BBC feature on Photographers from the Midlands

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."

Shropshire Landscapes - Caer Caradoc and the Lawley

Usually when I go to Shropshire I tend to end up in the Long Mynd exploring the well known hills of Church Streton. This time, for a change I thought I’d check out some of the hills that can be viewed in the distance from the Long Mynd, but up close.

I went in the evening, hoping for some nice lighting and shadows, with the intent of getting some successful landscape photos.

As the sun got lower in the sky, some brilliant shadows started to drape over the landscape. I particularly like the dramatic contrast on this last shot with half the woodland shrouded in darkness and the top half starkly lit by the orange glow of the setting sun.

Up Above the Streets and the Houses, Rainbow Climbing High (over the Wrekin)

I took a much needed walk up to the top of the Wrekin in Shropshire just before Christmas. It was a very cold and wet day, with huge muddy puddles everywhere and very slippery under foot. The kind of conditions where you need to be careful how you hold yourself and mindful of your surroundings. The best kind of conditions! Luckily, the sun was also out from time to time, for some lovely lighting at the top and clear-ish views over the surrounding areas.

As seems to be a common theme lately, I almost took a tumble a couple of times whilst scrambling around on the icy rock face. As I’m sure many other photographers can relate to, my immediate priority whilst slipping was to hold my camera out of danger, ignoring the potential breaks and bruises awaiting me on impact. Luckily I was fine and some well chosen swearwords seemed to aid my balance.

On the way back the light suddenly changed, covering everything in an orange glow and a lovely big rainbow could clearly be seen arching from one side of the Wrekin to the other. I could almost see the gold at the other end it was that close.

On the drive back, satisfied with a good walk and some nice photography opportunities I had to pull over for one final shot as the sun came down. This is (I think) part of the Long Mynd as viewed from the road by the Wrekin, looking very atmospheric in the cold winter light.

All photos of the Wrekin were taken in Shropshire by Luke Bennett.

Please visit the rest of my website, www.lukebennettphotos.com for much more content, including further landscape and nature photography from the UK and visit my Print Gallery to buy high quality prints of my UK landscapes.

Also, if you would like me to photograph your wedding or event in Solihull, Birmingham, Coventry, Warwickshire, the Midlands or Beyond, please say hi!