‘Encounters with the Calder’ – a photographic exploration
12 February, 2026
A new exhibition – ‘Encounters with the Calder’ – is a personal exploration of the impact and influence of human activity along West Yorkshire’s River Calder, by local photographer and riverfly monitor Jim Souper.
Following the course of the Calder, the black & white photographs depict layers of history in the landscape from medieval times to the present day. These keenly observed images also reveal and reflect increasing concerns for the river ecosystem, including impacts of climate change and plastic pollution.
It was a great pleasure to catch up with Jim to find out more about his exhibition.
‘Encounters with the Calder’ comprises more than 60 black & white photographs taken since 2020, as a visual exploration of our human relationship with the landscape and nature, from both historical and contemporary perspectives.
Photo by Jim Souper: Cooper Bridge November 2021.
Please tell us a little more about your connection to the River Calder
It’s been my ‘home’ river for the last 20 years, but the real connection began during COVID. I began to explore the river around Cromwell Bottom and, as a photographer, almost always with a camera. At the time I was developing a more mindful approach to my work, to become more connected to the landscape. The river provided ideal subject matter.
Photos by Jim Souper: (left) Cromwell Bottom 1. August 2020, and (right) Cromwell Bottom 2. June 2024.
And how did this lead to ‘Encounters with the Calder’?
Originally it was simple curiosity. Where has the river come from? Where does it go? As I walked along different stretches, I started to notice more, so that over the last five years it has evolved into the collection of photographs you see today.
How would you describe the exhibition?
As a personal exploration of our human relationship to the landscape. I’ve tried to address both the history of settlement and activity along the river, and the more contemporary issues of climate change and plastic pollution.
Photo by Jim Souper from ‘Encounters with the Calder’ – nature and plastic pollution on the River Calder at Milner Royd.
“I’d like to think that people will come away from ‘Encounters with the Calder’ seeing the river as somewhere both worth, and in need of, protecting.”
Does ‘Encounters with the Calder’ have a message for the viewer?
I hope it proves to be thought-provoking. I’m sure viewers will have their own interpretation of individual photographs, but I’d like to think that people will come away from ‘Encounters with the Calder’ seeing the river as somewhere both worth, and in need of, protecting.
Photos by Jim Souper: (left) Brearley Bridge 2. October 2023, and (right) Elland Bridge over the River Calder.
Your observations often provide a juxtaposition of nature and human engineering – conveying a sense of both beauty and brutality in the landscape... is this intentional?
Absolutely! I think it can be a powerful way of telling a story through the photograph alone. I’ve used the technique on previous projects, especially my study of the standing stones of the Outer Hebrides.
Are you hopeful for the future restoration of the Calder Catchment?
Yes, I am fairly optimistic. There seem to be an increasing number of people who care enough to do something about it, but I do think government has some catching up to do.
“Riverfly monitoring offers an opportunity to learn more about the catchment and do something positive to contribute. I think the monitoring can at least provide an early warning of threats to the ecosystems and, with all the sites taken together, a useful overview of changes over time.”
You're a volunteer riverfly monitor with the Calder Rivers Trust – how did you get involved? And how do you feel riverfly monitoring can help freshwater ecosystems?
I came across the Calder Rivers Trust while doing some background research for the project. Riverfly monitoring offers an opportunity to learn more about the catchment and do something positive to contribute. I think the monitoring can at least provide an early warning of threats to the ecosystems and, with all the sites taken together, a useful overview of changes over time.
Finally, do you have a favourite stretch or spot on the River Calder that is particularly special to you?
It’s hard to pin down a particular spot, but I’ve always enjoyed the river between Brighouse and Elland Bridge, the stretch where my ‘Encounters with the Calder’ all started.
Photos by Jim Souper: Cooper Bridge Weir Nov 2021.
Fancy seeing the exhibition?
‘Encounters with the Calder’ is open from 31 January – 5 April 2026
The Photography Gallery, D Mill Dean Clough, Halifax, HX3 5AX
Interested in discovering more?
Jim Souper is a landscape and nature photographer based in West Yorkshire. His work reflects his love of the natural landscape and his long-standing interest in landscape history. He studied Contemporary Photographic Art at Batley School of Art and Design, graduating in 2009. He is an Associate of the Royal Photographic Society and was certified as a Climate Aware Photographer by the Carbon Literacy Project in 2022. He is a volunteer lockkeeper with the Canal and River Trust and riverfly monitor for the Calder Rivers Trust.
Find out more about Jim Souper’s photography on his website: www.jimsouper.co.uk
Follow Jim Souper on Instagram: @jimsouper
