Dartmoor: Learning to Photograph Remote Landscapes - Wild Camping on Dartmoor
Dusk to Dawn
Most landscape photographers appreciate the quality of light at sunrise and sunset. On Dartmoor, the soft light from a low sun can transform a familiar scene into something truly special. Reaching some of Dartmoor's more remote locations at the right time, however, can require a lot of effort. With some tors involving a walk of 90 minutes or more, much of the journey is often completed in darkness.
My solution to this, particularly during the spring and summer months, is to incorporate wild camping into my landscape photography. With sunset as late as 9:30pm and sunrise as early as 5:00am, it makes sense to camp close to remote locations such as Wild Tor. Rather than spending hours walking to and from the location, I can spend more time enjoying the landscape and making the most of the changing light.
In this video I share my experience of wild camping at Wild Tor, one of Dartmoor's most remote locations. I explain why wild camping has become such an important part of my approach to landscape photography and the benefits it brings. I'll also take you through the camping equipment and camera gear that I carry on these backpacking adventures.
For me, wild camping is about far more than simply spending a night outdoors. It gives me the opportunity to photograph the landscape in conditions that relatively few people experience, from the last light of the day through to first light the following morning. It also allows me to slow down, spend more time in the landscape and appreciate Dartmoor in a way that simply isn't possible on a day visit.
Wild Tor, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z8 with Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 14mm, f/13, 2 secs at ISO 64.
If you enjoy long walks and a night beneath the stars, then wild camping can be an incredibly rewarding way to experience Dartmoor. If you're already an experienced wild camper but would like to explore Dartmoor with a knowledgeable local guide, I'd be delighted to accompany you on a guided photographic adventure. Please get in contact.
This video forms part of my Learning Landscape Photography on Dartmoor series, where I share the knowledge and experience I've gained from many years of photographing this remarkable landscape. If you'd like to continue learning, do take a look at the rest of the series. There is much more still to come.
