ANYONE who, like me, lives and works in different parts of Yorkshire, will experience the huge contrasts that lie within the county, writes Helen Mead. From the mellow sandstone villages and market towns of North Yorkshire, to the dark, millstone grit communities in the West Riding, and the flat Vale of York with the historic city at its heart.

Each glorious in its own way, the variation across North, West and East Yorkshire - the largest traditional county in England - has been captured by photographer Doug Kennedy in his latest book Yorkshire Landscapes.

The evocative colour images, taken by Doug as he roamed Yorkshire’s lanes, byways and footpaths, are complemented by informative text.

Doug grew up in Richmond, south-west London and now lives in Buckinghamshire.

It was while he was a biology student at university in Sheffield that he fell in love with the Yorkshire Dales.

In a varied career, he’s been a biology teacher, writer, classical guitarist and, latterly, computer programmer. His love of nature (that biology degree) has taken him out walking through Britain, Ireland, the USA, France and Australia.

He is now a talented landscape and nature photographer as well as a campaigner on environmental issues. His first book of photographs, Chiltern Landscapes, was self-published in 2011.

His work was subsequently picked up by Windgather Press, an imprint of Oxbow Books, who published his images of English villages, the North Downs, Norfolk and now Yorkshire.

Yorkshire Landscapes reflects a county of contrasts: the towering limestone cliffs of Malham Cove, the viaduct across the River Nidd in Knaresborough, a majestic view of York Minster across jumbled rooftops.

Helmsley - described as “a small town of handsome sandstone buildings centred around the big market square” - is pictured waking up to a frosty January dawn.

Another winter scene shows the neat cottages of Hutton-le-Hole against the distant trees.

There are images of Whitby harbour, the higgledy-piggledy cottages of Staithes and the towering cliffs of Flamborough Head, with their resident guillemots, razorbills and gulls.

Doug has captured a wonderful view of the evening sun shining on the cliffs at Flamborough Head from Bridlington.

Many individual images are full of contrast - there’s an interesting view from a hay field, towards the industrial sprawl of Teesside, with another glimpse of Teesside beyond volcanic-looking Roseberry Topping; former textile mills jostle with modern buildings in Halifax.

The photographer has visited the region in all weathers and seasons, providing further contrast.

Ever the biologist, he has sprinkled his book with occasional photographs of birds, plants and animals he encountered as he journeyed across the region: a meadow pipit up on the North York Moors; a lapwing at Tan Hill; early purple orchids above Ingleton.

Spread across two pages, there’s a panoramic view of Ilkley, from its famous moor, taken on a clear day when distant moors stretch as far as the eye can see. It’s surprising to see how many white-painted houses make up the former spa town. It is an uplifting vista.

The view over Wharfedale from above Otley is equally breathtaking, with its tapestry of fields and woodland.

It is fascinating to see the vast span of the Humber Bridge - amazing feat of engineering.

l Yorkshire Landscapes: A Photographic Tour of England’s Largest County by Doug Kennedy is published by Windgather Press priced £16.99.