Nottinghamshire, a county forgotten that offers so much to the landscape photographer.

“Undulating green rolling hills that burst full of colour to pretty little villages, this county offers so much to anyone who explores and will provide a certain delight”.

The question remains, which English county could offer so much for a landscape photographer - that seems to be forgotten? Is it one that remains rural with the perfect mix of incredibly photogenic discoveries that are just waiting to be discovered? Yes it is and that county is Nottinghamshire. Famous for Robin Hood and football, but when you escape from Robin Hood and the football and you scratch below the surface you will soon find that Nottinghamshire offers something unique.

When you search “landscape photography” within any search engine, all too often you end up with places such as The Lake District, Scotland, Yorkshire, Cornwall, Snowdonia, Norfolk, Suffolk and The Peak District - but Nottinghamshire is ignored by landscape photographers which in itself is a great shame as it offers so much more.

Variety is one of the things that this county can offer a landscape photographer, and it really is a county of many contrasts. Nottingham City itself is one of the most unique small cities within the UK and is small and compact, full of independent shops that will please any visitor and that is why it has meant that Nottingham has gained a bit of a reputation for being a unique city in which to shop, the addition of the popular restaurants and independent eateries have also meant that the city has earnt it’s spot in being popular with gourmets who like to eat and drink. However the City of Nottingham is one that is perfect for photography and it is here where you will find old and new mixing together to form the perfect opportunities for photography.

“The old and the new clash and come together within perfect harmony. The glass facade of modern buildings sit alongside the older gothic revival buildings designed by Watson Fothergill and it is this contrast which provides a photographer wanting to capture something different with the perfect opportunity and contrasts”.

But with it’s unique layout within the City of Nottingham you are never too far from the waters edge. Anyone arriving by Train into Nottingham will more than likely have seen water, the water of the River Trent and or the canals that flow through and come within close proximity to the city. Even within the small and compact urban sprawl of the city it is still possible to find an oasis - which can be sought along any one of the canals or by the river, ideal for escaping.

"Those Christmas Lights"

"Calm by the water"

Of course it is coming up to Christmas, but that image is one of my favourite ones that I have taken within the middle of Nottingham. Located under the council house within a shopping centre called The Exchange. It was taken last year when the world seemed a million miles away from what it is now. Step outside from The Exchange and you can clearly see the harmonious contrasts between old and new, making this small but humble city perfect for capturing some truly amazing photographs. If you want to try your hand at street and city photography then make sure you visit the City of Nottingham.

So that is the city, but what about heading outside of the city? Well thankfully as a unique county Nottinghamshire offers so much more than what the media tend to portray it as. A county of hidden contrasts with a unique heritage is what you will find. Located just a short distance from the middle of the city is Wollaton Hall and park, a green oasis and parkland in which you will find many-a-deer roaming freely, with a glorious lake to walk around and green open space flanked by trees, oh and a historic hall that was featured in Batman.

And if you are feeling slightly hungry, then avoid the café at Wollaton hall and head over to the fantastic Wollaton Fish Bar, you will not be disappointed.

Arts along with creativity is what Nottinghamshire is also best known for, and situated on the Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire border is the small town of Eastwood, a former mining town is the home of DH Lawrence - a world renowned author best known for his slightly racy novels.

“What was there before the 50 shades trilogy? Don’t know? Well it was more than likely DH Lawrence and his novels such as Lady Chatterley’s Lover and Women in Love, which were probably the foundations of pretty much every 50 shades or 50 shades equivalent that has been released since. Perhaps they were the original 50 shades that were way ahead of the times”.

Eastwood itself sits on the top of a hill and Nottingham Road - the main arterial road through the town starts off at Hilltop and gently slopes towards Eastwood, whilst hilltop could be classed as separate it still forms part of the wider Eastwood community. But as a former mining community goes, many surprises can still be found.

The heritage and former scars left over can still be seen, the popular oasis of colliers wood is popular with people wanting a glorious and easy walk. But colliers wood is on the former site of an old coal mine. Transformed it is the perfect place to walk no matter what time of year it might be. Another unique element of colliers wood is the outdoor theatre which is popular and worth visiting. Albeit within the future when we are not in lockdown.

The surrounding countryside around Eastwood, provided the inspiration for a lot of DH Lawrence books and it is possible to walk within his footsteps, Moorgreen reservoir is one place that featured heavily within his books and now it is a place to carry out fishing, along with that are some fantastic walks that can be carried out within the woodland that flanks the reservoir.

A short stones throw away from Eastwood is Brinsley, a large village by standards, which holds a secret - that secret is a small piece of parkland called “Brinsley Headstocks” and it is here were you can marvel at the remainder of the old headstocks left intact, from the former Brinsley Colliery. Here you can also walk along the old pit railway, which has been transformed into a glorious long footpath ideal for taking in the old heritage that once stood here, for now it is nature which thrives in these parts. The headstocks also make for some fantastic photographic opportunities and the grandeur of them provides the photographer with some interesting compositions.

"The Lost Industry"

The winding valley of “The Erewash Valley” is another hidden gem within Nottinghamshire, and whilst you might be forgiven for thinking that The Erewash Valley is situated in Nottinghamshire, it also forms the natural border of Derbyshire. From the Langley Mill, end of the valley, it is possible to cycle or walk through The Erewash Valley and end up at either Long Eaton or Attenborough Nature Reserve. Below is a link that tells you more about the 30 miles of trail.

https://www.visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk/things-to-do/erewash-valley-cycle-trail-p614851

As you meander your way through the Erewash Valley, marvel at the fantastic “Iron Giant” of Bennerley Viaduct.

"A Portrait of Bennerley Viaduct"

"Bennerley Viaduct - Black and White"

"Bennerley Viaduct - Colour"

"Bennerley Viaduct - Black and White Panorama"

"Bennerley Viaduct - Colour, Panorama"

The canal and The Erewash valley is home to an interesting and eclectic amount of wildlife which for the wildlife photographer provides the opportunity to capture something unique. Kingfishers and Green Woodpeckers are known for living within these parts.

Attenborough nature reserve is another truly glorious place for a walk and the village of Attenborough that overlooks the nature reserve is incredibly photogenic with the church - providing the highest point within the village. 

Away from the photogenic and former industrial areas of the county, Southwell is perhaps one of the most picturesque towns within the whole of the county and with its glorious Minster. Southwell itself is excellent for exploring and it’s independent boutiques make it ideal for shopping. Make sure though to have some Apples, Bramley ones are famous around here.

Newark, is a historic market town that is situated a short drive away, and over the trent from Southwell, sitting on the edge of The River Trent - Newark is home to perhaps one of the most glorious markets that is worth visiting no matter what time of the year it is. The ruins of a castle stand proud here at they overlook the River Trent below, at certain times throughout the year it is possible to take a relaxing boat trip along the river. For the aviation enthusiast, Newark Air Museum provides hours of interesting aeronautical exhibits and opportunities for photography.

But it is not all about cities or towns. Pretty little villages such as Oxton are worth visiting and Nottinghamshire has its share of these picturesque villages all offering a slower pace of life along with photographic opportunities. 

Luckily for anyone who is a landscape photographer then the rural and undulating landscape will provide the perfect backdrop to those images with a glorious big sky, and the ever changing seasons. You really have to get out and about to explore this hidden county, a county forgotten that offers so much for the landscape photographer.

What is a shame, though is that this county gets ignored by landscape photographers and the question remains the following. Why? When you truly escape and explore this county it really is a hidden treasure and will provide the landscape photographer with something a little bit more unique.

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Sometimes "simplicity" is all you need.

Autumn is officially here and as a landscape photographer it is perhaps one of the most beautiful seasons within the photography calendar. The world somehow becomes an easel and the various colours on the trees along with those of the landscape really make for something which is unique. But it is also a season in which,

“Simplicity is the key. Keep it simple and you will end up getting the very best photographic results”.

The key point is that autumn itself lends itself to being a season that is “minimal” with not a lot going on - nature itself is beginning to gradually enter a deep and well earnt sleep, but before it goes to sleep it leaves us with one final finale. Just getting out and about and soaking up this final finale is something that as a landscape photographer I would highly recommend.

Fortunately a couple of weeks ago (when it was October), I was driving back, having been somewhere, when I just had to stop in a particular layby in which there is perhaps one of the most stunning views over Nottinghamshire, naturally though I just had to pull into this layby and take the following two shots.

Simplicity through colour (landscape).

Simplicity through colour (portrait).

And to me, these just sum everything up about autumn, this transitional period of time, before we enter the winter time, Even if autumn is merely a transitional period and remains a rather short season, it is by far the most stunning time of year in which to partake in minimal photography with some radiant and glorious scenes, for this is nature's way of giving us her final finale before she sleeps until she wakes again in Spring, but this is also perhaps the most glorious and stunning finales that anyone will ever see and best of all this rather theatrical season just so happens to be free for all to enjoy, for sometimes simplicity is all you need in the world of photography.

The art of Graffiti: Banksy arrives in Nottingham.

Banksy is perhaps one of the most “controversial” artists in the whole of the country. His artwork is that of Graffiti - a rather subjective form of artwork which always seems to get people questioning,

“Is Graffiti really a form of art?”

Yes is the answer to that - and anything can be classed as art. Photography is art, Design is art, Sculpture is art, Architecture is art, the list is pretty much endless as to what can be classed as art. Getting really philosophical you could pretty much class existence and everything in the world as a form of art in one way or another, at the end of the day art is based upon perspective(s).

So what happened when a wall on the side of a Nottingham based Hair and Beauty Salon, ended up becoming something of a tourist attraction? Well it would seem as if Banksy had visited, or did he? Well to begin with it was somewhat of a mystery, and whilst people were thinking that Banksy had visited, an artist from Birmingham by the name of,

“Itchers”

Had stolen the limelight for a short while and claimed the Graffiti on the side of a rather unassuming wall was actually his. However just hours later this all changed when Banksy posted a picture on his Instagram page showing the very same piece of artwork.

(Image: Nottingham Post/Marie Wilson)

The photo of the work from Banksy's Instagram Account.

Of course the question that remains is why did one artist (Itchers) claim it was his. And then why did Banksy merely “upload a photo” of it to his Instagram feed? A contradiction going on here? Something of a street artist(s) rivalry? In which Banksy wants to steal the limelight, from another street artist who is also just as talented. Yes rivalries exist within the arts world as well. Below are the two contradicting posts as to who has carried out this piece of work.

https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-news/street-artist-claims-responsibility-banksy-4615585

https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/nottingham-news/live-updates-banksy-confirms-nottingham-4615973

Now one thing that is seemingly obvious which people have forgotten is Banksy has “not confirmed anything” at all other than the uploading of a photo to Instagram, which is really not evidential proof that he had even created this piece of Graffiti work.

So the mystery deepens on the debating point, is this even a Banksy? As Birmingham Live, release the following article -  which states in the headline,

“Birmingham artist slams Banksy over 'taking credit' for Nottingham mural and says he has a stencil to prove it”.

A case of clever PR, from Banksy, it could very well be, and when you want to promote other talent, then Banksy would be fantastic at promoting other talent from the street art world. Yet it is when you actually take a closer look at the piece of artwork, on this incredibly unassuming wall that questions could and should be raised, Banksy is known for his rather politically motivating and thought provoking works, where as this piece of work does not scream out as being “Politically motivating” nor “thought provoking” either, in fact of anything it is the complete opposite of that.

https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-6-iconic-works-banksy

The other thing that raises questions, of it being a Banksy, is the colour palette that has been used and that some of his previous works have been bold and brash, with lighter grey’s being used along with lighter shades of black. Also other colours are used and rarely does he tend to use objects such as bikes, within any of his artworks

Is this Banksy? Was he in Nottingham last week?

Either way though, who ever has done this work of Graffiti it is superb and it is exactly that, art - which is designed for debate and to get people talking and discussing things, what is a shame however is that it got vandalized, thankfully two women worked endlessly to get rid of the idiotic vandalism that was carried out, on this truly superb graffiti piece, by an incredibly talented artist.

It is also worth noting that the picture, is now behind a Perspex screen, and yes, every city should have some form of Graffiti murals or Graffiti tags, as it gets people talking about life and issues around the world. Call it engaging art, just a shame in this case that it engaged some brain dead individuals to damage it.

People of Nottingham, be proud of this work of Art and respect it as well.