NEWS

Posted - September 2011

On Sunday 4th September 2011, I featured in yet another ‘chance encounter’ on the Lakeland Fells. Having previously met up with Julia Bradbury on one of her Wainwright Walks, I participated in the BBC’s Country Tracks programme centred around the Northern Lake District that was hosted by Liz Bonnin. We discussed the legendary Alfred Wainwright, with whom I collaborated on several illustrated books, and we then wandered around Rydal Water as I explained my approach to getting best possible photographs from the Lake District landscape. The episodes are generally available for some time after the broadcast date on the BBC i-Player for anyone interested in catching up – Liz was joy to work with and a consummate professional who seemed able to nail every shot in one take.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b014gdrf/Country_Tracks_North_Lake_District/

Although a long time staunch defender of the merits of film when compared to digital photography and have thus far resolutely resisted the temptation to grapple with sensors, pixels and noise rather than light meters, silver halides and grain, I have to confess that I have been shooting my current book, A Year in the Life of Rutland, on a digital SLR and am secretly enjoying the experience. The advantages and disadvantages seem to be counterbalancing each other and at least I still try to adhere to the main principle of using slide film photography – it has to be as perfect as possible. Many photographers who have grown up with digital imaging know that they have an armoury of technology within both camera and computer to transform mediocre pictures into good ones. Regardless of what medium I am using, it has be as good as I can possibly get it when the shutter button is pressed and if that picture can be slightly enhanced later via Photoshop, that to me is a bonus and not an automatic process to be taken for granted. The Luddite’s resolve is weakening !