Forty Farms - Conversations about change in the landscapes of Cumbria

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Hoodman Launch Pad for Drone: I really like using my drone to capture the farm and animals in a wider context of their environment. I use a Hoodman Launch Pad, which is absolutely essential to keep my drone clean, dry and safe. It protects my car when I launch off its roof and also saves me chopping down many grass blades with the propellers when launching on grass. The Hoodman pad has really helped me not have to replace my drone propellers too often. I think also, there's something about photography of farmland that is quite unique. You kind of have to open your eyes a little bit more. I mean, landscape photographers do use the same leading lines of walls and fences, or gateways and openings that open a door or lead the viewer into your image. But then if you've got animals in your image, it changes the focus of the subject. A lot of people generally overlook the animals and consider them just part of the bigger composition. I generally tend to make the animals more part of the image and I like to add an element of storytelling to my images. The animals are essential because I'm photographing farm life, not only a part of it. Could you tell us more about the "Forty Farms" project? This March experience a photographic exhibition documenting the stories of 40 Cumbrian farmers at Windermere Jetty Museum in the Lake District. Over the course of 12 months Amy spoke with the farmers about the financial challenge of farming; about the tightrope balance of producing quality food in a nature-rich landscape; and about the highs and lows of working in a landscape known, and loved, internationally. The Forty Farms book features contributions from author James Rebanks and L’Enclume’s Simon Rogan and veteran damson grower Harley Trotter. The book evolved into the Forty Farms exhibition. Nibthwaite Grange ('Dodgson Wood'), Crake Valley near Coniston – Arts & crafts, beef, sheep, tourism

The book has evolved into the Forty Farms Exhibition, offering a unique insight into the everyday lives, fears and hopes of 40 extraordinary farmers, through photography, products, film and words to create an immersive experience. Our family farm, some of our wonderful producers, and our farming friends, feature in a brand new exhibition offering a unique insight into the everyday lives, fears and hopes of 40 extraordinary farmers throughout Cumbria. I think the thing about documentary photography for me is that it's about telling the story. For farm photography in particular, it's different. It's not necessarily a wildlife photograph or a landscape. You're telling a story about what's actually happening in front of you. It's those elements of storytelling; your composition, the light, your leading lines, and the interaction of your subject with its environment.

B4RN Interview: Forty Farms Photographer Amy Bateman

The first 100 books sold will include a free signed image kindly printed by photography printing specialists Fotospeed . Forty Farms is an immersive and evocative exhibition of large-format photographs, supported by film, words, sound and crafted products from some of the featured farms, curated initially for the Gallery at Rheged in Cumbria. The exhibition is touring after Rheged, to the Windermere Jetty Museum (closed May 2023) and will open in its entirety at the Food Museum, Stowmarket, Suffolk in May 2024 until February 2025. At each venue we work to create a programme of talks and creative workshops, some of them delivered by farmers and all of them supporting the themes explored in Forty Farms. Amy told us about the origins of the book; how the exhibition’s going; and how B4RN helps her professional and family life. It highlights independence, innovation and resilience in a post-Brexit world of declining farm subsidies, as we seek to focus on producing food closer to home, whilst balancing the drive towards net-zero, and restoring biodiversity.

The accompanying conversations with farmers, often frank, sometimes funny, and occasionally painful, reflect the critical issues facing farming today. Rhian Harris, Chief Executive Lakeland Arts says, “As an arts and heritage charity, Lakeland Arts encourages creativity and the exploration of landscape and identity. We’re delighted to be hosting Forty Farms which brings to life the stories of local farmers who for generations have been fundamental in shaping the landscape and culture of this region.” In March 2021, Amy embarked on a journey to record the stories of Forty Farms in the Lake District and Cumbria, at a pivotal moment for British agriculture.Low Sizergh Farm (‘Low Sizergh Barn Farm Shop & Café’), Sizergh near Kendal – Dairy, horticulture, hospitality, poultry, tourism In March 2021, British Life Photographer of the Year Amy Bateman embarked on a journey to record the stories of Forty Farms in the Lake District and Cumbria.

Over the course of a year, Amy conducted frank conversations about the financial challenges of farming; about the tightrope balance of producing quality food in a nature-rich landscape; and about the highs and lows of working in an area that is known and loved internationally. We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused. Fotospeed ambassador Amy Bateman's life completely changed when she gave up her job as a physiotherapist to pursue a career as a photographer My photography work is only done in school hours. The rest of the time, I'm determined to be around for my children. And so, there's a big compromise between being a commercial photographer and being a mum. I’ve turned significant commissions down as I can't travel to far flung places or have the ease of working to my own schedule. When seeing other people's photographs of sunrises, I need to remind myself that I have three young girls and I’m married to a farmer. My dedication to my family and farm makes capturing photographs of sunrises difficult, so I’ll just wait and over time I will have opportunities to capture those images. And of course I make the most of our land here at home, on my doorstep.

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We've got 900 acres – that's a lot of land to be able to capture the landscape, farm life, farm animals, nature and food production. I get to capture the behind the scenes of farm life that people rarely experience. I know our farm inside and out, where to find the March hares when they're boxing, beautiful examples of regeneration in Juniper on our fell and time it just right to capture them in the best light.

I hope this exhibition will take you beyond the farm gate into the lives of farmers and change perceptions of how the countryside is managed. The rural urban divide feels wider than ever, and my hope is that this exhibition can play a part in narrowing the gulf between food producers, farmers and consumers.”Over the course of a year, Amy conducted frank conversations about the financial challenge of farming in post-Brexit Britain; the tightrope balance of producing quality food in nature-rich landscapes; and the highs and lows of working in an area internationally famed for its beauty. I attended evening classes at Kendal Brewery Arts Centre completing the intermediate Digital Photography course and progressed through to the advanced course. I was hooked, read magazines and watched YouTube tutorials to constantly build on the skills I learned and put them into practice. There's always something new to learn in photography, different techniques or skills to hone, and although I've still got a lot to learn, I'm enjoying the process. Having the time and space to be creative is one of the most joyful aspects of photography. Forty Farms from British Life Photographer of the Year, Amy Bateman, opens in the Gallery at Rheged, Penrith from today (Fri) to January 4 2023. It felt wrong to walk on these tiles, such is their beauty and delicacy.” The Minton tiles, St George’s Hall, Liverpool