BREARLEYS SOLICITORS | LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY COMMISSION | LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY WALL ART

November 2020

I was delighted to be commissioned by Brearleys Solicitors to compete a series of photography art work to adorn the walls of their offices. This was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the best of my work and to meet the brief of ‘a selection of scenes which are visually beautiful and endear a scene of calm and tranquillity’.

As the customer also requested a selection of ‘Flora’ photographs I drafted in Stuart from www.reedtowensendphotography.co.uk , an award winning and published Flora photographer to collectively undertake part of the brief.

Brearleys Solicitors are a well established  law firm offering a range of legal service from their 6 offices in Brighouse, Cleckheaton, Birstall, Batley, Morley and Leeds.  With so many offices they are offer ‘walk in services’; at the heart of their communities. In fact, supporting local communities and charities is something they regularly participate in.  The challenge, therefore, was to provide enough framed photographs to cover the 6 offices. 

It was decided that 40 images would be needed.  This brief was met with a range of beautiful landscape and flora photographs taken locally and from across the British Isles. From seascapes to landscapes as well as more detailed macro photography.  Again, a selection of seasonal photography was used.

All of the images were professionally processed in Lightroom and Photoshop but in a way that didn’t detract from the beauty of the location itself.

All of the images were professionally printed by Loxley Colour using professional grade Fujicolor DP II Lustre quality paper to ensure that there is no loss of detail and colour over time.

It was challenge to deliver such a large order of individual pictures in one go, but the brief was met, on time and to the great delight of the Senior partners at the firm.

Emma Clough, a senior partner, said, ” We are delighted with the photographs that Tony and Stuart produced for us.  They met the brief, the photos are just what we were looking for and they really brighten up the office walls. The staff really enjoy them and they also attract alot of attention from clients visiting our offices too.”

Here you can see a selection of the images on the wall in the offices of Brearley’s Solicitors.

We enjoyed working with them, they are a great firm and the staff we met were delightful.  We look forward to helping with their commissions in the future.  If you require any Landscape photography prints then please contact me on the contact sheet below with an outline of your brief and I will be happy to help.

Hasina and Annalea of Brearleys Birstall branch show off their new office wall art, an image taken at the Bluebell Woods, Ilkley. 

TONY REED PHOTOGRAPHY | LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHER | AUTUMNAL LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY

November 2020

Autumn, my favourite time of year. There can be no better time to shoot beautiful landscape photography in Yorkshire, or anywhere for that matter. As the landscape prepares itself for the winter months, nature puts on one final show of colour for us. So, this year I set myself a challenge, during these times of lockdown and restrictions, to explore my local area more and capture Wharfedale in all it’s beauty.  I have shot in some wonderful locations all over the UK and the world for that matter, but I don’t think I have undertaken a more fulfilling task.  I have explored on foot far and wide across our beautiful dale, often with Isla the Springer for company, and captured our stunning landscapes. 

So what have I learned and what can i share?  Here are some of my top considerations for shooting your own beautiful Autumnal landscape photographs.

LANDSCAPE LOCATIONS

There are many wooded areas to choose from but I would recommend a few of them.  Heber’s Ghyll off Heber’s Drive in Ilkley is a stunning location comprising of 7 footbridges cross the Ghyll as the path climbs up to the moor. A mostly deciduous woodland and backlit in the morning and early afternoon the colours are amazing and there are so many compositors to be had.

Further, try exploring the woodlands along Hag Farm Road up to Hag Farm at Burley In Wharfedale. There is a lovely loop walk by turning left at the farm and then following the track to the first opening on the left in the wall.  This crosses fields beside a stream all the way to the disused rail line. The line continues all the way to Menston and has some beautiful aspects with patches of Silver Birch trees. When it is misty look out for amazing ‘tunnel views’. 

Finally (although there are many more I could mention), if you do have a bit of a zoom lens head up onto the Moor at Burley Woodhead and look back for the views of beautiful Autumnal trees below.  This is particularly good when the sun is breaking through the cloud later in the afternoon which illuminated selections of the scene or in the early morning when there is mist about.  This produces an eerie sight with layers of trees fading into he distance.

AUTUMNAL PHOTOGRAPHY – WHEN TO SHOOT – WEATHER

Autumn weather can be changeable and unpredictable so always check the forecast. Some, like the BBC weather app even give you indications of misty conditions which should be embraced!  Overcast skies also provide soft light and is ideal to allow for woodland photography when harsh bright light can made shooting darker scenes a challenge .  However while bright sunlight infuses leaves with a translucent, dappled glow and make for stunning back lit images. But for the best colours, head out just before sunset or after sunrise when the lighting is at its warmest. Explore woodland with your camera looking for interesting patterns and compositions created by the trees, plants, and fungi that flourish on the autumnal forest floor.

It is like to be wet with standing water on the ground. Use these conditions to add interesting reflections into your compositions.

AUTUMNAL PHOTOGRAPHY – EQUIPMENT

Warm Clothes

Make sure you wrap up warm as standing around while the sun is low in the sky can be chilly work.  Layers work best including a waterproof layer for the it rains!.

Wellies

Why is the best compositor always found when you stand in the middle of a stream?  Avoid having to compromise on the perfect compassion by donning a pair of wellies you can ensure your feet stay warm and dry.  The moors can be pretty boggy too and this will help to keep you comfortable but make sure they have sufficient grip for walking in this terrain.  I use ‘The Original Muck Boot Company’ brand and they are superb, especially when combined with a pair of Sealskin Waterproof walking socks. 

Torch

Useful to help you find your kit and accessories in the dark and the buttons on your camera.  A small pocket torch will do or even the light on your phone but me mindful not to use all your charge up, you may just need it !

Gloves

Your hands will be constantly exposed to the elements and can get cold quickly making it very difficult to fiddle with your camera settings. Lowepro, even produce specialist photo gloves for this purpose that allow you to operate your camera and http your gloves on. 

Tripod / monopod

In lower light means longer shutter speeds and unless you want to risk trading off picture quality with a hight ISO (sensitivity) then a tripod is essential. Generally a heavier and sturdier tripod is better as it prevent camera movement in wind but be mindful of how far you are walking and how much you can carry.  A lighter travel tripod may be the best solution if you can’t carry a heavy tripod. I use Manfrotto but there are plenty of brands out there and its worth shopping around. 

Waterproof cover

Unless your camera is waterproof then when the rain comes down it going to get damaged.  There are plenty of professional wet weather rain covers out there to buy, but for me, I find that a good old shower cap does the trick.  Just pop it over your camera until you are ready to shoot.  Don’t forget to take a small micro fibre cloth to clean any water drops or condensation off your camera and lens.

So, I hope that has been of some use to you. For me I always remember that I may have shot a location many times before, but if I haven’t photographed it in autumn then I’ve probably been missing out.

Good luck.

Tony