Mastering the light

As the title suggests photography is about mastering the light. When it comes to woodland photography embracing and mastering the light applies to all conditions. We cant always have perfect light and most of the time in the south west of the uk I have to settle with what I get to be honest. But when fantastic light conditions do appear having an idea of where im going is key. Even with the best light if a subject or an area doesnt excite me then its a waste of light and that just cant happen when good light doesnt appear that often.

Yesterday however I had the fortune to have an hour of amazing light just after sunrise. Now in the Forest sun rise isnt the same as when shooting other types of landscape as I have to wait a little longer in my locations for the sun to rise slightly above the tree line. That sunrise colour isnt always where I need it just after the sun rises above the horizon. Saying that yesterday the light managed to penetrate the forest at the right time mostly due to the lack of foilage this time of year. I resisted the urge to snap away at everything and instead to slow down take a more considered approach to the photography...quality not quantity.

The over looking Beech

The image above is of a Beech tree I have been going back to time and time looking for the right light and composition. I think yesterday I nailed it and got the best image to date. The light just started to light the tree with a warm glow and below I saw a large wild boar wake and move out of shot. How unfortunate, had he moved into my composition I would of had and amazing record of what goes on in the forest. Sometimes its just not meant to be.

Old twited oaks from The Forest of Dean

Above a final image before it was time to go home for coffee. These oak are so twisted in their branches fighting for light during the summer months. I just had to capture those branches they are amazing in their form.