Chasing Light in the Peak District: A Photographer’s Journey

Growing up just on the outside of Manchester, my outdoor escape would be to visit the Peak District. It’s almost on my doorstep, around 25 minutes drive when the traffic is clear. I have spent a lot of time here growing up and now more than ever with landscape photography being my career choice.

It’s such a beautiful part of our country and deserves all the recognition it gets. As the longest standing national park, it has so much to offer for us photographers! From the largest land slide in the UK, Alport Castle. To the ancient woodland of twisted oaks and delicate birch trees at Padley Gorge.

This shot of Derwent Edge is just across the valley from Alport Moor. A fantastic example of how epic the light can be in the Peak District.

This image also landed me 4th place in International Garden Photographer of the year, and 3rd place in Nigel Danson’s Young UK Landscape Photographer of the year.

I have explored the majority of the Peak District while on my hunt for the ‘best’ photo, if that even exists… there are still some wonder shots on my bucket list that I haven’t quite managed to capture yet. But here are a collection of some of my best.

There are so many impressive locations in the Peak District, I have condensed them into a Top 10 Sunrise and Top 10 Sunset location guide for you, if that’s of interest.

I find it hard to express just how much I love landscape photography. It’s not just about the final image; it’s the entire journey. Hiking through the night, setting up my tripod, and waiting for that perfect moment when the light hits the land—though, more often than not, it doesn’t quite happen as planned. But when it does, it’s my job to capture the emotion of that fleeting moment. As a perfectionist, creating an image is like solving a puzzle: calculating the best time of year for the ideal light, adjusting my composition by millimetres to get it just right. It’s tedious, but oh so rewarding.

Lawrence Field, my favourite woodland in the best conditions I have ever seen! The best day of photography I had all year (August 2024).

The Seasons

Don’t overlook photography in the Peak District during winter, it’s a season of spectacular light and minimalist scenes. Frost-dusted moors and bare trees create striking compositions, adding variety to your portfolio and showcasing your ability to adapt to challenging conditions. Each season in the Peak District has its own unique traits, with pros and cons that you learn to navigate over time. Winter, with its crisp air and soft, diffused light, is a skill in itself, just like mastering the vibrant hues of autumn or the lush greens of spring.

‘Winter Light’

Speaking of autumn, the woodlands here are incredible! This is one of my favourite images from last season. It takes a different approach to landscapes; making sense of a chaotic scene can be very challenging. One thing for sure is that fog makes this a whole lot easier, and looks better.

I love how the gnarled tree in front breaks up the flow of vertical pine trees, then leading to an endless tunnel created by arching branches. The ferns make an inviting pop of colour, further drawing you towards that area. The goal is to keep someone in your image and evoke an emotion; using various compositional techniques, it’s important to know that this isn’t done by accident.

‘Eruption’

In summer we get the most beautiful display of heather. It’s one of the main attractions to the Peak District. There are a handful of excellent places to see the displays of heather, but you can find it almost anywhere. One place is Win Hill at sunset.

‘Heather Fire’

Spring? The best time of the year! Everything comes back to life, bluebells and ramsons fill our woodlands and the birds sing away.

‘Milo’

Do you want to Learn to Capture the Magic?

I’d love to help you capture the Peak District’s beauty. My photography workshops and one-on-one tuition offer a chance to explore these incredible locations with me. I’ll break down compositions, guide you through camera techniques, and even share some secret spots that don’t make it into the guides. From mastering exposure to nailing that perfect frame, we’ll chase the light together. Book a session and let’s make some unforgettable images!

12 months in the Peak District