https://www.castalightphotography.com/blog daily 0.75 2026-10-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/37b5eacf-e385-4939-bbd8-2755d8a89bed/qr-code.png https://www.castalightphotography.com/blog/i-was-shortlisted monthly 0.5 2026-10-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/e1f710f3-14db-4723-b459-4e2ddd404637/Shaw_M_2_First+to+Blink....jpg Blog - I Was Shortlisted! - Make it stand out First to Blink… This image was taken on 22nd June 2026 shortly after 8 p.m at Walkmill Community Woodland. I have visited this reimagined former coal mine a handful of times and have been lucky enough to spot deer on each occasion. I was alone when this chap stepped out onto the path along which I was walking. Was it seeking permission to continue? Was it sussing me out? This was the story of a momentary encounter between human and animal going about our business in a shared space. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/1d3a1776-2d11-4445-ad5f-22d0bb5aec8b/Shaw_M_1_The+Smiling+Deer.jpg Blog - I Was Shortlisted! - Make it stand out The Smiling Deer A favourite dwelling of mine is Dubwath Silver Meadows Nature Reserve where I took this photograph on 19th June 2025. Having parked my car along the roadside close to Bassenthwaite Lake Station, it was shortly before 9 a.m. on this bright and sunny morning that I strolled through the main gate with not a care in world - I was totally unprepared for what I was about to see. I was immediately greeted by this fellow who appeared to be smiling at me. Click, click, click! The deer stayed a while before retreating into the greenery behind and vanishing from sight. Other photographers had been waiting it out for quite some time to bag this same shot. It just goes to show that timing is everything. Your next rare sighting will always take you by surprise. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/1dd50a34-2e33-4717-92f1-8ef32d7982d1/Lakes+Deer+Fest+Rheged+Matthew+Shaw.jpg Blog - I Was Shortlisted! - Cast a Light Photography was shortlisted for the Lakes Deer Fest Photo Showcase at Lakes Deer Fest 2026 at Rheged Centre. The judges' winning entry earned its photographer a wonderful wildlife photography hide experience at Wild Haweswater. Meanwhile, the public vote is still to be announced, with the winner receiving a copy of Forty Fells. It will be fascinating to see which image resonates most strongly with visitors. https://www.castalightphotography.com/blog/landscape-and-architectural-photography-in-unlikely-places-workington monthly 0.5 2026-09-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/794c1c16-70fa-48c2-8918-081fea784eed/Workington-landscape-photography-church.jpg Blog - Landscape and Architectural Photography in Unlikely Places: Workington - Make it stand out St Michael’s Parish Church in the Benefice of Workington I arrived at this location shortly after 8 a.m. The early morning light must have shone from just behind my right shoulder and worked to separate the highlights and shadows in each window arch. In terms of compositional technique, one challenge in photography has always been to represent the three-dimensional world in a two-dimensional format. The sideway profile of the church building captured from this angle helps a great deal in this regard whilst the foliage adds layers of depth. Settings: ISO 110, 50mm, f/8, 1/125, CPL https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/4d919b14-1df5-40df-805b-90d7bb28098e/Workington-landscape-photography-monochrome-black-and-white.jpg Blog - Landscape and Architectural Photography in Unlikely Places: Workington - Make it stand out Port of Workington Harbour with the South Pier C2C Watchtower / Lighthouse This photograph was taken on the same morning as the image above. I had originally planned to shoot a coastal scene - and I did. However, with the sun rising higher in the sky and the daytime light intensifying, the resulting image appeared desaturated and washed out. So, not one to give in, I turned my camera towards this man-made structure of metal and concrete. I love the harsh shadows! Settings: ISO 100, 50mm, f/7.1, 1/320, CPL https://www.castalightphotography.com/blog/landscape-photography-on-location-keswick-at-derwentwater monthly 0.5 2026-08-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/f951b9f5-def5-45db-bf7a-06ce72fb0fac/Landscape+photography+at+Derwentwater+in+Keswick_tree.jpg Blog - Landscape Photography on Location: Keswick at Derwentwater - Make it stand out The spooky tree in Keswick at Derwentwater - my favourite in the Lake District National Park. https://www.castalightphotography.com/blog/photographing-the-wildlife-of-the-farne-islands-northumberland monthly 0.5 2026-06-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/c9217918-2218-437f-83f8-f7c6f3109396/DSC_3749.jpg Blog - Wildlife Photography from the Farne Islands in North-East England - Make it stand out Cast a Light Photography© by Matthew Shaw Nikon D500, Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500 f/ 5.6 ED VR 500mm, 1/4000 sec, f/7.1, ISO 720, processed in Adobe Lightroom https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/1d2ba51f-aa77-46f6-a001-eba481ef213d/DSC_3764.jpg Blog - Wildlife Photography from the Farne Islands in North-East England - Make it stand out Cast a Light Photography© by Matthew Shaw Nikon D500, Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500 f/ 5.6 ED VR 290mm, 1/4000 sec, f/7.1, ISO 720, processed in Adobe Lightroom https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/62fe7968-1743-4d92-b950-5bc3dbb76b7d/DSC_3766.jpg Blog - Wildlife Photography from the Farne Islands in North-East England - Make it stand out Cast a Light Photography© by Matthew Shaw Nikon D500, Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500 f/ 5.6 ED VR 300mm, 1/4000 sec, f/7.1, ISO 560, processed in Adobe Lightroom https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/530b8f5a-6169-42aa-b9c7-dc14709381f7/motion_photo_1960973707399975424_edit_32118622900913.jpg Blog - Wildlife Photography from the Farne Islands in North-East England - Above: me in action! Photo credits to my wonderful wife whose knowledge of photography is second only to mine. Heaven knows, I do enjoy lecturing her on the subject. Wildlife photography tip: Looking around, it baffled me how many photographers with professional-grade gear were shooting down at the top of birds’ heads. One lady was even doing so whilst her camera was locked off on a tripod at full extension! Rule #1: Get at their level! Trust me on this one. It makes for a far more compelling photograph. https://www.castalightphotography.com/blog/photographing-in-monochrome-black-and-white-with-some-grey-areas monthly 0.5 2026-09-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/bda3cd34-c12b-48d6-8d32-b5599530c1f8/Hodbarrow.jpg Blog - Monochrome Photography: It’s All Black and White With Some Grey Areas - Make it stand out Location: Haverigg Beach at Hodbarrow RSPB Nature Reserve Cast a Light Photography© by Matthew Shaw Nikon D500, Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500 f/ 5.6 ED VR 220mm, 1/2500 sec, f/6.3, ISO 450 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/61f7a261-a849-4146-b451-94d98f73e624/Black+and+White+Photography Blog - Monochrome Photography: It’s All Black and White With Some Grey Areas - Make it stand out Cast a Light Photography© by Matthew Shaw Nikon D500, Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500 f/ 5.6 ED VR 200mm, 1/640 sec, f/7.1, ISO 100 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/76f30354-daa2-4a2a-bd83-23e2333ca299/Black+and+White+Photography%3B+slow+shutter+speed Blog - Monochrome Photography: It’s All Black and White With Some Grey Areas - Make it stand out Location: Harrington, Cumbria Cast a Light Photography© by Matthew Shaw Nikon D500, Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G 35mm, 15 sec, f/7.1, ISO 100, Variable 10-stop ND filter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/3b75a307-e736-405f-bb02-cf28e6894fc6/Whitehaven+black+and+white+photography.jpg Blog - Monochrome Photography: It’s All Black and White With Some Grey Areas - Make it stand out Location: The Edge, Whitehaven Harbour, Cumbria Cast a Light Photography© by Matthew Shaw Nikon D500, Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR 78mm, 1/400 sec, f/5.6, ISO 125 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/bf299e47-4f68-441c-ba63-e173e5888d72/Whitehaven+Harbour.jpg Blog - Monochrome Photography: It’s All Black and White With Some Grey Areas - Make it stand out Location: Whitehaven Harbour, Cumbria Cast a Light Photography© by Matthew Shaw Nikon D500, Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR 72mm, 30 sec, f/16, ISO 100, 10-stop ND filter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/150b38d0-1ab0-4d0a-a69b-0bd67a059968/Black+and+White+Photography Blog - Monochrome Photography: It’s All Black and White With Some Grey Areas - Make it stand out Location: St Bees coastal walk Cast a Light Photography© by Matthew Shaw Nikon D500, Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500 f/ 5.6 ED VR 460mm, 1/3200 sec, f/7.1, ISO 450 https://www.castalightphotography.com/blog/sigma-or-nikon monthly 0.5 2026-05-14 https://www.castalightphotography.com/blog/im-upgradingagain monthly 0.5 2026-04-29 https://www.castalightphotography.com/blog/my-top-3-photographers-on-youtube-part-23-nhm8e monthly 0.5 2026-04-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/1774817432936-W6UFA31JOJUSDMDHQU69/unsplash-image-HywcR2JY_ks.jpg Blog - My TOP 3 PHOTOGRAPHERS on YouTube - Part 3/3 Courtney Victoria - Make it stand out YouTube is an excellent resource for anyone interested in photography https://www.castalightphotography.com/blog/my-top-3-photographers-on-youtube-part-23 monthly 0.5 2026-03-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/1774817432936-W6UFA31JOJUSDMDHQU69/unsplash-image-HywcR2JY_ks.jpg Blog - My TOP 3 PHOTOGRAPHERS on YouTube - Part 2/3 Henry Turner - Make it stand out YouTube is an excellent resource for anyone interested in photography https://www.castalightphotography.com/blog/my-top-3-photographers-on-youtube-part-13 monthly 0.5 2026-03-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/1773735009388-ZJ8XX7AQFR6L740IA21W/unsplash-image-HywcR2JY_ks.jpg Blog - My TOP 3 PHOTOGRAPHERS on YouTube - Part 1/3 Simon d’Entremont - Make it stand out YouTube is an excellent resource for anyone interested in photography https://www.castalightphotography.com/blog/zfzrtxxq2852xfcpdfturl0jztvcyi monthly 0.5 2026-04-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/1772126039215-QEJHVF636YSFGC9N66LH/unsplash-image-YQ2f8NDpQ7E.jpg Blog - Nikon D500: The Best Crop-Sensor DSLR for Wildlife and Sports Photographers? - Make it stand out My pride and joy - the Nikon D500. An absolute beast of a camera! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/1772126096878-X230ONS40JD9E4G0NFTU/unsplash-image-2gJoIS69BRA.jpg Blog - Nikon D500: The Best Crop-Sensor DSLR for Wildlife and Sports Photographers? - Make it stand out For the very best of a professional camera body with an APS-C sensor - the Nikon D500 https://www.castalightphotography.com/blog/aurora-borealis-disco-in-heaven monthly 0.5 2026-04-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/98b5beef-cfce-4504-ab78-afc6d19a6ed3/1000030290.jpg Blog - How to Photograph the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) - Make it stand out My Aurora Watch UK app incessantly pinged for most of the evening with alert notifications https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/ff690da8-0e10-440f-890c-f2b68b162b31/2072de80-f5da-11f0-9163-bde404de4781.jpg.webp Blog - How to Photograph the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) - Make it stand out The Harrington shoreline in Workington was illuminated in pink https://www.castalightphotography.com/blog/how-do-i-perceive-my-craft-as-a-photographer monthly 0.5 2026-03-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/1771147756755-6GWYIWHESESBZYUTN5H3/unsplash-image-_jILcijLh_M.jpg Blog - What is Photography? - Make it stand out You decide… https://www.castalightphotography.com/about daily 0.75 2026-05-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/e2db8af4-2d95-4219-9d3d-8b7dbec86659/IMG_20260121_134908_edit_138061220960997.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/abc14638-6387-4995-a74f-69ed62ff12a0/Web_Photo_Editor.jpg https://www.castalightphotography.com/contact daily 0.75 2026-06-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/07c0f1aa-5cc9-4db4-99ed-ba61548dc825/Stars+Over+Scotland+Print.jpg https://www.castalightphotography.com/gallery daily 1.0 2026-07-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/8daa8a6b-b38e-41fa-9330-847a8168023c/Full-Moon-Workington_Astrophotography.jpg Gallery Moon over High Harrington, Workington, Cumbria https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/1356b1a5-41ca-4a50-98ef-50bacfc3e968/Berwick-Upon-Tweed-Spittal_Beach-Northumberland-Monochrome.jpg Gallery A long-exposure shot in black and white. The photo shows a lighthouse on a pier at Spittal Beach, Berwick-Upon-Tweed, Northumberland, extending into the water, with a cloudy sky overhead. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/f98a8305-c3d1-4bd9-88d9-1f0692c2b773/DSC_5169.jpg Gallery A black and white statue of a miner with a determined expression, wearing a cap, holding a hammer in his raised right hand, and gripping a tool in his left hand, set against an outdoor background. Location: Whitehaven Harbour, The Edge building. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/3de2b188-d724-4d81-9d3e-b5c44e6d1ff7/DSC_4337.jpg Gallery A young deer standing on a paved road with a green forest blurred in the background. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/1769767109760-14X4YQGB92IRCY2558KO/DSC_0571.jpg Gallery A close-up of a brown and white owl perched on a tree branch with a blurred green background. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/1769766602188-MFZTQDNFOU3MIIVLMDLB/_DSC0973.jpg Gallery A young deer with brown fur and large ears standing in a grassy meadow with green vegetation in the background. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/1769766626846-N6TYNGIDR32BZ08U9RIT/_DSC1075-4.jpg Gallery Close-up of a vintage wooden boat's bow with a sign that reads "41 to carry 4" on the side, set outdoors with other boats blurred in the background and a cloudy sky. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/1769767088995-XSXN2897SZZ9MTTE0PY6/DSC_0446.jpg Gallery Close-up of a seagull's head with a blurred water background. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/a76d13f1-a751-46b3-8eb8-d1e208817155/Harrington%2C+Cumbria_Sunset.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/1bb5db5f-9e1d-45db-a7ea-06d7e7180e19/DSC_4721.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/58a6be95-c86f-4156-97e7-ec615f966ce8/Hodbarrow.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/2f05a948-12d4-4c5e-a670-ab3515300ff5/DSC_3277.jpg https://www.castalightphotography.com/privacy-policy daily 0.75 2026-05-12 https://www.castalightphotography.com/faq daily 0.75 2026-07-13 https://www.castalightphotography.com/store daily 0.75 2026-06-18 https://www.castalightphotography.com/store/p/serene-lighthouse-black-white-print monthly 0.5 2026-10-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/711fab5a-1629-4954-bd35-cf28380812a4/Berwick-Upon-Tweed-Spittal_Beach-Northumberland-Monochrome.jpg Store - Serene Lighthouse Black & White Print - Berwick-Upon-Tweed-Spittal_Beach-Northumberland-Monochrome.jpg https://www.castalightphotography.com/store/p/mystical-tree-landscape-art-print monthly 0.5 2026-09-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/d28c052d-3a49-480e-bdb7-eb43d42cd5c6/Landscape+photography+at+Derwentwater+in+Keswick_tree.jpg Store - Mystical Tree Landscape Art Print - Landscape photography at Derwentwater in Keswick_tree.jpg https://www.castalightphotography.com/store/p/tranquil-horizon-seascape-art-print monthly 0.5 2026-09-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/3a1d7895-b2b1-4173-9e8d-7b9d2fce6bed/DSC_4721.jpg Store - Tranquil Horizon Seascape Art Print - DSC_4721.jpg https://www.castalightphotography.com/store/p/serene-bird-on-barbed-wire-print monthly 0.5 2026-09-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/47876f00-13fe-466d-b68e-8d800c74907c/DSC_3277.jpg Store - Serene Bird on Barbed Wire Print - DSC_3277.jpg https://www.castalightphotography.com/store/p/abandoned-vessel-black-and-white-print monthly 0.5 2026-09-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/53988ec4-27fe-4ac4-9b77-3924f2547ced/Hodbarrow.jpg Store - Abandoned Vessel Black and White Print - Hodbarrow.jpg https://www.castalightphotography.com/store/p/breathtaking-coastal-sunset-print monthly 0.5 2026-09-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/697c6cfcb0258b526de57aca/ddc935f5-4c3f-40ec-9c4d-42bda6e82bd8/Harrington%2C+Cumbria_Sunset.jpg Store - Breathtaking Coastal Sunset Print - Harrington, Cumbria_Sunset.jpg