Forest of Dean 2023
Burnt Wood No. 1
Here in the UK South West the trees started to turn in early October but there was really no noticeable mass change until the second week of November and after a few chilly nights and windy days. Afterwards the rate at which leaves changed from green through yellow, gold to brown seemed to increase and by the fourth week of November, Autumn was pretty much over. This change is clearly noticeable in the photographs I’ve chosen to include with this post. Those made first, fallen leaves on the ground, were made on 15th October and the last, named “Burnt Wood No. 1” - located near the town of Wickwar further to the East - on 22 November.
This year I chose to concentrate mainly on my local forest - The Forest of Dean - rather than flit around too much between different locations. For those not familiar with the forest, Forestry England describe it as “…a historic forest with its origins as a royal forest pre-dating the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Forest has been historically isolated and bypassed, sitting as it does between the Rivers Severn and Wye on the border of England and Wales.”. It is a working forest and, as such, consists mostly of younger, straight trees be those evergreens or deciduous. The deciduous trees clearly make for more colourful Autumn photography and are primarily Beech with a little Oak, Sweet Chestnut, Ash and Birch.
Writing this, I find myself again asking why I enjoy being in woodland and why I enjoy making woodland photographs. It’s a very hard question to answer as it’s more ‘feeling’ than something easily placed into words. I do know however, that I find woodland relaxing, calming and peaceful. There is something about the enveloping sounds, colours and life-stories. It often feels like the passing of time slows and with it an awareness of surrounding increases. Move slowly and quietly and after just a short while it’s as if the forest accepts a visitor and carries on around you. Stood still, making a photograph you notice the rustling of leaves as air moves through the trees; squirrels frenetically preparing for an approaching Winter, birds moving in the trees even beatles, ants and other small bugs crawling around on the forest floor. Occasionally deer will appear through the trees, stood still and watching, before bounding away. I’ve yet to see the boar but evidence in the form of disturbed ground is all around. The place is alive! Compelling too is the idea that a forest is a record of time, of the past, present and the future. The forest floor is the canvas on which time is recorded. It is layered with tree stumps, fallen/broken branches, leaves of Autumn’s past and saplings which in-time will become trees.
From a photography perspective woodland, including forests, are chaotic, hard to photograph places. The techniques required are common to photography generally, especially Landscape, but I believe observation especially important as it’s foundational to identifying compositions in messy woodland environments. Given messy environments, simplification usually leads to better results. Sometimes finding simplification means looking down, as in leaves on the ground, or finding contrasts in shape, light or texture - ‘Burnt Wood No. 1’.
‘Beechenhurst Inclosure No. 3’ is one of my favourites from this Autumn. It was made early in the season so everything is still quite green but I feel it encapsulates that feeling of ‘forest’ discussed above. It includes the messiness in a controlled way and the life-story of old and new in the forest. Next Autumn it may look quite different with further new growth and decay. It will be interesting to return. I feel I must mention ‘Face in the Tree’ as it was a total surprise and lucky find; It was also huge fun making the photograph! Whilst slowly walking through the forest looking for compositions I spotted what immediately stuck me as a face low down on a trunk. It struck me as so realistic that I actually checked someone hadn’t done it on purpose! It certainly showed no signs of being nothing more than natural in origin. The eyes, nose, mouth and cheek bone were so clear!
Andy
