One woman and her dog’s photographic journey through Mid Cheshire

This week, Sophie Ralph shares some of her favourite photographs.

Sophie, who lives in Knutsford, loves taking photos of her four-legged friend Rocky in Knutsford and Mobberley – he is the perfect model!

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Guardian Camera Club member Sophie Ralph and Rocky at Windergather Rocks in Derbyshire

When and why did you take up photography?

I have always enjoyed taking photographs. I used to take them on my mobile phone but I wanted my photos to look better and sharper. In 2022, my mental health wasn’t good and I was out of work for a year. I took the plunge and purchased a bridge camera to distract myself. It was the best thing I could have done! When I take my dog out for walks, my camera comes with me. We have seen so many new and exciting places recently - we are having a ball. Seeing the response to my photographs when I post on social media is just amazing.

What do you love about taking pictures?

I love capturing the moment and remembering that point in time when I look back at photographs. It boosts my mental health and makes me happy, so it works. I love taking pictures of my dog as he is so photogenic. I try and remember the fun we have preparing for the photograph behind the scenes whether it’s laying in the mud to get the best angle or trying to get Rocky down from somewhere. It’s great when my photographs get people talking – it’s so rewarding – and I still get giddy about seeing them published in the paper.

The Bollin tunnel, Mobberley

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Where is your favourite place to take pictures and why?

My Favourite place is Mobberley as there is just so much to photograph. Flowers, buildings, animals, scenery and the Runway 2 Trail even provides you with aeroplanes. I love taking photographs of aeroplanes and the Bollin tunnel. There are plenty of animals to photograph in Mobberley - Highland cows, goats and horses as well as sheep, alpacas and donkeys. They’re all probably fed up seeing me and my camera!

A Lion King moment with Rocky

What is your favourite subject matter and why?

My cocker spaniel, Rocky, and autumn as a season. Rocky is a big part of my life and I love to see him happy on our adventures. He will happily let me photograph him as long as there are plenty of treats to hand. I love the colours of autumn - the oranges, reds and browns - it’s so photogenic. I can be out for hours when autumn arrives because I want to see it all and take pictures. It makes the countryside look even more beautiful and colourful, just like in the movies.

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Lest we forget outside Victory Hall in Mobberley

What do you enjoy about being part of our Camera Club on Facebook?

I absolutely love the camera club group. Everybody is so supportive as we all share the same passion for taking photographs. It’s great that people talk about your photos and share tips and ideas for next time. It’s great seeing the photos I post in the group appear in the paper as it means even more people will see my work.

If you could photograph anyone/any place/anything, who/what would it be?

I would love to photograph The Kelpies in Scotland. I follow some groups on social media and the two giant horses’ heads look so inviting. I hope to get there one day and take some photos.

The first photo Sophie took with her camera