TWO Cumbrian lensmen are staging a new exhibition designed to show the darker side of the Lake District landscape – all of their stunning images have been taken at night.

Rod Ireland, of Askham, near Penrith, and Jonny Marchant, of Kendal, will host the exhibition at Keswick's Moot Hall, from August 24-29. However, the photographic pair have launched a crowd-funding campaign on Kickstarter to fund the venture and need to reach their £2,000 target by Monday, May 16. They’re already more than half way to their total and are appealing for help to reach their goal.

Rod said: “We are really excited about this project. Everyone has seen beautiful images of the Lake District – it’s a familiar and much-loved landscape - but we want to show everyone that this place is truly amazing at night too. It’s going to give visitors a completely different view of Cumbria.

“We’re hoping for an intriguing and atmospheric launch for the exhibition too - I want guests to view the images in the dark using head torches, in keeping with the dark theme.”

Added Jonny: “The idea for the project began over a year ago when Rod and I were both independently experimenting with capturing photographs at night.

“A major element in the exhibition is our diverse interpretation of the subjects, the differences in our work and what we wish to convey. My photographs are not about specific places of locations; it’s more about how the place makes me feel.”

Kickstarter is a crowd funding platform for creative projects which can be brought to life through the direct support of others. Rod and Jonny are funding the exhibition themselves, as well as applying for external grants, but if the Kickstarter target of £2,000 is reached it will go a long way to producing a free exhibition in Keswick.

“Keswick was just one of the places in Cumbria and the Lake District which suffered terribly from the floods," continued Rod. "I hope the amazing and enchanting photographs from this exhibition can help replace the images of those dramatic events in people’s minds, and raise the county’s profile in a way which is new and different.”

The campaign video and details can be found at www.kickstarter.com – search Rod Ireland or Lake District by Night.