There’s nothing I like more than being outdoors, especially if it involves exploring somewhere new to me. Of course, the camera comes too and I try to capture something memorable from my day. My latest trip, taking a break from recent wedding fayres was to the lovely Sett Valley, not far south east of Manchester and on the edge of Derbyshire’s Peak District.
New Mills
At the foot of the valley where the Sett joins the Goyt is the small town of New Mills. With origins in the coal and cotton industry, it boasts two railway stations, three separate railways, the Peak Forest Canal and 70′ deep Torrs Gorge, tunnels, and a viaduct. Not surprisingly, with all that, it’s an interesting place to explore!
Remains of Torr Vale Mill.
There was once nine mills in the town. Not much left nowadays, but I managed to snap one shot of the remains of Torr Vale Mill, which operated into the 1980s.
Next to the mill and in striking contrast is the futuristic Millennum Walkway which looks down onto the River Goyt.
Millennium Walkway
It’s an exhilarating walk and makes for a good photography spot too, assuming you don’t mind the steep descent from New Mills Central station (yes really!).
Fishing in the River Goyt.
Frothing water.
I watched a fisherman throwing his line from the walkway and loved the effect of the reflecting water making him silhouette-like. With silhouettes I was always taught that it’s usually best to preserve a little bit of shadow detail. The fishing rod and line was very fine, so rather frustratingly it is more or less invisible in my shot. I was pleased though that the reel and his posture still illustrates his action, so that the photo ‘makes sense’; an important tip when it comes to illustrative photography!
Next, the frothing fizzing water beneath the weir caught my eye (and ear), so I zoomed in, increased shutter speed and decreased exposure to capture the detail.
Market Street frontage.
When out and about looking for interesting shots, don’t just look at what’s at eye-level. I was drawn up to this 100-year old rather fine frontage on Market Street. The photo illustrates the gradual neglect of rotting window frames and vegetation starting to take hold. Hopefully someone will restore this before too much damage is done. I love old buildings with character.
Start of the Sett Valley Trail.
This bridge over the former branch-line to Hayfield marks the start of the 2.5 mile Sett Valley Trail and a very pleasant walk up the valley to Hayfield.
Lovely scenery of the Sett Valley.
Once you finally clear the town’s outskirts, housing estates and small industry, you pass Birch Vale Reservoir and head into open countryside with rolling hills. A lot of trees surround most of the trail, making clear views quite difficult, if you’re looking to snap a nice landscape shot. As often with my landscape shots, it’s quite ‘big on sky’! In summer it would be dense trees most of the way, so winter might be a better time to see the surrounds.
Hayfield village.
The ‘end of the line’ is the rustic Peak village of Hayfield. It seemed very lucky to have had it’s own railway which boasted an hourly service to Manchester until 1963. The church made a good focal point for my photo. I chose to tilt my camera upwards to cut out the inevitable clutter of signage, street lamps, bins and parked cars, that visually spoils many a similar scene. We’re left with a tranquil timeless image of an idyllic Peak village. The line of the hill breaks the rooftop horizon and gives a pleasing backdrop. It’s tight, to just reveal enough of the village for it to be flattering.
New Mills footbridge.
My final shot was taken back at New Mills, at the town’s ‘other’ and rather grim station, New Mills Newtown on the Buxton line. There was just something I found pleasing about this iron footbridge over the railway. I think it’s partly the late afternoon sunlight, the backdrop and bare trees. As they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder!
I hope you have enjoyed this ‘Photographer’s Ramblings‘. MORE COMING SOON!…