A Quiet Light: Little Moments of Beauty in the Peak District National Park
Photographs & Words by Peaklass

At long last, after many years of dreaming, planning and preparing, at the beginning of September 2024 I released my very first book of Peak District photographs and words.

‘A Quiet Light’ is a true labour of love, born out of my wish to create something timeless and enduring with my photography, something less fleeting than a social media post or a card or calendar that has a finite, short lifespan. I wanted my book to be a beautiful work that people would treasure and reach for, time and time again, whenever they needed a little countryside peace and joy in their day.

It collects together all my own favourite photographs from across the Peak District National Park, and is the product of countless hours spent exploring, learning the landscape, watching, waiting, and then seizing.

The Photographs

I don’t consider myself to be a landscape photographer in the traditional sense; more a collector of little moments. The Peak District has no shortage of vast, impressive vistas, but time and time again I seem to find the biggest inspiration in the smallest scenes. I feel that there’s a quiet intimacy in those views, a shared connection with nature, and a sense that you could be right there with me, looking over my shoulder, walking along the lane beside me. I always try very hard in my photographs to capture not just an image but a feeling. I want you to be able to smell the damp earth and hear the drip of mist from the trees.

I hope, also, that my photographs capture the essence of everyday rural life in this very special area, whether that’s a waddling of ducks in a farmhouse garden or a herd of cows being moved from field to field along a quiet lane. It’s a way of life that has all but disappeared from many parts of England and I know that it stirs a sense of nostalgia in some, but I’m so glad that it still exists as the reality for thousands of people who live and work in the Peak District.

It sounds self-aggrandising to think of my photography as important, but in that sense it is; I’m capturing and keeping those moments forever, and they pass so quickly. I have photographed characterful wooden gates patched up with baler twine that have now been replaced with shiny galvanised steel numbers, ancient trees that have since fallen in winter storms, and sheep sheltering in old stone barns whose walls have crumbled into the grass. In my view it’s so important to record those small but intrinsic elements of countryside life that are perhaps too unassuming to be documented in any formal way, yet too important to let go without a thought or a word.

The Book

‘A Quiet Light’ is divided seasonally, each photograph accompanied by my words about the scene, place or image. I know that many people who follow my posts on social media do so for my writing as much as for my photographs, so it was important to me that these descriptions featured prominently:

“On a still Autumn morning, sitting by the froth of Burbage Brook as it tumbles through Padley Gorge, you can’t help feeling that you’ve somehow fallen into a different world, perhaps when you tripped on that tree root. Here there’s no haste or pressure, no noise but the constant rush and bubble of water and the occasional fall of a leaf. I find that I always stay long, long after I’ve taken the shot, losing track of time, just watching and listening and breathing it all in, so grateful for such places and the chance to fall into them.”

My book features many familiar Peak District villages and views, and I hope that those who have enjoyed holidays here will have happy memories rekindled. But far more than that, you’ll find hundreds of peaceful, secret spots, unsung places that are off the beaten track, villages that seem caught in a time slip. I hope that these photographs reassure everyone who lives in a frantic, loud, overcrowded world, that there is still much simple quietude to be found in our countryside.

The Process

I’m known for being a bit of a perfectionist with my products; if it’s not of the highest quality then it doesn’t make it into my online shop. So creating a book was never going to be a quick, easy task for me! I have been dreaming about the book for so long, and it’s probably the only one I’ll ever create, so I wanted it to be as perfect as it could be. I have a catalogue of tens of thousands of photographs and, while selecting the images was a joy, it was also a very long process. I wanted them to represent the many different facets of life in the Peak District – the villages, the farms, the wider landscape, the lanes, the hills, the woods, the moors – but also each geographical area from all corners of the national park. Mind you, there are probably still far too many photographs of Padley Gorge!

Happily, the design and printing of the book was handed over to professionals with far more experience than me. It was important to me that the book was produced in the UK, supporting other small businesses wherever possible. The typesetting and design was done by a local designer from my very own Peak District village: Si of Hammer Design. Fortunately he was as fussy as I was about things like the tonality of the photographs and the background page colours working perfectly with the image.

I was also a real stickler for the whole ‘feel’ of the book: I wanted the quality to be very high, from the print and binding, to the reproduction of the photographs, the weight of the paper – even the smell! I used a family-run firm based in Norfolk – Swallowtail Print – that has been in business for more than 200 years.

I was very strict about the environmental credentials of the book too, and even though it’s printed on weighty, silky 170gsm paper, the paper is all FSC-certified, carbon balanced by the World Land Trust.

Thank You

Finally, a thank you.

Thank you to everyone who has supported and encouraged me in my photography over the years, who has liked or commented on my posts on social media, or who has bought any of my photography products.

Thank you to everyone who has pestered me over the years to produce a book. You were the drivers.

Thank you to my long-suffering partner, son and dog, all of whom have been abandoned somewhat while I have been holed up in the corner working on this book.

And thank you to my parents for allowing their spare bedroom to become a stock warehouse and distribution centre.

I absolutely couldn’t have done it without you.

My book is available HERE on my website, priced £24.95 + P&P.

I am truly overwhelmed by the first reactions from customers:

‘I am heart-shot. This is a true masterpiece. I felt like I was with you on every page. Your photos are like multimedia – I can hear and smell them.’ – DP

‘The photographs and words are exquisitely beautiful, and the quality of the book is outstanding.’ – LC

‘I can’t really put into words just how wonderful this book is.’ – IE

‘It’s absolutely breathtaking. The photos and the accompanying text are pure delight, and the quality of the book is outstanding.’ – EH

‘I don’t have words! It has exceeded my expectations and is utterly magical, the words and photos in equal measure.’ – DB

I expected ‘A Quiet Light’ to have the Wow factor, but this goes way beyond that. Stunning photographs shown to their best advantage on superb quality paper. I love it. This is a book to treasure.’ – SH

‘Your images are genuinely a delight to look at, and such a refreshing change from the usual vast amount of Peak District wider vistas. They bring a closer connection with the intimate elements of the Peak District.’ – OJ

‘It is a wonderful book, that via your pictures and words shows the Peak District through the eyes of someone with a truly genuine love of their subject. You have produced a work of art.’ – RB

‘Your artistry extends beyond the images and into the accompanying words. Simply wonderful.’ – MB

‘Your excellent photographic skills and outstanding eye for composition are evident throughout. This book is a must-have for all of us who love the Peak District.’ – SH

‘It’s better than I ever thought. The beautiful, thick paper, the gorgeous colours … all neatly gathered together in one amazing, beautiful book.’ – GW

‘I absolutely love it. Your beautiful images accompanied by equally beautiful words speak to me and are balm for the soul. I will cherish it, and have it within reach when I need its charms.’ – JW