The secret to Daren Smith's dramatic Yorkshire scenes is a simple one.

Always be aware.

Whenever he travels, the Cherry Burton-based photographer keeps a watch on the passing landscape.

"I cycle a lot all over the Wolds," said Daren.

"You think 'that would look nice' – as you go by at 25mph with your eyes streaming from the wind.

"Even if you don't have a camera you are looking for the shot."

Daren has selected 35 original prints – ranging from sea-front scenes at Scarborough to the Wolds above Huggate – for an exhibition at Goole Museum.

Yorkshire, A Land Painted Silver is the culmination of eight years work, which has captured the county's landscapes in "all lights and all seasons."

"It's not a particular style of photography," Daren said.

"I've gone out to show what Yorkshire is. It is a hard-working landscape that shows a grittiness alongside an incredible beauty."

The exhibition's title is taken from the definition of photography – a combination of two Greek words meaning "paint with light"– and Daren's use of silver halide to develop his monochrome prints.

His final selection of black and white shots has been made from a "few thousand" images, for a project Daren first began at a night class at Cottingham Adult Education Centre.

His City and Guilds course sparked a fascination with capturing the region's landscape – which he pursues in spare-time away from his job as a cycle-shop manager.

Daren always uses film, rather than a digital camera.

"I am a big fan of film," Daren said.

"We are in the midst of a digital revolution and, unless we keep it going, the craft is going to die out.

"It brings a lot of emotion to the image.

"You get away from the distraction of colour and a lot more mood and feel.

"If you want to portray a starkness, it is a lot easier. With the way colour psychology works, all you need is a red drinks can in the image and it is ruined.

"Film is also more tactile, it is not a virtual thing. Digital does have a Playstation feel to it; it feels too synthetic.

"Because film is hands-on you feel more involved, it is more of a craft."

Daren's long-term goal is to put a book together from the photographs he has taken.

And he has no intention of switching away from his traditional dark room techniques in the future.

"Art is not about technology," he said. "You cannot be a good artist if you interested only in pixels and resolutions – it's not what photography is.

"It is an image. You can look at photographs from the 1800s which still hold a beauty."

*Yorkshire, A Land Painted Silver is on at Goole Museum, Carlisle Street, Goole, until Wednesday, March 31. Opening times: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10am-5pm; Wednesday, 10am-7pm; Saturday, 9am-4pm.

Entrance is free. Call: (01405) 768963