Mountains Archives - Tony Tomlinson Photography

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?

11/02/202405/05/2026

Our holiday to the Scottish Highlands is no more!

Tony-Tomlinson-Photography-Cauldron-Falls-Glencoe-Scotland

We had planned a 5 day visit to the Glencoe area of Scotland some months ago to fall in line with the February half term school holidays in England.

Unfortunately, first Mrs. Tomlinson fell very ill with a virus a week before we were due to leave, then, as is fate, I was struck down with the same bug 3 days before we were due to leave.

We tried to leave the inevitable decision as late as possible, but eventually, reality set in and we realised that we had no other option other than cancel the trip.

We are so disappointed not being able to get up to the highlands at this time of year, we were hoping for a smattering of snow while we were there, and we had researched half a dozen new photo locations to explore, still, I suppose they will still be there when we next visit the glorious Glencoe area.

We have further trips planned during 2024, one is a re-visit to a splendid photography area, with another visit being to a new location for us, one which we are both really looking forward too.

In the meantime, until I recover back to full health here is a little video clip to remind us all what a stunning part of the UK the Glencoe area is.

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.

07/12/202205/05/2026

A festive trip to Glencoe

We were fortunate to have a short visit to Glencoe planned between Christmas and the New Year where we would be staying at the Kingshouse Hotel.

The forecast for the days that we would be there was nothing special for this time of year, wind and lots of rain, how this was to change.

On the day we travelled up to Glencoe the weather was bitterly cold, and as we travelled further into Scotland snow became more evident, when we got to Loch Lomond the road verges were white with snow, but the roads remained clear.

As we began to gain height after Loch Lomond on the way to Crairnlarich we passed several snow ploughs, which was a worry but exciting at what may lay ahead, when we reached Rannoch Moor the conditions were unbelievable, thick white snow in all directions, with the islands in Loch Ba looking exquisite, being covered in snow which contrasted against the dark background, sadly we were unable to stop to take any photos as the roadside lay-byes and parking areas were buried by snow, so we had no option but to reluctantly continue driving to our destination.

When we got there, we faced the most challenging part of the journey, getting form the A82 to the hotel car park, a distance of several hundred meters.

This road was compacted snow, which had layer of ice formed on the top if it which made driving a very interesting! We checked-in and took stock has we unpacked, was it really practical to drive out in the conditions bearing in mind that we needed to get to the A82 from the hotel, then were reliant on finding parking spaces from where we could take photos.

We decided that the logical option was to stay put and enjoy the Hotels hospitality.

Tony-Tomlinson-Photography-Kingshouse-Hotel-Glencoe-Scotland — The Kingshouse Hotel, Glencoe, Scotland

We arose early the next morning to go and get an early breakfast from where we tried to glimpse what the conditions were like outside through the dining room windows. Once breakfast was had (it was gorgeous) we took a stroll outside only to find it was freezing cold and that the car park was still covered in a layer of compacted snow and the road from the Hotel was looking quite treacherous.

So after considering our options we decided that the photography options would be on foot and local to the hotel. So off we went to get changed and wrapped up for what was in front of us.

As I went for a walk around the area close to the hotel, before I trudged up to the Cauldron Falls where I spent some time taking shots of the falls and looking down the valley towards the Buchaille Etive and Beinn a Chrulsaiste, from this view point it could be seen how much the snow had been washed away by the falling rain through the night.

I spent a couple of hours setting up compositions around the falls before I set off back down to the hotel where we had a bite to eat and a lovely hot cuppa to warm us up before we got in the car to head up to Rannoch Moor to see what the conditions were like, hoping for these to be as good as they were the day before.

Tony-Tomlinson-Photography-Red-Dear-Kingshouse-Hotel-Glencoe-Scotland — Red Dear at the Kingshouse Hotel, Glencoe, Scotland

Frustratingly I had to drive past the place where I wanted to stop on Rannoch Moor due to a bloody lorry being about 6 foot off my rear bumper, not to disappointed, the 1-mile detour wasn’t that bad. At the parking area I set off looking for some compositions as I have never visited to this place before.

I soon realised that trudging over heather that was covered in 9 inches of snow was quite hard, I was soon huffing and puffing like the old man I am becoming.

I followed the stream round the headland hoping to find a good composition, unfortunately this was not to be, so I retraced my tracks back to the road then decided to trek along the road to the next inlet,

I again headed for the water’s edge to try and pick out any compositions, I soon became frustrated again as the background was blending into the flat sky’s. I didn’t spend too long here as I was struggling to get any decent images.

We decided to head down the valley to get to Lagangarbh Hut that sits on the lower slopes of the Buchaille Etive Mor. Unfortunately, even though the distance travelled was only a couple of miles from the hotel, the rain was belting down, there was no way that I was getting out to try and take a photo in these conditions. We sat in the car for 20 minutes or so before we called it a day.

Buachaille-Etive-Mòr-Glencoe, Scotland — Buachaille Etive Mòr, Glencoe, Scotland

During the evening we got to really appreciate the staff of the hotel, they were so friendly and helpful, nothing was any issue to them. The food service and drinks were excellent.

The next morning we arose with the same plan as the day before, an early breakfast and then assess the conditions to what we will do. After another hearty and thoroughly enjoyable breakfast, we waited for the light to improve only to see that the heavens had opened again.

I decided to head down the valley of Glencoe as I was looking to photograph the large waterfall at the meeting of three waters, and to try and get the shots at the hut that we didn’t do the day before.

I pulled up at the hut, but new immediately that the constant rain would make this a nogoer, so I continued to the falls where I parked up and began waiting for the light to improve.

After a 30 minute wait the light was still very dark, due to the heavy cloud cover and the constant heavy rain, so even though I was intending to get under the bridge to take the photo, the very dark conditions would not allow me to get the shutter speeds that I was looking for, yet again another location was a washout, there was now nothing more to do, other than head to the a few hours relaxation before we began out long journey home.

The conclusion to this short trip up to Glencoe is that we had a very enjoyable stay at the Kingshouse Hotel, we can highly recommend this hotel for its location, facilities and its staff, who we found to be excellent throughout our stay. The photography was a little disappointing, especially when you consider how lucky we were to arrive in such wonderful snow-covered conditions, but just to be out and about in these weather conditions was a joy.

Until the next chapter, thank you for reading, and viewing this blog and photos.