A week in North Wales

Not having visited the area for 40 years and never taken a single photograph there before, I was excited at the prospect of capturing the raw beauty of the North Wales landscape. Lakes, mountains, streams and slate quarries were sure to feature in the itinerary. I went with three good friends and fellow photographers, sharing a holiday rental property on the outskirts of Betws-Y-Coed.

I spent many hours planning the trip in the preceding weeks, with the help of books, maps and various internet resources. We kept a close eye on the weather forecast and decided our plan for each day on the evening before.

Llyn Idwal

A short hike up from the visitor centre near at the western end of Llyn Ogwen, the spectactular hanging valley of Cwm Idwal is a must for anyone visiting Snowdonia. After a 4.30am alarm and a drive down from our cottage, we were beside the lake 30 minutes before sunrise. It was worth spending a few hours at this location, as it offers up many photographic opportunities. We were also blessed with some excellent light and weather conditions, with low cloud over Tryfan.

A classic view of Llyn Idwal taken from the outflow by the footbridge.

Looking east towards the sunrise, with Tryfan shrouded in cloud.

As the sun rose higher in the sky the occasional shaft of light caught the hillsides. I took this image hand-held. It was just as well as by the time I had the tripod up the light had fallen flat again.

One of my favourite images from the trip and one of those compositions that turns up trumps. A half-second exposure of the stream exiting the lake, with the sun rising over the hill.

Back near the car park - and after a snack and coffee - we explored the streams and waterfalls.

The old roman bridge, Pont Pen-y Benglog, below the main A5 road crossing. A huge dynamic range captured by five exposure bracketed shots. It was a little tricky to scramble down to get the image, but well worth it.

Looking upstream from the bridge in between the rain showers.

Anglesey

With its dramatic coastline and lighthouses, we were excited to venture over the Menai Straights onto the island. Again, the early start paid off, arriving at Penmon Lighthouse before sunrise.

The sun breaking through the low cloud with a shipping buoy punctuating the scene.

A six-minute exposure of Penmon lighthouse and Puffin Island, in soft morning light.

Due to the very high tide, it was difficult to find good foreground interest. This is the best of an average bunch!

We then moved on to the western side of the island to Eglwys Cwyfan - the “church in the sea”. The very high tide made access very difficult along the bay, but I did manage to get a few images, including this one of the tide breaking over the sand.

I was pleased to get a strong diagonal between the rock and the Eglwys Cwyfan.

Further up the coast we visited South Stack, although by the time we got there the winds had picked up and were gusting hard, making the use of a tripod almost impossible. Heavy rain was forecast for later in the afternoon, so photographic opportunities were limited to sitting down and hand-holding.

South Stack lighthouse from near the RSPB reserve car park.

Fairy glen

Just a short drive from our cottage is the famous ‘Fairy Glen’ on the river Conwy. Due to the heavy rainfall during the days leading up to our visit, the flow of water was torrential. That said, we spent a couple of hours photographic the narrow gorge and trying to stay on our feet on the wet rocks.

Sunlight illuminating the sided of the gorge at Fairy Glen.

Dinorwic quarry

I decided to travel light on our visit to Dinorwic quarry; no tripod and just a 24-70 zoom. I felt very much in awe of the place and did struggle to find meaningful compositions. Nonetheless, I did get a few images that I was very pleased with.

Partially collapsed slate hut.

Double waterfall and trees.

Slate outcrop. One that escaped the miners?

Llandudno

Wow, what a beautiful town! Full of Victorian splendour.

Our first stop was the pier, reaching out into the sea from the western end of the bay.

Llandudno pier. A six-minute exposure.

One of a number of shelters along the seafront. A perfect place to relax and take in the atmosphere.

Cwmorthin quarry

Despite a forecast of heavy showers, two of us decided that we would head off the the small slate quarry at Cwmorthin. We did indeed get some strong winds and heavy rain, but there were enough interludes to be able to take photographs. I very much enjoyed the few hours spent there making photographs.

I was particularly taken by this ruined building and the fallen tree in its grounds.

Standing proud on a mound overlooking the site, another derelict structure, almost camouflaged into the landscape.

A panorama of five images taken with the shift function of my 24mm T/S lens. I guess the white house would have been the quarry owner’s residence.

Another panorama, this one taken from nearer the lake. I particularly like the way the lone tree balances the scene.

Llyn Dywarchen

Our attempts to photograph Llyn Dywarchen were thwarted by heavy rain. In a brief few minutes of respite I did manage one pleasing shot.

Summary of the trip

• It rains a lot in Wales

• Bacon comes in proper thick slices

• I’d like to go back