Discovering Dartmoor

My first experience of Pew Tor was way back in 2015, but it was another seven years before I returned to film for Discovering Dartmoor. Near Pork Hill car park, it is a relatively easy walk, especially compared to the climb up to its more majestic neighbour, Great Staple Tor, which I wrote about recently. I was reminded of this little gem when I saw a beautifully crafted photograph of Pew Tor by a local photographer in Outdoor Photography magazine.

Inspired by that photograph, and with fond memories of filming there, I set off rather quickly last Saturday. I say quickly because I had miscounted the time and ended up leaving a bit later than I had originally planned. Experience of photographing Dartmoor has taught me that the best light is often thirty to sixty minutes before the expected sunset, so I needed to get there early.

Arriving at Pork Hill car park, it was unsurprisingly busy for a Sunday afternoon, but after only a short walk I soon found myself a little more alone. It did not last long though, as Pew Tor was proving to be a popular location that day. With easy access from several parking areas, great views, and rock formations perfect for climbing, it is a magnet for families heading out for a walk.

While the children seemed to find scrambling over the rocks easy, the photography was a little more challenging. It was one of those afternoons where you feel some magic is about to happen, but it ends up missing something. Either there was not enough cloud, or there was too much, or it was blocking the sun. These are the conditions that really challenge you as a photographer, so I had to work with the light that was there and look for less obvious compositions.

So while these photographs might not represent the most interesting views of Pew Tor, they are still pleasing images and reflect my experience of the place that day. It is good to work hard for your photography sometimes. It is good practice, both in terms of composition and technical craft. Keeping your skills sharp is important because you never know when the next big moment might arrive, and I want to be ready.

A landscape photograph of Pew Tor on Darmoor taken at sunset. — **Pew Tor, Dartmoor National Park, Devon** - Nikon Z8 with Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 22mm, f/13, 1/60 at ISO 400.

A sunset landscape photograph of Pew Tor on Dartmoor National Park — **Pew Tor, Dartmoor National Park, Devon** - Nikon Z8 with Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 20mm, f/13, 1/60 at ISO 400.