Chris Nowell at the Peak District Photography Gallery

Above: View from Baslow Edge. ⓒ Chris Nowell.

An exhibition by visually impaired landscape photographer Chris Nowell is inspiring people to see the Peak District National Park and photography in a new light – as a means of rehabilitation after life’s setbacks.

The exhibition is on display at the Peak District Photography Gallery at Bakewell visitor centre until the end of May.
 
Entry to the exhibition is free of charge, it is fully accessible and is open every day from 9.30am to 5pm.

Former British Army lance corporal Chris Nowell, from Dronfield, took up landscape photography ten years ago during rehabilitation after experiencing severe head injuries and losing his sight in a rocket attack in Afghanistan. A mentor at Blind Veterans UK handed him a digital camera and that was the start of his passion for photography.

Chris has no vision in his right eye and limited vision in his left eye, which has its challenges in the rough moorland terrain of the Peak District National Park. He said: “I have fallen over a few times but I like to be out on my own, but getting to hard to reach places makes it all the more rewarding and it’s very calming to be alone with nature. 

“Photography in remote parts of the National Park has been part of my personal rehabilitation and I am absolutely delighted to be exhibiting my work at the Peak District Photography Gallery – I hope people will enjoy looking at the pictures.” 

Don Symonds, manager at Bakewell visitor centre, said: “We hope Chris’s exhibition will inspire other people to see the Peak District National Park as a place that offers opportunities for everyone, no matter what their ability, to benefit from getting to know its wildlife, cultural heritage and wonderful landscapes.” 

Chris Nowell features in the current edition of the Peak District National Park Authority’s ParkLife magazine – pick up your free copy in visitor centres.

To enjoy more of Chris Nowell’s photography you can follow him on Facebook /peakphotographyproject and Twitter @ChrisNowell1867.

Sales from the exhibition and the gallery benefit the Peak District National Park.

For more details call Bakewell visitor centre on 01629 813227.

http://www.peakgallery.co.uk/index.php