Photographer’s Location Guide: Great Staple Tor, Dartmoor National Park

Photographer’s Location Guide: Great Staple Tor, Dartmoor National Park

The Dartmoor National Park is a photographer’s dream, with its rugged landscapes, dramatic skies, and unique rock formations. Among its many gems, Great Staple Tor is a must-visit location for landscape photographers seeking moody, atmospheric shots. This guide offers insights into the area, tips for capturing its essence, and the tools and techniques to make the most of your visit.

Discovering Great Staple Tor

Great Staple Tor lies on Dartmoor's windswept hills, where ancient granite outcrops rise dramatically from the heath. The tor is accessible via a short but steep hike from the nearest parking area, offering breathtaking views that extend toward Plymouth and Tavistock. Though it may only take 30–45 minutes to reach the site, the climb is enough to immerse you in the rugged beauty of the moor while giving you a sense of adventure.

The location’s appeal lies in its versatility. Whether you are an experienced photographer or a casual enthusiast, Great Staple Tor provides ample opportunities for creativity. The formations of the rock stacks, the interplay of light and shadow, and the ever-changing weather make every visit unique.

When to Visit

Great Staple Tor is stunning year-round, but certain times of day and weather conditions can amplify its beauty.

• Golden Hour: The soft, warm light during sunrise or sunset accentuates the textures of the granite and casts long shadows that add depth to compositions. Sunsets often align beautifully with the surrounding hills, providing opportunities for striking silhouettes.
• Blue Hour: After the sun dips below the horizon, the moody, cooler tones of the blue hour create a mystical atmosphere. This time is perfect for long exposures that capture subtle colour gradients in the sky.
• Moody Weather: Overcast skies, mist, and clouds sweeping over the landscape are quintessential Dartmoor and ideal for creating dramatic and atmospheric photographs.

Essential Gear and Camera Settings

To capture the essence of Great Staple Tor, your choice of equipment and settings plays a significant role. Here’s what you need:

• Camera Body: A DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual settings is ideal. For this guide, a Canon 6D was used, offering excellent performance in various lighting conditions.
• Lenses:
  • A 16–35mm wide-angle lens is perfect for capturing expansive landscapes and emphasizing the drama of the sky.
  • Consider a 70–200mm telephoto lens for isolating details or compressing distances.
• Filters:
  • Use a soft graduated neutral density (ND) filter to balance the sky's brightness with the foreground.
  • A hard grad ND filter can enhance the contrast in cloudy or hazy conditions.
  • Avoid polarizers here unless shooting at 90 degrees to the sun, as they are less effective when the sun is directly in your frame.
• Tripod and Remote Shutters are essential for long exposures, especially during blue hours or windy conditions.
• Settings: Start with ISO 50–100 for minimal noise, apertures between f/8 and f/14 for sharpness, and experiment with shutter speeds for creative effects (e.g., 15 seconds to 2 minutes for cloud motion).

Compositional Techniques

The rugged terrain of Great Staple Tor offers numerous compositional opportunities. Consider these approaches:

• Frame the Rock Stacks: The iconic granite formations are the stars of the show. Position them prominently in your frame, using wide-angle lenses to emphasize their scale.
• Incorporate Negative Space: The open moorland and expansive skies allow minimalist compositions. Try pairing the rock stacks with a vast, empty sky for a striking visual.
• Play with Foreground Interest: Include nearby rocks, grasses, or pathways to lead the viewer’s eye into the frame.
• Long Exposure Effects: Capture the motion of clouds drifting across the sky to create dynamic, ethereal images.

The Experience of Repetition

One of the secrets to mastering this location is perseverance. The photographer featured in this guide revisited Great Staple Tor over 15 times across several years. Each visit brought new conditions, from fiery sunsets to misty mornings, each offering unique rewards. By returning repeatedly, you can refine your compositions, experiment with techniques, and increase your chances of encountering exceptional light.

Embracing Dartmoor’s Unpredictable Weather

Dartmoor’s weather can be famously capricious. Thick clouds and sudden mists often replace the clear skies predicted in forecasts. However, this is a blessing for photographers, as the shifting weather creates an ever-changing canvas. Even on overcast days, the muted tones and diffused light bring out the moody character of the landscape.

Avoid windy conditions, which can destabilize your tripod, or heavy rain that might obscure your lens. Otherwise, embrace the elements and the creative challenges they present.

Beyond the Photography

Great Staple Tor is not just a photographer’s paradise; it’s also a place to reconnect with nature. The hike to the tor offers sweeping views of Dartmoor’s rugged beauty, with glimpses of distant towns and rolling hills. Pack light, be prepared for the steep climb, and bring layers to protect against sudden temperature changes.

Plan Your Visit

• Location: Great Staple Tor, Dartmoor National Park
• Parking: Use the car park near Merrivale. From there, follow the footpath leading to the tor.
• Best Time to Shoot: Arrive an hour before sunset or sunrise to scout compositions and catch the golden hour.
  
  

Final Thoughts

Great Staple Tor encapsulates the essence of Dartmoor: wild, untamed, and endlessly inspiring. Its granite stacks, moody skies, and challenging conditions will test your skills and reward your efforts. By returning often, experimenting with compositions, and embracing the unpredictable weather, you’ll find that Great Staple Tor has endless stories to tell through your lens.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a passionate hobbyist, make Great Staple Tor a part of your Dartmoor photography journey. It’s not just a location; it’s an experience that keeps calling you back.

 

Meet the Author:

I am a Devon based photographer, who enjoys travel, hiking, rugby and photographing the beautiful world in which we live in, I see photography as a creative expression upon visiting beautiful places. Each picture often tells a story.

Thank you for reading this article, please feel to share it with your friends and please check out all my photography - Wall Art and Framed Prints and our Dartmoor landscape photography

Thanks

Sebastien Coell Photography