woodland | alan frost photography

Dorset crops ….. not grain, but 1 x 2.

For many years I have been making images of my home county of Dorset with the intention of including my favourite pictures in a photobook; not necessarily for publication but simply for my own satisfaction and enjoyment. There are about 140 photographs which I have already short-listed and I have now reached the stage where I can begin making my final selection. Part of this process involves reviewing all the images, to ensure I am happy with how they have been edited and whether or not they could be improved in any way.

As I went through the portfolio there were two or three images which I thought would benefit from a ‘letterbox’ crop or to be more precise a 1×2 aspect ratio. As someone who likes to shoot 1×1 or 5×4, a 1×2 crop is well outside my comfort zone. However as I experimented I found more images which I thought were enhanced by selecting this particular crop.

In this post have included a few photographs which have undergone this treatment. As well a changing the overall feel of the image I like the fact they will add variety and interest to the book.

Some of these images were made some years ago and I think this exercise also demonstrates how a critical and constructive review of an edited photograph can bring dividends.

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Autumn mist (Part 2)……… a further selection

This is Part 2 of a short series of posts in which I have tried to capture the light and mood of the landscape when seen through autumn mist. Part 1 can be viewed here.

Mist has the power to simplify a scene and when back lit by the morning sun trying to break through, the light which is cast is really rather special.

Like the first post all three of these images were taken when out walking our dog early in the morning. I never know in these situations what I will see. Sometimes nothing at all, but on other occasions there is a photo opportunity around every corner. It’s a much used cliche……but always carry a camera!

Being creative again……

Why does this picture matter? …….Let me try and give you an answer.

Wandering around Plodda Falls – a complete break from news and social media.

Recent posts of my work have featured on The Outer Hebrides – The islands of Lewis and Harris. On our way to these rather special islands we stayed in the Scottish Highlands at a place called Plodda Falls. Situated to the south of Glen Affric, the nearest village is Tomich, whilst the main town of Inverness is about 35 miles to the North East at the northern end of Loch Ness; famous of course for it’s most elusive monster!

‘Fallen’ in Wildhams Wood

In the location I have chosen to explore and photograph for my new project there are a good number of woodland areas, some of which are managed by the Forestry Commission. Open access to this land is not clear although I underdstand The Forestry Commssion has started the process (in June 2017) whereby it will designate its land for public access under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act.

When I visited this wood recently I stayed on one of the public footpaths. I did though venture into the wood itself having noticed a single fallen pine tree which I thought might be an interesting subject to photograph. This tree had not been felled by a forester. From the angle of its trunk it was clear nature had been the cause of its downfall. I took a number of frames from different positions using either a 90mm short telephoto lens to compress the detail or an 18mm super wideangle to get up close and personal.