My documentary and event photography is now featured on my new website...

Please click  www.ianwrayphotography.com  to see my recent work

thank you

Ian Wray

Appleby Horse Fair 2014

Despite the grim weather on Saturday, I visited the horse fair at Appleby in Westmorland.
This event has been running since the early 1600's and every June, travellers and gypsies descend on the town, which sits amidst the north Pennine hills, to buy and sell horses.
There is a timeless feel to the fair with horses being washed in the river and trotted at speed up and down a narrow lane crowded with spectators, in order to impress would be buyers.
At any other event the risks would be prohibitive, but after the police tried and failed to stop the event from going ahead in the 1980's, they now let this go unchallenged.
The humour was good though, in spite of the heavy rain, and at least the RSPCA now attend in force to try and ensure the animals' welfare.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed the photos.

Please check out my main website at www.yorkshireartphotography.co.uk

 

you can also follow me on Facebook

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Pheasant Shoot

All images and content ©Ian Wray 2013

 

I was recently invited to photograph a pheasant shoot. Not a large commercial setup, but a private one run by a small group of friends who manage the birds on a local farmer's land. Throughout the year, they buy in and rear the birds in preparation for a series of shoots throughout December and January.

 

 

After meeting for a breakfast of sausage sandwiches, we head out into the countryside

 

  The group splits with the six 'guns' heading in one direction, whilst the beaters head off in the other

 

It is a family day out, with the 'beating' being largely carried out by the shooters' wives and children 

 

 ... with a few other helpers

 

 The 'guns' take position

 

Whilst the beaters go to work flushing the birds from the dense undergrowth

 

A Hen Pheasant breaks cover

 

About 40 percent of the birds are killed over the season

 

 

 The rest survive to see another year 

 

You might think hunting for sport is cruel. My view is these birds have a far better life than the chickens and most of the other animals which go into the food we buy at the supermarket.

 

Many thanks to you all for a very enjoyable and hospitable day out.

 

 

All images and content ©Ian Wray 2013



A look back at the past twelve months

 

2013 has been a year of variety, which took me from the battlefields of France to the highlands of Scotland, shooting wildlife landscapes and people. Here's a selection of my images from the year...

 

 

Sunset over the fields of Aubers, Northern France.

 

The Cloth Hall Ieper, Belgium

 

 Nesting Gannets, Bempton Cliffs, Yorkshire

 Eilean Donan Caslte, Scotland

 

 

  Leeds Skyline at Night (Updated Version)

 



 Steam Train on Ribblehead Viaduct, Yorkshire

'Cara'

 

 

 Embsay Yacht Club, North Yorkshire

 Portrait of a Country Gent

Bridgewater Place, Leeds

 

 

If you enjoyed these photos, please check out my website at www.yorkshireartphotography.co.uk

 

Many of my images are available commercially and as prints.

Street Photography - Leeds

I was out in Leeds yesterday and grabbed a few shots ...

 

Pavement Scene

 

 

 Tattooist (1)

 

 Tatooist (2)

 

 

The Giant

 

Prisoner

 

 

 

Thanks for looking 

 

Ian Wray

www.yorkshireartphotography.co.uk

 

Otley Cycle Races

Last Wednesday saw the opening round of the British Cycling, Elite Circuit Race Series in Otley, a small market town just a few miles from Leeds and on the edge of the Yorkshire dales.
The whole character of the town changes though as the roads are closed for the evening and country's cycling elite descend on its narrow streets for some wheel to wheel hard fought racing.
A real spectacle and a great opportunity for some action photography...

Under 16 Girls Ascending Burras Lane

 

 
Under 16 Boys on the Station Road Bend

 

 
Men's Elite Descending the East Chevin Road

 

'Cycling? I'd rather scratch my ear!'

 

Birdcage walk into East Chevin Road 

 

 

 

 

 
Gay Lane into Bondgate

 

I hope you enjoyed the images and if you would like to see more, please visit my website at www.yorkshireartphotography.co.uk