Lake-District Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Tony Tomlinson Photography

30/09/202505/05/2026

Frustrating Summer Mornings.

Autumn, Cumbria, lake-district, Landscape, layers, lorton-valley, Mist, sourfoot-fell, sunrise, tony-tomlinson-photography, trees, UK

As summer heads towards Autumn, from my least enjoyable season to my most eagerly awaited season, photography wise, I planned to be out on two consecutive mornings, the first was to get to Crummock Water for an image that I wanted to re-capture in more pleasing conditions, and the second morning would be decided on later on in the day.

So, off to Crummock Water to get this shot in the can, but whilst driving thought he Lorton Valley the conditions were sublime, lovely low-lying mists which were hiding the trees and fells as it swirled around. What do I do, I wanted the shot at Crummock water, but these conditions were special. I had a parrot on each shoulder, should I go, or should I stay, OMG, why does this always happen. Decision made, I’m going to Crummock Water.

The car was parked, and I was loaded up with the camera, a couple of lenses and off I set through Lanthwaite Woods towards the lake, noting as I went how high the river was. This was due to the recent high rainfall that we have had recently, this not registering with me at this point, but it soon would.

Upon arriving at the lakes edge, I looked over at the weir, and was surprised to see how high the water was, I needed to be on the other side of the river, which is navigated by crossing two small bridges across the lake outlet. As I made my way towards the first bridge, two lads were coming towards me, who asked where I was going, on hearing my plans to cross the bridges, the smiled and told me I don’t think you will be making it today. They were right, the water levels made it impossible to reach the bridges.

What a bloody fool I had been, so concentrated on the photo aspect of the morning and not giving any consideration to the recent amount of rainfall we have had ?

Autumn, crummock-water, Cumbria, flood, lake-district, Landscape, Mist, Red-Pike, siunrise, tony-tomlinson-photography, UK — View towards Rannerdale and Red Pike

A little frustrated with myself, I took a wander around to see if there were any photos to be had, which would b any better than the existing ones that I have in my catalogue from this location. I ended up taking a couple, but knowing that these would not be any better.

Autumn, crummock-water, Cumbria, flood, lake-district, Landscape, melbreak-fell, Mist, siunrise, tony-tomlinson-photography, UK, wier — The Flooded Wier at Crummock Water

Plan B stumbled into my head, lets get back to the valley where the mist was, so off I set retracing my route back to the car. Out of the car park we went heading back towards the village of Lorton where the earlier mists were. Again, I was frustrated to find that the rising sun had burned off nearly all the earlier mists, more frustration, what now.

Plan C quickly materialised in my head, many years ago we had walked along Burbank fell above Loweswater, looking back towards Crummock Water and Buttermere in the far distance. I was quickly computing if this would be a feasible option, but in the confusion, I just set off in hope.

Autumn, back-light, Cumbria, lake-district, Landscape, lowswater, sunrise, tony-tomlinson-photography, trees, UK — The first hint of autumnal colours appearing

I turned off fangs brow and parked next to the footpath that would lead me to Burnbank Fell. I must admit, it was a pleasant walk, if not a little wet on the feet at times. As I crested the hill to get the view overlooking Loweswater, my mornings frustration continued, the sun was positioned just above the fells and glaring into the lakes surface, producing a ball of blinding light right across the lake. In these conditions it was impossible to get any image of Loweswater and Buttermere.

All that I could do was to pick out small aspects of interest looking north and westwards.

Autumn, Cottage, Cumbria, lake-district, Landscape, sunrise, tony-tomlinson-photography, UK — A Lakeland farmers cottage

So, like earlier, I grabbed a couple of snaps and began to retrace my steps back to the car.

There was potential of some decent shots from Burnbank Fell, but later in the day or early evening when the sun would be in the opposite direction.

So, what was the plan to be for the second morning, I was hoping for similar misty conditions, and I was heading for Lorton Valley.

The next morning, the mists were again present in Lorton Valley, I was soon out of the car and tearing across fields looking for interesting woodland shots disappearing in the swirling mists.

Autumn, Cumbria, lake-district, Landscape, lorton-valley, Mist, sunrise, tony-tomlinson-photography, Tree, UK — Mystified

Then drive further along the valley to find a field with an old tractor, and several trailers in it, I stopped off to see if I could make anything of this situation. I spiders web coated in morning due which had been spun within a rusted steel frame. I got a shot of the Scale Hill Hotel on a hill intermingled with wisps of mist.

Autumn, lorton-valley, spiders-web, tony-tomlinson-photography — Steel and Silk

Autumn, Cumbria, lake-district, Landscape, lorton-valley, Mist, scale-hill-hotel, sunrise, tony-tomlinson-photography, trees, UK — Scale Hill Hotel

At this point the mist where I was began to disperse, probably due to the rising sun, so I decided to take a leisurely drive up to Buttermere to see if there was any mist around the lake, as I was passing Crummock Water, the rising sun was hitting the peaks of Mellbreak Fell, there being a few remaining wisps of mist circulating above the lake, so I stopped and grabbed a half decent image of the scene.

Autumn, crummock-water, Cumbria, lake-district, Landscape, mellbreak-fell, Mist, sunrise, tony-tomlinson-photography, UK — Mellbreak Fell

Once I arrived at Buttermere the conditions were rather harsh, no mist and an increasing breeze creating a disturbed waters surface, there was nothing more to do other than head home for some well-deserved breakfast.

I hope you enjoyed this short news article, until next time, stay safe?

07/08/202513/12/2025

My June & July Photography Journey

tony-tomlinson-photography, Buttermere, Summer, Sunrise, Fells, High-Stile, High-Crag,

As I have mentioned previously, I always find the summer months a difficult time of year, photography wise.

So, what have I been up to during the months of June and July, you could be thinking, not much, but here is a brief record of my summer exploits.

11 June 2025

Early June saw me heading to Tewet Tarn to attempt to capture some lovely golden sunrise images, at this time we were still in the exceptionally sunny spell, so the conditions were a bit of a given.

Unfortunately, the ridiculous early sunrise time meant a 3am alarm call. Once on location I set up for a slightly different composition, trying to judge where the arriving light would be best viewed.

It didn’t take long for the rising sun to begin to light up the eastern sky, it was looking promising, but shock, horror, the golden glow from the sun arrived, and was over in about 20 minutes, this was a surprise to me as I was expecting (rightly or wrongly) that the sunrise glow would last longer than this.

The plus side of the morning was that I met a fellow photographer, Mike Childs from Penrith, we chatted about all thing’s photography, and local locations in between us taking the few images that were available.

Once the sun was up, the light soon vanished and became quite hard and direct, so it was time to head into Keswick to find a hot cup of coffee and a sandwich to ease my hunger.

4x3, Tewet-Tarn, Cumbria, Fells, Low-Rigg, Blencathra, Lake-district, Landscape, Mountains, Summer, sunrise, tony-tomlinson-photography, UK — The rising sun behand Blencathra

18 June 2025

During the middle of the month, we were tasked with baby-sitting duties for our grandson, so I made the provisional plan to try and use this time to shoot some images of Cody in order to record how his development.

So the kitchen was swiftly converted to a small photo studio where we could capture a selection of various shots of Cody, the plan being that we would present his parents with a surprise set of photos for them to use as they saw fit.

I would be using the Godox A200 pro speedlight flash units of the first time, the benefit of these were that they were battery operated, so no trailing cables, and they can be used outdoors if required.

Carole, my wife supervised the positioning of Cody, and the props and accessories we would be using during the shoot.

The outcome of an hour’s work was a variation of images of Cody in a selection of poses and using a number of props.

When we presented the photos to Cody’s parents they were vey pleased with the results.

tony-tomlinson-photography, family-photo's, — Baby Cody

21 June 2025

The Summer Solstice, and I headed for Wasdale as the forecast was vey promising, I have recorded this visit in a specific news article on my website, this can be found here, so I won’t repeat all the details here.

I have never seen so may tents and campervans along the shores of Wast Water before, whether the Summer Solstice was the reason, or the exceptionally hot weather we were encountering I do not know.

Cumbria, great-gable, Kirk-fell, lake-district, Landscape, scawfell, Summer, sunrise, tony-tomlinson-photography, UK, wasdale, Wast-Water, Yewbarrow — The view of Wasdale

29 June 2025

Here I found myself in seventh heaven (photography wise), I headed for Buttermere on a whim (instant decision) where I encountered the most amazing conditions that I had seen here.

It did not start off like this, upon arrival, it was warm and windless, but the light was flat with little notification of what was to follow.

No wind, and warm temperatures resulted in mirror like reflections in the lake with high cloud cover, all this was then intermingled with the developing glorious light from the sun has it rose over the neighboring fells (some 20 minutes after sunrise) to create these unique and beautiful conditions.

I had the place to myself, with the exception of a sole photographer who walked past me not long after I arrived at pre-sunrise.

I left Buttermere on this morning, a very content and satisfied person.

Buttermere, Cumbria, Fells, Fleetwith-pike, Haystacks, Lake, lake-district, Landscape, Mountains, Pine-Trees, Reflections, Centennials, Summer, sunrise, tony-tomlinson-photography, UK — Beautiful Buttermere

3 July 2025

I had been booked to take photographs of a student’s prom evening, concentrating of the celebrations within the home. This was a new event for me, but I planned it along the lines of a family photos session.

I had the option of taking photos inside, or outside the premises, but I had no prior knowledge of the layout or size of the home and garden.

On the afternoon of the event the weather was undecided, it being overcast and heavy cloud present.

I was met by the student’s mother, who made me very welcome, and left me to it. I began with a talk to Megan, then it was straight in to getting some images. The house was quite full of family members and friends, but I commandeered the conservatory.

I was using an on-camera flash using TTL as this was the easiest and quickest method to use, the results were very favorable throughout.

I was booked for a two-hour slot, and would only photograph at the house, my final few shots were of Megan getting into the “special” taxi that was taking her to the Prom itself.

tony-tomlinson-photography, School-Prom, — Megan

8 July 2025

This morning, I was heading for Rydal Water, with plans to photograph a specific image, but the conditions had to be right. Another 3am alarm call was the order of the morning, followed by a 50-minute drive to get to the location 30 minutes before sunrise.

I was surprised to find that there were a group of people camping next to the place where I wanted to shoot, and that they were up and about, and rather loud. I suspect that they had been up for some time, but it was only an assumption on my part.

I was at the Rydal Water lone tree and wanted to get a photo of it reflected in the water, but without any interference of the shore.

Sadly, the water was rippled, and the water levels prevented my getting the shot that I was looking for. I hung around for the sun to rise above the surrounding hills, but things didn’t improve, so I set off for a leisurely stroll around the lake to see if I would find anything.

I tried the boathouse, but nothing grabbed my attention, but has I was following the shoreline, a view through the trees towards the far hills got my interest. It turned out to be an interesting snap, but nothing else.

I continued around the far side of the Lake, but I couldn’t find that composition, I continued around to Grasmere, but again I was devoid of any inspiration.

At the end of my efforts, I had walked a few miles on a pleasant morning, got a bit of exercise in the can, and taken a few snaps of the area. Once back at the car, time for a coffee and sandwich, only to find that the car park was full of contractors vehicles, one of the chaps came to inform me that they were about to close the road for resurfacing, so if I wanted to miss the long detour, I should set off and get to Grasmere village where I could partake in my sarnie and coffee, his advice was very welcome, so I was soon on my way.

Rydal-Water, Tony-tomlinson-photography, Lake-District, Summer, Sunrise, lake, — The view along Rydal Water

24 July 2025

Northumberland, we had booked a four-night stay in Blyth, this was primarily a holiday break for me and Carole, but I would be able to fit in some photography work at sometime during our stay.

The first morning was the opportunity, St Mary’s Lighthouse was 20 minutes down the coast, so it was high on the agenda. A footnote being that last year when we were here, it was covered in scaffolding.

So a 4am alarm, and a very quiet exit from the hotel got me to the lighthouse before sunrise, There were a few other photographers there when I arrived, but I wanted some specific shots from the causeway with waves breaking over the road in the foreground, and some form the shore, using rocks or similar as foreground interest.

As the sun rose over the North Sea, the light was so, so lovely, but as it rose the cloud formed what I can only describe as a fog-like filter which the sun was shining through, this created a defused sun, with a more orange like shade to the light, all contributing to a set of good photographs.

Once back at the hotel, it was off for an hearty breakfast, followed by a bit of relaxation before we went for a drive down the coast to sample the fresh air and beautiful coastal scenery of this part of the world.

16 x 9. St Mary's Lighthouse, Northumberland, Seascape, Summer, sunrise — St Marys lighthouse

Unfortunately from here the break went downhill, Carole became unwell which necessitated a hospital visit to be prescribed medication to control her symptoms, and I came down with a viral infection which knocked the stuffing out of me.

We ended up spending the next two days trying to recover, only improving in tome to make the return journey home.

Upon reflection, quite a busy period for me photography wise, but being of a wide selection of photo events.

Landscape Photography wise, it was quiet, but has I have eluded too previously, this is normal for me during the summer months.

The variety of the photo opportunities during the two summer months have helped keep my interest high and further developed my photography skills.

What will August bring?

21/06/202505/05/2026

Summer Solstice Sunrise

We have been experiencing exceptionally warm weather in Cumbria over the last couple of days, I decided to head to Wasdale for a sunrise session, not realising that the day was the summer solstice.

Upon approaching Wast Water, I could not believe my eyes, every parking place was taken with cars of campervans, I drove some considerable distance along the lake, but nothing changed, car, after car, so I turned round and retraced my route to find a parking spot.

I was soon pulled up on a grass verge, well off the road so that traffic could pass safely., I then headed down towards the lakes edge to look for a decent composition to capture the impending sunrise, not a chance, there were tents at all the locations which I could use.

So, plan “B”, I headed up from the shore to try and use the road as a leading line into the scene. As I was heading up for the lake shore, I bumped into a group of wild swimmers who were coming out of the water, a very friendly bunch of people they were, fancy going for a swim at 5.45 am !!

I found a reasonable place on a small mound to set up, and began the waiting for the sun to rise above Great Gable and Kirk Fell to the east.

The sunrise was short, not much time for pre-sunrise colours, which soon became hard light. It can be frustrating having to get up a daft o clock in the night to get to a location, then what seems like a blink of an eye, its over.

Whilst I was waiting for the sun to rise, I got to thinking, was the fact that it was the Summer Solstice that there were so many people camping or visiting Wasdale on this morning, or was t the fact that we were having a exceptionally warm spell of weather which had enticed all these people to be out at such a time?

By the way, I am not grumbling about people being out in the countryside, they have as much right as anyone else (including me) to be enjoying the experience, I found it a little confusing to understand that’s all.

I took the scenic route home, heading south before turning north on the A595, as I was pottering along the road, I seen four Roe Dear in a field, managing to catch a photo on one, they certainly do not hang around once a human is close by.

Cumbria, lake-district, Landscape, Summer, sunrise, tony-tomlinson-photography, UK, wasdale — A Roe Dear

I also came across a Buzzard perched on a farmers gate post, no doubt eyeing up its breakfast. I didn’t have chance to grab the camera, but it was pleasing to watch such a beautiful bird out in the wild, it was soon off looking for a meal though.

I stopped off at Egremont to grab a coffee, surprised to note that it was still only 6.15am.

One home, time to edit the photos an plan where too tomorrow!!

Until next time, stay safe and take care.

02/09/202405/05/2026

Ullswater: My Nemisis

Ullswater is a bit of a nemesis for me, I’ve visited it many times, but rarely have I come away with many portfolio images.

This weekend was a fine example, the forecast for Saturday was ideal, but my glass back ensured that I was unable to make the trip, so the second best option was to visit on the Sunday even thought he forecast was nothing special.

I arrived well before sunrise so that I could find a good viewpoint, but was hindered by the shear number of wild campers along the shore of the lake, not that I have any problem with them, its just that I like to keep my distance from the tents, especially being about so early.

A mooch about didn’t find anything worth photographing, just one blue hour panoramic image along the lake looking towards Pooley Bridge from Glencoyne Bay, I decided to convert this to black & white during post processing.

Ullswater Panoramic

I then re-retraced my tracks back along the lake shore towards Mossdale Bay to find the boathouse.

I captured an O.K image from here where I tried to use the brickwork and character of the building to tell a story about the image. do you think I have achieved this, please let me know by way of a comment?

Ullswater Boathouse

From here I didn’t find anything worth photographing, so I drove up to Brothers Water to see if there was anything interesting there.

When I arrived at Brothers Water, the lakes surface was flat calm, but by the time I picked out a composition the wind had picked up causing ripples along the waters surface. So the waiting began, I was sure the wind would drop and allow me to get a nice reflection shot, waiting is the name of the game after all.

Hartsop Dodd reflection in Brothers Water

I got chatting to a fellow photographer who was present, he being from Cockermouth and me from Maryport. We had a interesting chat about all this photography, then said our farewells.

As I was about to leave, I decided to get a shot of the lone copse of trees on the edge of the lake, this image was probably the best of the morning, see below.

Copse of Trees

On reflection, another visit to Ullswater with no decent photos, flat light, and lack of compositions seen to this. This is why I see Ullswater as my nemesis, its a place where I rarely come away with anything special.

Still it was nice to get out again, as I need to make more of an effort and start getting out into the landscape more often.

Many thanks for reading, stay safe until the next news article from me.

18/01/202405/05/2026

Trying to find the mist

tony-tomlinson-photography-derwent-water-myrtle-bay-mist- reflections-landscape- lake-district- sunrise

The forecast was for a hard frost during the night, but mist was scheduled to appear just before sunrise in several locations, not wanting to drive to far in case of a now-show, I decided to head for Derwent Water, as this is normally a good location for misty conditions.

My plan was to head for the southern shores of the lake to try and capture something a little different form the images that I already have of Catbells etc bathed in mist.

Myrtle, and Abbots Bay’s were my intended locations, for which I did not have a pre-determined plan on what I wanted to do, or capture, one of them times when you just shoot what appears at the time.

I soon found a partly submerged fence which had collapsed in the middle, I managed to get a couple of shots using this as the main interest, with the bank of mist in the background.

From here I took a 2-minute walk along the path towards Great Bay to find the trees and shrubbery were covered in a Hoare Frost, so I had a play-about here trying to pick out some of the frost covered shrubs and trees against a dark background.

Back to the lakeshore, but slightly further along, I came across a lovely little lone tree which was growing on a partly submerged rock, the water was flat calm, so allowing the tree to create a lovely reflection in the water’s surface, I played about with this composition for a while, capturing a couple of very nice images as I did.

I then found another frozen puddle, this time on one of the rocks that protrude out into the water, I thought the ice formation would make an original fore ground item, so set about taking a image of this.

By now the sun was up and most of the mist had dispersed, but a huge bank of mist remained at the northern end of the lake, even though the sky was cloudless, the sun was illuminating the wintery Skiddaw with its brown winters colour, so I grabbed a few images of this view, and of course captured a panoramic of the whole scene, as I do!

After this I went back to the car to set off home, but has I drove along the lower slopes of Catbells towards Portinscale, I notice that the mists were moving along the lake towards Lords island, which was becoming swamped in mist, I stopped the car jumped out and grabbed a image of this scene, no planning, just point the camera and shoot, surprisingly, (I think) that this is one of the best images form the whole mornings trip.

Until next time, stay safe, enjoy your photography, and please feel free to comment on this news article or on any of the images contained within it.

13/11/202305/05/2026

A Magical Mornings Photography

tony-tomlinson-photography, river-brathay, elterwater, langdale-pikes, lake-district, cumbria, uk, autumn, mist,

As the 2023 autumn season comes to an end, the weather forecast for the weekend was looking very promising.

Mild daytime temperatures with cold nights and the prospect of frost which create good conditions for a misty morning.

I had one day available, Saturday, so plans were made and alarm set for an early rise the next morning.

Once underway, my hopes for a misty morning were heightened has I passed Bassenthwaite Lake, it was covered in a canopy of mist, then has I drove around Keswick and began the rise up towards Castlerigg, I could see Derwent Water was also covered in mist.

I was very happy, but, once alongside Thirlmere, not an once of mist anywhere, as was Grasmere and Rydal Water, my hopes of seeing any morning mist were now evaporating as fast as the vanishing mists.

As I turned out of Ambleside and headed for Elterwater, signs of mist along the rivers surface, could I be in luck after driving all this way?

I pulled in to the roadside parking area at the Skelwith Bridge Hotel, I was surprised to see it nearly full, surly there wasn’t that many photographers at the River Brathay already, after all it was still 25 minutes to sunrise.

As I opened the gate on to the meadows that border the River, I could only smile to myself, cold conditions, with ground frost, and, banks of mist, YES.

I walked not 50 meters before I had the camera out of the bag, 1 shot, 2 shots, 3 shots, I was in seventh heaven.

I eventually got to the path that follows the rivers route and was planning my pitching point, but has I got closer I could see a line of people, then another couple, then some more, and more, all photographers hunting that elusive photograph, I counted at least 16 in total, in all the years I have been shooting landscape photography, I have never seen this may photographers in one place.

I was late, too late to grab one of the “honey pot” locations, so I had a stroll about, and decided to go up the bank, a place that I have never shot form before.

One set up I stood and watched the ever-changing flow of mist, intertwined with the rising suns light, looking down the river and back towards Elterwater and the Langdale Pikes.

I was perplexed, the views along the river were astonishing, but when turning to my right the views towards the Langdale Pikes were just has enthralling.

I was like a kid in a sweet shop, snap, snap, snap, as the conditions changed and differing compositions came and went.

A hour and a half went in the blink of an eye, some of my fellow photographers had departed the scene so I had a stroll down to the river side to view what compositions were available as the sun began to rise over the ridgeline to the east.

I found a lovely scene which forms the featured image for this post, the sun breaking over the hill to illuminate the mist that was glued to the waters surface and helped pick out the gorgeous reflections in the waters surface.

The sun then began to strike the various copses of trees that are spread around the meadows, it was then a matter of picking out the images that attracted my interest, what I ideally wanted was any side, or backlight autumnal coloured leaves.

I think that I managed a couple of good images, here is one, what do you think of the photo, does it capture the autumnal colours of the leaves, please comment if you wish.

I now began to notice the excellent reflections in the water which were becoming more noticeable as the mists began to rise revealing these lovely images, a example of these views is attached below.

To finish off I could not omit to include one of the many panoramic images that I took which (I think) capture the atmosphere of the morning. All told a thoroughly enjoyable 3 hours, which were arguably the best mornings photography of the year.

Until my next adventure, thank you for finding the time to read this news update, stay safe and enjoy your weekends.