Hi, I'm Simon Kitchin, a landscape photographer based in North Wales and the author of the photo location guidebook, Photographing North Wales.
I live on the edge of the market town of Mold in North East Wales and spend much of my time with the camera travelling around the wonderful scenery of North Wales, although whenever I get the chance I do take the opportunity to travel further afield with the Lake District being a particular favourite location. My landscape photographs have appeared in numerous publications over the years including photography magazine, books and national newspapers. I've also had some success in photography competitions, details of which are listed just below.
Regarding camera gear I currently use a Full Frame Nikon D850 and lenses such as the Nikon 20mm F1.8G, Irix 15mm F2.4, Nikon 24-70 F2.8 VR and Nikon 70-200 F4. I also own a set of Lee NDgrads, the "Big Stopper" and a Heliopan 105mm polariser.
If you're looking to improve your own photography or to master your camera then I run several Snowdonia photography workshops throughout the year which I'm sure you'll find both helpful and enjoyable; all the details are available on my workshop webpage.
To ask a question or just to get in touch you can use Facebook, email or mobile, here are my contact details:
Telephone: 07973281161
or
Click here to email me: [email protected]
or
PUBLISHED WORK AND PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS
COUNTRYFILE MAGAZINE - FRONT COVER APRIL 2020
THE HEART OF A GARDEN POSTCARDS - SUMMER 2018
Delighted that The Heart of a Garden have published another new series of postcards of Wales featuring a number of my photos.
WALES ONLINE - MAY 2017
Wales Online published a great article on my book Photographing North Wales
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/fun-stuff/book-full-amazing-pictures-wales-12971916
MAIL ONLINE - MAY 2017
The Mail Online published a great article with several photographs detailing my book Photographing North Wales
THE TIMES - MAY 2017
My photo of The Watkin Path from my book Photographing North Wales featured on page 4 of The Times
THE HEART OF A GARDEN POSTCARDS - FEBRUARY 2017
Delighted to have 3 more of my photos of the wonderful Portmeirion commissioned as postcards for The Heart of a Garden
THE SUNDAY TIMES - JULY 2016
My photo of "The Church in the Sea, St Cwyfan's near Aberffraw on the Isle of Anglesey together with a nice mention of my book, Photographing North Wales.
DIGITAL SLR PHOTOGRAPHY MAGAZINE - NOVEMBER 2015
The November 2015 Issue of Digital SLR Photography Magazine features my Anglesey Location article on pages 27-31.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS MAGAZINE - OCTOBER 2015
The October issue of the Great Outdoors Magazine features my photo of Cwm Idwal and gives my book, Photographing North Wales, a mention in the excellent "Outdoor Photography" article.
PHOTOGRAPHING NORTH WALES - A LOCATION GUIDE BOOK - Released August 2015
Following two years of travelling the length and breadth of North Wales to put together my first book I'm delighted to say that Photographing North Wales was published in August 2015. The book includes comprehensive details of over 100 locations, provides information about best time of day/year to visit, has details on access and includes over 300 inspirational photographs. Whether you're a keen photographer looking for the best North Wales locations or a visitor to the area looking to explore the stunning scenery the book is the perfect companion.
Published by Fotovue.
Now available in stores throughout North Wales and beyond.
DISCOVER SNOWDONIA - LOCATION ARTICLE, DIGITAL SLR PHOTOGRAPHY MAGAZINE, MAY 2015
I was commissioned by Digital SLR Photography Magazine to write and supply photographs for a "Discover Snowdonia" article for the May 2015 issue.
FRONT COVER: AWARD WINNING NOVEL "RHWNG EDAFEDD" BY LLEUCU ROBERTS
I'm delighted that my Menai Bridge photograph was chosen by the Welsh Book Council to feature as the front cover image on the Daniel Owen Award winning Welsh language novel "Rhwng Edafedd" written by author Lleucu Roberts. The prize was awarded at the 2014 National Eisteddfod in Llanelli
THE HEART OF A GARDEN, 'CELTIC WALES' GREETINGS CARDS & NOTELETS - MAY 2014
I'm pleased to say that the publisher, The Heart of a Garden Ltd, have extended their range of Celtic Vision postcards to include several more of my images. The cards are available through several retailers throughout Wales including the RNLI shops. The range now includes the following images:
http://theheartofagarden.com/greetingscards/wales.php
ADVANCED PHOTOGRAPHER MAGAZINE - NOVEMBER 2013 ISSUE 37
I recently wrote an article for the "Hotspots" section of Advanced Photographer Magazine and it's now been published in Issue 37, together with several of my photographs of Llyn Gwynant in the Snowdonia National Park, North Wales. http://advancedphotographer.co.uk/
ADVANCED PHOTOGRAPHER MAGAZINE - JUNE 2013 ISSUE 32
My first photograph to be published in the excellent Advanced Photographer Magazine. My Snowdon and Crib Goch photograph, taken from Llyn Idwal, appears in the "Must-shoot Location" article.
WHAT DIGITAL CAMERA MAGAZINE - MAY 2013 ISSUE
As a previous owner of the Pentax K20D DSLR What Digital Camera Magazine asked me to put together a few words on my ownership experience together with a couple of the photographs I shot with the camera. They chose to include my photographs of Caernarfon Castle and Conwy Castle - the article appears on page 45 of the magazine.
TRAIL MAGAZINE - SPRING 2013 ISSUE - FRONT COVER
One of my Snowdon photographs, taken from Llyn Llyddaw, appears on the front cover of the spring 2013 issue of Trail Magazine. My photograph: http://www.landscapephotographyuk.com/snowdonia-photographs/h4c5d3e10#h4c5d3e10
DISCOVER SCENIC WALES CALENDAR 2013
After being approached by the Isle of Anglesey "Area of Natural Beauty" council team regarding the use of my photography two of my Anglesey photographs now appear in the Discover Scenic Wales 2013 Calendar: my Penmon photograph, taken at sunrise, features on the front cover and my Llanddwyn Island photograph, taken at sunset, features in the centre pages of the calendar.
Penmon lighthouse photograph: http://www.landscapephotographyuk.com/anglesey-photographs#h4c6044a4
CHESHIRE LIFE MAGAZINE - JUNE 2012
My misty Castell Dinas Bran photograph, Llangollen, North Wales, is featured on page 45 of the June 2012 Issue of Cheshire Life magazine.
Misty Castell Dinas Bran photograph: http://www.landscapephotographyuk.com/north-wales-photographs#h4c616568
ISLE OF ANGLESEY MONOPOLY GAME, OCT 2011
The newly released Anglesey Monopoly Game includes several of my anglesey photographs which make up the main centrepiece of the Anglesey monopoly board and appear of the monopoly game lid, my Llanddwyn Island photograph, Red Wharf Bay photograph and Menai Bridge photograph are all featured on the main Anglesey Monopoly Game board whilst my Penmon lighthouse photograph and photograph of Rhoscolyn are featured on the Anglesey Monopoly cover.
Llanddwyn Island photograph: http://www.landscapephotographyuk.com/anglesey-photographs#h4c6042fe
Menai Bridge photograph: http://www.landscapephotographyuk.com/anglesey-photographs#h4c6043c2
PICTURE PERFECT BOOKAZINE, OCT 2011 - The National Countryside Photography Competition 2011
Following on from my success in the National Countryside Photography Competition 2011 a high quality bookazine has been published by Great British Life/Archant which includes all of the regional winners together will all of the photographs shortlisted for each region. The publication includes a short interview, my Snowdonia sunrise photograph (Regional winner for Wales) and also the other 2 of my photographs chosen as shorlisted entries for Wales, Menai Bridge photographs and Caernarfon Castle photograph. It's currently on sale in Waitrose and WHSmith amongst others, it can also be purchaed online by following the link below, it's well worth buying for anyone interested in landscape photography or the British countryside in general.
Snowdonia sunrise photograph: http://www.landscapephotographyuk.com/snowdonia-photographs#h4c5d407e
Menai Bridge photograph: http://www.landscapephotographyuk.com/anglesey-photographs#h4c6043c2
Caernarfon Castle photograph: http://www.landscapephotographyuk.com/north-wales-photographs#h4c6164f6
WHAT DIGITAL CAMERA MAGAZINE, OCT 2011
A selection of my photographs, from both the Isle of Anglesey and Snowdonia National Park (Llanddwyn Island photograph, Penmon lighthouse photograph, Conwy castle photograph and Llyn Gwynant photograph) appear in the October 2011 Issue of What Digital Camera Magazine in the "Reader Gallery" section on pages 38 and 39.
Penmon lighthouse photograph: http://www.landscapephotographyuk.com/anglesey-photographs#h4c6044a4
Llanddwyn Island photograph: http://www.landscapephotographyuk.com/anglesey-photographs#h4c6042fe
Conwy Castle photograph: http://www.landscapephotographyuk.com/north-wales-photographs#h4c616624
Llyn Gwynant photograph: http://www.landscapephotographyuk.com/snowdonia-photographs#h4c5d39f2
COUNTRYMAN MAGAZINE - OCT 2011
My Snowdon reflection photograph features on page 87 on the October 2011 issue of COUNTRYMAN magazine, this is the second time the photograph has appeared in the magazine - it was used on the front cover in March 2010.
CHESHIRE LIFE MAGAZINE, SEPT 2011
Two of the photographs I entered into the National Countryside Photography Competition 2011 (Menai Bridge photograph and Snowdonia sunrise photograph) appear in the September Issue of Cheshire Life Magazine on page 179, the Menai Bridge photograph (middle/right) was selected for the Wales regional shortlist and the Snowdonia sunrise photograph (top left) was chosen as the winning entry for Wales.
Snowdonia sunrise photograph: http://www.landscapephotographyuk.com/snowdonia-photographs#h4c5d407e
Menai Bridge photograph: http://www.landscapephotographyuk.com/anglesey-photographs#h4c6043c2
BBC COUNTRYFILE - PERFECT DAYS OUT
My Sgwd Y Eira waterfall photograph, near Ystradfellte in South Wales features on page 195 of the BBC book - "Countryfile Perfect Days Out" (May 2010).
Sgwd Yr Eira waterfall photograph: http://www.landscapephotographyuk.com/great-britain-photographs#h4c814890
SALMON CALENDARS, NORTH WALES 2011 CALENDAR
My Snowdon Horseshoe photograph, taken from Llynnau Mymbyr, features on the front cover and February page of the 2011, North Wales Calendar, published by J.Salmon Ltd.
Snowdon photograph: http://www.landscapephotographyuk.com/snowdonia-photographs#h4c5d3f84
SALMON CALENDARS, SNOWDONIA NATIONAL PARK 2011 CALENDAR
My Snowdon photograph, taken at sunrise, features on the front cover and April page of the 2011, Snowdonia National Park Calendar, published by J.Salmon Ltd.
Snowdon sunrise photograph: http://www.landscapephotographyuk.com/snowdonia-photographs#h4c5d4084
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHER MAGAZINE, ISSUE 95
My Buttermere photograph has been published in the "Water Photography" article in issue 95 of DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHER magazine.
Buttermere photograph: http://www.landscapephotographyuk.com/great-britain-photographs#h4c814590
COUNTRYMAN MAGAZINE - MARCH 2010
One of my Snowdon reflection photographs features on the front cover of the March 2010 issue of COUNTRYMAN Magazine
THE RAMBLERS ASSOCIATION - WALKBRITAIN GREAT VIEWS
Following a recent commission from the Ramblers Association I have two images in their new publication "Walkbritain Great Views". They can be seen on pages 275 and 278 of the "Mynydd y Dref, Conwy" walking route.
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHER MAGAZINE - MAY 2009
My Snowdonia sunrise photograph has been published in the May 2009 issue of DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHER magazine.
Snowdonia sunrise photograph: http://www.landscapephotographyuk.com/snowdonia-photographs#h4c5d407e
WHAT DIGITAL CAMERA MAGAZINE - FEBRUARY 2009
A portfolio of images has been published in WHAT DIGITAL CAMERA magazine in the February 2009 issue. The images are my Llanddwyn Island photograph, Penmon lighthouse photograph, taken at sunrise, and my Beaumaris pier photograph, also taken at sunrise.
Llanddwyn Island photograph: http://www.landscapephotographyuk.com/anglesey-photographs#h4c6042fe
Penmon lighthouse photograph: http://www.landscapephotographyuk.com/anglesey-photographs#h4c6044a4
Beaumaris pier photograph: http://www.landscapephotographyuk.com/anglesey-photographs#h4c604138
PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS
SHORTLISTED: OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2016
My Llanberis sunrise photo was shortlisted in the 2016, Outdoor Photographer of the Year Competition. A nice surprise as I only took the photo 2 weeks before the competition closing date
SHORTLISTED: OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2014
My photos of Fairy Glen and Llyn Gwynant were both shortlisted in the 2014, Outdoor Photographer of the Year Competition.
SHORTLISTED: BEST SHOTS PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION 2013
My Fairy Glen photograph was shorlisted for the 2013 "Best Shots" photography competition
REGIONAL WINNER, WALES: THE NATIONAL COUNTRYSIDE PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION 2011
My sunrise photograph of Snowdon was chosen as Regional Winner, Wales in the 2011 National Countryside Photography Competition from over 14,000 entries. I received the award at a private garden party in St James's Palace, London, hosted by Prince Charles.
OVERALL WINNER: TRINITY HOUSE LIGHTHOUSES CALENDAR PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION 2010
My Trywn Du sunrise image (Penmon Point on the Isle of Anglesey) was selected from all the entries as "Best overall winning entry" and featured on both the front cover and December page of the Trinity House 2010 Lighthouses Calendar.
FINALIST: THE TIMES GREAT BRITISH SUMMER COMPETITION 2009
My photograph of Snowdon was chosen as a finalist in The Times/Dixons Retail "Great British Summer" photography competition. It was one of only 40 images exhibited in the Music Rooms Gallery, Mayfair, London between 31st August - 5th September 2009.
SHORTLISTED: THE LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR COMPETITION 2008
My photograph of Snowdon was chosen as a shortlisted entry in the 2008 Landscape Photographer of The Year Competition.