Runners and Riders b
Jon Sparks faces a tough challenge in the hills of the Lake District
A
recent two-day shoot embodied many of the challenges,
logistical and technical (and physical!) which some
assignments pose: covering a substantial distance within
tight time constraints while still capturing a decent range of
shots. This required careful planning as well as flexibility on the
day.
Former Guild member Mark Sandamas now runs Coast to
Coast Packhorse, providing logistical support for walkers and
others tackling Wainwright’s Coast to Coast route. Mark’s also
a fell-runner, and was planning a runners’ crossing with two
Australian guests. One, Chris Ord, is Publisher/Editor of TrailRun
magazine Down Under, and leads running tours; the trip was
a pilot for these too. Joining them for four days, partly on foot,
partly on bike, freelance writer Ellie Ross would be covering the
trip for outlets including The Guardian.
Mark and I met beforehand to discuss the shoot, scrutinising
maps and considering the variety of shots required. We agreed
I’d join for two days, the third and fourth of the journey. I’m
no fell-runner, so my only chance of keeping pace was on
my mountain bike. A further refinement was added when we
realised that my partner Bernie was free on the first of these
days.
www.jon-sparks.co.uk
I knew that I had to pare down my photographic kit.
Time constraints ruled out faffing with multifarious lenses and
flashguns. Besides, I needed to be able to keep up, and there
was some distinctly technical terrain on Day 1, while Day 2
would be easier but longer.
Day 1 Ellie Ross running down Grisedale with the crags of Dollywaggon
Pike behind. One of the locations I’d earmarked on my way up the valley
earlier. Focal length 22mm (Full-frame equivalent 33mm)
DAY 1
T
Day 1 Looking down Grisedale towards Ullswater. Having lost the planned
skyline shot, this was some compensation, though it didn’t actually need
the longer lens I’d carried. Focal length 112mm (Full-frame equivalent
168mm)
4 Outdoor focus | winter 2017
he runners were starting from Grasmere but we’d decided
that I’d start from Patterdale and rendezvous at Grisedale
Tarn. I envisaged my first shot being a dramatic skyline view
as they crested Grisedale Hause. This demanded a long lens,
and this dictated that I’d take my venerable (2010) Nikon D7000
rather than a newer full-frame camera. I also packed a cheap
Sigma 55–200mm zoom; on APS-C sensors, 200mm gives
an image equivalent to a 3