This image captures the spirit of Stanage Edge, a landscape that has been a defining source of inspiration for my work over the last two decades. I’ve spent countless hours traversing these iconic gritstone formations in all sorts of ways. For many people Stanage is more than just a place; it’s a profound personal anchor and a wellspring of creative energy.
Captured in the quiet solitude of the early morning, this photograph harnesses the dramatic effect of a backlight sunrise. With the sun positioned behind me, the early light sweeps across the rock face, intensely illuminating the gritstone cliff. The composition leads the viewer along a winding path toward the distant end of Stanage, which remains beautifully veiled in the lingering morning mist and low cloud.
The heavy presence of autumnal colours introduces a vital layer of warmth and depth to the scene.
I used focus stacking to ensure uncompromising sharpness and detail, extending seamlessly from the intricate textures of the foreground rock to the vast, distant horizon.
