Malham with natural light

Storm approaching, Malham. The cove has several trees growing from the vertical cliffs choosing one close by to give foreground interest, I used a wide angle lens and Neutral density filter to expose for the tones in the sky in the same frame. The wide angle lens helped to elongate the cove aiming to get as much of its content within a single frame to ephasise its enormous scale.

Malham with natural light


9 July 2011.
Organised by expert photographers Sam Oakes and Mark Sunderland who jointly have an excellent reputation for excellence as professional photographers and in need of some further landscape photography skills, I booked a place on one of their landscape courses – Malham.


We met in the morning at the Lister Arms in Malham and Mark and Sam introduced the day’s adventures with a quick slide show of their work to give us all an idea of inspirational possibilities before  we set off to our first location  - the flowing waters of Janets Foss waterfall close to Malham village. On the way it was great to see the hay meadows had been cut and seeing some possibilities for some interesting compositions for the future.


On arrival into the woodland at ‘Janets Foss’ the wild garlic was in full bloom, carpeting the woodland floor with white fragrant flowers. The sunlight streaming through the canopy was really enchanting. The waterfall itself was tricky as the dappled light was a challenge – particularly with slow shutter speeds trying to maintain highlights without loosing pixel information. However, by concentrating on areas of deeper shade and waiting for the sun to disappear temporarily behind cloud (a real cat and mouse game),  some interesting compositions were photographed.


Falling Foss, Malham. The beautiful cascade of Janets foss is legendary in more ways than one. It attracts visitors from affar who come to witness its beauty. After heavy rains the fall is a torrent. We were lucky a previous dry spell meant that the fall was not so powerful meaning that subsequent photographs of actual waterfall itself would have several contrasting tones to the white waters as the underlying rocks peeped through.
Gordale Scar
Moving on we made our way up to valley floor of Gordale Scar. The magnificent wide vista leading up to the Scar itself (created by meltwater during the last ice age) was, for the most part, in full sun and as such, taking advantage of the light, we worked in the vicinity using the fast flowing stream cutting through the valley from the main rock formations at the head of the scar to create compositions with strong lead in lines.


Leaving Gordale scar behind we headed up the steep slope to gain height and photograph the falling waters and the magnificent Gordale valley from on heigh. The effort was well worth it as the views from our lofty perch where magnificent.


Gordale Scar rock and water.. With nothing standing in its way the tumberling ice cold clear waters of Gordale Beck flows over the valley floor littered with debrie left from the last ice age and from natural errosion. The natural v lent itself to a central composition with foreground interest.
The lone tree at Priory Rakes
Crossing several fields and the main road from Malham cove we arrived at ‘Priory rakes’ with natural lead in lines along the ‘clints and grikes’ in the limestone pavement to focal point trees. However, it was quite tricky to get the exposure just right in the light and I could only imagine how beautiful (although treacherous in part) it must look in winter, especially with snow. Another note made to come back in a different season.


Malham Cove last light
Moving on again we headed across the fields towards Malham Cove and were glad of the rest when we arrived. There was just enough energy left and enthusiasm to capture the wonderful landscape of Malhamdale stretching before is in the remaining light of the day before heading down the steep side of malham Cove itself and back to the car and a well earned pint!


Rust in peace Malhamdale. The old thresher and the barn built for its harvested content seemed to be in retirement and growing old together. I find this old machinery and masonary fascinating and nostalgic.
Above - Janets Foss cascade. Contrast in composition between the static and curving tree and the rushing water. the water curves its way to the sea, the tree curves its way to the sky. Bottom left emerging waters. A subtle diagonal line in this composition helping to carry the eye through the composition from front to back. i used a polariser to cut down the reflections and to add depth to the water to emphasis the clarity of this clear water purified through limestone emerging at the foot of Malham Cove. The old fence Malham Cove. Switching to portrait and using the old fence to link as zig zag through the composition adds depth to the scene.
A delightful day and a wonderful experience and a steep learning curve to match the slopes too!


http://yorkshire-photography-workshops.co.uk highly recommended.