Sunrise to sunset (Chrome Hill, The Roaches and More)

Peak District Peaks & Hidden Gems: Sunrise at Chrome Hill to Sunset on The Roaches

Join me for a breathtaking, full-day photography workshop through the very best of the South-West Peak District. From the sharp, limestone “peaks” of the Upper Dove Valley to the dramatic gritstone escarpments of the Staffordshire border, this workshop is designed to capture the incredible geological diversity of this region in the best possible light.

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Why This Route?

This itinerary represents a perfect cross-section of the Peak District. We start in the White Peak, characterized by its unique limestone reef knolls, before transitioning into the rugged, dark gritstone of the South-West Peak. By chasing the light from the first break of dawn to the final glow of sunset, we ensure we are in the most iconic locations at the most dramatic times.

Our Photographic Journey

• Sunrise at Chrome Hill:
  • We begin our day in the spectacular Upper Dove Valley. Chrome Hill (The Dragon’s Back) is arguably the most photogenic peak in the park.
  • Focus: Capturing the morning mist (if we’re lucky!) and the first golden light as it hits the sharp limestone ridges.
• Hitter Hill:
  • After our sunrise shoot, we’ll move to Hitter Hill. This offers the classic “postcard” view looking back at both Chrome and Parkhouse Hills, perfect for practicing composition and depth.
• Shining Tor :
  • We then head to the highest point in Cheshire. Shining Tor offers expansive, panoramic views across the Cheshire Plain and back towards the Peak District’s interior as well as overlooking the pointy “Matterhorn of Cheshire”, Shutlingsloe.
• Three Shires Head (Water & Heritage):
  • For our midday session, we’ll descend to this picturesque packhorse bridge where three counties meet.
  • Focus: We will spend time mastering long exposure techniques and the use of ND filters to capture the cascading waterfalls.
• Sunset on The Roaches:
  • We conclude our day at The Roaches, a magnificent gritstone escarpment.
  • Focus: We will explore the jagged rock formations, capturing the dramatic interplay of light and shadow as the sun dips below the horizon over the Staffordshire moorlands.

Learning and Skill Development

Throughout the day, I’ll provide hands-on instruction and guidance on essential photography techniques:

• Technical Foundations:
  • Focusing: Ensuring tack-sharp focus from the limestone foregrounds to the gritstone edges.
  • Tripod Usage: Mastering stability on varied terrain and slowing down your workflow for better compositions.
  • Filters vs. Exposure Blending: Understanding how to balance bright sunrise/sunset skies with darker landscapes.
• Creative Vision:
  • Composition: Learning how to use the “Dragon’s Back” and gritstone “edges” as leading lines to create depth.
  • Working with Light: Understanding the difference between the cool morning light of the White Peak and the warm evening glow of the Dark Peak.
• Advanced Techniques: I am always happy to discuss more advanced topics like focus stacking or panorama stitching on a 1-2-1 basis.

Itinerary

• Sunrise: Meet for our sunrise session at Chrome Hill.
• Morning: Explore Hitter Hill for classic landscape vistas.
• Midday: Head to Shining Tor followed by a session at Three Shires Head.
• Lunch Break: Enjoy a relaxed break. If time allows, we will look at post-processing in Adobe Lightroom on a laptop.
• Sunset: Conclude the day with a grand finale shoot on The Roaches.

What’s Included

• Expert Guidance: Benefit from my extensive experience and intimate knowledge of these South-West Peak locations.
• Small Group Size: Maximum of 4 participants for personalised attention and plenty of 1-2-1 tuition.
• Kit and Equipment Provided:
  • I have four sets of Maven Filters available for the group to use (a set per person). This is ideal for testing or upgrading your filter system.
  • I will also have spare tripods available for use.
• Pre-workshop Information: Upon booking, you’ll receive a confirmation email with meeting details, a kit list, and a questionnaire.
• Post-workshop Support: Access to my private Facebook client area for ongoing support and image sharing.

Additional Information

• Difficulty: Moderate. This is a full day involving several walks. While most are short, the ascent of Chrome Hill and the walk to The Roaches involve steep, uneven terrain. A good level of fitness is required for this “Sunrise to Sunset” adventure.
• Weather Adaptability: The Peak District weather is unpredictable. If conditions aren’t suitable for the high ridges, we will adapt our plan to focus on the lower valleys and waterfalls.

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Booking Information

• A £40 deposit is required to secure your place.
• The full balance is due no later than 6 weeks before the workshop date.

Ready to capture the ultimate “Sunrise to Sunset” story of the Peak District’s most iconic peaks?