Smart shooter

Claire Gillo joins Jo Bradford for an adventure-filled day of versatile camera phone photography on Dartmoor

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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.