Bamford Edge Cloud Inversion
A landscape photography blog by Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire based landscape photographer Rob Thorley Photography.
Whilst I had started to improve towards the end of 2022 I didn’t really recover. Unfortunately my health problems continued to dog me, and I physically hadn’t been able to get out, and about.
It’s now February 2023, and once again it had been four months since I’d been out with my camera. After various test, pills, and potions I was improving, so took the opportunity to get out to Bamford Edge in the Derbyshire Peak District for what was forecast to be a decent opportunity for a cloud inversion.
The drive over was one of those where you getting a nagging doubt about your choices. I’d driven from Stoke-on-Trent, through Leek, and Buxton and there was no mist whatsoever. It was only as I got to Winnats Pass, and headed down into Castleton that I knew it was going to be a good morning. Half way down the pass I ran into the fog, and it was thick. Happy days.
I parked up in the same spot as the last time I visited Bamford Edge, and was pleased to see there was no one else here. I grabbed my gear and set off. The walk up was a bit of a slog given my less than peak physical condition. Even with plenty of stops I was soon on the level though, and things became a bit less arduous. I’d arrived in plenty of time, so there was no rush.
I setup in a spot where there were a few rocks to add some foreground interest, and where I’d have a view of the Ashopton Viaduct and Ladybower reservoir. I could also pivot from this spot and shoot over towards Dove valley, and the woodland.
The first blush in the sky didn’t disappoint. The colours combined with the mist and fog was absolutely stunning before sunrise.
I continued to shoot as the sun rose, and took the opportunity to get a few time-lapse videos in the bag. Once I’d got those I put on the long lens and tried to focus in on some of the landscape vignettes that were coming and going in the woodland as the mist rolled through.
After that it was just a case of keep shooting. I switched my attention to the Ashopton Viaduct and Ladybower as the mist, and fog thinned out.
All good things come to and end though, and eventually it was time to pack up. I did manage to get one more shot on my way down that I was very happy with, which was a vignette of St John's Church in Bamford itself.
St John's Church in Bamford.
You can view more images from Bamford Edge, and my gallery of other Peak District locations.
