N-Photo - The Nikon Magazine - UK (2019-12)

Natural wonders

Gareth Mon Jones often returns to his favourite

locations multiple times to capture unique

moments of luscious natural splendour

MISSION: Capture surreal moments in nature

PHOTOGRAPHER: Gareth Mon Jones

LOCATION: Llangefni, Anglesey

KIT USED: Nikon D810, Nikon Z 6, Nikon 24-70mm

f/2.8, Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8, Laowa 15mm f/2

TWITTER: @gazmon1980

INSTAGRAM: @gareth_mon_photography

I

have been taking photos for

about five years now and

got into photography by

accident, really. I took my

brother’s bridge camera to

a local beach one afternoon, with my family,

and took a photo during a spell of dramatic

weather. I was hooked. I got into

astrophotography and night photography

first, because of my working hours as a

plumber. Learning how to use my camera at

night was crucial. Instead of reading a book

in bed, I took my camera with me and

figured out how to change the settings by

the light of the LCD screen.

I’m very proud of this shot [1] as it won

the Weather Photographer of the Year 2019

award! It was taken after a big night of

astrophotography, up on the shoulder of

Snowdon back in March of this year. I have

never witnessed such a sight, ever. A cloud

inversion had blessed us for most of the

night. I can remember watching the core of

the Milky Way start to fade as the moon

rose above the horizon. About an hour

later, I watched the sunrise from above the

clouds. This was the best sight I have seen

while out with my camera. It’s hard to

explain the feeling you get when you’re

above the clouds like that.

The perfect storm

This shot [2] was taken on my recent

walking holiday to the Dolomites, Italy.

We walked an average of 13 miles per day,

which meant carrying all my photography

gear and clothes for the whole five days.

I love a good adventure with friends. The

photo was taken near the end of the day’s

trek. As we walked in the late afternoon

sun, I could see a storm brewing over the

majestic Sassolungo mountain, which

YOUR STORIES

Camera: Nikon D810

Lens: Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8

Exposure: 30 secs, f/8, ISO250

Instead of reading a book in

bed, I took my camera with

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change the settings by the

light of the LCD screen

[1] Gareth increases his

chances of witnessing

stunning natural events by

visiting his favourite

locations again and again.