I arrived at this part of the North York Moors overlooking Danby Dale in the hope of a good sunset. I had originally set up a different composition a couple of hundred yards away in anticipation only to watch the sun sink into a solid band of cloud on the horizon. There would be no sunset. Dejected, I packed down my gear and headed back to the road where the car was parked. As I sunk into the usual photographers depression putting my bag and tripod into the car boot it occurred to me that the sky was starting to colour. Frantic activity followed as I realised I had made an error of judgement. Sunset wasn't cancelled after all.

This image may look peaceful and serene but it shows nothing of the frantic rush to find a composition that worked and the struggle endured to capture it. Thousands of midges appeared at that moment and begun a frenzied attack. It was literally unbearable to stand still beside the tripod so I had to keep running to escape the swarm with my jacket over my head. Then when i returned to the camera I had to first waft dozens of midges from the lens and filters with a cloth before starting the next exposure and running away again.
I kept shooting until the colour began to fade and then packed down and retreated to the car. I suffered hundreds of bites but it was all worth it. What I had first thought was an aborted mission had developed into the most amazing sunset I have ever photographed and I wasn't going to miss it.

Date: 24/08/2016

Location: Danby Dale, North York Moors