Customer Testimonials

Reproduced here are unsolicited comments from customers who have bought my photographs, posters, books or a course, and others who have commented on it. The names have been withheld for confidentiality.

 

"Thankyou for a thoroughly enjoyable presentation last night to SMCC. It was very well received by all of the members present and a good turn out for late August. I really enjoyed your work and some of the fabulous places you have visited and photographed. Please keep me informed of future trips as we would very much like to invite you back." GC, 24-August-2010

 

"Hello Dave, please find attached images from the course at Eskdale on 11th July. Not sure how well they survive my scanner and re-sizing but hope they look ok. Thank you very much, to you and Jan, both for sponsoring the competition, and for making it a really great day. From start to finish we had the benefit of great local knowledge and lots of help and advice in a very relaxed atmosphere. I look forward to meeting you again, regards". MT, Cheshire, 2-August-2010

 

"Thank you – I wasn’t sure if the files were the right sort of spec, as I still struggle a bit with parts of the digital stuff. Here are a couple more, and I’ll send the rest through in separate emails: the system doesn’t seem to like having too much to chew on at a time! As you may well have noticed at the time, I couldn’t resist taking a few shots of others at work (I KNOW that Jan was doing that, but it is what I do most of, usually). I would like to do a write-up of the course for the Camera Club magazine – they’re very keen on landscape articles, and this would be a chance to give a very different view of things (as a learning experience, instead of an enthusiast holding forth). Of course, I’d include a link to your website. There’s actually quite a lot to say about the day – it made me appreciate things that I knew in theory, but didn’t feel in my bones, so to speak… If I ever aim to do a lot of landscape work, I will definitely get a leaf-shutter medium format camera! (As well as a carbon fibre tripod…) Doing some pictures the following day in Wasdale, it came home to me what inappropriate technology a really modern camera is for landscapes, because you switch off just about all of the aids it provides (AF, AE, and lock the mirror up if you can!) It’s interesting that I’d not have clocked this without going on a course. I was VERY mindful of your split-grade course while I was labouring the other weekend in the darkroom… As I think I may have said in the pub, I may yet have to do that course, just to find out, to understand the process, and be able to take a fully-informed view of split grade work! It’s certainly something I’ve never yet tried… Best wishes" JD, Walsall, 1-August-2010

 

"Dave – A belated email to say thank you to both you and Janice for a wonderful day last Sunday – it’s been a busy week, and I’ve been rushing about doing things instead of following up things already done (a big pile of film waiting in the darkroom, for one thing!) Where to start is the problem. I’ve known a lot of the things you showed us for a while: the difference is that I now understand them experientially, and have seen an expert putting them into practice… That means that I am far more likely, in any given situation, to put my camera on a tripod and stop down to f/22 in future. I’m sure I’ll still do a good number of shots using the fast film, handheld approach, but you’ve effectively extended my range significantly! There’s an enormous difference between reading, and seeing / doing. I’d therefore recommend your course to others who (like me) have been around cameras long enough to have read everything! Also, it was nice to be with a group of diverse but photographic people for a day: I’m usually a pretty antisocial person when I have a camera in use, and avoid others: I haven’t been a member of a club for many years, and don’t intend changing – I like to go my own way too much for print battles. But you and Janice, together with Anna and Mark, made it an entirely enjoyable day, finding out how others approach things, and just chatting about picture and camera-related stuff. And, despite having decided she probably wasn’t going to enjoy the group time much, Janet really enjoyed chatting – the combination of your quiet technical competence and Janice’s ability to make everyone feel comfortable entirely won her over. Thank you both. I may yet have to sign up for the darkroom day to crack the split grade thing. I shall be looking at my prints very hard indeed, and also looking at your books! I’ll also be trying your developing technique: Ag Photographic will be selling me a new bottle of developer next week, and I’ll be giving SFX another bash, developing it in with the FP4. My son will be poring over your books this weekend, to see if there are places he wants to walk, and hasn’t yet! Finally… If Mark would be interested in playing with a 5”x4” camera for a day, please pass him my contact details, and we can arrange a day with my Cambo, so that he can find out for himself what using one is like… Best wishes for a fun and profitable year. See you again, I hope." JD, Walsall, 17-July-2010

 

"I collected the photographs today and they are fantastic. Thank you so much." ZM, Buxton, 15-July-2010

 

"I thought that you might welcome this feedback! I have just had the second film back from Ilford and think that one of the photos of Ritson's Force, with some tweaking, will make an excellent photo for the wall! I now need to tweak and then, following your advice save as a Tiff and then hopefully persuade Ilford to print for me-ideally 16x20. Thanks for the advice on the course; despite appearances it did sink in and I learnt a good deal that I will not readily forget. Especially perhaps the importance of composition and actually taking the photograph and seizing the moment rather than just admiring the view! I am sure that your thoughts and Jan's will readily recollect the good time we all had whilst mindful of the awful tragedy the same area has now experienced." RD, Lutterworth, 7-June-2010

 

"Many thanks for this it arrived today. It is a wonderful photo, I grew up in Buxton and we loved your photos when we visited in May – we saw your exhibition in the Pavilion Gardens. Thanks again." KB, Surrey, 8-July-2010

 

"Hey Dave, only got back last night after a rewarding Four Peaks Challenge. The Girls won the Ladies team award - so well worth the effort. I gave the 4 Peaks framed pics to each of the 3 girls when they arrived back in Sheffield late last night. They were obviously very touched and  appreciated the quality of the 4 Peaks Quartet. Many thanks again for delivering personally and for responding so quickly to my request." JK, Sheffield, 5-July-2010

  

"The photo actually turned up today with my in-laws as it was a 40th wedding anniversary present for them. I have literally just had a phone call from them and they are delighted with both the photo and book. They said the photo is stunning, so many thanks from both of us." SM & AM, Rugby, 14-April-2010

 

"St Anton photo arrived at my hotel in St Anton as promised and looks great. Thanks." CR, London, 13-April-2010

 

"I would like to thank you, on behalf of Stourbridge Photographic Society and myself, for a most entertaining evening that was enjoyed by all. It was a pleasure to see so much high quality black and white work, with a wide variety of subject matter. Although I have now succumbed to the evils of modern technology, and everything is captured in colour, I still prefer to work in black and white and feel that the full emotion and mood of a picture can only be achieved through this medium. Unfortunately, most newcomers to photography never see beyond colour although we have tried to encourage them to do so, but from comments made following your visit, you certainly gave them the inspiration they needed, as the following week we had a mono print competition and had the highest entry for a very long time. Again many thanks and we look forward to a further visit." JB, Stourbridge, 9-April-2010

 

"Three great days in the Peak District - we hoped for good photos which we got - did not expect to experience all of the seasons in a single day. But then as the saying goes we got more than we bargained for. Now back in London extolling the virtues of the course to all those at the office - I am sure I bored them silly. Lots of time now with Aperture to fine tune the shots and then some haggling with my wife to let us attend another course. CK & AK, London, 5-April-2010

"Another great day out in the magnificent countryside. The weather was kind. We have honed our skills and added loads of shots to our portfolio. How will we ever pick just one each to go on the wall. Dave thanks again for your insight and patience
Jan thanks for the warm drinks when we return to base. Bring on day three." CK & AK, London, 3-April-2010

 

"We had a great day - and have learnt loads - thanks Dave. We are drying out and looking forward to day 2." CK & AK, London, 2-April-2010

 

"Just a short note to thank you for the prompt despatch of my ordered copy of Lake Light. The photos are superb, many thanks for producing the book and allowing us to have access to them. Two weeks ago I went back to the lakes, to Keswick, for a weeks holiday. It was 39 years since I have visited the area, I now wonder why!! We had 4 consecutive full days of sunshine and 2 half days of sun which led to picture taking from dawn to dusk, at some of the locations seen in the book. The biggest difference was the lack of water in some places. Ashness bridge just had a trickle and Derwent was quite low but the snow on the tops made up for it and the best reflection conditions on the lakes making it a superb experience. I hope one day soon to attend one of your courses and in the meantime follow your blog. Many thanks again.", CH, 23-March-2010

 

 "This 3 day course has taken me from locating the camera ‘on/off button’ through to taking some very acceptable shots! Thank you.

I would recommend this course to anyone at any level of competence from…. no idea how to take a photo (me) through to an advanced level of photography skill. Extremely well organised with expert 1-2-1 tuition and an amazing and varied insight into the lakes…not to mention excellent pub / food and great company thrown in for good measure. We were extremely well catered for. Brilliant!

Dave and Jan were the perfect hosts. We would challenge anyone not to enjoy this course. We feel as though we have had a really good holiday and learned a new skill in the process. We will definitely return for more.

Dave and Jan managed to provide the perfect balance between sharing their in-depth photography skills with an extensive knowledge of the area and all that the Lakes have to offer – waterfalls; high peaks; lakes of course and much more – all tuned to our individual requirements.

A big thank you for making this course so much more – and for sharing your extensive knowledge and tips not only of the course subject but for taking us to locations we wouldn’t have found on our own. Thank you for showing me how to get the best out of my camera. It’s opened up a whole new world!", AR & SR, Henley on Thames, 19-March-2010

 

"I am just an ordinary member of Mid Cheshire Camera Club. This is just a message of appreciation of your visit. It was a great priviledge to see your black and white images. Quite an eye opener! I am 66 years of age and have only been doing photography for three years. I have a small bungalow so I have nowhere to assemble my own darkroom. I am on a course at Mid Cheshire College and we have had some time in the  darkroom, so I can appreciate the quality of black and white film shots. Also I am awaiting on a cataract operation so I cannot focus an enlarger. I have been told apparently that I can shoot b and w film, then have the shots produced to negatives, and if someone has a scanner, I can choose a shot to be developed elsewhere. This is something I am going to have to look into. In any event your presentation was very inspiring." DJ, Cheshire, 27-February-2010

 

Comment after a 1-to-1 course for 3 days: "These photographs were taken during a very cold weekend in December 2009 in the High Peaks, Derbyshire, during a black and white photography workshop with local landscape photographer Dave Butcher. All the photos are black and white, most taken on my Mamiya 7 medium format 6x7 rangefinder camera (which performed magnificently), some taken with my Leica M6 and Bessa R2C rangefinder 35mm film cameras. I can highly recommend Dave's work and courses. He is a first class photographer with an infectious passion for film and black and white. His tuition in dark room printing was as enjoyable and useful as taking the photos with him." NdM, London, 23 December 2009

 

Thanks for the picture - it's lovely." SP, Oxfordshire, 13 November 2009

 

"Dear Dave, just a short note to thank you and congratulate you on an excellent course yesterday. I thoroughly enjoyed it and truly learnt a lot. It has been a long time since I worked in a dark room. The last time would be in the 1970's when I was working in Canada. Wonderful.I have spent all morning searching for the below lens filter kit. Nobody seemed to have it. Eventually I found a firm called Second Hand Darkroom and they have it. I would be very keen to hire your services to do a 2 day course, part of the time learning more about printing and the other part on finishing photos, i.e.mounting, retouching blemishes, getting photos ready to frame, etc. If this is of interest to you I would try to find 2 companions. Also is your lake district course suitable for old men with vertigo and younger men who only take digital photos? My son and I could be interested. Once again thank you for yesterday. I will now go on your website and print off the printing notes. Best wishes." CB, Bradford, 8 November 2009

 

"Hi Dave and Jan, just wanted to say thanks again for a superb day. The company was superb, locations inspiring and the level of support exactly what I was looking for. Have I said superb day? I think Dave was right, I do need some new kit; a carbon fibre tripod and a medium format film camera.  I will be down at my local camera shop next week for a few rolls of FP4 and dusting off my Canon EOS 300 for my next outing.  Might need to ask your recommendation though for somewhere that can process the film and provide me with high-res scans as I have no such facilities at the moment. Just about to check the memory card (and back the RAW files up - after losing 2 years worth of images last week I'm being ultra cautious!) and will hopefully find a couple fit for your blog! Thanks again, I shall definitely be recommending you to the "Flickr 21"! DW, Leeds, 9 October 2009

 

At a homes show in Chester last year..the photographs brought me to tears! If possible can the image reach me for the 17th October as it is a present for my husband. Hopefully he'll find it a beautiful memory of our time living near the peaks; a view to enjoy everyday!" JJ, Leigh-on-Sea, 1 October 2009

 

"Thank you for a great day last week in the darkroom. I really enjoyed it and learnt a lot. I loved seeing your photographs on the walls and now have 'Sandwood Bay' on mine! An inspiration. Thanks also to Jan for looking after us. You both make a great team and I can't recommend you highly enough. If you are ever in Sutherland please give a call. P.S. I love reading your blog about the Munro's and photos." CM, Bonar Bridge, 22 September 2009

 

"Thanks very much for the day in Derbyshire on the 11th Sept. I really enjoyed it and felt I learned a lot about composition and exposure. You and Jan looked after us very well. I've only had one film back so far, attached is a scan of the group shot I took at Three Shire Heads at the end of the day, and the one you said was an Ansel Adams tree shot in the Goyt valley by Goyt's Bridge, the sunlit tree seems less obvious now on the print, I should have zoomed a bit more maybe, but I like the arrangement of the undergrowth! Thanks again, it has spurred me on, better tripod on the Christmas list too." HT, 22 September 2009

 

"Thank you both for an excellent day for Claire. She learnt a lot and has a couple of pics I'll enlarge for the house. Congratulations and admiration on your photography. I hope my daughter will come soon. She married in late April, has a new home and is changing careers, so its difficult for her to structure her time. Her husband was editor of a birding magazine; but happily they twitch less often nowadays. I hope I'll come with my daughter Nathalie and meet you again. CG, London, 14 July 2009

 

"Just a quick note to tell you the two books ordered yesterday have arrived this morning, so many thanks for that. I have to say that your photographs are simply stunning, and they will inspire me to hopefully improve my own black & white photography.  It is also very gratifying to know there are other photographers like yourself who still use traditional film. I have been doing black & white since around the early 1990's, but unfortunately for the last five years or so I haven't been involved as much, so I definitely want to get back into it again.  I normally use Ilford FP4 and HP5, but my local Jessops store only seem to keep 2 or 3 rolls in stock at any one time.  I contacted Ilford fearing that film may be on its way out, but thankfully they assured me that there was still demand for it. Well, once again thank you very much for the books - and thanks for signing them too." CV, 17-March-2009

 

"I just wanted to thank you both for an excellent day yesterday. My wife and daughter were blown away by the print of the Venice mask, not a normal reaction to my prints and I am now sold on the split grade technique. I hope to see you again sometime in the future." MB, Chilbolton, 13 March 2009

 

"The pictures arrived safely today. We are very impressed with the packaging but more importantly we think that the photos are fantastic! Thank you very much for turning them around so quickly. We are looking forward to meeting you when you come to Henley upon Thames in May. Please could you send us details of this event when you know." TC & GC, Purley, 17 February 2009

 

"Just a thank you to say how much i enjoyed the darkroom workshop on Sat 8th November. It was a complete pleasure working in the darkroom under your guidance. My new student loan comes in, in January so I will book another darkroom course with you then. Would it be possible to put my name down when you are offered any complete darkroom's, that you mentioned Saturday. I realize there must be a long waiting list from your clients, but I thought I would mention it, as I am very interested. Picking up such darkroom equipment would prove no problem for me. Thank also, your lovely wife for making me feel so welcome and the gorgeous cake I took home, DS, Lincoln, 13 November 2008

 

"Thank you so much for coming to York and giving us your presentation on Wednesday. I think I can speak for all our members when I say how much we enjoyed seeing your super pictures - even the colour workers (me included) found them stunning. I hope you also felt our appreciation." PR, York PS, 17 October 2008

 

"Many thanks for darkroom course, it was very enjoyable and helpful." NF, London, 17-October-2008

 

"Thanks again for an enjoyable day on Saturday – hopefully processing the negs will show it to have been a fruitful day too. It probably did no harm to have to think and look a bit harder in the conditions, instead of picking off the easy sunny hits!" RF, Stockport, 13-October-2008

 

"Thank you for letting us use your magnificent photographs in our magazine story. I also include your web site address to give readers further education on black and white photography. Your web pages are exceptionally informative." MM, Finland, 11 September 2008

 

""Just to say that the print arrived safe and sound today - many thanks. It's now hanging above my desk!", EV, 9-September-2008

 

"Love the pictures, and the website. Many of the places you have covered are special to us. As I said, New York, San Francisco and Yosemite are particularly familiar, but we lived in Paris for a year and actually went to a wedding at The Breakers! It was a pleasure chatting to you on Saturday. Best wishes for continued success with your venture." BK, Harpenden, 1 September 2008

 

"Just a note to say that i really enjoyed the day yesterday. I would like to come again either in autumn or winter, depending on dates. Can you let me have latter sometime please?" FO, 24-August-2008

 

 

 "I just wanted to say thank you for getting the picture to me so quickly last week. The photo looks great, I'm very pleased with it. Many thanks." SR, London, 11 August 2008

 

"Good to meet you both last Saturday. Enjoyed the exhibition and now enjoying the book. Good luck with this project." TE, Derby, 7 June 2008

 

"Thanks so much for coming to Cambridge Camera Club on Monday and sharing your 'Magnificent Monochrome' with us. The Members obviously greatly enjoyed your presentation - it was great to have the places that you photographed identified for one thing and to have such a wide range of places. There was definitely something for everyone and, as we have a fair smattering of monochrome workers and mountain lovers, some Members were particularly happy." AM, Cambridge, 13 April 2008

 

"Received your book a while ago - should have thanked you for it then.  Better late than never, so many thanks. Just seen your exhibition at Buxton Museum which is great. Seeing those images at a much bigger size really brings them out.  Particularly impressed with the printing too, superb." PT, Matlock, 8 March 2008

 

"It's so inspiring to see how much you have developed in the 3 years since we met! Lovely work, sensitive and evocative. Great stuff David - got your Peak Light today - great thank you." IKK & JKK, Earl Sterndale, March 2008

 

"Really enjoyed the exhibition, great to see quality work!" AC, Colne, March 2008

 

"Dramatic views of the Peaks, excellent." CS, Newcastle, March 2008

 

"Good show. Not John Blakemore, not Paul Hill but a style of your own." RN, Belper, March 2008

 

"I wish I could buy them all! They're beautiful." VM, Edinburgh, February 2008

 

"Breathtaking views." GM, USA, February 2008

 

"Wonderful, dramatic landscapes." AO, Matlock, February 2008

 

"Brooding drama in a lot of my favourite places." BN, Edale, February 2008

 

"Excellent. Well worth the drive from the south." MM, Overseal, February 2008

 

"Great trees - very imaginative! Derwent Torrent is brilliant. I really enjoyed this lovely exhibition. Thanks." AD & SD, Chesterfield, February 2008

 

"Lone Tree 1 is Best in Show! Fab B&W images." DG, Buxton, February 2008

 

"You have captured Derbyshire at its best." MC, Richmond, February 2008

 

"Stunning compositions, love Lone Tree, great photos, very evocative - black and white is so effective." SH, Liss, February 2008

 

"It was lovely to see you both yesterday, and thank you for your kind hospitality - the girls had a great time! We had a brilliant weekend visiting Speedwell Cavern, WInnats ridge, Pool cavern, and of course, your latest exhibition in Buxton. We particularly liked the series of 4 trees, and the clouds in the valley shot. We've hung your picture in pride of place in our kitchen, which has a bit of a parisian feel, so it's really complementary. It's the first thing you see from the hallway. Mark really loves it, and for me it's my daily inspiration before I put my photographic cap on! Thank you so much for the equipment. I've spent the evening looking through all the pieces and it completely exceeds my expectations! Between us we have sorted out a way of attaching the filter tray under the lens and I have swapped the 50mm lens for the 80mm Schneider lens I have - it works a treat! Now I'll need to get my darkroom up and running as soon as possible. Thanks again and I look forward to seeing you at Focus in a few weeks time." KN, Leicestershire, 10-February-2010

 

"Very much enjoyed your Exhibition in Buxton Museum today. I have always found B/W photography so refreshing in this complex digital age we are now living in. I studied Photography as part of a course at Plymouth College of Art in the seventies and still have a collection of 35mm Nikon cameras and Nikkor lenses, which the exhibition has inspired me to use again. I would be interested to know what formats you use and which filter for enhancing the cloud detail so effectively? PT, 30-January-2008

 

"Well printed and excellent exhibition, well done." MH, Macclesfield, January 2008

 

"I was inspired and uplifted by some of these photographs, reminding me of Ansel Adams. Too bad there were no technical details." BB, Lambourn, January 2008

 

"Thanks for the B&W images of our beautiful surroundings and all the moments captured." JA, Biddulph, January 2008

 

"Beautiful photos - the tree series is stunning! Love it." KN, Rugby, January 2008

 

"Love the shot of Stanton Moor - one of my favourite spots!" EH, Cardiff, January 2008

 

"Beautiful, particularly Lone Trees." AH, Matlock, January 2008

 

"Your work inspired me to take up photography again after a break of many years. Now I am thinking of going pro. Many thanks." IP, Buxton, January 2008

 

"Wonderful exhibition. Stunning." LH, Leek, January 2008

 

"Some phenomenal work!" SB, Buxton, January 2008

 

"Excellent exhibition - some stunning scenery." SC, Sheffield, January 2008

 

"Stunning, a good example of traditional B&W photography by an expert." BB, Nottingham, January 2008

 

"Just great to come and view such wonderful work expertly produced in the traditional way." TF, Ashbourne, january 2008

 

"First class composition and technical ability - gives others a view as to how good photography and processing can be if done by an expert. Maybe one day digital could be this good? I'd be happy to be half as good." JG, Edale, January 2008

 

"Outstanding shots of scenes." RJ, Derby, January 2008

 

"Superb." HL, Buxton, January 2008

 

"Stunning photos." JH, Aylesbury, January 2008

 

"Wonderful photos. Textures are amazing." GF, Prestbury, January 2008

 

"The stamps of winter passage are very suggestive." NT, Naples. January 2008

 

"Brilliant - hope to see much more in years to come." KS, Buxton, January 2008

 

"Tres belle! Surtout les arbres!" KH, Manchester, January 2008

 

"Beautiful photos - just my scenes! Now own the book - great!" SC, Buxton, January 2008

 

"Inspirational!" SR, Buxton, January 2008

 

"Great exhibiiton of stunning landscapes." EW, Longnor, January 2008

 

"Continue to inspire." RW, Alsager, January 2008

 

"What a talent. Love Snowy Trees and the Lone Trees series. Wonderful Dave." PT & NT, Buxton, January 2008

 

"Wonderful exhibition. Very well presented." CN & PN, South Darley, January 2008

 

"Nice to see the large prints! Great stuff." MH, Sheffield, January 2008

 

"Emotive work, well done." RD, West Bromwich, January 2008

 

"A brilliant exhibition. An inspiration to us all." JE, Sheffield, January 2008

 

"A magnificent collection." VJ, Sheffield, January 2008

 

"Wonderful inspiring work." GH, Cheadle Hulme, January 2008

 

"We saw your beautiful pictures featured in Cheshire Life a few months ago and I am interested in booking a black and white landscape photography course for my husband. I notice on your website you have a course running in April. I wanted to check with you whether the course would be appropriate for him. He has dabbled in photography for many years, originally as an art teacher he taught some photography as part of the O'Level course. Now it is very much a hobby and he hasn't had any formal training since his foundation art course many years ago. He reads lots of photography magazines for tips and upgraded to a Nikon D80 camera last year. I notice you only have 6 people on each course so would guess this does allow you to differentiate according to the experience of people you have on the course? Do you have spare places for the course on the 12th April?" HB, Cheshire, 3-January-2008

 

"I was browsing the internet and I came across your BEAUTIFUL website!!" C, 4-November-2007

 

"Saw your photographs for the first time at Buxton today, and just loved your work. I have never done mono, but may be up for a course next year. Will be in touch soon as I would like a picture for my daughter for Christmas as she loves mono - undecided between Solomans Temple and the Crescent, but think I need to see the actual pictures." GS, Staffordshire, 27 October 2007

  

"Thankyou Dave for a lovely day on Saturday - I enjoyed it all and will consider buying another camera - maybe even a digital one!!!! Which was the Canon model that Jennifer used perhaps I will locate one of those too? It was also lovely to meet your wife - albeit briefly." NW, Bedford, 16 October 2007

  

"I just wanted to say thanks again for an enjoyable and informative day on Saturday. I think I learnt a valuable lesson in the first 5 minutes of being out, as I would probably have completely ignored the dew covered grasses and have been much more focused on what I might have considered the main subject of the image of Windgather Rocks, the craggy rocks themselves! Finally, I persuaded my wife Sian that a photographic trip to the Dolomites would be a great experience, so if you decide to organise something like that, please let me know! The book is an inspiring resource too, I shall be out looking for your tripod holes soon." MG, 15 October 2007

  

"May I just say that I was very impressed by your exhibited work at the Botanical gardens in Sheffield recently." KL, Sheffield, 29 September 2007

  

"Hi Dave, It was really lovely to meet you and you wife the other week and we adore the photo. James' party was a few weeks ago and he loved his present. He was a little overwhelmed at first and couldn't take it all in but later when I chatted with him he told me how much he loved it and couldn't believe that you had gone and taken the pictures especially for him!  I've attached a photo of when he opened it for you! Thank you so much for all your help with this perfect present, it is something James will treasure forever I am sure." JL, Dove Holes, 18 August 2007

 

"Very many thanks to you both for making yesterday such an excellent introduction to the Peak District for me. I now see what a wealth of opportunities there are in all seasons and will be back for more. I also enjoying looking at your gallery - a real inspiration in the art of print making." MW, Newport, 2 July 2007

 

"The photograph arrived safely and is as beautiful as I remember. Thank you." MF, Reading, 14 June 2007

 

"Just to let you know that my print arrived safe and sound this week, in plenty of time for me to find a frame before my mother's ordination. It looks great and I am sure Mum will be thrilled with it. Next time we are back in the area we will no doubt pop in to see your gallery." RD, Kendal, 13 June 2007

 

"I have just recently visited your Black and White Fine Art page and I must say that I am thoroughly impressed. Your landscape photos are simply breathtaking." MK, USA, 7 June 2007

 

"Dave, Many thanks for the thoroughly enjoyable and motivating course that you and Jan did for us." NG, Wigan, 30 April 2007

 

"Would just like to say I have been looking at your landscape photography and found it to be a fantastic web site. I myself prefer black and white photography and in the last 6 months have really got back into it. Very nice to see your black and white landscape photography. Keep up the good work." JH, London, 24 April 2007

 

"Having spent a very inspiring lunch break in the exhibition in the crescent (Buxton), I decided to look at your web-site. Wonderful. I could sit and look at the pictures all night." NM, Buxton, 19 April 2007

 

"Your work is truly beautiful, Dave. Thank you for seeing the world the way that you do, and making these images available." JD email, 13 April 2007

 

"Hi, Dave -- Your work is exquisite! Thank you for getting out there and seeing what you have, in the way you have!" JD email, 3 April 2007

 

"I just took a look at your website. I am deeply impressed!! Beautiful. I am a little bit jealous I must admit for I would love to be able to make such beautiful and powerful pictures. I recently joined a little photoclub myself to improve my skills but I see now…..I have a long way to go!!" JB, Netherlands, 7 February 2007

 

"Thank you very much for coming and giving my group such an interesting Masterclass this afternoon. They all really enjoyed it and were obviously pleased with their results." AF, Sheffield, 15 November 2006

 

"Please let me say how taken I was by the artwork which you had displayed at the Newmarket Art and Craft Fair at the weekend. I am a fan of black and white photography, but absolutely fell in love with a couple of your shots.", OC, Cambridge, 6 November 2006

 

"The B&W print of Chelmorton Fields arrived this morning in the post. It is absolutely beautiful, an even more exquisite image than I'd remembered from your stand at the NEC. I am very much looking forward to having it framed and mounted over here in Brussels. It is a beautiful slice of English countryside which I hope to treasure for a very long time." MF, Brussels, 30 October 2006

 

"Thanks for the photo Dave. It arrived safely a few days ago. Very ingenious packaging. I had a look at your website. It's impressive; I like the photo from Snowdon looking south, with all the cloud." DE, London, 21 August 2006

 

"Many thanks - pictures received and I am very pleased with them." GQ, Sussex, 14 June 2006

 

"Many thanks for two tree pics. They are, both lovely - naturally! - and very atmospheric. I particularly like the snowy trees, as it invites me in to walk through the trees. I actually moved in the chair!! Remote control by suggestion!" LM, Croydon, 1 June 2006

 

"I came across your photographs last weekend in a gallery in Buxton. I was blown away by them and ended up coming home with a framed 'Solomons Temple'. Such a stunning image. I have since looked at your web site and have been very impressed by your work - it is something to aspire to." DP, Stockport, 17 May 2006

 

"I saw your stand at Buxton Pavilion some weeks ago and fell in love with one of your images but couldn't get back to the stand to talk with you again. I was remarking about your images being the first I'd seen which had a certain Ansel Adams-ish feel about them. ....most of all THANKS for such wonderful work. I found it so enjoyable to see such quality images and the Derbyshire images have finally confirmed what I always suspected. That given high resolution, the right time and place in Derbyshire, in the right hands, and the results can match the power of Ansels' USA work. I love telling people to check you out." AR, Derbyshire, 10 April 2006

 

"Just received the photo. My friend and I are very pleased with it. Thank you." SC, Northampton, 6 April 2006

 

"I would just like to say that I strongly admire your images and the way you apply your knowledge and skills in the darkroom to great effect. Your visit [to my University] has had a big effect on me and straight after I wanted to jump right back into the traditional black and white process. ....again thank you for having such an influence on me." DL, Stoke-on-Trent, 27 March 2006

 

"Good news - the pictures eventually arrived on Saturday. I don't know why it took so long (French postal system!! Ed.). Anyway, they are great and will still be used as a Xmas present even if a bit late..." BR, France, 2 January 2006

 

"Your photo arrived safely. Its great." KS, Reading, 1 December 2005

 

"I would like to thank you for the very nice book. I have to say that there are very nice pictures in it. You are really a high sophisticated photographer, a virtuoso." TL, Germany, 2 November 2005

 

"They (6 large prints - Ed.) are all hung and they look superb. Many thanks again." AH, USA, 24 October 2005

 

"Just a note to say how delighted I was to meet you again last night at Lytham, and I hope that your return journey was OK. Your images, as always, are brilliant - and it is lovely to see them all - all skillfully presented and you have had many an enjoyable day actually taking them I suspect - even if it means running across heavy snow! Good luck with all your endeavours." HG, Lytham St Annes, 21 Oct 2005

 

"I came across your site almost by accident. But I have to say, I am most impressed by it. I have always had a fondness for two things: B&W photography and Ski-mountaineering. Your pics are great! Its great to see work of this type in the digital age. I still maintain, there is a certain "something" about a classic B&W print- digital doesn't come close IMO! Ansel Adams showed this - I think it is great that people like yourself are continuing in this vein." JW, Scotland, 22September 2005

 

"I have been looking at your great website and I can say that it's one of the best landscape photography websites I have seen so far! Truly inspiring landscape work." PP, Ireland, 17 August 2005

 

"Just to confirm that we received the print on Saturday - it's beautiful. Thank you so much." HG, Birmingham, 15 August 2005

 

"Thank you very much for your gift to the Library of your book 'High Light'. It is a magnificent work in its field, and a most helpful guide to me personally as I travel to Switzerland next week for a holiday and hope to ascend the peaks around Chamonix! This will be by cable car I'm afraid to admit, but with camera in hand. Thank you for thinking of College in this way, and may 'High Light' become an essential addition to every photographers reference collection." TB, Churchill College, Cambridge, 28 July 2005

 

"My printing 'style' was inspired by Alec Perlman and, later and inevitably, Ansel Adams. After 50 years of black and white photography, your genuinely inspirational book has made me reevaluate my printing preferences! I shall certainly explore the wonders of grades 4 and 5!!" HK, Cornwall, 21 July 2005

 

I have been inspired by the wonderful photos you have produced and for the technical details and other techniques you have given (in 'High Light')." GH, North Yorkshire, 9 July 2005

 

"Can you please pass my thanks on to Dave for the book, it's brilliant." VM, Huddersfield, 6 June 2005

 

"I am delighted with your book of landscapes. A very fine selection of shots which reflect your love of mountains. Your printers have done you proud too!" FP, London, 25 May 2005

 

"Very many thanks for the book. It is absolutely fantastic and the photos are stunning." PJ, St Lucia, 28 May 2005

 

"Received the book - thank you very much it is filled with great photos. I used to be a Mountain guide up in Scotland and wish I had used b/w while I was out, am certainly inspired to do more in future. Thanks again." DR, Cornwall, 25 May 2005

 

"I know today your web-site....very interesting and impressive works! I am architect in Lisbon and the photography is also a passion. Best regards from Portugal." OG, Portugal, 18 April 2005

 

"The photos are fantastic thanks very much. We had a great week in Saas Fee, 4 days sunshine and then some fresh snow. I shall get them framed this weekend." - PB, The Netherlands, 12 April 2005

 

If you would like a comment included here just send an email to: mono@davebutcher.co.uk