A Photographer's (Mis)adventures in York: Ice Capades and Ancient Streets
York has always been one of my favourite cities to photograph, with its rich history, charming cobbled streets, and stunning architecture. This time around, I was armed with my new DJI Osmo Pocket 5, after years of faithful service from my GoPro collection (I've had every model from the Hero 3 right up to the 7!). While my website will continue showcasing the polished shots from my Canon R5 MK II, I'll be sharing these behind-the-scenes glimpses of my photographic adventures over on TikTok (@spooner.photography).
My York Photography Journey Begins (With a Bargain!)
First things first - if you're heading to York, here's a money-saving tip that'll make any Yorkshire native proud: the Askham Bar Park & Ride is an absolute steal at £3.80 return. Coming from Burton-upon-Trent, I felt rather chuffed finding parking cheaper than a fancy coffee!
First Stops: Station Road Bridge & Low Petergate
The day started with that magical morning light photographers dream about, reflecting off the River Ouse at Station Road Bridge. You know those moments when everything just looks perfect? The water was so still it looked like glass - the kind of scene that makes you feel a bit smug about dragging yourself out of bed at dawn.
Wandering through Low Petergate, I caught York Minster doing what it does best - looking absolutely massive and making everything else feel rather tiny in comparison
York Minster & A Chance Encounter
Wandering through Low Petergate, I caught York Minster doing what it does best - looking absolutely massive and making everything else feel rather tiny in comparison. And speaking of lovely surprises, I bumped into a chap named Kevin from Visual Walk UK. There's something rather wonderful about meeting another soul equally obsessed with capturing Britain's beauty, even if we probably bored any passing tourists to tears with our camera chat.
Clifford's Tower: A Medieval Marvel
No visit to York feels complete without a pilgrimage to Clifford's Tower. There's something rather magnificent about this medieval fortress perched atop its hill, looking as if it's keeping watch over the city below. Every time I photograph it, I can't help but imagine all the stories these ancient stones could tell - from medieval drama to modern-day tourists trying to tackle those steps after a hearty Yorkshire lunch.
A Tale of Two Buildings
I passed by the York & Selby Magistrates’ Court on Clifford Street, an imposing piece of architecture that contrasts nicely with the quaint surroundings. Nearby, I caught a glimpse of All Saints Church through some hanging lights, creating a beautiful composition blending historic and modern elements.
Tales from the Cobbles
You know you're a proper photography enthusiast when you get excited about cobblestones, but Grape Lane offered up the kind of textured scene I'd been dreaming about. And just when I thought my day couldn't get more quintessentially York, I stumbled upon a pink bicycle outside Forest at 54 Low Petergate - the sort of whimsical detail that makes street photography such a joy. It was like the city had decided to arrange a perfect little vignette just for my camera.
The College Street View of York Minster
A little detour down College Street offered up what I think might be one of York's finest Minster views. Framed by historic buildings, including a particularly handsome Tudor affair on the right that looks like it's been lifted straight from a period drama, it's the kind of scene that makes you forget what century you're in. Until someone walks past with a Starbucks cup, that is.
The Great Ice Capade of 2025
Now, here's where things got a bit... interesting. Picture this: the city walls were closed due to ice, with very clear warning signs that any sensible person would heed. But no, yours truly - armed with enough camera gear to open a small shop - decided that the top of Foss Bank Car Park would make an excellent alternative viewpoint.
Let me tell you, nothing quite focuses the mind like doing an impromptu ice-skating routine while clutching several thousand pounds worth of camera equipment! The whole graceful (read: terrifying) moment was captured on my Osmo Pocket 5. Perhaps one day, when my dignity recovers, I'll share that footage. Consider it a masterclass in what not to do with expensive gear.
Monk Bar: Where History Stands Guard
Shooting from Monkbar Mews Public Car Park (possibly the most glamorous location name in photography), I captured Monk Bar with York Minster playing a game of architectural peek-a-boo in the background. It's one of those views that makes you feel like you've stepped into a living history book - minus the car park ticket machine, of course.
York Minster’s South Side: A Disappointing Change
I had a proper photographer's sulk when I discovered they'd replaced the classic old directional sign near York Minster's south side with a modern map, I had hoped to capture an older photograph I took with my my DSLR 600D (yes it was that long ago!). It's like putting a digital watch on a Roman statue - technically useful, but it rather misses the point, doesn't it? So I settled for a more picturesce Victorian Lampost for the foreground.
Gordon Warrington’s Victorian Carousel
Ended the day with Gordon Warrington's Victorian Carousel - a photographer's challenge if ever there was one. Try making something look whimsically Victorian while dodging modern power boxes! Sometimes I think half of photography is creative cropping and the other half is pretending the 21st century doesn't exist.
Final Thoughts
York never disappoints, and this visit was no exception. From its grand landmarks to its hidden details, there’s always something new to discover through the lens. I’ll definitely be back, perhaps next time with fewer icy mishaps!
Check out my TikTok for behind-the-scenes footage, and keep an eye on my website for more high-quality captures from my Canon R5 MK II.
The Gear List on this trip (For My Fellow Camera Nerds)
For those of you who get excited about camera gear (no judgment, we're all friends here), I was lugging around quite the collection. My trusty Canon R5 Mark II was doing the heavy lifting, along with enough lenses to make my chiropractor wince. The full list is rather impressive - or concerning, depending on whether you're asking me or my bank manager. For the full list visit https://spoonerphotography.co.uk/about#equipment
Backpack - Lowepro ProTactic BP 450 AW II Backpack
Video Camera - DJI Osmo 5 PRO Action Camera
Wide angle lens - Canon EF 11-24mm f/4 L USM Extender - Canon Extender RF 1.4x
Travel lens - Canon EF 24-105mm f4L IS II USM Lens
Ballhead - Manfrotto XPRO Ball Head with Top Lock
Fancy a Print? - Print This Moment 🖼️
If any of these shots have caught your eye and you fancy having a bit of York's magic on your wall, just give me a shout. My online store has plenty of options, but I'm always happy to sort out special requests. After all, these moments are meant to be shared (unlike my ice-skating performance, which shall remain safely locked away in the Osmo's memory card).
Remember to catch the behind-the-scenes fun over on TikTok (@spooner.photography), where you'll find everything except that ice incident. Some things are better left to the imagination, wouldn't you say? 😉
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