Hello world!

Lathan Ball – Mountain Photographer

Hello, my name is Lathan Ball and I have been a keen mountaineer and photographer for over 35 years. In the beginning mountain photography allowed me to record my trips and share my adventures with friends and family. However, I soon became absorbed in photography as an art from and worked hard to develop my photographic skills and abilities. My desire was to produce photographs which capture the timeless grandeur of the mountain landscape, the beauty of the ever changing light and the individual character of each ascent. Many people asked me about my mountain photographs, the places they portrayed and how I captured the image. As a result I established Mountain Explorer to provide high quality mountain photography courses, workshops and guided walks to off the beaten track locations.

Our mountain photography training will develop your technical skills, enhance your picture taking abilities and grow your creative thinking. Our mountain skill courses will teach you to look after yourself in the mountains and enable you to travel safely to less frequented locations, discover new viewpoints and produce unique and exciting images.

We also provide a regular programme of guided walks and expeditions. These guided trips provide opportunities to photograph harder to reach locations, grow your mountain and photography skills, develop your creative thinking and have fun with like-minded people. Overnight trips will include wild camping, mountain huts, hostels and small characterful hotels.

I place a high priority on mountain safety. A long and enduring love of the mountains has provided a depth of mountain experience. I have walked and climbed extensively in Britain, mountaineered in the Alps and visited far flung mountain ranges in Nepal, New Zealand and North America. I have completed Mountain Leader Training with the UK Mountain Leader Training Board and hold a Mountain First Aid certificate. I have up to date Public Liability insurance.

Our mountain photography courses are available on both a one-to-one and small group basis. Groups are kept small so we can provide personal attention, in depth and flexible teaching, limited environmental impact and an enjoyable time together. To find out more please visit and browse the Mountain Explorer website – http://www.mountainexplorer.co.uk

The image at the top of this post and the blog page of my Mountain Exposure website was captured while ascending the Heather Terrace on Tryfan’s East Face. Snowdonia’s rugged and iconic peak is one of Britain’s most popular mountains. The Heather Terrace provides one of the three main non-climbing routes to the summit (918m). Tryfan accounts for about 30% of the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Team callouts and the Heather Terrace is a challenging walk with plenty of difficulties. If you are planning a visit to Tryfan you might want to read this online article first.