Land of plenty

Location hunting

Finding locations is easy if you devise a plan of action and put in some legwork

Jeremy Walker

For more than 25 years, Jeremy Walker has been producing landscape, architectural and urban images for use by advertising agencies, design clients and publishers. Not only does he lead LEE Filters workshops, but he also runs his own workshops in the UK and overseas.See www.jeremywalker.co.uk.

Google it

(Other search engines are available, don't forget.) Search engines are a powerful tool for research and perhaps the best tool for location hunting. Cross-check your facts though, because not all of the information on the internet is accurate and up to date – that ruined castle you have seen images of may now be a luxury five-star hotel, so double-check before you go.

Check magazines and books

Many publishers now produce books for location finding (no doubt there is also an app and tablet version). Split into regions or counties, these books will show an image of the location but go on to give exact coordinates, parking spots, what time of day or year to shoot, and pretty much where you should put your tripod.

Do it yourself

Check out Ordnance Survey Maps (the proper paper ones, not the ones on your phone). Study a map and ask yourself questions about the terrain; look at footpaths and bridleways to see where they lead and what opportunities they may afford. Just because a particular area does not have any images on the web does not mean that it's a poor area for photography. Don't be a sheep, be a leader.

Take advantage of local knowledge

Speak to the locals and tell them what you are doing or looking for. Local farmers are a great source of information – after all, they are the ones who are out in all weathers,