Photographing the Snowdonia Mountains by Nick Livesey | My Photo Bookshelf
Before my first dedicated trip to photograph Snowdonia a few years ago, I was searching for information and inspiration. That’s when I came across Nick Livesey’s book, Photographing the Snowdonia Mountains, published by Fotovue, a book dedicated to landscape photography, packed with location tips, tricks, practical information, and inspiration.
Synopsis
Snowdonia is one of the most accessible mountain areas in the UK and photographer Nick Livesey knows it better than most. Having lived in the heart of Snowdonia for the last five years, Nick walks these hills and mountains with his camera most days.
In Photographing The Snowdonia Mountains, Nick shares his knowledge guiding us around the best mountain walks, short walks and roadside locations for mountain photography.
My thoughts about the book
Like most of Fotovue’s titles, Photographing the Snowdonia Mountains is as much a showcase of superb landscape photography as it is a location guide, and that’s precisely why I chose it over other books on offer. When researching a location, I tend to look for visual inspiration, not to place my tripod in the same holes as Nick, but to get a sense of what might be possible. I want to know whether that long slog up a particular mountain could reward me with the kind of photographic opportunity I’m after.
The book begins with some acknowledgements, followed by an engaging foreword by British mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington and an introduction by Nick himself.
Alongside the photography, Nick has assembled a wealth of information to help anyone new to hiking around Snowdonia get off to the best possible start. Even before he gets into the locations, he covers important topics such as:
An overview of the book
The equipment he uses
Weather, climate and seasonal advice
Sunrise and sunset information
Places to stay, eat and drink
Clothing and gear for surviving harsh mountain conditions
Safety and camping tips
Planning your own trip
A few pointers on the Welsh language
That section alone feels like a book’s worth of content.
From there, the main body of the book contains 15 chapters, each dedicated to a specific mountain walk. Every chapter provides clear, detailed information — written directions, route maps, viewpoints, elevation, accessibility, parking, and the best time to visit. Alongside all that practical guidance, Nick includes some beautiful photographs from the viewpoints described, helping the reader to visualise what awaits them.
For those without the desire or ability to hike up the mountains, there’s also a thoughtful section at the end dedicated to photographic locations accessible from the roadside or within a short walk from a car park. These easier spots are presented with the same level of care and detail as the main routes, making the book useful to any landscape photographer visiting Snowdonia.
Ultimately, this book serves as both an inspiring collection of work by an accomplished landscape photographer and a reliable guide for anyone planning to explore the region. Even now, before setting off on any trip to Snowdonia, I often find myself flicking through its pages for inspiration — which, I think, speaks volumes about its value. For that reason, I’d happily recommend it to anyone planning their first (or 50th!) photographic adventure in Snowdonia.
Book Details
Softcover
Size: 189mm x 246mm
Pages: 288
Availability at the time of writing: New copies are out of stock, but there are plenty of used copies available at the time of writing.
Until next time.
Trevor