Photography Archives | Andy Wasley Photography

Sep

Hurricane Irma news photography – a year on

News photography by Andy Wasley (Crown Copyright)

One of my earliest photographs of operations in Barbados – this picture of an A400M transport aircraft was used widely by UK and international newspapers. (Crown Copyright)

Last year I had the great privilege of supporting humanitarian operations in the Caribbean following Hurricane Irma. I was there as the Royal Air Force’s deployed head of strategic communications, a role that involved a lot of hard work liaising with UK and international media and, from time to time, escorting journalists through some of the worst-hit areas. I was lucky enough to be working with a truly superb RAF photographer, Jimmy – but I could also turn to my own skills to turn out news photography when the situation called for it. It’s a job I still think back on with huge pride – and one that still leaves me feeling more than a little shaken.

I wrote about my experiences late last year. Here, I’ve written about a few pictures that bring back especially strong memories.Read More

Sep

Pennine Way landscape photographs

In April I completed the Pennine Way – a 16-day adventure (and ordeal), and an outstanding opportunity to take time to make landscape photographs. Below I’ve reproduced part of my travel journal covering the final day of the walk – one of the toughest days of my life.

Thu 27 Apr: Byrness to Kirk Yetholm

travel photography of the Pennine Way by Andy Wasley

Andy Wasley pictured on Windy Gyle, a hill on the Pennine Way.

The final leg of the Pennine Way – from Byrness to Kirk Yetholm – takes in more than a mile of ascent and 26-plus miles of walking – nearly a tenth of the entire trail, making it possibly the longest day walk I am ever likely to attempt. [My walking partner] Adam and I set off before 0600, almost immediately ascending nearly 200 metres steeply to the bare, windblown summit of Byrness Hill. We set off for the Cheviots through intermittent sunshine and screaming winds. Appropriately enough, some of the features of the route bear names that suit the conditions: Windy Crag, Windy Gyle, Plea Knowe, Foul Step, Windy Rig, Murder Cleugh (times two!). Let’s not talk about Randy’s Gap.

Mercifully, much of the final stage of the Pennine Way is paved or marked. Here and there, slabs are entirely submerged in boggy water, as though to remind walkers of earlier boot-sucking slogs across Ickornshaw Moor, Saddleworth or Blenkinsopp Common. Principally, though, the route is challenging because of the constant climbs and descents – by this point my knees were in blazing pain whenever I walked downhill.Read More

Aug

Reflecting on the Pennine Way

Travel photography of Cauldron Snout waterfall by Andy Wasley

Raw material for travel photography: Cauldron Snout waterfall

The last few months have been pretty fraught, as I have been supporting the Royal Air Force’s 100th anniversary celebrations. It was a full-on job, and left me little time for travel photography. So I hope you’ll forgive the long silence since my last blog post – especially since that long silence covered one of the most challenging journeys of my life: the Pennine Way.

I’ve written at length about the Pennine Way for Let’s Explore magazine, an independent photo magazine currently in pre-sales. You should definitely buy a copy – along with my article and pictures there are 28 other stories and masses of travel photography to explore, and you’ll be supporting a superb start-up publisher with your spare pennies. Pay a visit to the brilliant Emulsive.org site for an interview with Let’s Explore’s editor, Kilian Idsinga.Read More

Feb

A South Downs rehearsal for the Pennine Way

Travel phootgraphy by Andy Wasley: Sunrise above Clayton Holt in the South Downs National Park

The sun rises above Clayton Holt.

When planning a travel photography job, preparation is important – especially for something as challenging as the Pennine Way, which I’ll be tackling in April. I’ve spent more than enough time in mountains and on long-distance trails like the Annapurna Circuit and West Highland Way to know that nothing can be left to chance. That’s especially the case where kit is concerned, and no less so for cameras than for boots, bivvy shelters and backpacks.

I’ve not had much of a chance to get hands-on with my camera – an Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mk II – so far this year, so I took the opportunity of a frosty Saturday morning to take it on a traipse through the South Downs National Park. My aim was as much to escape London as it was to re-engage my creativity.

Feb

Preparing to tackle the Pennine Way

National Trails sign on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path

Life can be tough for a freelance photographer. There are plenty of challenges to overcome, day-to-day – from keeping records of expenses (huge) and income (tiny, for the time being) to finding potential clients, pitching and waiting, seemingly endlessly, for responses. I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t love it. But one thing seems to be missing for me: making new travel photography.

The issue is simple: without income I can’t travel; and unless I travel, I can’t make income – at least not while concentrating on doing what I really love. I’m a freelance photographer, so I can’t afford to be too picky: event photography, stock and headshots will help tide me over (and in truth I love getting behind the camera, whatever the subject), but unless I get into the great outdoors and explore the world I still feel I’m just biding time.

Lately I’ve been reviewing my travel photography from the last few years: Nepal, Rioja, the West Highland Way, Ardnamurchan, Dunnet Head, Cornwall, Guatemala… and it feels rather like I’m looking in through a shop window, unable to get hold of what I really want. The solution is simple: a new adventure, making new landscape photography along the way.

12 3 4

Hurricane Irma news photography – a year on

Pennine Way landscape photographs

Reflecting on the Pennine Way

A South Downs rehearsal for the Pennine Way

Preparing to tackle the Pennine Way

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