At the end of last year I was fortunate enough to be asked by the BBC News website to submit a ‘favourite’ image from the previous 12 months, to be featured within a 2023 roundup of other midlands based photographer’s work.

I’m pretty indecisive/changeable at the best of times so don’t really do favourites, but I submitted the following:

Recency bias is definitely a thing, as I took this only a few weeks previously on a cold and frosty autumnal morning in Shropshire. I was very pleased with how the weather conditions combined with the peak autumn colour (- the leaves thankfully not having shed yet).

In a very clear demonstration of my changeable/indecisive nature, no sooner had I submitted the shot, I decided I preferred the photo below:

I think (at least at the moment I do…) it’s the more interesting composition and better highlights the colours of the season as they were that morning.

Either way, the article can be viewed via the following link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-67754785

"I'm not much of an early riser, but I made the effort on this occasion to get up at the crack of dawn and head to Ragleth Hill, near Church Stretton in Shropshire, in the hopes of a scene like this presenting itself.

"This image comprises Caer Caradoc and Helmeth Hill, with the Wrekin in the far background. Just entering the scene on the right is Hope Bowdler Hill. It was my first time up Ragleth, and it's a beautiful view of the Shropshire Hills, so I plan on returning next year."