Weather Roulette and Landscape Photography – By Mark Gilligan
Posted by Shimoda UK on Nov 11th 2025
I have been a professional landscape photographer now since days when I had hair and I love that I do this for my living. I never take it for granted. Being out in the landscape lifts my spirits and being able to engage with it, namely with my camera, allows me to take away those fantastic views I have enjoyed and relive them time and time again.
The fact that others like my photographs too is very humbling but I always take them for me. That is unless I am on a commission but it is always ‘for me’ and what I like. It must please me or I won’t press the shutter. I find the mere fact that I am ‘out there’ is cathartic and makes me appreciate the magnificent landscapes we have. I always aim to do them justice and capture what I see no matter what the weather.
Organising a trip out is great but referring to my situation, I don’t get as many ‘me days’ as I would like because of my work schedule. That can throw up a problem, the same one that you face too and if there is one thing that I always tell people who come on my workshops it is this: you can plan as much as you like but the weather gods will dictate as to how the day will go.
If at all…
Me? I love what I refer to as ‘fairy tale’ weather. Grimm!
I find that being out in the elements, when most will stay in, can and usually does produce the best results for dramatic images.
They are my ‘go to’ style of photography.
I read the forecast a good week before I go and check it often. I use the Mountain Weather Information Service along with the Met Office detailed forecasts and hope that we will be treated to a mixture of sunshine and rain. I am not asking for Armageddon or violent storms (I have ventured out in one or too) but a decent mixture of conditions without frogs and locusts flying around.
I am often asked how I get that style of image and the answer is easy: I go out.
It is that simple.
Don’t get me wrong, I do like getting the kit out when the sun shines but I prefer the ‘ming.’ I have had many pleasurable shoots on the coast, especially at Newborough on Anglesey, when the sun has shone but I have also had great days there when people are scurrying around, questioning their sanity, being on a beach when the elements seem to be conspiring against them.
Grey overcast days, when the light pushes through the gloom (I call it god light or the celestial torch) are as good as any and can totally elevate the view before me.
Mark is happiest then and that’s when I chose to press the shutter!
We as humans are waterproof (I know when we are drenched it might not feel it at times and the rain really messes my hair up…) but as long as you have good boots and waterproofs, along with a good bag protecting your kit, then you should be ok.
Having run workshops for over 40 years has meant that I have seen a lot of kit changes over that time.
Technological transformations have been significant and in my opinion for the better. Although, to be honest, I still take my images in a way that is a mixture of old and new. I have embraced digital but enjoy ‘working it out for me’ so I spot meter. I don’t undertake HDR and I use grad filters. This is my way of cutting down the computer time. I love Lightroom but the less I am sat at the Mac means more time outside!
Old fashioned? Maybe, but it works for me. ‘If it ain’t broken…..’
One item of kit that has really evolved alongside are the bags. Rucksack, shoulder, messenger etc have all improved and as a result, I have probably seen every literation of them in my time with functionality and design being paramount. I acknowledge we are all different having different needs and taste but we also have our physical self to look after. Trudging up and down mountains can and does take its toll.
Those who know me are well aware of the issues I have had with my own back and to be honest, I ‘made’ my own situation work (I had to) but it was never as perfect as I wanted it to be.
Whilst cameras have actually shrunk in size, the majority of glass we carry hasn’t, (especially the faster lenses) so there is still a considerable weight factor. Add a tripod and clothing for our climate, along with food etc and the weight you will carry soon mounts up.
That is something we as landscape photographers all have to contend with.
So, I soldiered on BUT a few years ago I noticed the Shimoda bags turning up regularly on my workshops and I could not believe the depth of padding on the shoulder straps and waist belt. Sure it had pockets and dividers etc for the kit but it really stood out for me because it had really taken the ‘carry factor’ to the ‘enth degree.’
I tried one and was literally hooked. I used one of my student’s bags for a day (I never take my own kit on workshops, so he was pleased I was his sherpa ha ha) and it was a revelation. After a full day on the mountain it felt so comfortable and easy on my spine.
I had to have one and acquired the Action X40 V2 with the extra padded straps and waist belt. It is as good a decision I have ever taken with my kit.
Vicki Procter, an excellent photographer who I have been working with for the past ten years, also liked them and she now has a Action X25 v2.
Back out in the field, one definite negative when working can be the wind, especially if it is swirling around or just happens to be driving in towards the direction you are photographing. To aid me, I find that going along with another photographer is a great help so, Vicki and I we work together to minimise the effect of the said damp stuff!
“So how do you manage that?” I knew you would ask…
With a large, double skinned golf brolly he answered without pausing!
It does the trick most of the time. I say most because it has also been the case that we nearly paraglided across Wast Water once and on another occasion, suffered the trauma of the brolly skin being ripped right off! The upside of the last one, was that we then used it like the old-fashioned plate photographers by draping the cloth over our heads whilst the other one gripped it. Improvisation!
That actually happened and we carried on working for a couple of hours longer.
The brolly is a god send and we always carry one with us. Personally, I love playing golf but would be better off chucking the ball as it would go further. My brolly gets more use than the clubs!
Vicki and I work together to the best of our ability and co-ordinate, ensuring we get the photograph as best as we can. Doesn’t always work but at least we are out there trying. However, all of this ‘planning’ can lead to disappointment when the inclement conditions are too much. It can be time to sensibly curtail the day. It happens and we move on to another time and place.
My message is simple: the mountains will be there another day but if you feel it is ‘do able’ and you are still keen to go, always, always ensure your safety. I don’t want to sound condescending but Vicki and I both undertook mountain skills training and I would advocate anyone who wants to venture out into the bigger landscapes on a regular basis, books themselves on one. Safety is paramount and is my priority not just on a selfish basis but to all the people who I lead onto the landscape. I find it still helps to have another person with you so if you can take a photography friend with you all the better. Not only will it help from the safety factor but the banter will be good and you should ‘push’ yourselves to be better photographers.
Aiding your development with the camera can only be a good thing!
We will never master this fantastic craft but it is one of the best feelings you can get when you see the fruits of your labour turning out well.
Enjoy your photography.
I do!
www.victoriajaynephotography.com