‘My day job is tackling domestic abuse. Getting out with my camera to photograph our night skies and wildlife really helps me decompress. I live on the edge of the best Dark Skies National Park in the country (Northumberland) and there’s nothing better than capturing its raw beauty as simply as possible. Being up on Hadrian’s Wall for night-time photography is a tonic for the soul. September is one of the best months for the Milky Way as it appears vertically in the sky. The location was up on Walltown Crags, close to the Hadrian’s Wall National Trail. Sadly one of those trees was damaged in a storm just a few years ago so it’s bitter sweet that they no longer ‘dance’ like they used to. This memory of them is preserved in my photograph.’
‘It was a very warm and lovely summer evening and we (my wife, sister-in-law and brother-in-law) decided to go to Saltburn. As we were getting closer to Saltburn the fog rolled in and we thought it was going to spoil our evening, but no! When we got there the sun was piercing through in patches and the light was amazing. I caught my wife and sister-in-law wandering along the beach while I was on the pier taking some photos, trying to capture the astounding scene. Not only was it great to be able to get out and about again with family after all the lockdowns, but mother nature treated us to an astounding experience. I’ll never forget it.’
‘Storm Arwen in November 2021 was an awesome reminder of the power of nature. The churning seas were almost acting out the invisible script of the wind, the power of which was never more obvious than when waves were sent smashing into the breakwater at Roker, Sunderland.’
‘I had tried several times to capture this composition of Penshaw Monument, each time hoping for a sunset sky above. Sadly luck was never on my side, resulting in a disappointed drive home every time. But on this occasion, I had a good feeling that, finally, I may get the shot. What I didn’t expect was the dusting of snow that day had not melted away, which, combined with the sunset sky, just added to the image. That day luck was definitely on my side.’
‘This photo was taken on an August bank holiday weekend stay in Weardale. I set off on an early morning cycle ride in the dark, and rode through White Kirkley to reach the top of Harehope Burn near the Elephant Trees as the sun was rising and the mist started to lift over the valley with only some inquisitive sheep for company.’
‘It was a late summer’s night, I just saw that the steelworks looked so beautiful so I got my brother to turn the car around and I walked up the bridge, snapped the picture and got straight back in the car. I feel like the steelworks captures the heart of Teesside – the pride, the passion that still burns within the people of this place. They’ve knocked it down now but it will always be the inspiration for our county, it’s what the foundations and the future of Teesside were once built upon. It’s something we cannot let ourselves forget. This place is built different, the people are built different, we come from fire and steel: WE ARE TEESSIDE.’
‘This was the first time I’d ever witnessed just how fast the sea fret can roll in at Tynemouth. There were clear blue skies, sun shining and then it was all quickly masked by the fog. I loved the spooky feeling it created slowly creeping in over the lighthouse, sometimes hiding it altogether and working its way into the land.’
Hadrian’s Wall Sunrise
by Richard Turnbull
‘The image was the result of a sleepless night when I looked out of the window at two o’clock in the morning, and seeing misty conditions, made a spur of the moment decision to go to Hadrian’s Wall. I remember making my way up through Housesteads by torchlight and being occasionally startled by sheep, which can be surprisingly spooky in the dark. As the sun rose, the ground fog lingered in the dips and gave the shot that extra magical difference that made my efforts so worthwhile.’
About Richard:
‘In 1975, at the age of 18, I joined the Merchant Navy, employed as a Deck Cadet with a major energy company. My first ship was the oil tanker Axina, which is now long gone. I progressed through the ranks but retired in 2018, and now my seagoing time is in my 12-metre motor cruiser, also Axina. I took up photography in 2013 and mostly my subjects have been all things nautical, when at work, and landscapes, when at home. I joined Ashington Camera Club when I retired, and I think that participating in the in-house competitions helped inspire me to enter this one.’
‘I am delighted to be shortlisted in such a significant competition. This shot is all about being there to capture the moment, and it meant a very early start and a torch-lit trek through the dark to get in position in time. The effort paid off, and now I am happy to be able to share that moment with a wider audience.’
