Bite-Size Blog Post #69 - Rippon Tor

15 May

Every Day Should Start Like This

If there’s one place you can visit all year round on Dartmoor to watch the start of a new day unfold in spectacular fashion, it’s the summit of Rippon Tor. Perched on the eastern edge of the moor, its commanding views towards the nearby coastline make it an ideal location for photographers who love the soft glow of morning light.

I’ve photographed Rippon Tor many times over the years, and you’ll already find plenty of blog posts and videos featuring this iconic spot on the website. It’s also one of my favourite locations to bring workshop groups and one-to-one clients. The walk to the summit is a steady uphill climb, but thankfully a relatively short one. Once you arrive at the top, you quickly realise the views are worth every step.

The tor itself is fairly modest in size and, at first glance, not immediately photogenic. However, with a little patience and careful composition, there are several rewarding wide-angle scenes to discover. When the first rays of sunrise illuminate the granite and surrounding landscape, it becomes one of those moments that fills you with joy every time you press the shutter.

And if wide-angle images of tors aren’t your style, a longer lens opens up an entirely different set of possibilities. From the summit, you can begin isolating the moorland and capturing panoramic scenes that include the mighty Haytor in the distance.

Even on a clear, uncomplicated morning like the one when I captured this photograph, Rippon Tor remains a wonderful place to experience photography. And even if you’re not carrying a camera, there are few better places on Dartmoor to watch the beginning of a new day.