Stunning Welshpool area put in the picture

Rediscovering the astonishing beauty that is “right here on our doorstep” has led to one local man hoping to place Welshpool on the map through a global photography competition.

Brad Carr reconnected with his ‘own back yard’ during the pandemic when he was unable to reach his beloved Snowdonia, where he would spend endless hours photographing the well-known national park.

Instead, he headed out on his daily walks in the local area and it has led to three of his pictures being entered for the World Landscape Photographer award.

“Before the events of 2020, I would spend the majority of my time travelling up to Snowdonia National Park in pursuit of adventure and photographs, often overlooking the beauty that is right here on our doorstep,” said Brad.

“Being restricted to exploring the immediate area made me fall in love with many of the beautiful places that I was previously oblivious to.”

He said he has entered the competition to “showcase the area in its best light and I hope to do my part to boost tourism in the area”.

Brad is still a relative newcomer to photography after picking up his sister’s camera in 2018 to shoot Pistyll Rhaeadr.

“I wanted to see what I could create with it and when all of the photos turned out to be either completely black, white or blurry, I went deep into the Internet rabbit holes to figure out why!” he said.

“Fast forward nearly four years and I have landed a publication in one of the biggest photography magazines in the country; in which I was asked to write an article about photographing Snowdonia with four of my images accompanying.”

Brad has gone on to use his talent for photography to hold his first exhibition in The Lion Hotel in Berriew and he held his first photography workshop in the woodland at Gregynog Hall.

Some of his stunning images have been turned into local postcards and greetings cards stocked in various premises around the area including Alexanders’ of Welshpool, The Royal Oak, East Avenue, Café Inglenook, The Lion Hotel and Derwen Garden Centre where some of his framed prints from around Wales are hanging on the wall in the restaurant and shop area.

Brad is always happy to answer any photography questions and can be reached at brad@bradcarrphotography.co.uk.

Keep an eye out on our social media pages in the coming day or two for another seasonal shot of Brad’s to become our banner picture.

PICTURES (from top):

- The lone tree by Belan locks.

- Fleeting light taken near Lake Vyrnwy from Rhiwargor.

- Storm clouds sweep over Welshpool.