Sunrise – Tony Tomlinson Photography

07/08/202503/09/2025

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?

21/06/202503/09/2025

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.

12/01/2025

A recent obsession with Tewet Tarn

Tewet-Tarn, Lonscale-Fell, tony-tomlinson-photography

I have an image in my head which I would love to capture at Tewet Tarn, to achieve this I need some early morning light, and a clear view of Lonscale Fell and Blencathra.

First Visit

I first visited Tewet tarn on the 23^rd December, when the forecast was promising, and on arriving at the location, there were signs that there would be some good sunrise light on show, and for a short, very short period of time it looked like it was going to kick off, sadly the lovely red coloured sky only lasted a very short period of time, and did not reach the direction in which I was looking.

tony-tomlinson-photography, sunrise, red-sky — I was hoping for this light to arrive on the scene

Blencathra, tewet-tarn, tony-tomlinson-photography — All I got was flat light with a hint of colour in the sky

I was a little disappointed as I packed up and began making plans for the next weather window.

Second Visit

My next visit to this location was on the 3^rd January, again the forecast was looking good, but despite arriving well before sunrise, the conditions did not materialize, no light on show at all, just boring flat light.

I took a couple of photos to record the occasion, but these were not portfolio standard. Still, I was out, and about which is my aim for 2025.

Tewet-Tarn, Blencathra, lone-tree, tony-tomlinson-photography — More flat light, this being a long exposure

Third Visit

My third visit to Tewet Tarn was a week later on the 11^th January, when the snow gods had delivered a rare dousing of snow in the lake district, along with a block of very cold and frosty nights which had helped the snow to lay and last for a few days.

The forecast was looking good, so I arrived at the tarn well before sunrise to ensure I was I set up and in position for any sunrise light that made an appearance.

Off I trudged up the fell through the snow and ice, wrapped up against the biting cold.

I was a little surprised that there were no other photographers present, but this allowed me free range for my photos.

Looking east the sky was beginning to light up with crimson colours, and here was me trying my best to dig my boots into the slope of the fell to stop me sliding off down the slope.

The colours in the sky were now above my head, all I wanted was for them to reach the distant fells of Lonscale and Blencathra, when my wishes would be answered, please, please, as close as the coloured sky was, it wasn’t just far enough, I was taking photos, but I knew in my heart that they were not what I was looking for.

After waiting for 30 minutes or so for the red sky to travel over the valley, I admitted defeat, again I had been beaten by mother nature, so again, I was packing up with a unfulfilled morning.

lone-tree, Tewet-Tarn, sunrise, Blencathra, tony-tomlinson-photography — The best of the mornings light

As a trudged down the fell towards the Tarn, the sun suddenly broke through the cloud cover casting lovely light onto the snow covered fells of Blencathra and Lonscale Fell, so I stopped, got shot of the bag on my back and frantically raided the bag to get my camera.

The sun really brought the scene to life, we now had contrast, shadows, highlights and depth to the scene.

I headed to the shore of the Tarn to find some ice as foreground interest with me looking towards the sun kissed Lonscale Fell.

I then noticed a lovely fluffy cloud hanging over the summit of Skiddaw to the north, so I grabbed the shot, a close crop of the summit with this fluffy cloud hanging over it. Only when I processed the image on my computer did I see the people making their way up the fell towards the summit, can you see them?

Skiddaw-Summit, winter, tony-tomlinson-photography — Skiddaw summit, can you find the people climbing up the mountain?

From this shot I panned round to the west where the sun had risen sufficiently to create some lovey highlights and shadows on the Cumbrian Fells, Grasmoor and Grisdale Pike being the prominent fells in this scene.

the-Cambrian-mountains, winter, snow, tony-tomlinson-photography — The Cumbrian Mountains

For a change, on my third visit to the tarn I was walking down the fell content, and pleased with the photos that I had taken. The snow had defiantly added another dimension to the views, and even the rising sun had made a slight impact on some of my photos.

To cap the morning off, I was sitting in the car enjoying a warm cup of coffee and a sandwich when I heard a tap, tap on the window, I looked round to see a female chaffinch pecking at the rear window of the car, I managed to grab a phone shot of the bird, but as I went for some food scraps of food it flew away. Quite a cure interaction this was.