Top places for Photography in Tameside

Photography is one of those hobbies that used to be reserved only for the select few. Those who could afford the brand new, hi-tech gadgets and gizmos that allowed the user to take the most crystal-clear images possible.

But today, in the digital age, photography and photographic technology has evolved and is now more open and available to more people than ever before.

Yes, the most impressive camera gear will still set you back thousands. But with more and more people taking advantage of the advancements in mobile phone cameras, literally anyone and everyone has access to state-of-the-art photographic equipment right in their pocket!

Then again, good old-fashioned film photography is making a comeback with many people in a post-celluloid world recognising that there’s still an art to capturing the perfect image on classic cameras. Nothing like a good bit of nostalgia, eh?

Luckily for us, opportunities for some top-notch photography in Tameside (and around Tameside) are wide ranging and varied. You’ll never run out of stuff to snap!

So whether you’re a Professional Photographer, an amateur Instagrammer or anything in-between, here are just a few examples of the best places for photography in Tameside (and around Tameside):

Hartshead Pike

If you know anything about opportunities for photography in Tameside, or if you’re familiar with the region in any way, you probably saw this one coming…

Hartshead Pike, overlooking Ashton and Mossley can be seen from countless points around the borough and with good reason.

The stone tower is situated atop a hill at 940 feet above sea level and offers a simply stunning three-hundred-and-sixty degree view of the surrounding tows including Saddleworth and Oldham.

It also gives the visitor a picture perfect landscape view of Manchester City Centre. On a particularly clear day, you might even be able to catch a glimpse of the welsh hills!

This makes it an ideal location to attend if you’re interested in landscape or long-range photography. It is very popular with walkers from near and far, and many of them will often be packing their own camera gear to take advantage of the sights the pike has to offer.

So if you’re heading up to Hartshead Pike any time soon, you might want to bring along your widest wide-angle lens!

Dovestone Reservoir

Sitting just outside the Tameside limits, Dovestone Reservoir has been an immeasurably popular hotspot for hikers and photographers for years.

The reservoir itself offers some great water shots, if that’s the kind of photography you’re into (again, we recommend a wide angle lens!). But the real stars of the show are the various walking trails that surround the reservoir.

Depending on which route you choose, you’ll be met with overarching forestation, open moors and beautiful country paths. This gives you a whole plethora of potential shots, both portrait and nature.

Plus, you won’t need to spend long at Dovestone Reservoir to run into one of the many avid dog walkers that frequent the area. If they’re obliging enough they might let you take some pretty pictures of their furry friends!

Who doesn’t love a good pet portrait?

Crompton Moor

Without some really high-grade gear, you might struggle to capture wildlife in its natural habitat. But if wildlife photography is your thing and you have the right kind of camera and lenses, then you definitely need to take a trip to Crompton Moor.

Birdwatchers will easily get their fill here, with a whole host of different varieties of birds nesting nearby. These include, but aren’t limited to, kestrel, grey partridge, green woodpecker, willow warbler, curlew, skylark and meadow pipit.

You’ll be well-aware of just how difficult it can be to catch a bird mid-flight, so be sure your camera can handle the fast shutter speeds required to avoid too much motion blur, or even being able to catch the bird at all!

Crompton Moor is also home to much more suitable land-dwelling forms of wildlife that will be much easier to get in frame. Things like foxes, hares, shrews, stoats and even weasels have all been known to make the moor their home.

Aside from the wildlife, the open Heather Moorland makes for some exceptional shots of the colourful landscape. On a lovely day it looks as though an ocean of gold meets the sky in the distance.

In other words, don’t miss out!

Werneth Low Country Park

Another part of the borough offering stunning three-hundred-and-sixty degree vision is Werneth Low Country Park.

The land was purchased in 1920 by the War Memorial Committee of Hyde Borough Council and the decision was made to protect the land to honour the memory of the 710 soldiers from the area who lost their lives in The Great War.

The War Memorial itself, which sits atop one of the highest points in the borough, serves as the perfect viewpoint with a picture-perfect panoramic view on all sides – an unmissable chance to break out your brand new mobile and switch the camera to panoramic mode!

But with around two hundred acres of land to explore, you’ll be sure to find plenty of chances for a cracking picture!