PERSERVERANCE

I think perseverance is an incredibly useful trait in landscape photography. I have had a Lake District scene in my mind for quite some time, but I knew I needed the right conditions and light for it to work.

I’ve always loved the landscape and the 360-degree views from Wren Crag and High Rigg, perched high above Thirlmere in St John’s in the Vale. This ridge offers magnificent views towards Skiddaw and Blencathra, and I felt that a snow-covered Blencathra would really elevate the scene. I don’t know what it is about snow on a mountain, but it seems to transform it, making it far more appealing to my eye.

Recently, we had a dump of snow in the Lakes, and knowing that it rarely lingers for long, I was determined to capture an image from this area. I already had a composition in mind, centred around some rocks I discovered back in August 2025 while photographing the blooming heather on Wren Crag. With that in mind, I paid a visit and hoped the weather gods would be kind.

On my first visit, the light didn’t really materialise. I captured an image anyway, which was fine, but I knew I could do better.

 

 The following day, the forecast looked more promising, so I returned to the same location later in the day as the sun was setting. This time, I was pleased to finally get the light I had been hoping for. I also found a much stronger composition by getting lower and using the rocks as a leading line towards Blencathra.

 

 The takeaway from this experience is simple: keep trying and don’t give up too easily on a plan. By revisiting a location until the conditions align with your vision, the final result becomes far more rewarding, and far more memorable.