Discover The Beauty of The Dales in These Stunning Photos
Wensleydale-based hobbyist photographer Jess Shade celebrates the beauty of the Dales in her stunning photographs
Jess swapped city pace for a slower, more scenic life in Wensleydale almost three years ago. ‘I’ve never looked back,’ she says. ‘I now work from home, which gives me the perfect excuse to head out exploring whenever the light looks promising. l've completely fallen for the landscape up here, the rolling hills, the waterfalls, the stone walls, and photography has become my favourite way to soak it all in and share the beauty with others. What started as a little creative outlet has turned into a bit of a passion project, and now I'm rarely without a camera (or at least my phone) in hand.’
Her passion for photography began with long walks and a phone camera. ‘I couldn't stop taking photos of the views,’ says Jess. ’It felt like a waste not to try and capture them. That soon turned into a full-blown hobby, and it's become a bit of an obsession now. Upgrading my kit and seeing the Dales from above with a drone just added a whole new layer of excitement.’
Jess loves photographing the area during spring and summer. ‘It's like the Dales wake up,’ she explains. ‘The greens are greener, the skies brighter, and there's this magical golden light in the evenings that makes everything look like it belongs in a storybook. And it's the time of year when you're least likely to get caught in sideways rain – always a bonus!’
The biggest challenge can of course be the weather. ‘It's like trying to predict the mood of a cat,’ says Jess. ‘One minute it's glorious sunshine, the next it's a misty grey-out with sideways wind. Also, sheep have no respect for personal space when you're trying to line up the perfect shot!’
Jess’ favourite photograph is her capture of a sunset behind a lone tree with the light pouring through the branches. ‘Everything just aligned perfectly that evening,’ she recalls. ‘The stillness, the colours, and the warmth of the setting sun stretching across the grass. It felt peaceful and powerful at the same time, and I still can't believe the shot was taken on my phone.'
Jess’ favourite places to photograph are waterfalls. ‘There's something so dramatic and calming about them at the same time,’ she explains. ‘Aysgarth and West Burton are my go-tos, but I love stumbling across lesser-known spots too. Add in a bit of golden hour light, and I'm in heaven.’
As for tips for budding photographers, Jess advises to never wait for the ‘perfect’ shot, and to simply get snapping. ‘The more you shoot, the more you'll learn what you love and how to capture it, and don't underestimate the power of your phone camera. It's all about perspective, light and practice (and maybe a bit of patience when the Dales weather plays up!).’
@jessinthedales
