With the Spain magazine making its way out into the world, it felt like the perfect time to introduce you to our cover photographer, Dan Cook, who captured Ruta del Cares in Picos de Europa so magically. In his interview, Dan talks about the joys of the natural world, what the word ‘home’ means to him, and the power of a good photograph.
When did you first fall in love with photography?
It’s definitely been a gradual thing for me. I guess I’m of a generation where photography has always been easily accessible but it wasn’t until my mid-20s that I really started to appreciate photography as something to learn and practice. It coincided with me also rediscovering a love for the outdoors. Being able to pick up a camera and really pay attention to my surroundings while out walking just clicked for me and became the focus of all my spare time. I also started actively seeking out inspiration from photo books and exhibitions. The great thing with photography is that you don’t just take in the photography but you learn more about places, people and the natural world, so if you are curious then it becomes quite addictive.
What do you love about taking photographs?
It’s definitely being able to freeze a moment and bottle up an experience. It might be just for yourself as a way to document your experiences or to try and share a feeling. There are lots of artistic and technical aspects to photography and it can be very rewarding when you create something different in a deliberate way, but so many of my favourite photos are really just snapshots as I encounter the world. I also love that other people can take something different from your photos, and that they can just be the outline of a story that allow peoples’ imaginations to fill in the gaps. Leaving space for imagination will always be one of the great things about photography.
What is your favourite thing to photograph?
Broadly speaking it’s the natural world, anything from grand mountain vistas to a small patch of plants I notice while walking home. I think more specifically though I enjoy photographing journeys in the outdoors. My favourite collections of photos are usually from long walks in the outdoors, going from place to place and trying to tell a whole story of changing landscapes and conditions. I always think of photography as the secondary thing … it’s what you are passionate about at the time that’s more important.
The Spain cover photo was captured while hiking - what makes this kind of experience such a wonderful thing to photograph?
For me, hiking is the root of my love for the outdoors. I would say it’s a result of family holidays when I was younger, walking all day in the Lake District in all weathers. I don’t think there is any other way to properly experience a place other than spending those hours in contact with the ground and slowly seeing the landscape change around you. My experience of trips where I quickly move from place to place is not the same. Even the difference between running and walking through a landscape is very different. Photography is often about having time to notice what is around you, to be able to linger and watch the light or back track and explore something that caught your eye. It’s taken me years to realise this though, and slowing down is always difficult when there are so many places to visit, but the collections of my work that people seem to enjoy the most are when I can share the journey and not just the postcard location.
What do you hope people feel when they look at your images?
I would hope people feel the same thing I did when I was creating the image. Usually I would guess that’s a sense of excitement and awe at the landscape or the conditions. I’ve never regularly worked as a photographer, so I’m generally creating and sharing images from things I’ve enjoyed and I am fascinated by rather than fulfilling a brief. Hopefully that comes through in the images. I suppose sometimes I also go out to the landscape as an escape from day to day life and in the past people have said there’s a calming feeling to some of my photography. I don’t really think about it too much at the time but there are certainly instances where focusing on photography is a way of finding calm, especially out in the landscape.
What does the word 'home' mean to you?
As someone who overthinks and worries about small things, then these days for me home means familiar and comfortable. A base where you can settle into a rhythm and make time for the things that bring you some peace or joy. Maybe that doesn’t sound too exciting, but for me having a certain amount of familiarity allows time to delve into new things such as photography and also gives the security to go out and enjoy new places. The ying and yang between having somewhere comfortable as a base to enjoy more adventures knowing you have that familiar place to return to when you are ready. Up to now I’ve always been fortunate to be able to take home for granted and I’ve always lived with other people who really create the feeling of home. I’ve felt at home in different places and there is definitely as aspect of it which comes from the experiences and memories you have of a place and the people you are with. Whenever I visit the Lake District in England, for example, I get a strong feeling of homesickness when driving away at the end of the trip. That’s definitely more to do with the memories made there than anything physical.
Can you tell us a little about the image on the cover of Lodestars Anthology Spain? Where was it taken and what was the day like?
It was taken on the Cares Walking Trail in the Picos de Europa. It was my first visit to the Picos and to northern Spain so I didn’t really know what to expect of the landscape. I had read about this walk online but the reality was way beyond expectations. I’ve rarely had a day so enthralled by the surroundings at every turn. The cover image was taken quite early in the day just as the sunlight was finally breaking through the clouds and the sun was high enough to begin climbing above the mountains. You can just see the light creeping down the valley behind the little red roofed building. As soon as I noticed the derelict old building I knew it would make for a great photo and it was just fortunate timing that we were passing at the right time for some gentle light on the mountains. I honestly can’t recommend this hike enough, along with spending time in the rest of the Picos.
What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given - when it comes to photography, life, anything really?
When it comes to photography I often find myself thinking back to hearing photographer David Hurn talk on a podcast once. He emphasised some of the things I mentioned earlier, that photography shouldn’t be for photography’s sake. You should find what you are interested in, learn about that and then use photography as a way to communicate your passion for that ’thing’ to the world. In some ways it’s obvious but I think this is the best advice if you want to improve your photography. Often - like I did - photographers go down the route of trying a bit of everything rather than really finding their own voice. In terms of landscape and travel photography, alongside my natural curiosity and enjoyment, I try as much as possible now to read about the places I visit either before or after I’m there. I don’t mean just factual guides and history but also if a place features in a novel or reading about folklore can really bring it to life and help spark your own creativity to shape what you photograph or how you edit the photos afterwards.
What would your younger self think of the work you're doing now?
I think my younger self would be amazed that I’m doing something creative with my time. I had no skill for art in school, didn’t really have any imagination for creative writing - so to have images and words published for other people to read would definitely be a surprise to young Daniel and his teachers I would think.
You can order the Spain magazine here, and see more of Dan’s work here.
