain passes.

If you want I'll map out a bunch of routes for you that will give you a full taste of the Lake District.

There are about a billion B&B's (Bed and Breakfasts) and a load of hotels, do a search for accomodation, Lake District for more details. I like staying in the Travel Inn at Killington Lake Motorway Services though I'm sure the B&B's are cheaper.

Eileen Donan Castle is usually portrayed as lit up. I travelled down from the Isle of Skye at 2am for 2 hours to get this picture, but I found out when I got there that the lights are only on during the winter. I wasn't going to give up so from a car park opposite I lit up the bridge with my car headlamps for a 30 min exposure. (I couldn't light up the main building because of the angle of the car.)
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russwhe

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« Reply #13 on: January 06, 2005, 12:28:25 pm »

Hmm the lakes. Glad to hear that it seems on the top of everyones lost as it is short drive from Middlesbrough(Boro). But what about locations on the Yorkshire Moors? I have been on in Boro for 3 years but still do not know my way around. Opps. So any ideas on the moors?

CJD

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« Reply #14 on: January 06, 2005, 01:01:57 pm »

Check out this web-site for ideas where to go - these guys offer photographic tours in the UK - so if its good enough for people to pay to be taken there.....

http://www.lightandland.co.uk/

Chris
Derbyshire, UK
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Lisa Nikodym

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« Reply #15 on: January 06, 2005, 01:44:11 pm »

Quote
But what about locations on the Yorkshire Moors?

Yorkshire has several extremely picturesque ruined abbeys.  The most memorable one to me was Rievaulx Abbey, situated in a very pretty green valley.  Whitby Abbey is another one.  A web search should turn up exactly where they are - it's been quite a few years since I've been there, so I don't remember precisely. I think the former was in the Yorkshire Dales, and the latter in the Yorkshire moors (but I couldn't swear to it).

Lisa
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Wim van Velzen

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« Reply #16 on: January 06, 2005, 03:37:11 pm »

Two weeeks is barely enough (in my experience) for only a little part of these islands.

For some inspiration, you could take a look at these  landscape portfolios and articles.

Cheers, Wim
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Wim van Velzen

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« Reply #17 on: January 07, 2005, 01:11:21 am »

Well, there is something Britain has and the west of the USA have not (well, almost): seascapes with distant islands. One of the best features of western Scotland.

But landscapes without any signs of human history are very rare indeed. But human landscapes can be photographically very worthwhile too.
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drew

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« Reply #18 on: January 12, 2005, 01:01:36 pm »

Photography workshops in the UK. I have never used Light and Land...too expensive, but I thoroughly recommend Lee Frost who is a great bloke. He also lives in Alnmouth and has a house that you can rent there. See www.photoadventures.co.uk
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Lisa Nikodym

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« Reply #19 on: January 12, 2005, 05:10:53 pm »

Quote
Here in the UK humans have adjusted the country side for years. The national parks themselves prove this. Also some of the best landscapes i have seen have included ruins of old mines and other heritage. The americans should follow suit. Yes they do have many miles of untouched land but a visual record of "human adjustment" in america would be historically useful as well as facinating. Does any one have such shots of the US to show?

OK, how's this one?
:

And now I'm starting to feel embarrassed about starting the whole "US has better wild scenery than UK" stuff.  I really was just trying to emphasize that a photographer visiting the UK should make sure to look for historical artifacts to photograph too (which is what it looks like the topic has come back around to  :)   ).  When in the US, I usually (though not always, as the above photo shows) photograph wild scenery, but in the Old World my favorite photography is of ancient sites and archaeological sites.

Lisa
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