A Wonderful Morning for Landscape Photography | Great Light = Great Photos

A beautiful sunrise on a clear morning in the hills above the Haweswater Reservoir help me to get my best photos of 2021 so far.
After a long cold winter, spring has finally arrived in the Lake District and I am making the most of things. I've been making an effort to get up early and hike up into the hills in order to get the best light as the sun peaks above the horizon.
This week I am in the hills above the Haweswater Reservoir in the far eastern Lake District to get some shots of the Haweswater Dam that was built in order to flood the Mardale Valley.
Light is so important in setting the mood in a photo and in this video I explain why I have recently started to experiment with blown out skies. I also share how I use the OS Maps to find new locations and what I look for when putting together a photograph.
#PhotographyOnLocation #TheJoyOfPhotography

[@jimrookphotos]

Appears you are developing your style Chris. Fast moving, a touch of humor and some beautiful moments. I think we have a winner here.

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Thanks Jim - I do hope so mate. I don't mind admitting that I think I rather lost my way with KZbin since I went pro. But this is the sort of video that I want to be making. Just me out with my camera sharing my passion for photography and my love of the Lake District. :)

[@hughwolfe1176]

“When you’re shooting on clear sky days, you’ve really got to get a move on...” Chris, welcome to my world in Southern Arizona, overcast cloudy days are a rare occurrence 🌞🌵😎

[@andychattaway5620]

What a beautiful morning, great light and lovely images. 👍

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Hey Andy! Great to hear from you, it has been a while. I hope that you are well.

[@andychattaway5620]

@@ChrisSalePhoto oh god - sorry this reply is so late. I've not been doing much Instagram or checking this email account which is linked to my photo accounts. Also I now watch my favourite KZbinr's on the smart TV and it still isn't possible to leave/read comments on the tv KZbin app. Which is how I've missed your message. I was recovering from spinal surgery but a stupid woman tried to overtake my son's car and had two options: 1. Hit the oncoming car head on. 2. Hit our car and knock us off the road. She chose option 2. Just what my crumbling spine needed. So I've not been able to do much photography especially not sitting at the pc to edit. But I'm now improving. I hope you are well Chris.

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Bloody hell Andy! You have had shit time of it over the last few years. I do hope that things are on the up now. So good to hear from you.

[@andychattaway5620]

@@ChrisSalePhoto ha ha lol.. Well you've got to laugh haven't you? But I was so fking angry with her because it was totally stupid. She'd only past her driving test three months earlier but she was speeding and overtaking. She damaged my back further and did £3,500 of damage to my Son's Focus ST - his pride and joy which he'd polished the day before.

[@johnjtoth7633]

If truth be told, this is one of your best videos. Outstanding images, upbeat feeling, and I am looking forward to seeing what you discovered when you went off towards the dam. Always leave them wanting more.

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Thanks John, kind of you to say. Good to see you last night as always.

[@neklamp2431]

All the photos are great! Amazing light!

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Hey Nek! How are you? I hope you are well. Glad you like the photos.

[@neklamp2431]

@@ChrisSalePhoto I'm fine Chris, thank you!

[@christopherbeckerdite4273]

Beautiful shots. Glad you're back outside.

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Thanks Christopher, I am so pleased that you liked them. Spring is being very kind to us, which is very welcome after the pretty awful winter that we had to endure.

[@MiguelACoronaDM]

Need to break that rule a bit more Chris. Indeed, the blown out sky was a beauty with the glowing light and grasses. If the conditions are right, I'll certainly have a go. Beautiful location - glad you didn't get lost!

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Hey Miguel - give it a go and let me know how you get on. I shall keep an eye on IG. :)

[@johnsparkes8963]

Stunning images Chris in lovely light in a great location.

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Thanks John - isn't it great when everything comes together! :)

[@timnightingale4325]

Good to see you back and in top form, Chris.

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Thanks Tim - I have my ups and downs, but at the moment I seem to be on an up. And the lovely weather we've been having hasn't done me any harm either. Onwards and upwards I say! :)

[@myphotographyworld9780]

Magic images !

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Thank you Colin, that is very kind of you to say.

[@Bazzo61]

Stunning shots particularly the one with the blown out sky. Something I must try. Love to see the positivity returning :-)

[@brucewdelorme]

Beautiful shots. Stunning light. I have a tendency to do the same. As long as the light isnt horribly blinding I will let it stay natural in my photos.

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

That is good to hear Bruce - I think sometimes we get too hung up on 'capturing the data' and forget that what we really should be concentrating on is capturing the mood.

[@RiccardoPareschi]

The right man in the right place, awesome photos ! Always inspiring, have a nice day Chris !

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Thank you Riccardo - hoping you are having a good day too and that you enjoy the weekend.

[@brianbeattyphotography]

Looks like a perfect morning! Great video Chris

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Thanks Brian, it was well worth the early start.

[@peterodenrode2015]

Great stuff Chris, and the cliffhanger ending was a nice touch. I have a hunch that your recce of that area didn't disappoint.

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Thanks Peter - I found some interesting angles that I could work but by that stage the light was a little too harsh so I shall have to return.

[@jeffogden6060]

Nice one mate. Two or three shots for the price of one trip! Beautiful light up there. I think the final shot of the dam with the darkened sky is my fave but I do like what you did with the blown out sky. Well done and great to see these location videos returning. Cheers

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Thanks mate - it was a great morning! :) Looking forward to catching up later, it has been too long...

[@JonStallings]

Looks like a fantastic location. The blown out sky worked for a great image.

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Hey John - yeah, it's a great location. I don't ever recall having seen any photos from there before. Glad you liked the shot with the blown out sky, I do too! :)

[@ChristopherCina]

Photos were amazing, fun to see someone 'breaking the rules'. Great video.

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Thanks Christopher - I don't mind breaking the rules once in a while, particularly if that leads to a good photo. And I am pretty happy with that one. :)

[@BosePhotography]

I love that 'blown out' image Chris! Works so much better , and looks a lot more lifelike than the non-blown version. Just goes to show why we shouldn't be so obsessed with the 'rules'! Great video, really enjoyed it. Sam.

[@timrosenburgh9485]

Another great video Chris. You had some seriously good light in all directions from the sunrise with some really good images. 👍

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Thanks Tim - good to see you last night as always.

[@keithpinn152]

Hi Chris: I really like the evolution of your video creation recently. Very entertaining and informative at the same time. The changes you have made to your shooting style is very interesting and engaging. I also like how you have walked the viewer through your thought process and then shared your images. Well done! It seems that the recent lifting of some of the Covid-19 restrictions has re-energized your photography. Take care....Keith

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Thanks Keith - I think this is the type of video that I want to create going forward. I tried lots of other things but they didn't really work for me. So from now on I want to concentrate on sharing my experiences whilst out with my camera.

[@keithpinn152]

Hi Chris: I think that would be a really value-added activity. For myself, I am more interested into the thought-process that photographers go through when selecting their subjects for an image and how they convey the feeling of the moment in the image. I am really enjoying the way you are approaching your videos now . . . not that I didn't like your previous work. After all, that is how you caught my attention when I first joined your channel. Cheers, Keith

[@VintageInsightPhotography]

Great video, Chris. Really great to have you back. Seems like Adobe really did inject a re-discovery of your natural enthusiasm into your work. Truly excellent shots experienced via this entertaining video. Same as PC3, I’m looking forward to Thursday.

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Hi Jim - it was so good to meet you yesterday. Glad you enjoyed the video, I am certainly enjoying making them at the moment.

[@chriscockroft6545]

Oooh, nice leave them wanting more. I want to see the last shot you saw! 😁 Enjoyable video as always, lovely shots. Really like the last one with the really bright sky.

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Hey Chris - I might share that shot on the webinar tomorrow if you REALLY want to see it. :)

[@paulcookphotography]

"A bit of a pig's ear of it"...hahaha, never heard that one. Love it. Great video Chris. Good for you on capturing two wonderful shots on a cloudless morning - I can't do it, I need clouds. But great images and a great video. Hope you are doing well and keeping safe. Looking forward to Thursday!

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Hey Paul - to make a "pig's ear" of something means to make a mess of it. It comes from the old proverb "you can't make a silk purse out of a pig's ear", which I much prefer to the more modern expression "you can't polish a t***". Looking forward to catching up on Thursday.

[@huwalban]

Lovely location Chris and a great vlog too. You remember that quote from Steve Gosling that I carry in my head? "Photograph what you feel..." Well, you've done just that. The image with the dam and the blown out sky spoke volumes and perfectly matched what you were describing as your experience. To my mind that image was far more successful than the HDR interpretation. You ditched all the usual rules and produced an authentic representation of your experience. That ticks all the boxes for me :)

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

I always try to remember that quote that you told me about. It has taken me a while but I think I am starting to make some progress with it. I really think it is starting to make a difference to my photography. :)

[@huwalban]

@@ChrisSalePhoto With that shot into the light I think you nailed it!

[@ellyelzinga01]

That first picture is amazing, love it!!

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Thanks Elly, it was a pretty productive morning - unusual for me on the first visit to a new location.

[@careyroberts3924]

Great video Chris. Thank you. The only critique I can muster is that it wasn't long enough! I could watch you and the Lake District for hours......All the best :-)

[@klinkeok]

Nice volog Chris, it's good to hear you still use a map and compass I still use a sextant instead of a sat nav.

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

LOL! I am old school at heart Stuart, but a sextant might be a bit beyond me. I prefer the method of driving around aimlessly until blind luck lands me where I need to be! :)

[@CraigNiesenPhotography]

Chris, the perils of photographing sunrises. I have been in the same boat. Trying a new location and finding it in the dark is always fun. Stunning photographs with the "Belt fo Venus" making an appearance. Thank you for sharing.

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Cheers Craig - I think being able to find you way around in the dark is an essential skill for a landscape photographer. There is an ever increasing list of hills in the Lake District that I have never climbed in the day light! :)

[@CraigNiesenPhotography]

@@ChrisSalePhoto I totally agree. For me, It's right up there with finding new ways out of a forest😉.

[@stevenmuncy491]

The four stones may be covered by the reservoir. Good video.

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Hi Steven, apparently the stones aren't actually on the hill itself, they are just off to the north west. I think they are marked on the OS map as "standing stones".

[@neliogoncalvessilva]

Hi Chris glad to have you back mate, active notifications and therefore I don't miss a video from you, many congrats!!!! Big Hug from Madeira Island, Portugal!!!

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Nèlio! Olá meu amigo. Hope you are well, lovely to hear from you as always. :)

[@alanminshall1824]

Well you didn't make a pigs ear out of any of those shots. Class as always.

[@nickyfoulkes8476]

Blown out sky is a favourite of Nigel’s & it is very effective & realistic. You seem much more relaxed on camera these days Chris, I like it. Thank you.

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

I like the sound of this Nigel fella, he seems to know his onions.

[@marcherrmann9635]

How did you manage to fix the lens flare issue? My spontaneous idea would be to take the exact same shot right after the first one and use this one for fixing the area in PS, as second layer. Not sure though I would have had this same idea standing there by myself in the mountains at early morning and enjoying the beautiful vistas.... ;-)

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Hi Marc - I just used a combination of content aware fill, the patch tool and the clone tool in Photoshop. It can be a little fiddly at times but worth the effort if the shot is worth saving.

[@Chris-NZ]

Nice one Chris, maybe a chance for some astrophotography along the way? :)

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

You know me Chris - I find photography in the daylight difficult enough! :) But one should never say never.

[@hoodoo_taco]

So which filter did you end up using? I have a similar area here that I want to catch just sunrise over the lake created by a dam. The dam won't be in the photo. Just need some clouds at sunrise. You did get some great shots!!

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Hi Bill - I had a 2 stop soft edge grad on. The dynamic range of my camera is limited by modern standards and I find that I get the best results if I use a grad and bracket, allthough that does increase the problems that you get with lens flare.

[@hoodoo_taco]

@@ChrisSalePhoto doing the bracket on Sunday at a sunrise. Filter not sure of at this time. See what happens in post! Stay warm!!

[@actionimagesphotography]

Oh, leave us hanging...I see what you're doing there.

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

I didn't intend it that way but by the time I found another shot the light was very harsh and the video a little boring so I cut it out. Hope you don't mind. :)

[@actionimagesphotography]

@@ChrisSalePhoto I thought it was great!

[@AndrewBassonZA]

Awesome mister Sale :) maybe next time there will be some more stones ? ether way nice view mate

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Andrew! How are you buddy? So good to hear from you, I hope you are well. Apparently the stones can be found to the norht west of the hill and there are only 2 left. But you are right, I great location nevertheless.

[@AndrewBassonZA]

@@ChrisSalePhoto man its been a ruff time, though finally getting things back and running again :) love the change on your end with the production quality , that location looks awesome wondering how it would have looked with a bit more mist, ether way lovely shot mate, will have to drop you for a one on one session again some time and catch up on things :)

[@clivehutchby6204]

There are two stones left (two now missing) just to the south-west of the tarn north of Four Stones Hill. The tarn is currently dry (it was yesterday).

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Ah! I see. Thanks Clive. So, as I see it we only have 2 options. 1. we campaign to have the name of the hill changed to Two Stones Hills or 2. you and I are just going to have to carry up another couple. It's your call... :)

[@timhansen778]

As my old dad would say your now cooking with gas. Nice one Chris.

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Cheers Tim - I do seem to be going through a bit of a purple patch at the moment.

[@ipb1966]

I disagree that phones are unreliable. Just take a small power bank. The phone will tell you EXACTLY where you are.

[@ChrisSalePhoto]

Seriously? Never had a phone brick itself? I have. They really don't like extreme heat or cold or the damp. And they are really easy to break as well. They can't tell you exactly where you are if you've smashed the screen. Speak to any member of the mountain rescue around here and they will tell you countless stories of people who got lost in the fells and had to be rescued because they were relying on their phones for navigation which then broke down for one reason or another.