Peak District suggestions?

[wiseowl]

I'll be in the Peak district for a few days the week after next for a summer break. I'm going to be staying just outside Waterhouses, about 8 miles from Leek. Is anyone here familier with the area who can suggest some locations? (Ruins and waterfalls especially welcomed.)

I'm going to be with wifey, so it's going to be the odd hour here and there that I'll have to myself between endless shopping trips, but any and all suggestions welcome.

Cheers

Martin

 

[TPPhotog]

You'll be spoilt for choice up there but Dead Link Removedshould give you some idea's. Don't forget places like Bakewell as well which can be good fun on market day which if I remember correctly is Monday's. Arbor Low is a truely magical place and out of season you can sometimes get it to yourself.

nealy forgot that anywhere along the River Dove will give you beautiful river / waterfall shots.

Have fun and I'm looking forward to seeing what you capture.

Tony

 

[wiseowl]

Thanks for the link, and the tip about the River Dove.

Cheers

Martin

 

[Leon]

Arbor Low is a truely magical place and out of season you can sometimes get it to yourself.

I'll second that - an amazing circle, but very difficult to photograph - have you tried Tony?- i'd love to see your pics if you have. I really struggled with composition because of the recumbent stones. A great place to just visit though.

 

[Dave Miller]

May I add Burbage Brook for water features and Stanage Edge over Hathersage for the abandoned millstones. Both much photographed, but still worth a visit. Your wife may even prefer them to the shops!

 

[TPPhotog]

I'll second that - an amazing circle, but very difficult to photograph - have you tried Tony?- i'd love to see your pics if you have. I really struggled with composition because of the recumbent stones. A great place to just visit though.

Leon,
Alas although it is a place I have visited on many occasions and at all times of the day and night I have actually never even attempted this one yet. I was fortunate enough to have lived about 30-40 minutes drive away from there a few years ago and have many happy memories from my visits. I'd love to return there one weekend and try to capture the feel of the pace but somehow whenever I visit all I ever want to do is sit, walk around and soak up the beauty which dare I say I'm not sure if I ever could capture on film.
Tony

 

[Mongo]

My best shots of Arbor Low were taken on cold, misty days. Being on top of the hill with the recumbent stones always left me with the wrong shadows on sunny days. Try to stay low rather than trying to get a shot from the top. Also, there are some interesting possbilities there for near-far composition if you're willing to lug a large format rig with you (something I wish I'd had when I was in the area).

I love the village of Castleton, especially early in the morning. Climb up to the castle for some interesting possibilities of both the castle and the surrounding countryside.

 

[TPPhotog]

Mongo your stirring those memories again No matter how cold; misty and wet Arbor Low is so inviting and welcoming I really miss the place. Castleton is beautiful also and I remember when Ecton Top (can't remember the spelling) use to have all the old lead mining pit/shaft tops now sadly cleared.

 

[wiseowl]

Thanks for all the suggestions, an OS map of the area is now at the top of my shopping list, with film a close second. Whether or not I'll actaully manage to even get to any of these places let alone photograph them is another issue altogether. Hence the question really, rather than trapse around looking, have a target to go for.

To be fair to Les (wifey), she will visit these places with me, but invariably gets in the way. She gets bored and then it's difficult for me to concentrate and look for photo's as she chatters away. We don't really have a great deal of time there, travelling up on Monday, back on Friday with at least one day dedicated to scaring ourselves silly at Alton Towers. We both like riding coasters, being the big kids that we are.

My plan is to get up early and go shooting, with maybe an opportunity later in the day around teatime. Hence the need for something to aim for. The problem with this scenario is beer, there are some fine breweries in this part of the country and I shall have to sample their wares, to get the full flavour of the area, purely educational of course. Doesn't bode well for early mornings though LOL.

All things being equal I will post some results once I have them.

Cheers

Martin

 

[wiseowl]

Just pulled the first roll outa da soup. (FP4+ in Rodinal 1+50) Looks OK so far.

As far as a week of photography went it was a bit of a washout, literally. Between rain, flat overcast skies and endless shops opportunities were thin on the ground. I only managed 2 rolls in all, 1 35 and 1 120. I think it's fair to say that most, if not all are going to be snaps or record shots at best. I'll have to wait until the contacts are done.

Missed a lot of the Peak District, failed completely to find Arbour Low, even though I bought an OS map of the area and didn't manage to get to the Dove valley. There's always next time as I fully intend to go there again, will have to tie up wifey though. I found it difficult to get into the groove with constant watch checking and "haven't you finished yet?". Still, I've had her a while and shes like one of the family now ;-)

Did take some shots of Litchfield cathederal which look promising, I could really have used an LF or at least a PC lens for it. Oodles of converging verticals and no hope of recording it's impressive facade with a standard lens. I only had the Broni on me. Thankfully my F80 started working again after a night in the airing cupboard, won't take that sucker out in the rain again.

If I managed anything decent I'll post the results.

Cheers

Martin

 

[TPPhotog]

Hi Martin,

Arbor Low can be a bit tricky to find on the first visit. Typical afterthought is I should have mentioned that parking is opposite the entrance to a farm or just before the farm off the driveway (Sorry).

Litchfield cathedral? Well it's a beautiful place although no where near the peak district LOL.

One of the few advantages of the F100 over the F80 is you can take it out in all weathers, but the F80's a good little worker for most things as you will have found out.

Look forward to seeing your results

Tony