Holmfirth, West Yorkshire

Mention the word Holmfirth to anyone in England and most people will think of the long running BBC comedy series Last of the Summer Wine that ran from 1973 to 2010. Holmfirth is a small West Yorkshire town that like many similar towns and villages once made its way through textiles. Now it is a popular tourist destination.

The steps here are just round the corner from Sid's Café to the right and out of shot. Millstone grit dominates this picture making up all the elements within. The versatility of the material is apparent as it forms the steps, walls, door frames and stone flagged floor. A small shower a few moments before gave the time trodden steps a wonderful shine. Monochrome suited the image best and went well with the dark colour of the stones. Holmfirth is a great place for landscape photography both for scenes like this or more rural settings just outside the town.

There are many areas that have connections with Last of the Summer Wine both in and around the town but Holmfirth shouldn't just be appreciated by an association with something else, it stands out very much in its own right. It could be argued that Last of the Summer Wine has done more good than bad as the town has kept much of its historical character that may well have disappeared and has many fine old buildings to look at as you weave your way around. Holmfirth is a town proud of its history but it doesn't live in the past, it very much looks forward and has many shops and restaurants. A walk along Hollowgate, a road that runs parallel to the river gives an example of this as there are numerous restaurants and shops selling everything from household gifts to fine chocolates. On the other side of the river on the busy Huddersfield Road there is more. An antiques shop delighted us with all its curious goods and we couldn't help noticing the variety of different restaurants such as Spanish, Italian, Thai and Indian.

We were here just for an afternoon but on another occasion it would have been nice to check out the restaurants. For a bite to eat we decided on Beatties, the deli next door to Sid's Café and we weren't disappointed as the paninis were excellent as was the tea. Beatties sells quite a few varieties of fruit and herbal teas which I highly recommend. It also sells a good range of food in general. See all the links below for further information on Holmfirth.

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Links

Explore Holmfirth and the Holme Valley a PDF guide to the village and how to get there
Holmfirth Tourism Kirklees Council tourism website
Beatties delicatessen and coffee shop
Sid's Café famous café featured in Last of the Summer Wine


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Dark Electro

When I'm not doing photography I like creating digital art. When I'm doing post processing on my images it's always good to listen to music. This is especially so when I'm working on my digital art as often this can aid the process of creativity. This in many ways is a self-portrait as here I am dj-ing, something I do every now and then.

I think if you're creatively-inclined you should let it take you where it wants to go. Sure you will have your main interests - in my case photography - but you should never feel afraid of exploring different spheres. It's good to channel creativity in different directions and see what the results are. Often you'll be surprised.

With everything you do though you're going to learn something. Do it. Even if you make mistakes. Don't devalue your mistakes they're important. You will look back on these and realised you've learned something. It's all part of the process. The more you commit yourself the better you'll get. Just don't stop. You'll even learn things by accident and this will also surprise you and give you more ideas.

I'm very self-critical about my work. Sure I've made mistakes in my photography and digital art but I like to think I'm getting better. The piece here was something I didn't plan. It just came about and I'm happy with the results. Listening to music was a great help as essentially the piece is all about music and the energy and mood it creates. This piece was inspired by the music of Hocico, a Mexican dark electro band I really like. M.I.K.E. - Back In Time (Classics ReTake) was also an influence. Great track.

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Icon 05

This is '05', the fifth part in the 7 piece Icon abstract art project. All work in the project is inspired by feelings, nature, observation and perception.

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If 05 does not appear sharp on your monitor you can see a more detailed version at my account on Flickr.

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Icon 01, Icon 02, Icon 03, Icon 04

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Icon 04

This is the '04', the fourth part in the 7 piece abstract art project. All work in the project is inspired by feelings, nature, observation and perception.

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If 04 does not appear sharp on your monitor you can see a more detailed version at my account on Flickr.

Click below for other works in the Icon Collection

Icon 01, Icon 02, Icon 03, Icon 05

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Wimberry Rocks, Saddleworth

Mark Richards in High Peak Walks believed the locals were blessed when he said the "Saddleworth hills represent the entire English Lake District encapsulated and transported to their doorstep". The Chew Valley is indeed one of the jewels of Saddleworth and is great for landscape photography, has numerous splendid walks and climbing opportunities and also pleasant relaxing walks around the reservoirs and many areas to enjoy picnics. You can even go sailing on Dovestone Reservoir (see links).

This photograph was taken on Wimberry Rocks high above Dovestone Reservoir. The route to the top is fairly steep but not too difficult and takes about half-an-hour or so. The reward for reaching the summit is a panorama stretching from Manchester, Hartshead Pike and Mossley in the west moving clockwise to encompass Pots and Pans, Alderman Hill and the reservoirs in Chew Valley. From here it is possible to walk to Noon Sun hill in the west or another reservoir, Chew, in the east. This was where I headed and was a delightful walk along the edges that follows the course of Chew Brook down below.

Chew Valley can be reached by car and has good parking facilities (see links). Public transport is also good and can be reached via Manchester and surrounding towns. Buses run frequently from Manchester. The 180 runs from Manchester via Oldham and terminates at The Clarence in Greenfield. This is where you need to get off and Dovestone Reservoir is a 20 minute walk via a woodland road. Trains also run to Greenfield and is part of the Manchester Victoria to Huddersfield line. Add another 20 minutes or so onto your journey as the train station sits at the top of Greenfield and you need to walk down Chew Valley Road.

In terms of food there is a Tesco near to the train station and further down the Chew Valley road an excellent small bakers and a Co-op. There are also a number of pubs. If you want something more substantial to eat after your walk go to The Clarence which serves excellent food and real ales. I recommend trying the real ales from the Greenfield Real Ale Brewery. They are a delight.

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Links

Map of Chew Valley

Dovestone Sailing Club

Traveline North West

Northern Rail

Greenfield Real Ale Brewery

Bibliography

Mark Richards, High Peak Walks (Milnthorpe: Cicerone Press, 2005), p.12.

Links

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Peveril Castle & Mam Tor in Castleton, Derbyshire

Castleton is arguably the Peak District's most stunning village and is a very popular tourist destination. There are many good walks around the area that take in the breathtaking views and there is something for everyone whether you're into walking, photography or exploring caves.

There are many locations in the area suitable for landscape photography. This picture here was taken in Cave Dale at the rear of Peveril Castle. The castle itself was built in the 11th century and named after its founder William Peveril. On the horizon is Mam Tor a hill near the village popular with walkers. Remains dating back to the bronze age lie upon the hill. The shot was taken on grassy slopes on an opposite cliff in Cave Dale. The cliffs are very steep and should be climbed with care but the results are very rewarding.

There are many places in Castleton and nearby Hope offering bed and breakfast accommodation or camping. There are also a good selection of pubs especially in Castleton offering fine food and drink. Here are a few to check out:

The Castle

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Inn

The Bull's Head

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Glamouring

Some of you will get the title immediately but many of you won't. It is of course a reference to the technique - as popularised in True Blood - used by vampires to take control of someone. The effect of the image is important. The dynamic lines really draw you to the model for direct impact. The eagle-eyed among you will also notice another True Blood reference in the t-shirt the model is wearing, this being to the notorious club Fangtasia. Unfortunately Eric Northman and Bill Compton were a bit pre-occupied but Sophia did a wonderful job.

This piece of gothic digital art was shot in Old Glossop a wonderful little old village near to the town of Glossop. Many of the houses date back over two hundred years and it makes for a perfect location for gothic or landscape photography.

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Spectral Sunlight

Notice how the clouds have partly obscured sun, instilling the scene with ethereal beauty? This is just one example of how clouds can create superb and interesting effects. In many ways clouds are perfect for landscape photography as they can provide drama and definition for the sky. They can work well both in colour and monochrome photography.

In this photo I decided to go with colour. The sky here is awash with sunlight and clouds and is that much richer for it. Darkness blends with light and in between are interesting murky colours.

This image was taken in Greece on a boat trip from the island of Aegina to the port of Piraeus.

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Canal near Deansgate, Manchester

This photo was taken in July on a warm sunny day in Manchester. Yes it does happen, contrary to rumour. The canals offer pleasant walks and are one of Manchester's hidden treasures harking back to the city's industrial origins. It is worthwhile looking for the hidden gems of any the city we live in or visit. Walking around areas like canals offers great opportunities for urban landscape photography and in this case monochrome photography. Always be on the lookout for detail and you're sure to find something of interest.

Monochrome was chosen for this shot as the contrast between the light and dark elements along with the architectural curves really gave it an impact. This is definitely a location I would explore again maybe seeing how it works in HDR and different weather conditions.

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Stunning

'Stunning' is another gothic digital art shot taken in Old Glossop, the same location as used for 'Glamouring'.

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River Ashop, Peak District

This is a photo of the River Ashop in the Peak District, England. The river flows through woodland and hills and out into Ladybower Reservoir.

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Old Glossop, Peak District

Consider this photograph. You could almost be forgiven for thinking that time had stood still. In many ways it has. This is a road in Old Glossop a beautiful small village nestled near the Peak District hills. Many of the houses date from the 18th century onwards and have kept their historical charm. In many ways it is similar to the West Yorkshire villages of Haworth and Heptonstall but without the tourists and shops.

The village became known as Old Glossop when Glossop itself expanded and the larger town is located about ten minutes away. It is also popular with walkers starting out or returning from rambles over Bleaklow and Doctors Gate. Old Glossop is a quiet gem and an excellent place to visit for a Sunday lunch whether you're taking it easy or following a long walk. The Wheatsheaf, Queens Arms and Bulls Head all provide good food and drink (see links):

The Wheatsheaf

The Bulls Head

The Queens Arms

There are many landscape photography opportunities here. Apart from this view, try the stone pathways around All Saints church. There are the quaint stone houses near the river that look idyllic in the summer and especially when the flowers are in bloom. Look out also for the unassuming cobbled paths between some of the old houses higher up the village.

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Foxglove, Peak District

This is a foxglove captured in the Snake Pass woodlands in the Peak District, England.

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Woodland Waterfall 2

Here is another view of the same waterfall taken in the Snake Pass woodland of the Peak District in England.

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Woodland Waterfall, Peak District

This waterfall picture was taken in the Snake Pass woodland in the Peak District. It's an area of outstanding beauty offering plenty of walks.

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