UNTIL a few years ago, Dave Zdanowicz didn’t even own a camera.

Like many people, his idea of taking photographs didn’t go beyond posting snaps on Instagram.

But it was through Instagram that he discovered the work of photographers he admired, and when a friend sold him a secondhand camera he started taking it on walking trips with his dad, capturing local places on film.

Now Dave, of Low Moor, is an accomplished landscape photographer with a book, Yorkshire in Photographs, under his belt. He has won several awards, not least BBC Countryfile’s Winter Landscape photography competition which he won in 2015 with a sun set image at Harold Park in Low Moor. And his work is causing quite a stir on social media, gaining him 170,000 followers on Twitter and around 10,000 on Facebook and Instagram.

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Dave’s second book, More Yorkshire in Photographs, features more striking images of the county, including beauty spots and historic buildings in the Bradford district.

Tranquil Goit Stock waterfall at Harden, rugged Otley Chevin sprawled beneath a pink sunkissed sky and dramatic Haworth Moor are all captured on his camera, as well as Robert’s Park in Saltaire, Skipton Castle, Bolton Abbey and splendid examples of Bradford’s Victorian architecture such as Cartwright Hall and Bradford Grammar School.

The book also features the shimmering limestone and rolling fells of Dales landscapes, including Scalebar Force, Malham under a night sky and the three peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside, the ancient Shambles in York and coastal scenes such as Whitby Abbey.

Dave, 34, has come a long way in a relatively short photography career; his images have appeared on television and been published in magazines and international newspapers.

His new book contains more than 120 images Dave has taken over the last year. “They were all taken during my travels across Yorkshire, from the Dales to the coast,” he said. “I absolutely love landscape photography and have dedicated the last three years of my life to travelling around Yorkshire photographing its breathtaking scenery.”

With a young won, Dave fits his photography in around a busy family life.

“Covering such a wide area has involved many 3am starts, and fitting in photography in around my full time job working in a school and spending time with my family. It can be tough, getting up in the early hours and heading out in the dark - but when the sun rises I know it’s been worth it,” he said. “There’s nothing better to photograph than a good landscape with a spectacular sunrise, or sunset, and there are some amazing locations here that I never knew existed until I got interested in photography.”

Dave’s main focus is Yorkshire but he has also done some landscape and cityscape photography in London and Lancashire. “The London photos were featured by Visit London social media sites, which was a great honour. I’d love to try other locations further afield,” he said.

Winning the Countryfile award raised his profile, and his confidence. “I saw the competition advertised online and thought I’d chance my arm,” he said. “Over 500 entrants applied and my photograph, of my local park in Low Moor, came first. It went in the Countryfile magazine and on the website.”

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Any landscape photographer knows that the weather isn’t always kind. Dave embraces the varying light and colours that come from changing skies and seasons, but working outside in all weathers can be challenging. “The winter sun is best for light, even though it’s cold, but I try to avoid rain,” he said.

“I discover something new each time I go to a place. I love the variety of Yorkshire landscapes, there are so many to work with. I think my favourite places so far are Fountains Abbey, Bolton Abbey, Staithes and Whitby.

When it comes to photography advice, Dave keeps it simple. “Use a tripod - it’s great for slowing things down, allowing more time to frame a shot. And look after your equipment; make sure you clean lenses and sensor regularly.

“Of course the best way to to learn is to get out and about and just take photographs as you go. You’ll always find a stunning location to take pictures of around here.”

More Yorkshire in Photographs is published by Amberley Publishing, priced £15.99.