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Cumbrian Landscapes

John Davies

Cumbrian Landscapes image
Cumbrian Landscapes: Fairfield, Cumbria, 1980 ©John Davies

Cumbrian Landscapes

Landscape photographs of the Lake District in North West of England, taken in 1979 and 1980, reflecting the region's natural beauty.
  • Photographic
  • Rural Locations
  • Northern Documentary
  • Place
  • UK Documentary
  • 1968 – 1979
  • 1980 – 1989
  • UK

Cumbrian Landscapes is a photographic series by John Davies, created between 1979 and 1980, focusing on the Lake District in North West England. This project was an early commission by Side Gallery, reflecting Davies' commitment to capturing the region's natural beauty. Davies' work in this series showcases his ability to present expansive views of the landscape, offering viewers a comprehensive perspective on the Lake District's terrain.

​John Davies, born in 1949 in Sedgefield, County Durham, is a British photographer renowned for his expansive black-and-white landscapes that document the evolving industrial and post-industrial environments of Britain. After studying photography at Nottingham's Trent Polytechnic, graduating in 1974, he initially focused on rural landscapes before turning his attention to urban settings in the early 1980s. His work often juxtaposes natural and industrial elements, providing a comprehensive perspective on the transformation of the British landscape.

Throughout his career, Davies has received numerous accolades, and his photographs have been exhibited internationally, including at prestigious institutions. Notably, he collaborated with the Amber Film & Photography Collective on multiple projects like Cumbrian Landscapes and For Druridge, creating work which reflected his commitment to documenting the interplay between human activity and the natural environment.

"I use the photographic process as a means of exploring the landscape and I am especially interested in the physical formations of the land and the way in which the forces of nature effect its shape." - John Davies

© John Davies
Cumbrian Landscapes: Grisedale towards Ulswater, Cumbria, 1980
Cumbrian Landscapes: Broad Crag, Scafell, Cumbria, 1980
Cumbrian Landscapes: Black Sails towards Weatherlam, Cumbria, 1980
Cumbrian Landscapes: Sty Head towards Borrowdale, Cumbria, 1980
Cumbrian Landscapes: Sty Head towards Borrowdale, Cumbria, 1980
Cumbrian Landscapes: Towards Grisdale Pike, Cumbria, 1980
Cumbrian Landscapes: Scarfell Cumbria, 1980
Cumbrian Landscapes: The Screes, Wast Water, Cumbria, 1980
Cumbrian Landscapes: Scafell, Cumbria, 1980
Cumbrian Landscapes: Nethermost Pike, Cumbria, 1980
Cumbrian Landscapes: Farfield, Cumbria, 1980
Cumbrian Landscapes: Coniston Fells, Cumbria, 1980
Cumbrian Landscapes: Pike of Blisco towards Langdales, Cumbria, 1980
Cumbrian Landscapes: Skiddaw towards Isle of Man, Cumbria, 1980
Cumbrian Landscapes: Skiddaw towards Bowscale Fell, Cumbria, 1980
Cumbrian Landscapes: Seatoller Fell towards Borrowdale Fells, Cumbria, 1980
Cumbrian Landscapes: Long Pike, Cumbria, 1980
Cumbrian Landscapes: St. Sunday Crag, Deepdale, Cumbria, 1979
Cumbrian Landscapes: Applethwaite Gill towards Great Dod, Cumbira, 1980
Cumbrian Landscapes: Farfield, Cumbria, 1980
Cumbrian Landscapes: Grasmoor towards Crummock Water, 1980

Related Works

For Druridge

For Druridge

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Early 1980s landscapes of a stretch of the Northumberland coastline threatened by plans to develop a nuclear power station. The plans were dropped after the Sizewell Inquiry.
Durham Coalfield

Durham Coalfield

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A survey documenting the coal mining landscape of County Durham, exploring the impact of industry on the a working coalfield.