A heavy fog had settled over the Vale of Pickering, and I’d been out capturing images in the mist. Something, though, made me drive over the hill and down into the next valley. A light frosting of snow had settled there, and I found this view where the fog was gently spilling over the edge, beginning to drift down and shape a beautiful sky.
I climbed the hillside — over hedges and through a few gates — to gain a bit of elevation, setting up for a panoramic shot of seven or eight frames. I knew straight away it would suit monochrome best, to accentuate the bleak beauty of the scene. The whole moment lasted only a few minutes.
The deep heart of winter is a wonderful time for me. It can produce the most extraordinary sights, from stark minimal scenes to vast open vistas or intimate landscapes. From huge snowstorms (sadly less frequent these days) to crisp, icy blue skies — though I must admit I always struggle with that particular light.
When I return home from an outing like this, I feel completely at peace. It’s a meditative experience; I lose myself in it. All the noise of daily life falls away. To witness and capture such moments feels like a rare privilege — a true stand-and-stare moment.
