Mach Loop First Timers

If you’re into your action photography or frequent any photography forums, chances are you’ve heard of this place. The ‘Mach Loop’ as it’s known is a region in north west wales where you can get some fantastic up close and personal views of military aircraft screaming passed you at a rate of knots, and the best bit is you’ll be ABOVE them looking down! As anyone who photograph birds or wildlife will know, it’s all about your physical point of view and trying to get your subject with a nice background. Rather than at airshows when you’re looking up all day long getting the aircraft against (hopefully) blue sky, this time your vantage point is placing them against the lovely backdrop of the Welsh mountains.

With the alarm set for 5:30am, I was on the road by 6. It’s just under a three hour drive up to the viewpoints in the hills above Machynlleth, taking in the lovely sights along the way as you pass over the Preseli mountains, down into Cardigan, on towards Aberystwyth and then the Snowdonia mountains start to loom in the distance. Met up with fellow photographer friends Gary & Neil we started the (very!) steep climb upto the viewpoint on Cader Idris. On reaching the top there’s some lovely views across the landscape to see including the stunning Tal-y-llyn Lake down in the valley

We had a mixture of planes throughout the day, it’s a bit pot luck visiting as you never know what’s going to show up – so happy we managed to bag some shots from the day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s a very popular place for aviation enthusiasts and many photographers alike, and would like to thank the guys up there for making us feel welcome on our first time. Had a good laugh all day long and will definitely be returning soon!

Had to stop on the way home near Crymych as there was some lovely light across the landscape, pictured below is Foel Drygarn in the Preseli mountains.