Photography and Wild Camping on Dartmoor with the Lowepro PhotoSport Backpack PRO AW III
Is there a backpack designed for photographers & videographers that can also be used on multi-day hikes, adventures, and wild camping? Lowepro thinks they have one with the PhotoSport Backpack PRO AW III. In this video review, I put it to the real-world test by taking it on a landscape photography and wild camping adventure on Dartmoor.
A Bag for My Wild Camping Photography Adventures
As you may have read recently on my blog, I have taken the bold step into the world of wild camping. Not only does this change the way I can approach my photography, but it also means I need to carry a lot more gear. My dedicated camera bag doesn’t have the capacity to carry sleeping bags, tents, and overnight provisions.
In a stroke of luck, as I was having a look around the internet for possible bag options, Lowepro got in touch and asked if I wanted to test out one of their PhotoSport Backpack Pro AW III bags! If I hadn’t taken up wild camping I would have said no, but as I had a real need for a bag like this, I knew I could put it to good use and produce a video review based on real-world experience.
In the video below, you can join me as I take landscape photographs of Dartmoor, share with you the joy of wild camping and hear all my thoughts on the Lowepro bag.
If you want to purchase this bag you can do so here:
Watch this before you buy so you can see how the bag fits - https://youtu.be/fm228Mn78CY
Landscape Photographs from Dartmoor
Belstone Tor, Dartmoor - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 20mm, f/11, 1/60 sec at ISO 64.
Oke Tor, Dartmoor - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 17mm, f/11, 1/60 sec at ISO 64.
Steeperton Tor #1, Dartmoor - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 30mm, f/11, 1/50 sec at ISO 64.
Steeperton Tor #2, Dartmoor - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 24mm, f/11, 1/15 sec at ISO 64.
A Slightly Random Collection of Photos from Devon
It’s a shame to have captured a photograph and not to publish it, so I’ve gathered up a few orphan photographs to share with you on this blog post.
Here and There
I try to get out with my camera as much as possible. More often than not I go out with purpose. What I mean by that is that I’m hoping to capture a specific image or create a video. Sometimes though I just go out because I want to. I just go for a wander, with my camera, to see what I can see.
Normally these wonderings do end up forming the basis of a blog post as there is a story to tell about that photography adventure. Now and again, I come away with nothing much more than a photograph. Without a story to share on a blog post or video to produce, these photographs are processed but are then left in Lightroom.
This to me seems a real shame. If I’ve gone to the effort of capturing a photograph, and then processed it, why not share it with the world. In this blog post, I’m going to share with you a few of those orphaned images that I’ve found in my Lightroom catalogue recently.
Higher Tor
I captured this image of Higher Tor after originally photographing the location for a project that I’m working on. Despite Higher Tor just being a short distance away from Belstone Tor (a location I photograph a lot), I’d never made the effort to photograph until recently.
Higher Tor, Dartmoor - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 17mm, f/11, 0.6 sec at ISO 64.
Bowerman’s Nose
Bowerman’s Nose needs no introduction being one of Dartmoor’s most unique tors. When I captured this photograph, I was out for a dog walk. I had my Nikon Z fc and kit lens, but the light was too good not to try and capture an image.
Bowerman’s Nose, Dartmoor - Nikon Z fc, Nikkor 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR at 16mm, f/8, 1/80 sec at ISO 100.
Dawlish Warren
I have photographed Dawlish Warren more times than I can remember, but it can still throw something unique at you. On this occasion it was fog. Something in all my years visiting Dawlish Warren beach I’d never seen before. I completely changed the feeling of the place, and I was able to capture some unique images of the beach.
Dawlish Warren, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 18mm, f/8, 3 sec at ISO 64.
Dawlish Warren, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 19mm, f/8, 1/100 sec at ISO 250.
I hope you enjoyed this slightly random collection of photographs. I must have another look through my Lightroom catalogue to see if there are any other hidden gems in there.
A Landscape Photography Project to Capture the Changing Seasons
Each season offers the landscape photographer something unique and wonderful. One of the best ways to discover those changes is to photograph the same location every season. Sounds like a great idea for a photography project, doesn't it? I thought it was, so I decided to photograph Holne Bridge on Dartmoor during summer, autumn, winter and spring. However, things didn't turn out how I expected them to.
The Value of Photography Projects
Undertaking a photography project can be a big commitment. In 2019 I began a yearlong photography project to capture a photograph every month from the same location and despite the tight brief, I still found it challenging. But a photography project should be challenging, shouldn’t it? I am also in the middle of my biggest ever photography project and despite 12 months passing by, I don’t feel like I’m making any significant progress.
Despite what I’ve said, a photography project is a wonderful thing, and every photographer should undertake one. They can be incredibly rewarding and stretch your skills as a photographer. The important thing is to make sure the project is achievable. There is no point in undertaking a 365 project when you know from the outset you won’t be able to capture an image every day.
A Failed Photography Project?
On the topic of completing photography projects, I have just completed a project that I’ve been working on for the last year. Well, I say completed, but that’s that not strictly true. Yes, it’s finished, but is it complete? I’ll explain everything in the video below.
What do you think? Is that a photography project failure? Let me know in the comments below.
Lastly, if you’re interested here is a list of gear and services, I used to create the print.
Photograph printed with the Canon imagePROGRAF Pro-300 - my video review
Paper from Fotospeed
Picture frames from Picture Frames Express
Project Photographs - Holne Bridge on Dartmoor
Here are the final 4 photographs.
Holne Bridge, Dartmoor - Summer - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 20mm, f/11, 0.6 sec at ISO 200, Kase CPL.
Holne Bridge, Dartmoor - Autumn - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 19mm, f/11, 1 sec at ISO 800, Kase CPL.
Holne Bridge, Dartmoor - Winter - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 22mm, f/11, 0.5 sec at ISO 200, Kase CPL.
Holne Bridge, Dartmoor - Spring - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 18mm, f/16, 1/5 sec at ISO 64, Kase CPL.
Combining Landscape Photography with Wild Camping on Dartmoor
While most landscape photography locations on Dartmoor can be accessed during the day by those who don't mind a long walk, being at those locations for sunrise or sunset can be more of a challenge. Sometimes the only way to be at these remote locations for the golden hours is to wild camp.
Better Options, More Locations
Over the last couple of years, I’ve been exploring new areas on Dartmoor so that I have a wide range of locations to photograph. As I discover these locations for myself, I am finding that I need to go deeper into Dartmoor and even further away from the roads. It’s been an eye-opening experience and I have walked areas of Dartmoor which have taken my breath away.
However, accessing some of these locations now requires me to walk at least an hour, and sometimes an hour and a half or more. The distance and time to walk to these locations isn’t an issue, but to photograph them at sunrise or sunset is a little trickier. Often the best light can be found from around 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset. Add that to the time taken to walk in or out of these locations and it all becomes a little more challenging. I love Dartmoor, but not even I’m that keen to spend 90 minutes walking over the moor in the dark.
A new approach would therefore be needed if I’m going to access these locations during the golden hours. For me, wild camping is a natural choice. I’m not what you would call a “tent person,” but needs must, and I’ve finally taken the plunge and bought a tent.
Before I headed out into the wilds with my tent and sleeping bag, I thought it was a good idea to try a solo wild camp at a location I know very well.
I hope you enjoyed watching my first solo wild camp. It was an enjoyable experience and a horrible reminder of how badly I sleep in a tent, but to me, the benefits outweigh and negatives. Expect to see a few more wild camping videos from me in the future!
As I said in the video, if you’ve got any wild camping tips, equipment suggestions or good locations on Dartmoor, do let me know in the comments below.
Landscape Photographs from Belstone Tor on Dartmoor
Belstone Sunset #1, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z fc, Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 at f11, 1/25 at ISO 100.
Belstone Sunset #2, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z fc, Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 at f11, 1/8 at ISO 100.
Belstone Sunset #3, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z fc, Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 at f16, 1/10 at ISO 100.
Irishman’s Wall #1, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z fc, Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 at f11, 1/8 at ISO 100, 16:9 crop.
Irishman’s Wall #1, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z fc, Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 at f11, 1/8 at ISO 100, 16:9 crop.
Belstone Sunrise #1, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z fc, Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 at f11, 1/3 at ISO 100.
Belstone Sunrise #2, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z fc, Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 at f11, 1/3 at ISO 100.
Belstone Sunrise #3, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z fc, Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 at f11, 1/4 at ISO 100.
Why I PRINT My Landscape Photographs - From Capture to Print
When does a photograph become a photograph? Can a photograph be more than just a collection of ones and zeros? For me, the photographic process isn't complete until I have made a print. In this video, I share with you my passion for printing by capturing a landscape photograph on Dartmoor and then making a print of it to display on my wall.
The Print is the Photographs Rightful Inheritance
I don’t often quote people, but Charlie Waite got it right when he said, “The print is the photographs rightful inheritance”. Ever since I Discovered the Joy of Printing 5 years ago, nothing has given me more pleasure than making a big print of one of my photographs. There is something hugely satisfying about watching one of your photographs gradually feed out the printer. It’s that final stage that is the most rewarding. Holding your photograph in your hands. Seeing it on a computer monitor just isn’t the same.
Over the years I have printed hundreds of my photographs, but very few of them end up in frames and on my wall. Most are printed and displayed on my picture ledges where I not only study and learn from them, but I also enjoy them. They might stay there for a few days, even a few weeks, but at some point, they are replaced with new prints.
I have two framed photographs on my wall, both commended images from the Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year competition. While I am immensely proud of those photographs, I’ve always been aware that I don’t have a framed photograph of Dartmoor.
A Dartmoor Connection
Dartmoor is my local area. An area that I derive an immense amount of pleasure in photographing. So, I set myself the task of not only capturing a photograph of Dartmoor, but one that I would be pleased to print, frame, and hang on my wall. I wanted to capture a photograph that would inspire me to discover and photograph Dartmoor. I wanted a photograph that captured the things that I love about photography on Dartmoor. I wanted a photograph that would allow me to reconnect to a moment experienced on Dartmoor.
Sounds easy, eh? Not exactly. If you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time you know how hard photographing Dartmoor can be. Frustrating is a better word. It’s just as well I love being outdoors as the photography isn’t always satisfying.
Patience is the key with Dartmoor and with some planning and a little luck, I was finally able to capture a photograph that I could hang on the wall. In the video below you can watch me capture the photograph, print it, frame it, and hang it on my wall. My photographs rightful inheritance. Well said Charlie, well said.
East Mill Tor, Dartmoor
A Perfect Morning at East Mill Tor, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 23mm, f/13, 0.6 sec at ISO 64, pre-processed in DxO PureRAW 2.
Editing and Printing
If you’d like to see how I post processed this photograph, I’ve done a whole video on that which you can view below.
Lastly, if you’re interested here is a list of gear and services, I used to create the print.
How I manage and edit my photographs - video playlist.
Photograph printed with the Canon imagePROGRAF Pro-300 - my video review
Paper from Fotospeed
Picture frames from Picture Frames Express - see how I design my frames in this video.
Reviewing the SunwayFoto GH-PRO II + Geared Head on Location at Dartmoor
Why use a geared head? What's so good about the Sunwayfoto GH-PRO II+? What's new with the + version? Is this the best geared head for landscape photography? Join me on Dartmoor as I answer all those questions and I also capture landscape photographs in some unexpected conditions.
One Knob Makes All the Difference
When I published my video review of the Sunwayfoto GH-PRO II geared tripod head I was sure I’d found the perfect tripod for my landscape photography. So, when I heard that they had released the GH-PRO II+ I wondered how they might have improved it. What do you get in the + version that you don’t get in the previous version?
Fortunately for me, the team at Sunwayfoto were more than happy to send me out a GH-PRO II+ to review. With a new geared tripod head in hand, I set off to film my video review on Dartmoor. As always, if I am going to do a gear review video, I like to do it on location and do a little landscape photography at the same time.
While it came as no surprise that Sunwayfoto had improved my favourite geared head by simply adding just one knob, the real surprise of the evening was the beautiful, and very unexpected conditions I was able to photograph as the sunset.
In the video below you can hear all my thoughts on GH-PRO II+ geared head, why I use a geared head and you can see me capture all those wonderful images from Belstone Tor.
Landscape Photography from Belstone Tor on Dartmoor
Belstone Tor #1, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 15mm, f/13, 1/13 sec at ISO 64, Kase Filters CPL and pre-processed in Dxo PureRAW.
Belstone Tor #2, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 20mm, f/11, 1/8 sec at ISO 64, Kase Filters CPL and pre-processed in Dxo PureRAW.
Belstone Tor #3, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 14mm, f/11, 1/10 sec at ISO 64, pre-processed in Dxo PureRAW.
Belstone Tor #4, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 14mm, f/13, 0.5 sec at ISO 64, pre-processed in Dxo PureRAW.
Belstone Tor #5, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 14mm, f/13, 0.5 sec at ISO 64, pre-processed in Dxo PureRAW.
Belstone Tor #6, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 18mm, f/13, 1 sec at ISO 64, pre-processed in Dxo PureRAW.
Belstone Tor #7, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 17mm, f/13, 1 sec at ISO 64, pre-processed in Dxo PureRAW.
Photographing Dartmoor - Hound Tor - A 5 Minute Photo Adventure
Is it worth going out with your camera even when the conditions are grey and flat? I think so! In this video, I share the reasons why I went out to Dartmoor on an overcast morning to capture some landscape photographs. Grab yourself a cup of coffee because it's time for another 5 Minute Photo Adventure!
Oh No, the Weather Is Improving!
Last year I wrote about my personal challenges with photographing Hound Tor. That previous visit had inspired me to make more of an effort to get to know this grand Dartmoor location. I knew deep down I was missing out on capturing great images from this location. I just needed to put in the time.
However, as with any Dartmoor location, the weather directly impacts your ability and passion to photograph that location. Though I did check the weather forecast for Hound Tor, and there was a slim chance that it would be good, when I got there, it was grey and overcast. It was also cold, but at least it wasn’t windy.
Lacking inspiration, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do. Then I remember that anytime out with the camera can be time well spent. Why not use this time to practice my landscape photography skills and take the time to have a proper look around Hound Tor. Without the slim window of good light at sunrise, I could take my time a little more.
This is a good attitude to have because the conditions and light aren’t always good. In fact, they rarely are. So why not use what time you do have to get yourself ready for those days when the conditions are good. Photography is a skill, so why not practice it.
I thought this would be a good message to communicate. I had overcast conditions, time to make a video, and a location to explore. However, midway through making the video the weather started improving and rather than grey flat light, I started to get morning light reflecting off the tor!
I was worried that my message of what to do in flat light might be lost, but it was only a minor improvement. It did make me smile though. There I was trying to make the most of the poor weather conditions and in a rare moment on Dartmoor, the conditions improve! Dartmoor certainly keeps you on your toes!
So, grab yourself a cup of coffee, and enjoy this 5 Minute Photo Adventure for Hound Tor on Dartmoor.
Landscape Photography from Dartmoor - Hound Tor
Hound Tor #1, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 17mm, f/13, 1/15 sec at ISO 64.
Hound Tor #2, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 19mm, f/13, 1/20 sec at ISO 64.
Hound Tor #3, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 14mm, f/13, 1/20 sec at ISO 64.
Hound Tor #4, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 20mm, f/13, 1/20 sec at ISO 64.
I captured this panoramic image while making the video, but it didn’t make the cut so here it is a bonus.
Hound Tor #5, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 68mm, f/8, 1/125 sec at ISO 64, 5 image panoramic.
Photographing Dartmoor - Rippon Tor - A 5 Minute Photo Adventure
Chasing the light is a phrase often used by landscape photographers but in this 5 Minute Photo Adventure from Dartmoor, I literally find myself running around Rippon Tor chasing the light!
Chasing the Light
When photographing sunrise I always like to have a plan. For Dartmoor though, a plan is a necessity. Just rocking up to a random location on Dartmoor an hour before sunrise is not likely to give you the best chance of capturing an image. However, experience has taught me that I also need to be flexible and have a plan B and possibly a plan C!
My original plan was to photograph either Honeybag Tor or Hound Tor, but when I got to the car park at Haytor (which is near to both those locations), I could see that both locations had significant cloud cover. The car park at Haytor is a great spot for surveying not only the nearby locations but also for looking towards the coast where the sun will rise from.
Looking out to the coast I could see a small gap in the cloud from which I was confident the sun would break through and give me a little light on the landscape. The key to making the most of this light would be to select the right location. In this instance, there was only one option and that was to ascend to Rippon Tor. From there I would have expansive views of the surrounding area so no matter where the light landed, I would be in a good position to make the most of it.
Well, that was the plan anyway. As it turned out, I had a little more chasing of the light to do.
I do hope you enjoyed this 5 Minute Photo Adventure and the others that I have been publishing recently. Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
Dartmoor Landscape Photographs - Rippon Tor
Sunrise from Rippon Tor #1, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 18mm, f/10, 1.6 sec at ISO 64.
Sunrise from Rippon Tor #2, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 24-120mm f/4 at 105mm, f/8, 1/40 sec at ISO 64.
Photographing Dartmoor - Honeybag Tor - A 5 Minute Photo Adventure
Grab yourself a cup of coffee because it's time for another 5 Minute Photo Adventure. In this episode I'm photographing Honeybag Tor (nr Haytor) on Dartmoor. Can I capture some landscape photographs to help inspire you to get out with your camera?
Honey, Honey!
The area around Haytor is the closet area of Dartmoor to my home. It’s an area that I will often visit if I’m short of time or I don’t want to travel too far on a dubious forecast. On this visit, I was both short of time and there was a dubious forecast!
Having shot Rippon Tor and Emsworthy Tor extensively, and it is the wrong time of year to shoot Bowerman’s Nose at dawn, I decided that I needed a different location to photograph in the Haytor area. My first thought was to photograph Honeybag Tor, but despite a couple of previous visits, I’ve never felt I was able to make the most of it.
For this most recent visit though, I decided on a change of tack. Perhaps if I shot Honeybag Tor from Chinkwell Tor it might yield better results. The wide wide-open view would suit my style of photography and given that a cloudless sky at dawn that was forecast, the light from the rising sun could illuminate the wide expanse of Honeybag Tor, and even the surrounding landscape.
Did I manage to capture the images for which I was hoping? Or did the forecasted cloud roll in and block the sun? Let us find out in my latest 5 Minute Photo Adventure.
Dartmoor Landscape Photographs
Honeybag Tor from Chinkwell Tor at Sunrise #2, Dartmoor - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 30mm, f/11, 2 sec at ISO 64.
Honeybag Tor from Chinkwell Tor at Sunrise #3, Dartmoor - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 17mm, f/11, 0.6 sec at ISO 64, crop 4:5.
Honeybag Tor from Chinkwell Tor at Sunrise #5, Dartmoor - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 21mm, f/11, 1/5 sec at ISO 64.
One Man and His Dog Plus Camera on Dartmoor
My plan was just to head out for a nice walk on Dartmoor with Monty. I didn't plan to make a 5 Minute Photo Adventure video, but sometimes the conditions are too good to ignore. Join me and Monty as we photograph East Mill Tor and explore what is beyond.
An Unexpected 5 Minute Photo Adventure
I spend a lot of time planning my trips out with the camera. It’s not so much about looking for epic conditions and locations, but more to do with matching the conditions to the right location. A grey overcast day can work just as well as a great sunrise if you are photographing the right subject.
Then there are the times that I don’t care much about what the weather forecast is. Sometimes I just want to head out for a walk with my dog Monty. I'll always take a camera with me, but not for the purpose of creating “serious” landscape photographs. To be honest, Monty is an active dog, and he doesn’t have the patience to hang about as I faff about with filters and tripods!
Now and again though, the conditions can surprise you and it doesn’t matter that you have an impatient dog with you. You are just glad you brought your camera with you. A recent walk that took me past East Mill Tor on Dartmoor at sunrise was one such time. As soon as I got out of my car and started walking, I knew I was going to be taking photos. As I had the Nikon Z fc with me, and I had the foresight to bring a tripod, I had all the gear I needed to capture stills and video.
So, why don’t you join me and Monty on a classic 5 Minute Photo Adventure from the wilds of Dartmoor? Sometimes the best times out with your camera and the most unexpected.
East Mill Tor - Dartmoor Landscape Photography
East Mill Tor Sunrise #1, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z fc, Nikkor 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 at 19mm, f/8, 1/5 sec at ISO 100. No filters.
East Mill Tor Sunrise #2, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z fc, Nikkor 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 at 28mm, f/9, 1/5 sec at ISO 100. No filters.
East Mill Tor Sunrise #3, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z fc, Nikkor 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 at 16mm, f/9, 1/5 sec at ISO 100. No filters, 4:5 crop.
East Mill Tor Sunrise #4, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z fc, Nikkor 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 at 16mm, f/9, 1/5 sec at ISO 100. No filters.
Near East Mill Tor, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z fc, Nikkor 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 at 28mm, f/8, 1/160 sec at ISO 100. No filters.
The Long Winding Road, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z fc, Nikkor 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 at 23mm, f/6.3, 1/125 sec at ISO 100. No filters.
Landscape Photography with the Nikon Z 24-120 f/4 S on Dartmoor
Is the Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S Nikon's most versatile lens for landscape photography? In this video, I head out into the real world with my Nikon Z7 to put this lens to test to see how it performs when capturing landscape photographs of Dartmoor.
Nikon’s Most Versatile Landscape Photography Lens?
When I purchased the Nikon Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 in 2020 it gave me the extra reach I wanted that the Nikon Z 24-70mm f/4 S couldn’t. You can watch my review of the 24-200mm lens here.
Over the time that I owned the 24-200mm, it helped me capture many great landscape photographs. It complimented my 24-70mm f/4 well, but I did find myself taking out both lenses, despite the obvious focal length overlap.
The Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S had been on the Z lens roadmap at the time that I purchased the 24-200mm, so for me, the consolidation of the 24-200mm and the 24-70mm was always going to be a possibility. Here we are now in 2022 and I have purchased the 24-120mm f/4 S and sold the other two lenses.
Has that been a good decision for me? I’ve lost a little focal length coverage, gained an S Line lens, and reduced my kit bag by one lens. In the video below, I’ll tell you more about the new Nikon 24-120mm f/4 S, its specifications, why I bought it, what it’s like to use, and of course, share some of the landscape photographs I’ve been capturing with it. Could this be Nikon’s Z mount “goldilocks” lens for landscape photographers?
Wild Dartmoor Landscape Photographs
Also Captured with the Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S
Photographing Dartmoor - West Mill Tor
In this 5 Minute Photo Adventure I head out to photograph West Mill Tor on Dartmoor. Not even the forecast of a clear blue sky was enough to stop me grabbing my Nikon Z7 and going on a mini landscape photography adventure.
Back to West Mill Tor
It was back in January of 2020 that I first photographed West Mill Tor on Dartmoor. That adventure was all about going somewhere new and you can watch the video I made right here. The photographs I captured that morning were inspirational enough for me to want to go back. For reasons that escape me, it’s taken 2 years to make a return visit!
The weather over the festive period and January had not been what you might call inspirational, so by the time the end of January came around, I was so desperate to get out with the camera I might have gone anywhere in any weather conditions. Fortunately for me, I remembered that I was overdue for a visit to West Mill Tor, and with the smallest chance that there were going to be suitable weather conditions, I packed my bag and set off to see what I could photograph.
So, join me on a 5 Minute Photo Adventure as I photograph Dartmoor and West Mill Tor!
Dartmoor Photographs - West Mill Tor
Photographing Dartmoor - Beyond Belstone
Sometimes the best landscape photography adventures are unplanned. In the blog this week, I unexpectedly venture further into Dartmoor than I’ve ever been before.
Not What I Had Planned
As I write this blog post, I look back on my day out on Dartmoor with a smile on my face. The happy memories of my time on Dartmoor were not the result of careful planning though.
My original plan was to head up to Belstone Tor to film the first part of a video about printing your photographs. I chose Belstone due to my familiarity with the location, but also because it was the only place on Dartmoor not to have 100% cloud coverage!
As spectacular as Belstone can be at dawn, it can also be wild and unforgiving. As I approached the summit the wind had picked to such an extent that it was going to take a lot of effort just to compose a landscape photo and keep the camera still. The thought of managing a second camera for video and audio just didn’t seem like a clever idea. A previous trip to Belstone to make a video on a windy day had resulted in an expensive repair bill!
With the idea of creating a video gone with the wind (excuse the pun), I was half tempted to head home (via Belstone Services for coffee and breakfast). That temptation soon passed though. I wasn’t going to waste an opportunity to explore a bit more of Dartmoor. I looked into the distance and thought of a new plan.
Belstone Tor
I’ve been to Belstone Tor countless times. I’ve even ventured a little further and made it to Oke Tor, but I’ve never been further than that. This was the perfect chance for me to push on and see what is beyond Belstone!
The weather, despite being very windy, was holding. Broken cloud, no rain, and patches of sunshine. It all looked good for a big walk.
I’ve got lots of landscape photographs of Belstone Tor but that didn’t mean I wasn’t going to capture another. There’s always room in my Lightroom catalogue for another image of Belstone Tor.
Belstone Tor, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 16mm, f/8, 1 sec at ISO 64.
Oke Tor
My first and last visit to Oke Tor had been a positive one but I’d never managed to make it back there. It’s about a 45 to 60 minute walk to Oke Tor from Belstone, and it’s rare that I have that much time to spend walking to a location. But today I had lots of time for a walk.
The weather had indeed held and the light on the landscape was better than the golden hour that morning. There was still a big bank of clouds to the south, but the area where I stood was covered in scattered light from the low winter sun. Parts of the landscape were in shade, and others were illuminated. It’s the way I love to see Dartmoor.
It was still a challenge to hold onto the camera in the wind, but I was feeling inspired and most importantly I was enjoying myself.
Oke Tor, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 18mm, f/13, 0.4 sec at ISO 64.
Steeperton Tor
As I left Oke Tor and headed south I realised this was the furthest I had ever ventured into Dartmoor and away from civilization. In all my years exploring Dartmoor, this was the first time I felt like I was going somewhere remote. I was out here on my own.
I wanted this walk to be a circular walk and as I checked my OS map, I could see that I could walk parallel to Steeperton Tor and then loop clockwise and follow the military road via East Mill Tor and back to Belstone. However, Steeperton Tor was calling me! I had often seen this tor from Belstone and wondered what it would like to be standing on top of this 532m high hill. I decided to make a diversion by jumping across the River Taw at Steeperton Gorge. Not as grand as it sounds given the low water level.
It was a steep ascent up to Steeperton Tor, but the views were outstanding!
Steeperton Tor, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 20mm, f/11, 1/5th sec at ISO 64.
Steeperton Tor is deep within the Okehampton Firing Range and all around the area, you’ll find military buildings dotted about. While not particularly photogenic, they are part of the landscape, so I thought it was worth capturing an image of these remote buildings.
Steeperton Tor, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 21mm, f/11, 1/200th sec at ISO 800.
Steeperton Tor, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 21mm, f/11, 1/200th sec at ISO 800.
East Mill Tor
After enjoying the views from Steeperton Tor and trying to have a conversation in the howling wind with a wild camper, I headed west, then south to start my loop back to Belstone. The walking was a lot easier in this direction as I could benefit from the military roads. As the road ran close by the foot of East Mill Tor it seemed rude to not make a quick ascent.
At first, I wasn’t that inspired. I’d been walking most of the morning so perhaps I was feeling tired. It wasn’t as if the composition I had picked out was a poor one, it was just that the light was flat. However, experience has taught me that on days like this the light can change for the better very quickly for the better, and for worse.
Rather than wait for the light I decided to get my camera and tripod setup, so I’d be ready to shoot. Just as I was extending the legs of my tripod the sun broke through the clouds and I captured the last image of my walk.
East Mill Tor, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 21mm, f/11, 1/200th sec at ISO 800.
A Glorious Morning
Leaving East Mill Tor, I soon joined back up with the parts of Belstone Common I was more familiar with. I started seeing more people, animals, and cars. It was nice to be back somewhere familiar but my long walk into a more remote part of Dartmoor had inspired me. Not only did I want to walk this route again, but I also wanted to explore more of these remote Dartmoor locations. I enjoyed that sense of remoteness. The sense of wilderness. Even if I hadn’t taken my camera with me, that was a walk to remember.
I hope you enjoyed reading about my unexpected adventure and seeing the photographs I captured. Next time, time and weather permitting, I’ll be sure the video it so you can see more of how wonderful Dartmoor can be when you venture just a little bit further.
Landscape Photography with the Google Pixel 6 Pro
Just a quick footnote to this blog post. I recently purchased a Google Pixel 6 Pro phone and I decided to take it with me on my adventure. I took it because it’s a phone and a GPS device, but it’s hard to ignore the camera specs on this device. This adventure seemed the perfect chance to put the camera to use so here are a few of the processed raw files from the Pixel 6 Pro. If you want to see more images from this camera or for me to make a video on it and how it handles as a landscape camera, let me know in the comments below.
Photographing Dartmoor - Hound Tor
I’ve always found landscape photography at Hound Tor on Dartmoor challenging but will my latest visit yield photographs I’m happy with?
What’s Up with the Hound?
If you’ve spent any time looking at my free landscape photography locations map and you know the western edge of Dartmoor, you may be wondering why there are no pins on Haytor and Hound Tor. Both these locations are some of the most famous tors in western Dartmoor if not all of Dartmoor!
It’s not that I haven’t tried to photograph these locations before, it’s just that I’ve not had much success photographing them. As I wrote previously on my blog, a honeypot location does not guarantee success. It would also seem that this applies to Hound Tor and Haytor. There are plenty of inspiring photographs of these locations on the internet so is the fault with me?
Let’s Give It Another Shot
With so many great locations to photograph on Dartmoor, it doesn’t take too many unsuccessful visits for a location to be relegated to “maybe I’ll go back one-day” status and to move on to the next. To think that any landscape photography location, particularly those found on Dartmoor, can be somehow mastered in a couple of visits says more about the photographer than the location.
While I previously haven’t managed to get a satisfactory shot from Hound Tor, that doesn’t mean I’d given up trying. Far from it. Having photographed the surrounding tors multiple times, it felt like it was time to give Hound Tor another go. Besides, I needed a fresh adventure!
No Place Does Weather Like Dartmoor
Unsettled weather and Dartmoor go hand in hand, and the morning I returned to Hound Tor was no different. Fierce winds, low temperatures and rain showers were just a few of the weather conditions I had the deal with. These are also the types of weather conditions that yield the most dramatic results, so I do find myself heading out in the weather like that.
Once I’d dealt with the problem of cold hands, I just had to battle the rain and wind. The wind was about manageable, but the rain on the front element of the lens can be a bit trickier. The rain showers bring the big clouds and even the odd rainbow, but keeping that front element clear of water can require constant action. This can suck the fun out of photography, but it’s also something I’ve got used to over the years. You can never carry to many lens cloths.
Sunrise at Hound Tor #1, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 15mm, f/11, 1/4 sec at ISO 64, Kase Filters K9 CPL.
Discovering Compositions
I had arrived at Hound Tor with plenty of time to explore but I decided to make things a little easier for myself and to just explore the southern side of this extensive tor. I’m not sure why, but I was inspired from the start! I could see potential compositions all over. Why this morning had been different from my previous visits I don’t know. Some of the compositions I thought would work well that morning, and others I’d would need to wait until a different time of year or different conditions.
I’m happy with the images I did capture. I won’t go as far as to say that I’ve suddenly mastered Hound Tor. Far from it. But what the visit did do was inspire me to go back and keep trying. It’s a location with plenty of potential and it’s now on the “must visit again soon” list. So don’t be surprised if you see me back there again soon.
Sunrise at Hound Tor #2, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 19mm, f/11, 1/4 sec at ISO 64, Kase Filters K9 CPL.
Do you have a location with a similar tale? Something you previously thought wasn’t worth shooting but now love. Let me know in the comments below.
The Simple Pleasure of Landscape Photography - Great Staple Tor - Dartmoor
In this 5 minute photo adventure I promise not to talk about photography gear! This video is all about the simple pleasure of heading out with your camera on a Saturday morning to practice the art of landscape photography.
No Chat About Photography Gear
Over the last year, I’ve added, replaced, and evaluated a lot of new landscape photography gear. There’s no real reason for this other than most of this gear change has happened in a shorter than normal period. As people often ask me about what gear I’m using and what I think about it, I will try and make a video about that item or gear, or at least feature that item in a video about landscape photography.
It isn’t my intention to turn my YouTube channel into a channel that focuses on photography gear. Far from it. However, I am aware that my channel has featured a lot of gear this year, so I decided to produce a short video that has no mention of gear in it at all. It’s all about the simple pleasure of being out with your camera. So please enjoy this 5 minute photo adventure from Great Staple Tor.
Great Staple Tor - Dartmoor - Landscape Photographs
Misty Great Staple Tor #1, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 21mm, f/11, 5 secs at ISO 64.
Misty Great Staple Tor #2, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 21mm, f/11, 0.5 secs at ISO 64, Kase Filters Double Graduated Filter (3 stop soft edge).
Misty Great Staple Tor #3, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 22mm, f/11, 0.8 secs at ISO 64, Kase Filters Double Graduated Filter (3 stop soft edge).
Misty Great Staple Tor #4, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 14mm, f/11, 1/8 secs at ISO 64, Kase Filters Double Graduated Filter (3 stop soft edge).
Landscape Photography with the K&F Concept SA255C1 Carbon Fibre Tripod
Don’t be me, get a decent tripod! I wish I’d got the @kfconceptglobal SA255C1 carbon fibre tripod sooner and I might have saved myself from an expensive camera repair bill. In my latest video, I head to Beardown Tors on Dartmoor National Park to capture landscape photographs and to share my thoughts on my new lightweight tripod.
Some Accidents Are More Preventable Than Others
I’d known for a while that I needed to replace one of my tripods. It had served me well for many years, but it was a little too lightweight for what I wanted to use it for, and it had a broken foot. My continued use of this tripod was an accident waiting to happen.
Sure enough, I left the replacement of that tripod a little too long and I had an inevitable accident. Some careless placement of the tripod legs and a gust of wind was all that was needed to send my ZV-1 crashing to the ground. Cameras smashing on rocks never results in a cheap repair bill.
While the ZV-1 was being repaired by Sony I decided that it was past the time to get a replacement tripod. Fortunately for me, K&F Concept had just released a new carbon fibre tripod and they wanted me to try it out (with no strings attached).
Though I’m a little ashamed I let such a preventable accident happen, I thought by sharing my experience I might be able to prevent someone else from having an expensive accident. In the video below I head to Beardown Tors on Dartmoor for a spot of landscape photography and tell you all about my new K&F Concept SA255C1 Carbon Fibre Tripod.
If you'd like to pick up one of these tripods, the kind folks at K&F Concept have shared the following discounts with me:
Website - K&F carbon tripod: https://bit.ly/3fVcaHl Coupon code: KF10UK (10% discount, valid until 31/12/2021）
Amazon - K&F carbon tripod: https://amzn.to/3wSD5dU Coupon code: KFCUK007 (10% discount, valid until 30/06/2021）
Beardown Tors Landscape Photographs
Here are the landscape photographs of Beardown Tors on Dartmoor that you saw me capture in the video.
Beardown Tors #1 - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 24-200mm f/4-6.3 at 26mm, f/13, 0.5 secs at ISO 64.
Beardown Tors #2, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 24-200mm f/4-6.3 at 26mm, f/13, 0.4 secs at ISO 64.
Beardown Tors #3, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 24-200mm f/4-6.3 at 24mm, f/11, 1/5th secs at ISO 64.
Beardown Tors #4, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 24-200mm f/4-6.3 at 24mm, f/11, 0.5 secs at ISO 64.
Essential Outdoor Photography Gear - Muck Boots Apex Zip Short Boots
There's more to landscape photography gear than just cameras and lenses. The clothing I wear can make the difference between being comfortable and creative, and being cold, wet and miserable. In my latest video, I head to Dartmoor to capture landscape photographs and tell you about an essential item of gear, my Apex boots from Muck Boots.
The Importance of Good Outdoor Clothing
As a landscape photographer, it’s all too easy to focus on making sure you have the best camera gear you can afford. While good camera gear is obviously important, the need for good outdoor clothing should not be ignored. I’ve learnt this the hard way. I’ve been cold, wet, and miserable when out with my camera. For the last few years though, I’ve always budgeted for good outdoor clothing as part of the photography kit bag.
Back in January, I talked about the winter photography gloves I use, but good outdoor clothing isn’t just for winter conditions. The latest addition to my kit bag is a pair of Apex Boots from Muck Boots. These boots are shorter and lighter weight than my Arctic Sport Boots, and for me, are better suited for the warmer months.
Thanks to some very wet weather over the last few weeks, my new Apex Boots were given a good workout. I put them to further use when I went out recently to capture some photographs of Holne Bridge and Venford Falls. As I was making a video as well, I also I thought this was the perfect time to talk about my thoughts on the boots. In the video below you can join me on my photograph trip to Dartmoor and see the boots in action.
I’m always happy to talk about the gear I use, whether it’s cameras or clothing, but I will always try and include some landscape photography as well. I hope you enjoyed watching my adventure to some of Dartmoor’s damper spots and learning about my new boots. Let me know in the comments below if there are any other items of outdoor clothing you might want to see a video about or let me know what your best item of outdoor clothing for photography is.
Holne Bridge Photographs
Here are the photographs you saw in the video in a bit more detail.
Holne Bridge at Spring #1, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 14mm, f/13, 1/5th sec at ISO 64, Kase Filters K9 CPL.
Holne Bridge at Spring #1, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 18mm, f/16, 1/5th sec at ISO 64, Kase Filters K9 CPL.
Venford Falls Photographs
Venford Falls at Spring #1, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 15mm, f/9, 0.4 sec at ISO 64, Kase Filters K9 CPL.
Venford Falls at Spring #3, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 30mm, f/8, 1/8th sec at ISO 64, Kase Filters K9 CPL.
Ultra-Wide Landscape Photography on Dartmoor with the Laowa 15mm
How wide do you go with your landscape photography? I love using ultra-wide angle lenses for my landscape photography and in this video and blog post, I attach a Laowa 15mm f/2 Zero-D lens to my Nikon Z7 and head to Dartmoor to capture some sunset photographs.
The Laowa 15mm f/2 Zero-D Lens
Since purchasing my Nikkor Z 24-200 f/4-6.3 lens I have been reasonably satisfied with my collection of Z mount lenses for my Nikon Z7. However, things change, and I recently found myself with a gap in my lens collection. The gap had appeared because of a big photography trip I have planned for the end of 2021 and with that trip came the need for a lens that would be good for astrophotography.
Except for my Laowa macro lens, all my lenses are f/4 and even with my limited knowledge of astrophotography I know that’s not fast enough. It’s not to say that you can’t get good astro shots with an f/4, it’s just that the general principle of having a fast lens is beneficial.
After asking some trusted photographers what I might look for in an astro lens I decided to pick up the Laowa 15mm f/2 Zero-D lens. It’s ultra-wide, 2 stops faster than my other lenses (f/2 compared to f/4) and manual focus. Given that I’ll be using it for astro, the fact that it is manual focus doesn’t bother me.
Rather than leave this lens at home until my big trip in November I thought I’d take it out and shoot some landscapes with it. With Monty the dog super keen on a big walk, and an interesting weather forecast, I headed to a location on Dartmoor that I thought would be ideal for capturing ultra-wide landscape photographs in dramatic weather…Belstone Common. Watch how I got on in the video below.
Belstone Tor, Dartmoor Landscape Photographs
In the video you will have seen some photographs of wild garlic that I also took with the Laowa lens. I’ll be sharing those in a future blog post.
Irishman’s Wall, Belstone, Dartmoor National Park, Devon - Nikon Z7, Laowa 15mm f/2 Zero-D, 1/15th sec at ISO 64, f/11, Kase Filters K9 CPL.
A Spring Sunset on Belstone Common #1, Dartmoor National Park, Devon - Nikon Z7, Laowa 15mm f/2 Zero-D, 0.4 sec at ISO 64, f/11, Kase Filters K9 CPL.
A Spring Sunset on Belstone Common #2, Dartmoor National Park, Devon - Nikon Z7, Laowa 15mm f/2 Zero-D, 0.4 sec at ISO 64, f/11, Kase Filters K9 CPL.
A Spring Sunset on Belstone Common #3, Dartmoor National Park, Devon - Nikon Z7, Laowa 15mm f/2 Zero-D, 0.8 sec at ISO 64, f/11, Kase Filters K9 CPL.
Cheap Lens, Expensive Camera - Dartmoor Landscape Photography - Bowerman's Nose
Is there any point in really cheap lenses? In this video, I marry my Nikon Z7 with a Pergear 10mm f/8 pancake fisheye lens and head to Dartmoor to photography Bowerman's Nose. Can a £65 lens produce decent landscape photographs?
The Pergear 10mm f/8 Pancake Fisheye Lens
Back in 2018, I published a blog post called Shoot, Print, Surprise. If you haven’t seen that blog post (and watched the video), then now is the time to watch it because there’s a SPOILER ALERT coming up.
In that video, I capture some of my all-time favourite images of Dawlish Warren beach. The best bit though was that I did it using a 15-year-old Nikon D80. I did have the advantage that I was using a Nikkor 16-35mm f/4 lens though. One of the key messages in that video was that the camera body is a lot less important than the lens you attach to it.
Here we are in 2021 and I’ve decided to flip the idea on its head. This time it’s a cheap lens on an expensive camera. To be precise it’s my Nikon Z7 with a Pergear 10mm f/8 pancake fisheye lens. I picked up this lens in the height of lockdown as I thought it would be a bit of fun. And fun it is!
In the video below I head to Bowerman’s Nose on Dartmoor to put this lens to good use. The point of the video is not to tell you that you should all ditch your expensive glass but that you should try different things and have fun with your photography.
Enjoy!
Bowerman’s Nose, Dartmoor
Here are the photos you saw me capture in that video. While they will never compare in quality to the photographs I can capture using a Nikkor 14-30mm f/4, I think the lens has done a pretty good job of capturing the scene.
Bowerman’s Nose #1, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Pergear 10mm f/8 pancake lens, 1/30th sec at ISO 64.
Bowerman’s Nose #2, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Pergear 10mm f/8 pancake lens, 1/30th sec at ISO 64.
Bowerman’s Nose #3, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Pergear 10mm f/8 pancake lens, 1/30th sec at ISO 64.
ICONIC Dartmoor - Landscape Photography at Brentor | A 5 Minute Photo Adventure
Dartmoor National Park is packed full of amazing locations for landscape photography, but few are as unique as Brentor. In this 5 minute photo adventure, you can join me as I capture photographs of this iconic location at dawn.
St Michael de Rupe
The church of St Michael de Rupe, commonly known as Brentor church, sits on the outer edge of Dartmoor. This 12th-century building sits on the peak of Brent Tor (334m) and thanks to the surrounding landscape being mostly flat, the view from the top is far-reaching. With big views, steeply sloping sides and an old church, it’s no wonder it’s one of Dartmoor’s most well-known locations.
It’s a location I have photographed many times before (with varying degrees of success) but I’ve always done so at sunset. I thought it was about time I tried to photograph this iconic location at dawn and with the possibility of some low-lying fog I decided to set one of my unnaturally early alarm calls and head off to see what I could capture.
So, join me on another 5 Minute Photo Adventure as I photograph Brentor on a cold spring morning.
Dartmoor Landscape Photographs | Brentor
Here are the photographs you saw in the video. Apologies for the banding in the sky but I believe this is due to the JPG compression and small file sizes I use on the blog.
Brentor Church #1, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 17mm, f/11, 1/25th sec at ISO 64.
Brentor Church #2, Dartmoor, Devon - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 16mm, f/11, 1/10th sec at ISO 64.