Cry Fowl

Normally we would say ‘Cry Foul’ but here we invoke another acronym that describes the paranoia experienced by Landscape Photographers.

Here the acronym stands for

Fear Of Wrong Location

We’ve all been there. Forecast checked on at least five separate Apps, the sky and temperature checked and the alarm set for a time that would seem to contravene some aspect of the Human Rights Act.

The beeping drags us kicking and screaming from our safe place and reluctantly we again slip out from under the covers. This is the fourth time this week and the previous three brought no prizes.

There’s a heavy dew on the car and the air is cold and still; the sense of anticipation builds. We head off, there's some mist in the fields locally, a promising sign. As we approach the scenic locations, the feelings of unease start to grow….Was there more mist at home? Have I driven past the best conditions? Do I stick with plan A? Or head over to Ullswater? Maybe take the Coniston turn and see how Holme Fell is looking? What about Grasmerel? Brathay?

Then the FOWL starts to grow…..I'll bet it's fabulous up at Derwentwater...what about Rydal…… Someone will be making the pictures of their life at……….

I'm going to witness the most breathtaking sunrise in all human existence and it will filter magically through the mist and I, alone, of all the world's landscape photographers will be in the wrong place….

Tell me you've never experienced FOWL…..