Cloud Inversion at the Roaches

Posted by David Travis on 21 Feb 2021

I spent the morning at the Roaches when there was a cloud inversion. Here are the photographs from the shoot.

Cloud Inversion at the Roaches

I was inspired to write this after reading a post by Rob Thorley. Rob is a local landscape photographer who shoots many of the same locations as me. I read his post titled Winter Cloud Inversion at The Roaches and realised that our paths must have crossed since I was there at the same time.

The Roaches is a gritstone escarpment in the South-West Peak District. It’s about 7 miles from my home in Leek — close enough to count as “local” during the lockdown restrictions. So I decided to work on a project where I photograph the Roaches at dawn and dusk.

I already know the Roaches fairly well but I decided to make a provisional recce to decide on compositions. On the day I took these pictures, the weather in Leek was foggy and overcast — it looked like the worst day to go out with a camera. However, the conditions are often completely different up on the moors, so I didn’t give up hope.

There’s a webcam near the Roaches at the Winking Man pub. When I checked this, I could see that the weather was clear. If it was foggy in Leek and clear at the Roaches there was a possibility that this was a cloud inversion, so I headed out with some expectation. Here’s some images from that day.

A lone tree silhouetted against a cloud inversion.

Olympus OM-D EM-1 Mk II. 1/1600s, f/6.3, ISO 200. Olympus M.12-40mm f/2.8 lens at 40mm.

The inversion seen from the top of the Roaches.

Olympus OM-D EM-1 Mk II. 1/800s, f/5, ISO 200. Olympus M.12-40mm f/2.8 lens at 40mm.

I enjoyed trying to pick out clumps of trees in the mist.

Olympus OM-D EM-1 Mk II. 1/1000s, f/5, ISO 200. Leica DG 100-400mm f/4.0-6.3 lens at 180mm.

As the mist rolled in, I was able to capture this image, that feels more like a drone shot.

Olympus OM-D EM-1 Mk II. 1/1600s, f/8, ISO 200. Olympus M.12-40mm f/2.8 lens at 40mm.

This is Doxey Pool on the top of the Roaches. Legend has it this this is home to an evil mermaid called Jenny Greenteeth and you shouldn't get too close in case she pulls you in. I figured I was safe as the pool was icy by the edge.

Olympus OM-D EM-1 Mk II. 1/1600s, f/4.5, ISO 200. Olympus M.12-40mm f/2.8 lens at 12mm.

I've taken a few pictures of this puddle before, but it's never been quite as photogenic as this in the past.

Olympus OM-D EM-1 Mk II. 1/640s, f/6.3, ISO 200. Olympus M.12-40mm f/2.8 lens at 12mm.

A pair of lone rocks look out over the Roaches.

Olympus OM-D EM-1 Mk II. 1/1600s, f/5, ISO 200. Olympus M.12-40mm f/2.8 lens at 21mm.

This is a classic view from up on the Roaches but it's not one I've seen before with a cloud inversion in the distance.

Olympus OM-D EM-1 Mk II. 1/1600s, f/5, ISO 200. Olympus M.12-40mm f/2.8 lens at 12mm.

Sun tries to break through the mist by Hen Cloud.

Olympus OM-D EM-1 Mk II. 1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 200. Olympus M.12-40mm f/2.8 lens at 32mm.

Another interesting puddle.

Olympus OM-D EM-1 Mk II. 1/1000s, f/6.3, ISO 200. Olympus M.12-40mm f/2.8 lens at 12mm.


Reflections on this project

Now head over to Rob Thorley's web site and see the images he took on the same day.


If you liked this, try…

Imbolc: Return of the light

1 Feb 2021

The Prime Lens Project

11 Jan 2021

My Top 20 from 2020

23 Dec 2020

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