Woodland

Join me for this intensive opportunity to learn more about landscape photography. Whether you're a beginner or an accomplished photographer I can teach you how to improve your image making, from understanding light, to mastering filters to better composition.

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This day will concentrate on working in woodland, often amongst the most difficult of landscape subjects. In my book Landscape Within I wrote that there were three main difficulties with woodland; contrast, chaos and complexity. I will discuss each of these and provide you with strategies for dealing with them in your photography.

 

We will visit two different woodland locations; Padley Gorge and Bole Hill Quarry. They are quite different in character. The Gorge, as the name suggests, is a steep sided river valley where Burbage Brook descends through dense native woodland, predominantly of oak and beech. There are many large, mature trees here which will hopefully be flushed with autumn colour when we visit. This is a good place to make individual portraits of trees as well as picking out details and colour. The atmosphere is quite dark, sunlight barely reaching the bottom of the valley at this time of year. This is perfect for creating mood in an image.

 

Bole Hill Quarry supplied the stone for the nearby Howden and Derwent Dams. It was once a massive industrial site served by its own railway line. If you look carefully amongst the airy birch woodland that now clothes the site you will see signs of its industrial past. The bright, monochromatic trunks of the birches invite a different set of approaches from Padley. It's easier here, for instance, to play with pattern and sense of openness.

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There will be some walking involved but it will never be a race. Please be prepared for the weather; a waterproof coat, walking boots, fleece and quick drying trousers are a must. A rainy day will only provide us with more opportunities! The ground may be muddy and slippery so please wear walking boots.

 

So, bring your waterproofs and get ready to make images!

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Lunch will be provided at a local café.