CRACKPOT HALL, SWALEDALE by JOHN BENTLEY

My choice for the picture of the month is John Bentley’s ‘Crackpot Hall, Swaledale’. I was originally drawn to the photo because of the inquisitive sheep so typical of the picturesque scenery of the Yorkshire Dales. With its balanced composition and good use of natural light, it truly captures the essence of the Yorkshire Dales landscape on a bright winter’s day. The rule of thirds works perfectly with the snowclad terrain in the foreground, the assorted tints of greens and browns in the mid ground, all set against the snow dusted limestone escarpments in the distance. I particularly like the way the snow has accentuated the topology of the hills, highlighting the crags and hollows. Being visually appealing, and with a strong seasonal feel, the image would make a fantastic addition to any calendar collection! Well done, John.

Sue Haddrill