On a cold and showery autumnal day, I meet Jo Bradford at the iconic Haytor on Dartmoor. As we greet each other in the visitors’ car park, the sun is hitting the impressively large granite rock in the distance. This, teamed against the ominous and fast-changing sky, we both agree is a great picture – unbeknownst to me, Jo has shot it before my arrival. However, we aren’t there to photograph or explore this well-known tor or even anywhere nearby; we’re heading deeper into Dartmoor, and so I jump into Jo’s car to embark on a photography adventure.
After winding around the narrow lanes of the southern part of the moors, to avoid flooded roads, we arrive at a location near the Dart Valley woods. The rich autumnal colours look fantastic, and we know that, despite the occasional forecast rain shower, we are in for a good shoot. Dressed head to toe in waterproof gear, Jo is fully prepared for the unpredictable Dartmoor weather, and I’m glad to have my wellies and Páramo coat on. My jeans, on the other hand, prove to be a mistake! As Sod’s law would have it, the rain starts to pour as soon as we get out of the car, but lucky for me it doesn’t last long. My jeans eventually dry out, and as we start to head upwards, the prospect of the soft autumnal sun reappearing seems likely.
Jo is a fountain of knowledge when it comes to Dartmoor. During the day we talk in depth about Dartmoor’s history, its animals and the problems caused by the encroachment of bracken. This aggressive fern is not only having an impact on the wildlife, but is also stopping new trees growing through. Despite us both agreeing that from a visual standpoint, the fern provides a pleasing rich orangey-brown colour to the foreground, it is a worrying issue that experts are none the wiser on how to tackle.
This story is from the January 2020 edition of Digital Camera World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 2020 edition of Digital Camera World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Jess McGovern
The multi-award winning photographer will speak twice at The Photography Show this month. Niall Hampton finds out what's in store...
Viltrox AF 27mm F1.2 Pro
A ‘pro’ lens with a consumer price tag
Lumix S100mm f/2.8 Macro
Ticks many boxes but is not a total success
Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM
Every so often, a new superzoom telephoto lens grabs our attention.
Hasselblad 907X & CFV 100C
Not just a beautiful camera system but versatile, too
Sam Davis
The caving photographer will be shining a light on his passion at The Photography Show. Niall Hampton gets a deep dive into the subject
Explore the Multiply blending mode
Multiply is a versatile mode that can be used for a wide range of effects, either on its own or combined with other modes
Create a fine-art border in Lightroom
Enhance your landscape photos by adding a fine-art border with an even feathered edge
Content Credentials explained
Fight the fakes and prove your own photos are genuine with provenance tools in Photoshop and Lightroom
Scanning ahead...
With ever-higher sensor resolutions, Jon Devo asks whether zoom lenses have had their day