Outdoor Photography I284 08.2022_downmagaz.net

PHOTO SHOWCASE Opposite (top) Finn Curry Seascapes, 1st place Taken at Newhaven during Storm Eunice earlier this year, down on the beach I struggled to see anything due to the sheer immensity of the waves. But after some (very) careful scrambling up a cleft in the cliffs, I managed to find a vantage point that allowed me to occasionally glimpse the lighthouse. From there, I spent a memorably intense few hours firing off shots, holding tightly on to my camera and enjoying the show. Opposite (below) Edd Allen Seascapes, 2nd place Earlier in the year, Storm Eunice attacked the south coast of England and brought with it conditions I have never seen before. I made my way to Newhaven harbour and did my best to stay standing while photographing the waves as they continuously battered the coastline. Right Gary Bhaztara Seascapes, 3rd place Gigi Hiu Beach, Sumatra Island, Indonesia. I was waiting for a big wave to break around Shark Teeth rocks and enter the cave. I got very wet! Outdoor Photography 49

PHOTO SHOWCASE Above Siyuan Cao Below Radoslav Cernicky Vistas, 1st place Vistas, 2nd place Gorgeous valley fog in Northern California created an interesting Kyjov is one of my favourite places in South Moravia, where I have island in the sky. I really like how the side light helped bring out all been several times, but I have never had such amazing lighting the textures in the fog and hills. Both elements contributed to the conditions. Those soothing lines and the play of light and shadow ambiance of this serene scene. charge a person with energy and you can relax here. 50 Outdoor Photography

PHOTO SHOWCASE Above Jeroen Van Nieuwenhove formed big, smooth potholes. Abstracts, 1st place The result is sculptural rock While photographing the formations all the way down eruption in Geldingadalir, the river. I had spent the whole Iceland, I spent a lot of time evening here and was on my trying to find patterns and way home when I discovered shapes in the flowing lava. how the late, soft light made the One of the most interesting graceful shape of the rock face ones I found was this fiery stand out. The small stream dragon’s head. A piece of of water helped to lead the eye solidified lava perfectly through the composition. matched up to make it look like the eye of the dragon. Below Sebastian Kern Abstracts, 3rd place Left Hans Gunnar Aslaksen Pictured here are small ice Abstracts, 2nd place formations on the edge of a The location for this image in fishing pond in the Austrian Nissedal, Norway, is an almost Alps. By sheer luck, I stumbled dried out riverbank. Since the upon this pond on my drive ice age, rocks and gravel have home after returning from been swirling around and have shooting a -15°C waterfall. Outdoor Photography 51

ON LOCATION Photographing East Sussex From ancient castle ruins to futuristic observation towers via vertiginous sea cliffs, this historic coastal county offers the landscape enthusiast the chance to capture images of extreme contrasts. Lloyd Lane is your guide W here else would you find The South Downs Way will take you to Where to shoot ancient forests, castles and some of the most scenic parts of the county. patchwork fields of the Weald The East Sussex portion is easy to follow, Brighton rolling into the hills of the with only a few steep sections, and you can South Downs, leading you towards sculpted pick up the trail at Ditchling Beacon, the This vibrant seaside resort has several locations chalkstone cliffs and Victorian seaside highest point in East Sussex, which will take worth visiting. If you come down from the towns? Where else but East Sussex. Such a you to some of the most picturesque parts of station, you can pass through the North Laine place offers a vast range of opportunities the South Downs. This trail can be followed district for a taste of Brighton’s quirkier side and for photography and provides inspiration right down to a coastal path, finishing at the arrive at the Taj Mahal-inspired Royal Pavilion, throughout the seasons. seaside town of Eastbourne. a former royal residence which anywhere else would look out of place. Go south from here to reach the Palace Pier, a great spot for observing starlings in the winter. Heading east, you will find one of Brighton’s most photographed structures: what remains of the West Pier. Opposite, you have Brighton’s newest addition, the i360, a spaceship-inspired observation tower. Close by, you will find a wonderful example of a Victorian landmark still surviving today: the Brighton Bandstand. A short walk east will bring you to the colourful Hove Promenade Beach Huts. Firle Beacon Standing 217m tall on the South Downs, overlooking the village of Firle, you will find Firle Beacon. If you walk 10 minutes east from the car park, you can find the best spot to appreciate the curves and undulations of the South Downs and take in views of the Sussex Weald below, including Firle Tower. This is particularly striking on a misty morning with a telephoto lens. A starling murmuration at Brighton’s Palace Pier Cuckmere Valley Stretching from Alfriston to the coast, with stunning views of the Cuckmere River, this valley is nothing short of a photographer’s treasure trove. Alfriston itself is a picturesque little village on the banks of the river, with a narrow, twisting medieval high street. For the best shot of the valley, visit High and Over, which has dramatic views of the meandering river. Opposite this, on the east bank of the river, is Friston Forest, an expansive beech woodland. Cuckmere Haven is where the river meets the sea, nestled next to the Seven Sisters. Seven Sisters The white chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters offer some of the finest unspoilt coastline in the British Isles. The most recognisable view is from the Coastguard Cottages overlooking Cuckmere Haven, which provide a wonderful foreground when photographing the cliffs. Another way to take in the splendour of the area is with a four-mile walk along the top of the Seven A misty dawn at Firle Beacon 52 Outdoor Photography

Sisters cliffs from Cuckmere Haven to Birling Gap. Birling Gap provides another great view of the Seven Sisters and, with its car park and staircase down to the beach, it is also the easiest way to access the view. A short distance east from Birling Gap, and strictly speaking not part of the Seven Sisters, is Beachy Head, the highest chalk sea cliff in Britain. This spot is most famous for the iconic red-and-white-striped Beachy Head Lighthouse, which you can also photograph from the beach if you’re prepared to walk from Eastbourne at low tide. Ashdown Forest High and Over, overlooking the Cuckmere river Ashdown Forest contains 6,500 acres of forest and heathland, lying in the heart of the High Weald, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This forest inspired the Hundred Acre Wood in the Winnie the Pooh series. The best time of year to visit is in autumn, or when the heather is in bloom. A great location to access the forest is Stone Hill Car Park, close to Friends Clump and Nutley Windmill. Through the seasons Early morning at the Seven Sisters Heather in bloom at Ashdown Forest In the winter months, the light can be spectacular on the coast, with Newhaven harbour providing a great location for observing storms. In spring, wildflowers can be found in the woodlands and the South Downs provide some breathtaking moments as the shades of green return. In summer, hay bales decorate the landscape in the valleys, while heather bursts into flower. Autumn ushers in crisp, misty mornings and the burnt oranges and browns change the entire feel of the woodlands. Wildlife Wildlife is abundant in East Sussex, particularly birds. Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, one of the largest wildlife sites in England, is home to 3,300 plant and animal species. The Cuckmere Valley is also a haven for wildlife and is often a destination for migrant birds. During the winter months, starlings can be found by the coast, with the largest murmurations at Brighton’s piers. Tips and advice The chalk cliffs are extremely unstable, so avoid standing too close to the edge or walking at the base of the cliffs. The South Downs National Park is one of 19 International Dark Sky Reserves, making it one of the best places to practise astrophotography in the UK. Outdoor Photography 53

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LOCATIONS GUIDE VIEWPOINTS 4 1 We want to see your best shots from around the UK and Ireland. Each month the winner will receive £200! Turn to page 72 for submission details. 1 Loch Tarff 3 Highland 2 The Lawley Shropshire 3 Cayton Bay North Yorkshire 4 Bow Fiddle Rock Aberdeenshire 2 ACCESS RATING These are based around an ‘averagely fit’ person. Below are loose guidelines to what the ratings mean (N.B. they are assigned by the author and not verified by OP. Walk distances are one-way only): 1/5 Easy access. You can 3/5 Medium length walk 5/5 The most difficult pretty much get straight out of your car and quickly be of up to about two miles, over quite easy terrain. access. Long hike over challenging terrain (e.g. at the viewpoint via good quality paths. mountains/summits/steep coastal terrain); or involves 4/5 Longer length hike travelling over particularly extreme ground (e.g. 2/5 Gentle walking is up to about four miles over mixed terrain, possibly with scrambling on rocks/exposed coastal paths or involved, which may be on mixed quality paths. some quite steep gradients. mountain ridges) over any distance.

VIEWPOINTS WINNER John Cuthbert Loch Tarff, Highland L och Tarff is undoubtedly a hidden gem on the quiet road between Inverness and Fort Augustus. The entire area is picturesque beyond words and with stag, feral goat, black-throated diver, reed bunting, redpoll, common sandpiper, curlew and spotted flycatcher on site, there really are amazingly rich photographic opportunities. There is also parking by the eastern side of the loch. The views are immediately clear and impressive – a great place to fine-tune compositions and enjoy wildlife. How to get there: As Loch Tarff is quite remote, motorised transport is most probably the best option for a day’s visit while in the area. The loch lies 29 miles south of Inverness, via the B851 and B862. What to shoot: Stunning scenery combined with some rare and unusual wildlife. Other times of year: Any time of the year is good and pretty much any time of the day. Nearby locations: Loch Ness (1 mile); Creag Meagaidh (40 miles). Congratulations! John wins £200 for his great photograph. 6 miles from Fort Augustus • 106 miles from Aberdeen ACCESS RATING 56 Outdoor Photography

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4 miles from Church Stretton • 10 miles from Shrewsbury ACCESS RATING Above Opposite (top) Opposite (below) Andrew Ray Philip Mowbray Ian Knight Cayton Bay, North Yorkshire Bow Fiddle Rock, Aberdeenshire andrewrayphotography.com The Lawley, Shropshire T he Lawley is a 377m summit in the C ayton Bay is a sweeping, yet T his is a magnificent rock formation Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding unassuming, stretch of sandy beach close to a pebble beach, a short walk Natural Beauty. The walk along the looking out to the North Sea and from the nearest road over mainly dirt length of its two-mile ridge passes the remains lined by gorse-covered cliffs on all sides. It is and gravel paths, which are steep in parts. of an ancient settlement, a hill fort and still relatively undiscovered by photographers, This photograph is a simple long exposure numerous smaller summits that can be who often opt for the more dramatic parts taken on a fairly windy day, but the location incorporated into the same photographic of the Yorkshire coastline. In the bay itself on the beach directly opposite the formation composition. There are superb views of the are the remains of several Second World War is sheltered by more rocks on either side. surrounding countryside in all directions that pillboxes, which over time have become part include the Long Mynd, Wenlock Edge, the of the landscape and provide an intriguing How to get there: From Elgin, take the A96 Wrekin, Caer Caradoc and Little Caer Caradoc. subject for the foreground. towards Aberdeen, then after crossing the River Spey change to the A98. Turn left on to How to get there: From the A5 at How to get there: Cayton Bay is easily the A492 signposted to Portknockie. When Shrewsbury, take the A49 towards Ludlow. accessible just off the A165 between there, find Addison Street in the north-east After six miles, turn left on to a road signed Scarborough and Bridlington. There is plenty corner of the village and you will see the rock Longnor. Pass through the village to reach of free parking on the road that runs parallel formations. Follow the path to the rocks. a crossroads and continue ahead for another to the bay. It also sits directly on the Cleveland What to shoot: Bow Fiddle Rock is the 1.25 miles to reach a parking area on the right. Way coastal footpath. There is a short but main attraction, but there are plenty of other The summit is a 1.5-mile walk from here. slightly steep walk to the beach itself. dramatic rock formations to explore. What to shoot: Numerous moorland What to shoot: Second World War relics, Other times of year: Midsummer has the summits and superb views of the sweeping views of the North Sea, surfers, best opportunity for a sunrise over the rocks. surrounding countryside. gorse, rocks and cliffs. Nearby locations: Findlater Castle (6 miles); Other times of year: The Lawley is an Other times of year: Generally good WDC Scottish Dolphin Centre (14 miles). excellent location at any time of year. all year round. Nearby locations: Caer Caradoc (2 miles); Nearby locations: Scarborough Castle Stiperstones National Nature Reserve (4 miles); RSPB Bempton Cliffs (12 miles). (15 miles). 58 Outdoor Photography

4 miles from Scarborough • 38 miles from York ACCESS RATING 15 miles from Banff • 21 miles from Elgin ACCESS RATING Outdoor Photography 59

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INSIDE TRACK Don’t turn your back on me It may be a minor technical faux pas, but even professional photographers persist in shooting people and animals with their backs to the camera, says Nick Smith Why it bothers me so much I cannot tell, but whenever publishing establishment falls over itself to perpetually I see stock photography used in such an unimaginative redesign the same book jacket before handing over the manner by book designers, I start to question why we royalties to the clever photographers who had anticipated go to all that effort to shoot great stock for them in the need for such an image. Added to which, it makes the first place. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve got nothing commercial sense to carry on producing such material against the novel of suspense. In fact, to hijack that while there is an ever-hungry market for it. Good old- trivial self-defence against the accusation of prejudice, fashioned supply and demand. Can’t beat it. some of my best friends are thriller writers. But if I see another potboiler with a library-shot cover of a shadowy To understand why we are instinctively mistrustful of figure whose back is turned to the camera – usually in this type of image, it’s helpful to look to the parallel world silhouette, wearing a greatcoat and homburg – I’m going of wildlife photography, where a similar problem persists. to phone the switchboard at Scotland Yard and ask to be While today’s use of non-intrusive technology such as put through to the ‘originality’ department. camera traps means that images of animals caught in fight or flight anxiety mode are thankfully becoming Perhaps the fact that this trope has progressed to being less widespread, photographs of wildlife reacting to a cliché isn’t the real crime here. I can’t help feeling, what the camera by turning away from it are still habitually with all these people turning their backs to the camera, featured in advertising. something thoroughly bad mannered might be going on. While now and here are neither the time nor place There was a morning a few years ago when standing to delve into the motives for book publishers following on a London Underground platform I was confronted this increasingly tedious trend, seeing the phenomenon by an enormous billboard inviting me to Kenya where, mercilessly lampooned in the pages of Private Eye got me if the photograph was any indication of what lay ahead, thinking about the broader question of why we so dislike I’d be greeted by petrified waterbuck, springbok and images in which the subject is turned away from the lens. impala. I mentioned this to a particle physicist friend of Then I remembered a piece of advice given to me by an mine who told me this was the photographic equivalent old press photographer when I was a young reporter on of what’s known in his trade as the ‘observer effect’ a magazine in Soho way back in the last century. (which from what I could gather also has something to do with Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle), in which the Observing that the backs of people’s heads were observed system is disturbed by the act of observation. considerably less interesting than their fronts, Jack I must have looked a little blank of expression. ‘It’s not ‘Smudge’ Parsons – who routinely wore a fedora, a natural picture,’ he clarified. disappointingly without the ‘press’ ticket tucked in its ribbon – was keen to point out that this had been a rule I thought about this for a moment and replied that in of thumb drilled into him when he’d been an apprentice my view, it was also an image in which the photographer back in the day, tootling around on his Vespa, covering was not fully committed to capturing the real story. After rainy school sports days, supermarket ribbon cuttings all, it hardly represents the pinnacle of the process to and parochial church fêtes. snap a frightened animal on the verge of fleeing in the opposite direction to the camera, or a shadowy figure clad ‘People deliberately facing away from the lens are in a greatcoat and homburg exiting stage right. Where stating they don’t want to be in the shot, or are just the photographer’s craft really kicks in is that point of clutter in the frame,’ he’d say, before conceding that engagement, that confluence of creativity and virtuosity there are times, especially if shooting in crowds, when in which the artist has mastery over the image. What’s it is inevitable. But for the most part he’d sigh, ‘it’s just wrong with people walking out of the shot, however well- bad photography’. After a few beers in the Dog & Duck, it choreographed, is that it says: ‘I want no part of this.’ was hard to stop Jack holding forth on his most glorious photographic commission – the funeral of Diana, Even when used as a creative tactic for dramatic effect, Princess of Wales – the greatest obstacle to which was I wonder how successful this visual approach could be in ‘people in hats standing in front of me, getting in the way’. selling thrillers. In something of an amusing irony, life mimicked art a few evenings ago at a book launch also But we’re not really talking about the poisonous fruit in Soho, when a rather self-important publishing person of the milliner’s tree here, rather why it should seem to be started talking to me and, upon discovering that I was of such a faux pas to allow into our compositions elements no professional relevance to them, simply turned away to that are both inoffensive and unavoidable. Objectively talk to someone else. Just add the greatcoat and the hat, speaking, it’s not photography’s fault that the novel- I thought, and you’ll be picture perfect. 61 Outdoor Photography

PHOTO SHOWCASE Milky Way Photographer 62 Outdoor Photography of the Year Travel photography blog Capture the Atlas has announced the results of its annual competition celebrating the beauty of our galaxy. This year’s collection features spectacular images taken around the world, from Egypt and Chile to New Zealand and Slovakia. Here are our favourites Left (top) Egyptian Nights by Burak Esenbey The desert in Egypt is divided into the White and Black Desert. As its name suggests, the Black Desert consists of dark soil and large hills, while the White Desert is somewhat rugged, but mostly consists of fine, light Saharan sand. This part is really exciting, because in addition to photogenic sand dunes, there are also a lot of particularly shaped rock formations. Due to the many sandstorms, many of these rock formations are uniquely shaped and offer a wide variety of compositions. Left (below) Galactic Kiwi by Evan McKay Mount Taranaki under the arch of the setting Milky Way. I had shot at this location before, but felt I could do better, so I returned on an unexpected trip to give it another go. I was pleasantly surprised to find the skies had cleared up by the morning and proceeded to hike up and shoot from this spot on the Puffer. While it’s not a perfect alignment with the Milky Way, it was still my first setting arch of the year. There were even a few meteors flying around and I caught some of them in my frames.

PHOTO SHOWCASE Top (left) Mount Fuji and the Milky Way over Lake Kawaguchi by Takemochi Yuki The Fujiyama Twin Terrace is located in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. At night, you can get there by climbing some steps from the parking lot. I captured this image on 9 April 2022, around 3am. This is the only time in spring you can take a picture of this night view, with Mount Fuji and the Milky Way. In winter, it becomes difficult to reach the road, since it’s covered in snow. When it gets warmer in the summer, the Milky Way rises to the west and it’s out of frame. Top (right) Ice Age by Alvin Wu This lake, located in Tibet, freezes every winter. At night, under the low temperatures of -20°C, you can listen to the sound of the ice cracking while capturing the most beautiful winter sky. The blue ice surface and dazzling Orion constellation create a fantasy landscape. I felt so happy to have the stars as my companion on this magical night. Right House of Lavender by Benjamin Barakat I captured this image of the Milky Way last summer in Valensole, France. The smell and atmosphere of these lavender fields are unreal, and standing there among them in the middle of the night is blissful, especially since the bees have gone to sleep and you don’t risk getting stung! Outdoor Photography 63

Left (top) Path to the Past by Jose Manuel Galvan Rangel A natural paradise: that’s the best way to describe the Spanish region of Extremadura. Not only are the flora and fauna of this lesser-known region spectacular, but so are the night skies, full of millions of stars that seem to light up when night falls, and which are free of pollution and parasitic lights from large cities. I took this photograph in a remote town in the south-west part of this community called Salvatierra de los Barros. In this town, you’ll find an imposing, privately owned castle that has been standing, under the light of millions of stars, since the 15th century. Left (middle) Winter Sky over the Mountains by Tomáš Slovinský Galactic arms are full of hydrogen-alpha nebulae, objects that are (almost always) invisible to the naked eye, but totally visible with an astro-modified camera. To capture more details of the H-alpha emission, I also used a special H-alpha filter. The arc of our galaxy is stretching above the Low Tatras mountains in Slovakia, where the temperatures dropped below -14°C that night. Over the subject (me), there’s a bright cone of zodiacal light pointing to a nice conjunction at the time: the Red Planet, Mars, just between two open star clusters, the Pleiades and Hyades. Left (below) The Milky Way Arching over the Pinnacles Desert by Trevor Dobson This is a 180º panorama of the Milky Way as it begins to set towards the western horizon at the Pinnacles Desert, two hours north of Perth in Western Australia. Using a fast prime lens with a longer focal length allowed me to capture the night sky with great detail and vibrancy, but in order to capture the same field of view as a widerangle lens, it required so many more shots. For this image, I took 124 individual shots. 64 Outdoor Photography

Top (left) Starlit Needle by Spencer Welling Top (right) Secret by Marcin Zajac Above Lighting the Milky Way by Jinyi He The badlands of Utah are brimming with These petroglyphs were carved into a large This photo was taken in the Dahaidao unearthly landforms, hidden in the seldom- volcanic boulder by Native Americans who Desert, the no man’s land in Xinjiang. seen corners of the desert. This needle-like inhabited this part of Eastern California Because of the often-fierce wind, this area pinnacle is one such location, nestled below thousands of years ago. By chipping away at gradually eroded into separate hills that take a set of blue shale cliffs in the Hanksville the dark surface of the rock, they exposed the on the unique shape of a yardang. I found Badlands. The night sky over this region offers lighter rock underneath. What’s unusual about this location online after lots of research and some of the darkest, clearest views of the stars this panel is that it faces upward towards the drove there in a Land Cruiser with GPS. in the Southwest. On clear, moonless nights, sky, enabling some interesting compositions the stars shine bright enough to cast shadows that include the California Sierra Nevada on the ground, as they did on this night. mountains and the night sky in the same frame. Outdoor Photography 65

PHOTO SHOWCASE Top The Rocks by Rachel Roberts Some of New Zealand’s darkest and most underrated skies are along the west coast of the South Island, a place I’m so fortunate to call home. Motukiekie, along the Great Coast Road, is a unique area where our southern Milky Way sets over the sea stacks and reefs. While not the composition I was hoping to shoot, due to a big swell, I’m still incredibly happy with what I came away with and really quite proud of the fact I was out shooting at all, as I had just had a baby six weeks earlier. Left (middle) The Salt Road by Alexis Trigo When you visit the Atacama Desert, with its arid formations and starry sky, you feel like you’re on another planet. One of my favourite features is the ground’s layer of salt that reflects and enhances the scarce light, which comes mainly from zodiacal light and translates into less noise. I discovered this corner one afternoon while I was on a bicycle looking for a panoramic view. Left (below) Milky Way Arch in the Morning Hours of Spring by Egor Goryachev I chose Pico de la Cruz, one of the summits on La Palma Island, to spend the night shooting our galaxy. I tried the first night and it was frustrating because the location had zero light pollution, so the photo came out dark, even at ISO 6400. I came back the next day and took a photo of the foreground during the blue hour. Then, I waited in the same position for the Milky Way and took the photo of the sky. 66 Outdoor Photography



READER GALLERY Each issue, we publish the best images from those submitted to our Reader Gallery. Turn to page 72 to find out how to enter your work. Here is this month’s winner... Winner Nick Oakley best of the Surrey countryside, including images required multiple attempts, with only a these ones shown here. My hardback book, narrow window available to capture flowers in I am always happiest when making images Surrey Landscapes, was published in 2021 and full bloom and colourful autumn leaves on the that share the uplifting spirit that nature features images from across the county as trees. The record goes to one image that needed provides. I gained a love of the natural world well as a foreword by Charlie Waite. 16 visits before I was happy with the result. from a childhood spent in the countryside, and combining that passion with photography Although Surrey is not huge as counties Hometown Newlyn, Cornwall offers me a perfect blend of immersion in go, photographing it was still challenging in Occupation Landscape photographer quiet outdoor spaces and a place for terms of finding possible locations, deciding Photographic experience 45 years creative expression. what the best light conditions might be and Website nickoakleyphotography.co.uk then arriving at the perfect moment. Many I turned professional in 2019 and worked for two years on making images that celebrate the Above Opposite (top) Opposite (below) Autumn calm, Frensham Common Early glow, East Shalford Moon struck, Abinger Hammer The pond’s margins curve through a landscape The rising sun’s low rays pick out the distant On the path to Broomy Downs is a riven tree, of pine, grass stalks and the distant wooded hills and trees in a delicate orange glow while, half-tenacious and undefeated, silhouetted peaks of the Devil’s Jumps. This small lake may still in shadow, the rapeseed flowers are against the dawn sky before moonset. have been created in the 13th century to provide restrained and in harmony. fish for the Bishop of Winchester. 68 Outdoor Photography

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Opposite (top) Opposite (below) Above Interlocking elements, Hascombe Hill Misty mooring, Wey Navigation, Ripley Shafts, Witley Common These hills form part of the Greensand In summer, the green reeds stand thick and tall The more the sun broke through the morning Ridge, which is celebrated in the foreground and would obscure the narrowboat, but these mist, the more unsettled I grew that I might miss by artist Tom Nicholson Smith’s installation low remnants in the mist with their rippled an unbeatable opportunity. I had no idea where characterising the sand grains and, on the far reflections were captivating. to go, but turned from the main road, hoped side, also making several comfortable benches. and was rewarded. Submit your best images and win great prizes. This month’s winner, Nick Oakley, receives a Shimoda Explore V2 30 Starter Kit, worth £369 The Explore V2 30 is Shimoda’s mid-size travel and landscape-specific adventure pack. Built for comfort and durability, its dimensions meet the strictest EU and Asian carry-on regulations, and it is packed with smart travel features such as lockable zippers. Sized for mirrorless and compact DSLRs, the pack offers rear and side access options, adjustable torso height, and tripod and water bottle pockets. The Shimoda Explore V2 30 Starter Kit includes the pack itself plus a Medium Mirrorless V2 Core Unit Modular Camera insert. Optional women’s straps are available throughout the range. Find out more at shimodadesigns.com Outdoor Photography 71

YOUR CHANCE Your chance to take part See your work in print + win great prizes! Online submissions! Go to outdoorphotographymagazine.co.uk ONE THING THIS MONTH If you only do one thing this month… READER GALLERY Moments in macro Each issue, we publish the best images from those submitted to our Reader Gallery. Turn to page 72 to find out how to enter your work. Here is this month’s winner... In issue 281, we asked you to send us your best close-up and Winner Nick Oakley best of the Surrey countryside, including images required multiple attempts, with only a macro images. Here’s our winner, these ones shown here. My hardback book, narrow window available to capture flowers in Kevin Hurst, who receives a Keela I am always happiest when making images Surrey Landscapes, was published in 2021 and full bloom and colourful autumn leaves on the Heritage Kintyre Jacket and Insect that share the uplifting spirit that nature features images from across the county as trees. The record goes to one image that needed Shield Blanket, and our superb provides. I gained a love of the natural world well as a foreword by Charlie Waite. 16 visits before I was happy with the result. runners-up. For details of our next from a childhood spent in the countryside, challenge, turn to page 94 and combining that passion with photography Although Surrey is not huge as counties Hometown Newlyn, Cornwall offers me a perfect blend of immersion in go, photographing it was still challenging in Occupation Landscape photographer quiet outdoor spaces and a place for terms of finding possible locations, deciding Photographic experience 45 years creative expression. what the best light conditions might be and Website nickoakleyphotography.co.uk then arriving at the perfect moment. Many I turned professional in 2019 and worked for two years on making images that celebrate the WINNER Above Opposite (top) Opposite (below) Kevin Hurst Autumn calm, Frensham Common Early glow, East Shalford Moon struck, Abinger Hammer An image of Yellow Salsify Seeds. After The pond’s margins curve through a landscape The rising sun’s low rays pick out the distant On the path to Broomy Downs is a riven tree, experimenting with extention tubes at of pine, grass stalks and the distant wooded hills and trees in a delicate orange glow while, half-tenacious and undefeated, silhouetted home, I decided to give them a go in the peaks of the Devil’s Jumps. This small lake may still in shadow, the rapeseed flowers are against the dawn sky before moonset. wild to good effect. Luckily for this image have been created in the 13th century to provide restrained and in harmony. there was very little wind; it was a wonderful fish for the Bishop of Winchester. evening enjoyed with fellow members of Portsmouth Photowalks. Outdoor Photography 89 68 Outdoor Photography Outdoor Photography 69 Canon EOS 5D with 24-105mm lens and 65mm extension tube, ISO 400, 1/60sec at f/9 READER GALLERY 88 Outdoor Photography Send us your very best outdoor images, and if you’re chosen as our winner your IF YOU ONLY DO ONE work will take pride of place in OP. THING THIS MONTH Plus, there is a brilliant prize each issue: This month’s Reader Gallery winner Enter our ‘Spirit of the sea’ photo challenge received a Shimoda Explore V2 30 and you could have your image published in Starter Kit, worth £369. OP 287. Plus, there is a superb prize for the winner: a Manfrotto Befree Advanced Aluminium Travel Tripod Twist, worth £220. Turn to page 94 for details. 72 Outdoor Photography

COMPETITION OP COMMUNITY Where in the world? This will be the final Where in the world? Join the OP community on our social channels competition. Thank you to everyone who where you can see what we’re keen to share Tell us the location of this waterfall above the clouds and you has taken part in our monthly worldwide in the world of outdoor photography. could win a Lowepro PhotoSport BP 15L AW III, worth £165 picture hunt. Keep right up to date with news ENTER ONLINE NOW! THIS MONTH’S GREAT PRIZE OP 281 WINNER Shutterstock.com by ‘liking’ OP at facebook.com/ outdoorphotographymag Situated in a World Heritage Site, this Lowepro PhotoSport BP 15L AW III In issue 281 we asked you to identify waterfall is one of the tallest on the planet; Worth Made from 75% recycled fabrics, the scenic port in the image below. Follow us on Twitter at it falls for almost 950 metres from a The correct answer is: twitter.com/opoty mountainous plateux that overlooks £165 the third-generation PhotoSport c: Koekohe Beach, New Zealand a stunning natural amphitheatre. Find us on Instagram at instagram. But is it: collection marks Lowepro’s move Congratulations to our winner! com/outdoorphotographymag towards sustainable products. Built for photo- Sharon Croome from Gloucestershire a: Yosemite falls, United States adventurers looking for a lightweight camera EMAIL ENTRIES backpack for day hikes and backcountry travel, b: Tugela falls, South Africa the PhotoSport III offers the comfort and capacity We are unable to accept speculative of an outdoor pack with the modularity and submissions via email, so please do not send c: Sutherland falls, New Zealand protection synonymous with the work in this way, unless requested to do so Lowepro brand. Features by a member of the OP editorial team. The answer and the winner’s name include side-access with Send via post or online instead. will be revealed in OP 287. You can an integrated, removeable enter the competition online at: GearUp insert, a strap WEBSITE SUBMISSIONS outdoorphotographymagazine.co.uk/ system designed for multiple competitions, using Falls284 as carrying options, and a You can send us links to your website, for us the code. Deadline for entry is dedicated hydration pocket. to view your general work only. Please note that 15 September. To find out more, go to strictly no correspondence will be entered into lowepro.com regarding website submissions. Send the link to [email protected]. 96 Outdoor Photography PLEASE NOTE WHERE IN THE WORLD? SOCIAL HUB Due to the many submissions we receive from Name the location on page 96 and you Please send your views, our readers each month, if you have not heard could win a Lowepro PhotoSport opinions and musings to from us within eight weeks (except for BP 15L AW III, worth £165. markbe@thegmcgroup. Viewpoints) then it is unlikely we will be using Perfect for day hikes and com, or submit them your work in the magazine on this occasion. backcountry travel, this via our website lightweight backpack (accompanying images GMC Publications cannot accept liability combines comfort are welcome). Our next for the loss or damage of any unsolicited and modularity with Letter of the Month winner will material, including slides. excellent protection receive a Tenba Tools Tool Box 6. for your camera gear. Please limit your letters to 200 words EXHIBITIONS AND EVENTS or under and be aware that your words may be edited before they are used in If you would like an exhibition or event included the magazine. in Outdoor Photography, please email [email protected] at least 10 weeks VIEWPOINTS in advance. You can also submit it online through our website. WINNER John Cuthbert NEWS STORIES Loch Tarff, Highland Is there a current and time sensitive story you’d like us to cover in our news pages? Please email L och Tarff is undoubtedly a hidden gem on details to [email protected] or submit the quiet road between Inverness and Fort it online at: outdoorphotographymagazine.co.uk/ Augustus. The entire area is picturesque contact-us. beyond words and with stag, feral goat, black-throated diver, reed bunting, redpoll, WRITE FOR US! common sandpiper, curlew and spotted flycatcher on site, there really are amazingly rich We are always on the lookout for inspiring new photographic opportunities. There is also features. If you have a great idea for an article parking by the eastern side of the loch. The then please send a short outline (no more than views are immediately clear and impressive – 60 words), plus five high-res JPEG images a great place to fine-tune compositions and for our consideration. enjoy wildlife. How to get there: As Loch Tarff is quite remote, motorised transport is most probably the best option for a day’s visit while in the area. The loch lies 29 miles south of Inverness, via the B851 and B862. What to shoot: Stunning scenery combined with some rare and unusual wildlife. Other times of year: Any time of the year is good and pretty much any time of the day. Nearby locations: Loch Ness (1 mile); Creag Meagaidh (40 miles). Congratulations! Outdoor Photography 57 John wins £200 for his great photograph. 6 miles from Fort Augustus • 106 miles from Aberdeen ACCESS RATING 56 Outdoor Photography VIEWPOINTS We want to see your favourite UK and Irish viewpoints! Send us up to 10 of your best digital images and if one of them is selected it will be published in the magazine. Plus, there’s £200 up for grabs each month for the winning image. You can submit online at: outdoorphotographymagazine.co.uk. Don’t forget to include your name, daytime contact number and email address. Outdoor Photography 73

LIFE IN THE WILD The UK’s first national nature reserve From newts and liverworts to ancient pinewood that dates back to the last ice age, Beinn Eighe is home to an astounding array of flora and fauna, providing Laurie Campbell with more than enough subjects for a short assignment The offer of commissioned nature One such opportunity occurred this past Beinn Eighe may be a lengthy drive from photography has never been that common, May when I was invited by NatureScot to my base in the Scottish Borders, but I’ve so I count myself lucky to have received spend a few days working on the Beinn Eighe visited and worked on the reserve many contracts to photograph all sorts of subjects and Loch Maree Islands National Nature times in the past. In fact, my first childhood throughout my career, from the introduction Reserve in the north-west Highlands of memory is of a family holiday in the 1960s, of white-tailed sea eagles and red kites to the Scotland. Together with the commission, when we stayed on the campsite at nearby satellite tagging of basking sharks. Exciting I was also tasked with running a nature Kinlochewe. One night, we were awoken by as these types of projects are, some of the photography workshop for prize winners an animal raiding our food supply stored best commissions have been those where of a photography competition that was just in the porch, but we were clueless as to its I’ve been granted relative freedom to go one of a number of activities launched to identity. Years later, I realised that it must into a habitat and choose subjects that I feel celebrate the 70th anniversary of the reserve, have been a pine marten. Pine martens encapsulate a sense of place. the first of its kind in the UK. were once billed as one of the rarest land mammals in the UK and the area around Beinn Eighe was thought to be their last remaining stronghold. I didn’t see or photograph a pine marten in May and to have tried to do so from scratch would have been a gamble and taken too much time on such a short trip where my priority was to produce as many images of as wide a range of subjects as possible. That said, it’s always good to try for coverage of ‘standout species’ and what better than one that is endemic, not just the UK, but to the Beinn Eighe NNR itself and the nearby mountain of Slioch. This species was a bryophyte: the northern prongwort liverwort (Herbertus borealis). The word ‘bryophyte’ is an informal group name for mosses, hornworts and liverworts that together with ferns, lichens and algae, are all referred to as ‘lower plants’. They may be among the oldest and most primitive plants on Earth, but they all make fascinating subjects for macro photography. The prongwort was no exception and growing in yellow-brown coloured clumps, it was surprisingly easy to find. Homing in on species such as the prongwort certainly got me to different habitats around the reserve, and although I was on a quest to photograph a single Left (top) I composed this close-up of northern prongwort so that it included a patch of a cladonia species of lichen to show variety of colour and texture. Nikon Z 6 with 200mm f/4 IF-ED micro lens, ISO 100, 1sec at f/32, tripod, cable release Left I photographed this common lizard basking high up by the pony path on film and on a previous commission during the 50th anniversary of the reserve. Nikon F5 with 17-35mm f/2.8 lens, Fujichrome Velvia 50, 1/60sec at f/16, handheld 74 Outdoor Photography

Above Silver birch tree, cloaked in mosses and A brief history rainforests and this is reflected in the luxuriant lichens, photographed by the woodland trail. growth of ferns, mosses, lichens and liverworts Nikon D7100 with 8-15mm f/2.8 fisheye National nature reserves (NNRs) were first that cloak rocks, fallen logs and the lower trunks lens at 12mm, ISO 100, 1/5sec at f/18, created under the National Parks and Access and branches of most trees. To photograph tripod, cable release, mirror lock-up to the Countryside Act 1949, and are owned these forests at their best, it really needs to be or managed by government bodies with the a rainy day rather than a sunny one. species I inevitably got distracted along purpose of promoting the enjoyment and the way and ended up photographing conservation of the UK’s best wildlife sites. With all that rainfall, it follows that the all sorts of other subjects, from palmate Scotland has 43 NNRs covering almost 2% of reserve contains significant areas of peat bog newts to the fossilised burrows created by its land mass, with Beinn Eighe being the very and this supports specialised insectivorous wormlike creatures in the white sands of an first in the UK to receive this accolade in 1951. sundews and butterworts together with 13 ancient tropical ocean, otherwise known as species of dragonfly. The largest part of ‘trumpet rock’. The criteria for selection is that they must this 5,000-hectare reserve, however, is a feature nationally and internationally important mountainous area that boasts six Munros Identifying the latter is never easy and habitats and species. And Beinn Eighe contains (peaks over 3,000ft in height). The underlying there are times when I regret not studying the largest fragment of ancient Caledonian rock, Lewisian gneiss, is some of the oldest in one of the life sciences at university pinewood in north-west Scotland, having been the world, at three billion years old. instead of a degree in photography. But in existence since just after the last ice age I get there eventually and actually quite 9,300 years ago. Access to the reserve is via a network of well- enjoy the process. And as I’ve often said maintained paths. For the more adventurous, here, the key to photographing nature is The pinewoods at Beinn Eighe are special, there is the pony path, so-called because it simply to research and understand it more. and the trees are genetically different from was traditionally used by ‘garrons’ (Highland Hopefully, I’ll be a little more prepared next those in the east because they have adapted to ponies) to bring red deer carcasses downhill time I visit this amazing reserve. tolerate a wetter, milder climate with a longer after culling, a practice that continues today to growing season. With 2m average rainfall reduce pressure on the woodlands. each year, it’s not surprising that woodlands in many such places are described as temperate Outdoor Photography 75

NATURE GUIDE Laurie’s September highlights Above Opposite (top) Opposite (middle) Opposite (below) Whenever we see large Scots In recent years, it seems that At first glance, the conical, A morbid subject perhaps, pines (Pinus sylvestris) growing waxcap fungi are now attracting common limpets (Patella vulgata) but it’s often said that lichens in areas of forest, it’s easy to more attention than ever, to the we see attached to rocks at low tide that colonise gravestones can assume that they must be the extent that those in the UK are may seem boring and uninspiring, sometimes be aged by looking at oldest around, but this isn’t always now regarded as having global but filming them using time-lapse the date inscribed on the stone. the case because this is a resilient significance. Their importance can reveal an insight into their Similarly, the formation and variety and adaptable species, capable is linked to the old ‘unimproved’ somewhat secret lives. Submerged of lichens to be found on drystone of growing in the most challenging grasslands that haven’t been twice each day, they loosen their walls give clues to the longevity of of places. Whether it be on boggy, ploughed or had artificial grip on the rock surface with their the structures and workmanship waterlogged ground, on the fertiliser added. As such, they are large muscular foot and move of those who constructed them. natural tree line on a mountain recognised as ‘indicator species’ around to graze on algae. The Regardless of substrate, lichens or even just a rock crevice, some of healthy grasslands. There are evidence of this can be seen in the are reasonably common in most specimens can be deceptively old, more than 40 different species curious footprint-like marks they places where there is little or no air taking on a stunted, bonsai-like of waxcaps in the UK, many of leave behind due to the rasping pollution. A particularly attractive form. Full of character, they lend which are slightly translucent, action as they feed. An obscure species to seek out is the golden themselves to be photographed giving the effect of their already- subject to photograph perhaps, shield lichen (Xanthoria parietina). in isolation, or in the foreground bright colours glowing when but certainly a teaser when Nikon FM2 with 105mm f/4 of a wider landscape. photographed using backlighting. presented as a ‘what is it?’ quiz. micro lens, Kodachrome 25, Nikon D3X with 17-35mm f/2.8 Nikon D3X with 200mm f/4 Nikon D3X with 70-180mm f/4.5- 4secs at f/22, tripod, cable AF-S lens at 24mm, ISO 100, IF-ED micro lens, ISO 100, 5.6 AF-D micro lens at 150mm, release, mirror lock-up 1/10sec at f/11, polariser, tripod, 1/13sec at f/8, beanbag, cable ISO 100, 1/10sec at f/36, tripod, cable release, mirror lock-up release, mirror lock-up cable release, mirror lock-up 76 Outdoor Photography

More seasonal subjects Flora Many-zoned polypore fungi Nikon F4S with 60mm f/2.8 ED micro lens, Fujichrome Velvia 50, 2secs at f/22, tripod, cable release, mirror lock-up Golden spindles fungi (Clavulinopsis fusiformis) – also called grassland fairy club fungi, this yellow coral fungi are relatively easy to spot in grassland. Water lilies (Nymphaea alba and Nuphar lutea) – the flowers of both species may be gone, but the floating pads offer potential in rain or backlighting. Many-zoned polypore / turkeytail fungi (Trametes versicolor) – a common bracket fungi that grows throughout the year and across the world. Fauna Footballer hoverfly Nikon D3 with 70-180mm f/4.5-5.6 ED micro lens at 180mm, ISO 640, 1/200sec at f/13, handheld Red ant (Myrmica rubra) – rather than disturb colonies under logs or rocks, wait until the winged adults emerge in swarms. Footballer hoverfly (Helophilus pendulus) – a distinctively marked species attracted to the nectar provided by ivy flower. House martins (Delichon urbica) – a last opportunity to photograph gatherings of these birds on telephone lines before migration. Outdoor Photography 77

A MOMENT WITH NATURE The faintest glow For a solitary hour at the top of a windswept fell somewhere in Finland, Alwin Hardenbol shares this vegetation- free landscape with an elusive male ptarmigan, with the soft summer sun bringing this unique moment to life I t is close to midsummer when I decide to visit an area with pristine fells in Finnish Lapland. I arrive late in the evening and despite it having been a warm summer’s day, the evening is chilly as the sun hangs low and hidden behind the fell tops. It’s an opportunity to get the most out of my winter clothing, especially knowing what awaits me at the top of a fell. I begin my climb up the gentle slope from the parking place and uncover the rapid change of habitat types along my path. The tall trees surrounding the parking place are quickly replaced by short mountain birches, willows and the occasional pine, where species such as redpolls, yellow wagtails, bluethroats and the pestilential mosquitoes can be found. I cross a small stream and notice a flush of purple that turns out to be heath spotted-orchids. Among them, I manage to find some frog orchids. Excited with the latter, I venture on and observe that the trees are becoming scarcer, although the ground is still covered with vegetation. The bird species also change as I hear golden plovers nearby and observe wheatears and meadow pipits. Ahead of me, I begin to clearly see the rocky habitat of ptarmigans and snow buntings. I am hoping to find both, although I know they can evade my detection so easily, surprisingly elusive as they can be. I press onward and hear a familiar sound: snow buntings. Maybe I will get to photograph them today, I think to myself. With every step, I notice that the light – a beautiful orange glow – becomes slightly stronger and I will soon see the midsummer sun. I am glad I dressed well, as I am also feeling the wind increasingly battering me. I am almost at the top when from the corner of my eye I notice a whitish figure creeping among the lichen-covered rocks strewn across my surroundings. A ptarmigan! My excitement is palpable as I plan my approach. Camera in one hand, beanbag in the other, I crouch nearer. I lay down and take some pictures, the beautifully soft light casting a faint glow over the bird. Over the span of an hour, I manage to get close enough for some intimate portraits and I share the life of this stunning male in its desert-like environment. An irreplaceable nature experience. Although I also manage to capture some images of the snow buntings afterwards, the ptarmigan leaves a strong impression on me and I am glad to share one of my pictures with you. I look forward to my next visit to the fells. 78 Outdoor Photography

Outdoor Photography 79

NATURE ZONE STEVE YOUNG On the wing Having tried and failed to capture anything more than poor record shots of marsh harriers on several previous occasions, Steve Young was rewarded for his efforts with a full family flyby that yielded ‘reasonable’ results There are certain species that I’ve never had Sometimes, one of the juveniles would come close, but most of the time, they didn’t. much luck with when trying to photograph Note the buff head compared to creamy white of female. All harrier images taken them: green woodpecker fell into this with Nikon D500, 500mm f/5.6 and cropped slightly. category until a visit to a specific site proved successful, and marsh harrier is another that presumably near the original nest site, a the five hours I was present, so it looked has failed to take its opportunity and pose for lovely juvenile with a cream head and pristine like the young were just about independent my lens to appear in the pages of OP. feathering. It glided around the reedbed a enough to fend for themselves, or were being couple of times at a decent distance, giving encouraged to do so by the parents. It’s not for lack of trying either; I’ve spent nice views in the very dull light. hours in hides on various reedbed reserves Despite the poor light and lack of any sun, around the country, including Cley and Next, the male that had been distant now I had still managed some reasonable images, Titchwell in Norfolk, Leighton Moss in decided to visit the closer reeds and gave certainly better than any of my previous Lancashire and Burton Mere in Cheshire, but a nice fly past; not as close as the juvenile, efforts, so went home planning to return all to no avail, with nice views of the birds but but close enough to see that it looked like a on a sunnier day, when hopefully the poor record shots to show for all my effort. second-year bird. The female of the pair then bittern might also show. joined in the fun and at one point, both male Via the local grapevine, news came through and female and two juveniles could be seen in Two days later, I developed cold-like that a pair of marsh harriers was breeding at flight, although only one of the juveniles was symptoms and, despite being double-jabbed, nearby Lunt Nature Reserve, but I had no idea close enough for half-decent photos. tested positive for Covid. At least the photos whether or not they too would fall into the were in the bag and gave me something to record shot category. There was only one way I didn’t see any food being brought in do while isolating for 10 days. to find out. Marsh harrier is a schedule 1 breeding bird, meaning it is a criminal offence to disturb the birds at or near the nest, but Lunt is a public site with many footpaths and it was from one of these near to a bridge overlooking the reeds that seemed the obvious position to watch for the birds. This also gave a raised viewpoint, so the background would be either fields or reeds rather than sky. A pair of bitterns had also bred here for the first time, so there was hope for a day of double photo delight. This was still prime Covid time, but restrictions had been lifted and there was a small group of like-minded souls present, some of whom had been on site since dawn. After a short wait, one distant female harrier flew into view, but distant it remained, as did the male of the pair hunting over fields far away. Another bird appeared from the reeds, Compared to the fresh-plumaged juveniles, the white-headed adult The male harrier appeared to be a second-year bird – adults would have female’s feathers look very worn. cleaner underwings with more obvious black primary feathers. 80 Outdoor Photography

BIRD OF THE MONTH Late July and August sees wintering waders plumage, but juveniles will be in pristine Left It’s in far from pristine plumage, as you start to return to the UK, and some of the first condition, with streaking on the breast. can see from the worn feathers, but the black to arrive will be dunlin. These small waders belly patch is still intact on this adult dunlin, love to feed in the mud of our estuaries, but Dunlin can be approachable if on their own photographed in early August. at this time of year can also be found around or in a small group, but beware of a larger Right Photographed in late July, the light breast/ lakes and reservoirs as they arrive from their flock mixed with other waders, as if one takes belly streaking, fringing to the feathers and a few Arctic breeding grounds. Adults will be a flight, they will all go. Approach with caution grey mantle feathers just starting to grow through worn version of their black-bellied breeding and patience and just wait to see how the show this to be a juvenile dunlin in lovely condition. bird(s) react. BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY TIP A pair of mute swans had chosen to nest a few yards from the hide at Seaforth With an evil look and hissing a Nature Reserve and gave plenty of opportunities for a variety of shots. It just warning, this greylag goose let looks so comfy and snuggly in those feathers! me know there were young birds about and I wasn’t to come any It can be difficult to raise much enthusiasm when photographing closer, even though I was on a some of the very common species such as coot, moorhen, greylag or public footpath. A 500mm lens Canada geese and mute swan. They are always around, usually very was used to take a few shots tame on park lakes, and many photographers tend to ignore them. before I moved away. For a change, forget the standard portrait and go for a real close- up to show them from a different point of view. Close-ups can have an instant impact and show feather, bill and eye detail that are usually missed in a ‘standard’ shot. Obviously, these can only be taken with the tamer parkland or garden species, so please don’t start trying to get too close to a scarce or rare bird in front of a crowd of birders – you will be shouted at! Outdoor Photography 81

GEAR ZONE The OP guide to…sleeping bags Nature and landscape photographers who take their craft seriously will eventually resort to sleeping outside to get the best access to their subjects. Because even the best of us can be off our game if we haven’t slept well, a warm, comfortable sleeping bag is essential. Here are five of our favourites Outwell Constellation Lux Double Best for ultimate luxury (and snuggling couples) While luxury often has to take a back seat to weight and convenience when wild camping or back packing, if you’re fortunate enough to be at a campsite or in a campervan, you can afford to be a little more generous. This might mean taking your extra-robust tripod, slipping a bottle of your favourite tipple into your packing, or opting for the kind of sleeping bag that can rival your duvet at home. For example, the Constellation Lux Double (which is also available as a single) weighs a staggering 5.1kg and packs down… well, it doesn’t really pack down at all – its smallest compressed size is still a whopping 52x52x30cm. Not something you’ll want to carry in a rucksack! But if you have no great distance to travel, the Constellation is the most comforting, snuggly sleeping bag you’ll ever zip yourself up in. It has a wonderfully soft 100% cotton lining and uses Isofill Premium polyester insulation that will keep you warm down to -6ºC, and will feel even more toasty if you have a warm body to cosy up with in it. Be warned though: a double sleeping bag, however luxurious it might be, is no fun to share with a wriggling bed mate. £255 outwell.com Therm-a-Rest Corus 32F/0C Quilt Best for lightweight trekking and travel If you’re one of the new breed of minimalist lightweight campers, you may already be familiar with the concept of a quilt in place of a sleeping bag, and if you’re not, there are reasons why perhaps you should be. Unlike a sleeping bag, which provides a full top-and-bottom cocoon (and often a hood too), a quilt just lays on top of you in much the same way that a quilt on your bed at home would. However, versions such as the Therm-a-Rest Corus can be connected to your sleeping mat to hold them in place, and some can even be clipped together to function like a sleeping bag. What’s the advantage of a quilt over a sleeping bag? Weight and packability, mostly. This Corus weights just over half a kilogram (560g) and packs down to 17x25cm. The downside is that, due to a lack of a down side, quilts aren’t as warm and are best used with a warm insulated sleeping mat or reserved for camping in warmer climates. £200 thermarest.com 82 Outdoor Photography

Rab Neutrino 400 Down EDITED BY BEN WEEKS Sleeping Bag Snugpak Softie 6 Best for year-round camping and backpacking Best for wet-weather durability Down has long been the preferred insulation As good as down is, if you want a sleeping bag for high-performance sleeping bags. It’s light, that you can use and abuse in all conditions compressible and offers a better warmth-to- (particularly in the UK where all that changes weight ratio than synthetic equivalents. However, from season to season is the temperature of down does tend to be more expensive and it’s the rain), synthetic insulation is hard to beat. It’s not exactly vegan-friendly. It also doesn’t do well less expensive and much tougher, requiring less when it gets wet, clumping up and losing most stitching to hold it in place and continuing to of its insulating properties. But if minimal weight/ insulate even when wet. Snugpak have produced maximum warmth is key, a down sleeping bag kit and equipment for the military, so it comes like the Rab Neutrino is ideal. It will keep you as no surprise to discover their sleeping bags comfortable down to -7ºC, yet weighs just 775g are built to last. However, this robustness does and packs down into a stuff-sack 35cm long and come at a cost – this Softie 6 bag weighs a not 23cm in diameter. The down is RDS (Responsible insignificant 1.2kg. That said, it also manages to Down Standard) certified, and both the down pack down to a tiny 19x18cm, so it will fit in almost and the recycled outer have been finished with a any rucksack. It will keep a sleeper comfortable fluorocarbon-free hydrophobic treatment which down to -5ºC which, in combination with its ability does give it a fighting chance against moisture. to keep you warm even if it gets damp, makes it a £360 rab.equipment/uk great choice for the soggier months of the year. £140 snugpak.com Sierra Designs Cloud 800 35 Best for restless sleepers Not everybody likes a sleeping bag, finding them a little claustrophobic and constricting, while a quilt doesn’t always offer enough warmth. Sierra Designs’ unique range of sleeping bags includes several models that sit somewhere between the two, acting effectively like a zipper-less sleeping bag. Instead of a zip closure, bags such as the Cloud 800 35 (so-called because it uses 800 fill-power down – a particularly high-quality insulation – and has a comfort limit of 35ºF/2ºC) use an integral ‘comforter’ – a flap of insulation that is pulled across the torso and tucked into the bag. Not only does this make for a less restrictive night’s sleep, it also improves temperature management. Cooling down is as simple as throwing off the blanket, while the lack of a zip provides one less place for heat to escape. Add in a weight of just 660g and PFC- free hydrophobic down and you have a highly capable, if slightly unusual, sleeping system. £285 sierradesigns.com Outdoor Photography 83

GEAR ZONE Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 9mm f/1.7 ASPH Landscapers using micro four-thirds cameras and wanting to work in low light should check out the DG Summilux 9mm f/1.7 ASPH with a full-frame equivalent of 18mm and an f/1.7 maximum aperture. Excellent sharpness is promised via one UHR, two aspherical and two ED elements in its construction and it has a close focus of 9.5cm for lots of foreground texture. It weighs only 130g, packs in dust and splash resistance and takes 55mm filters. Guide price £499 panasonic.com Keen Circadia mid-boot and shoes Using a waterproof, breathable membrane along with its sustainable LWG-certified leather upper, Keen’s Circadia mid-boots and hiking shoes offer a great mix of comfort, protection and traction. To keep things light, they use an air-injected foam core in the midsole which also helps with shock absorption, while the rubber tread has 5mm multi-directional lugs for better traction and a durable toecap. Speedy to lace, they’re available in a range of colours and sizes, from 6 to 16 in men’s and 2.5 to 8.5 in women’s. Guide price From £105 keenfootwear.com GEARING UP Lowepro PhotoSport 15L AW III Godox R200 ringflash Perfect for hiking with smaller mirrorless Oppo Find X5 Pro and DSLR cameras, the PhotoSport 15L is For improved lighting on macro wildlife an all-round photo backpack weighing only If you’re looking for a top-quality camera and florals, check out Godox’s new R200 1.1kg. With side access, kit can be reached phone, Oppo’s latest flagship is well worth ringflash, which gives a big 200Ws maximum quickly and the 14x8x18cm camera insert can a look. The Find X5 Pro is an Android without the shadows of more directional be removed and carried separately using the smartphone, packing in many excellent lighting. Essentially, the R200 is a head included strap to make more space or leave imaging features including f/1.7 24mm, which connects to the Godox AD200 and the backpack at base. Its top section, useful f/2.2 15mm and f/2.4 50mm equivalent AD200Pro flashes, using the latter for for a jacket, lunch or other supplies, measures Hasselblad-branded cameras and a control and power. As you’d expect, it can dedicated neural processing unit (NPU). The be mounted directly around the lens, but 20x12x21cm, giving an overall wider cameras provide 50MP files while the used off camera too via an included bracket. 23x18x44cm. Made other is 13MP. The combination claims 20-bit Importantly, there’s also a very capable HSS of 75% recycled quality and results are particularly good in mode, great for shooting in bright natural nylon and low light, also drawing on five-axis image light, as well as a bright LED modelling light polyester, it stabilisation. The phone comes in black or which could be used on its own if preferred. also includes white and with a 6.7in screen. Guide price £279 essentialphoto.co.uk webbing Guide price £1,049 oppostore.co.uk for other accessories and a 2L hydration pocket. Guide price £165 lowepro.com 84 Outdoor Photography

GEAR ZONE Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S Shimoda Action With all the excitement around its Z 9 body for coating for excellent image quality, and X50 Starter Kit wildlife and sport, Nikon has also been adding features optical VR that gives a 5.5-stop to its range of Z Series telephoto lenses. The advantage (6 stops when mounted on a Z 9). The X50 is the mid-sized pack in Shimoda’s Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S is a compact, Moisture and dust sealed, it focuses down to sport-focused collection. Designed for lightweight lens that’s 1.75kg lighter and 2.5m, weighs 1.2kg, measures 234.5mm in photographers who need to carry a lot of 145mm shorter than the more expensive f/2.8 length, takes 95mm filters and is compatible gear yet still be agile, highlights include an version. It utilises 19 elements in 13 groups, with the Z TC 1.4x and 2x teleconverters. adjustable harness for the perfect fit, rear uses Super ED elements and nanocrystal Guide price £3,299 nikon.co.uk and side access and an expandable roll- top. Among its sport-specific features are a removeable helmet holder, ski-fastening straps, hydration routing and extra-durable materials. As with all Shimoda’s backpacks, the Action X series has the option of women’s straps to ensure a comfortable fit for everyone. The X50 Starter Kit includes a Core Unit Modular Camera Insert System. Guide price £394 shimodadesigns.com Sony E 15mm f/1.4 G Vanguard VEO 3 263CB Sony has launched several wideangle lenses Perfect for landscaping or long-lens for its APS-C bodies, including the Sony E wildlife work, Vanguard has just launched 15MM f/1.4 G. The lens, which has a full-frame the VEO 3 263CB, which comes with equivalent of 22.5mm, uses one ED and one a BH-160S ball head. The 263CB has Super ED glass element in its construction for three-section, twist-lock carbon-fibre improved sharpness and less distortion, while legs and can extend to 179.5cm with the maximum aperture should allow lots of its centre column up, or 146.5cm low-light opportunities. It has a close focus of without. It can also shoot as low 17cm, weighs 219g and measures 69.5mm in as 26.5cm without inversion and length, and has dust and moisture resistance. packs down to 74cm. Weighing Guide price £750 sony.co.uk 1.9kg with the head and able to support up to 19kg, it comes with a choice of rubber or spiked feet. The BH-160S is rated at 15kg and has an additional pan axis, letting you level the head using the ball joint and still pan. Guide price £299 vanguardworld.co.uk Outdoor Photography 85

Be inspired... Discover more for less COOL, CREATIVE AND CONTEMPORARY COOL, CREATIVE AND CONTEMPORARY COOL, CREATIVE AND CONTEMPORARY COOL, CREATIVE AND CONTEMPORARY COOL, CREATIVE AND CONTEMPORARY COOL, CREATIVE AND CONTEMPORARY Subscribe from only £29.70 gmcsubscriptions.com/blackwhite-photography Call +44 (0) 1273 488005

EDITORIAL NEXT ISSUE Editorial Mark Bentley, Claire Blow, Outdoor Photography 285 | On sale 8 September Ben Hawkins, Scott Teagle [email protected] Jasper Goodall on nocturnal landscapes Designer Toby Haigh Your guide to photographing fungi John Brackenbury’s view of the insect world ADVERTISING Guy Bullock [email protected] 01273 402855 MARKETING Marketing executive Anne Guillot [email protected], 01273 402871 PRODUCTION Production manager Jim Bulley Production controller Scott Teagle Origination and Ad design GMC Repro. [email protected], 01273 402807 Publisher Jonathan Grogan Printer Precision Colour Printing, Telford, 01952 585585 Distribution Seymour Distribution Ltd Outdoor Photography (ISSN 1470-5400) is published 13 times a year by GMC Publications Ltd. 86 High Street, Lewes, East Sussex BN7 1XN. Tel 01273 477374 © Guild of Master Craftsman Publications Ltd. 2022 SUBSCRIBE FROM £29.70 (including free P&P) Save 10% with 6 issues Save 15% with 12 issues Save 20% with 24 issues Plus UK subscribers can save an extra 10% by choosing Direct Debit For further details: Email [email protected] Visit gmcsubscriptions.com Buy OP as an app Get Outdoor Photography magazine for your iPhone, iPad or Android device! Visit the Apple App store, find it on Google Play Store or go to pocketmags.com GET IN TOUCH Painted lady butterfly © John Brackenbury / Up,Up and Away: The Flight of Butterflies & Other Insects Email [email protected] Write to us Outdoor Photography, 86 High Street, Lewes, East Sussex BN7 1XN Keep right up to date with news by ‘liking’ OP at facebook.com/ outdoorphotographymag Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/opoty Find us on Instagram at instagram.com/ outdoorphotographymag Outdoor Photography 87

If you only do one thing this month… Moments in macro In issue 281, we asked you to send us your best close-up and macro images. Here’s our winner, Kevin Hurst, who receives a Keela Heritage Kintyre Jacket and Insect Shield Blanket, and our superb runners-up. For details of our next challenge, turn to page 94 WINNER Kevin Hurst An image of Yellow Salsify Seeds. After experimenting with extention tubes at home, I decided to give them a go in the wild to good effect. Luckily for this image there was very little wind; it was a wonderful evening enjoyed with fellow members of Portsmouth Photowalks. Canon EOS 5D with 24-105mm lens and 65mm extension tube, ISO 400, 1/60sec at f/9 88 Outdoor Photography

ONE THING THIS MONTH Outdoor Photography 89

Left (top) Thomas Pedersen A handheld single-frame macro shot taken in one of my local parks in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. Fujifilm X-T3 with 65mm macro lens, ISO 200, 1/250sec at f/16 Left (middle) Amina Grigore Macro shot of a calendula bud. Nikon D5600 with 50mm macro lens, ISO 400, 1/50sec at f/5.6 Left (below) Alan Carter Quite late in the season, I found this emperor dragonfly close to home in South Yorkshire. I took some conventional shots, and then this close-up to show detail in the thorax, head and eyes. Nikon D7000 with 105mm macro lens, ISO 400, 1/640sec at f/11 Opposite (top left) Ken Long On a beautiful afternoon in late May, I wondered if the damselflies might be out in the garden. Suitably equipped, I stepped out the front door and 10 seconds later, there they were. Fujifilm X-T3 with 100-400mm lens, ISO 400, 1/240sec at f/7.1, monopod longshot.photo Opposite (top right) Brian Nicholson Due to a foot fracture, I was forced to be at home for four weeks. Not being able to get out and about, I decided to shoot some macro from my back garden. This opened up a whole new world to me and had it not been for photography, this time would have been exceedingly difficult, as I love being outdoors. Canon EOS 800D with 55-250mm lens, ISO 800, 1/80sec at f/4.5, tripod briannicholsonphotography.com Opposite (below left) Kevin Walsh A long-term project was landing a portrait of a common blue damselfly in An Gearagh Wildlife Reserve, Cork, Ireland. A fleeting moment of calm on a bright but breezy morning gave me this (momentarily) helpful model. Canon EOS 77D with 105mm lens, ISO 800, 1/400sec at f/5.6 Opposite (below right) Matt Smith My aim was to capture the beautiful backlit details of this common blue butterfly. Shooting into the low sun, I used some exposure compensation to ensure I retained the detail in the wings. The contrasting background was provided by backlit grass and a hedge in shade. Canon EOS 5DS R with 100mm macro lens, ISO 400, 1/400sec at f/4 oakspringphotography.com 90 Outdoor Photography

ONE THING THIS MONTH Outdoor Photography 91

ONE THING THIS MONTH 92 Outdoor Photography

Opposite (top) Elaine Hagget A burst of summer colour deep inside this garden flower. What an amazing world awaits the macro photographer! It reminded me of little planets swimming past a vibrant sun. Canon EOS 30D with 90mm macro lens, ISO 100, 1/50sec at f/3.5 flickr.com/photos/elainehagget Opposite (below) Keith Waldron Hoverfly. Sony A7R III with 90mm macro lens, ISO 800, 1/500sec at f/4.5 Right (top) Chris Hunt We have beautiful meadows full of orchids at this time of year and I went early morning to catch the beautiful light. Many orchids and wildflowers had cuckoo spit on them. It looked fascinating at full magnification and much nicer than the normal eye view of white frothy stuff. Fujifilm X-T4 with 65mm lens, ISO 80, 1/400sec at /f2.8 Right (middle) Callum Henagulph Pond skater, Seaton Wetlands. Olympus E-M10 MkIII with 60mm macro lens, ISO 400, 1/125sec at f/4 Right (below) Liz Simpson A walk round my local nature reserve, Ardley Quarry, revealed loads of tiny treasures such as these thistle buds. I love taking a closer look at plants often classed as weeds or overlooked in the hedgerow. Olympus E-M10 MkII with 40-150mm lens, ISO 400, 1/80sec at f/1 Outdoor Photography 93

ONE THING THIS MONTH Left (top) Martin Rooimans When I was working in the garden, 94 Outdoor Photography I noticed this nice pattern on the bracken. iPhone 13 Pro, ISO 50, 1/800sec at f/1.5 Left (below) Alan Thomson Last year, I found a couple of these bright-red beetles on my potted lilies. Never seen them before. They are back again this year and their eggs hatch into destructive little grubs. Canon EOS 6D with 100mm macro lens, ISO 400, 1/250sec at f/4.5 Your next challenge Enter online now! Spirit of the sea The sea is one of the most thrilling subjects for landscape photographers; its ever-changing nature presents endless opportunities for exciting images. Whether you choose to capture the drama of crashing waves, the serentity of calm waters on a still day or detail shots, we want to see your most captivating and creative images taken at the coast. The winner and runners-up will be published in OP 287. To take part, go to outdoorphotographymagazine. co.uk/submissions. The closing date for entries is midnight on 23 September. Enter and you could win a Manfrotto Befree Advanced Aluminium Travel Tripod Twist, worth £220! Portable, solid and easy to set up and operate, the Befree Advanced Aluminium Travel Tripod offers excellent performance on the move. Its ergonomic leg-angle selector makes it possible to change shooting perspectives intuitively, and to find the right tripod height without losing the shot, while three independent leg-angle positions guarantee maximum shooting versatility. A newly developed spider ensures stability on all types of terrain, while the Easy Link allows photographers to add accessories such as lights or reflectors. Completing the package is the small but powerful Advanced 494 Aluminium Centre Ball Head, which features three independent controls. Find out more at manfrotto.com

Landscape Photography Workshops Supported by Kase Filters, UK Digital and Novo Take your photography to the next level with Sarah Howard Glencoe, Glen Orchy, Rannoch Moor & Glen Etive - November 10th - 14th One of the world’s finest regions for landscape photography, home to dramatic mountains, lochs and simply awe inspiring landscapes. ©Sarah Howard ©Sarah Howard More upcoming workshops ©Sarah Howard ©Sarah Howard ©Sarah Howard ©Sarah Howard The Art Of Monochrome Dorset’s Jurassic Coast Waterfalls of the Vale of Neath The Lake District October 3rd - 6th October 7th - 9th October 12th November 3rd - 6th Practical based workshops • Expert tuition All abilities welcome • Inspiring locations • Small group sizes For more information on all our workshops www.imageseen.co.uk 07760 498 112

COMPETITION Where in the world? This will be the final Where in the world? competition. Thank you to everyone who Tell us the location of this waterfall above the clouds and you has taken part in our monthly worldwide could win a Lowepro PhotoSport BP 15L AW III, worth £165 picture hunt. ENTER ONLINE NOW! THIS MONTH’S GREAT PRIZE OP 281 WINNER Situated in a World Heritage Site, this Worth Lowepro PhotoSport BP 15L AW III In issue 281 we asked you to identify waterfall is one of the tallest on the planet; Made from 75% recycled fabrics, the scenic port in the image below. it falls for almost 950 metres from a £165 the third-generation PhotoSport The correct answer is: mountainous plateux that overlooks a stunning natural amphitheatre. collection marks Lowepro’s move c: Koekohe Beach, New Zealand But is it: towards sustainable products. Built for photo- Congratulations to our winner! a: Yosemite falls, United States adventurers looking for a lightweight camera Sharon Croome from Gloucestershire Shutterstock.com b: Tugela falls, South Africa backpack for day hikes and backcountry travel, c: Sutherland falls, New Zealand the PhotoSport III offers the comfort and capacity The answer and the winner’s name will be revealed in OP 287. You can of an outdoor pack with the modularity and enter the competition online at: outdoorphotographymagazine.co.uk/ protection synonymous with the competitions, using Falls284 as the code. Deadline for entry is Lowepro brand. Features 15 September. include side-access with an integrated, removeable GearUp insert, a strap system designed for multiple carrying options, and a dedicated hydration pocket. To find out more, go to lowepro.com 96 Outdoor Photography

Meet the demands of any destination with f-stop camera backpacks Stocked in the UK with free next day delivery Browse the complete f-stop range at photo-tools.co.uk Call +44 (0)1386 335 497 Email [email protected] www.photo-tools.co.uk @PhotoToolsUK Authorised UK f-stop distributor