Today, I decided to head out into the forest—just for a wander, with my camera in hand, purely for fun. No plans, no pressure—just seeing what kind of photos I could find along the way. This kind of slow, aimless exploring is my favourite way to shoot.
A small hiccup nearly delayed the trip—a soft tyre threatened to cut things short. Luckily, a quick top-up got me rolling again, and I eased into the forest roads, framed by overhanging trees and gentle, grey skies. The clouds were welcome; that kind of soft, diffused light is perfect for woodland photography.
I had a couple of spots in mind, but the tyre trouble returned. A stuck wheel nut meant calling out the breakdown service. An hour later, with the spare fitted, the adventure resumed.
Wandering through the woods, I followed narrow tracks and quiet paths. The forest was rich with ferns, —vivid pops of colour against the green. Research leads me to believe this is due to ‘stress’, in terms of lack of water, or less than ideal lighting. I waited, hoping to find one perfectly isolated against a soft backdrop.
The Video of Shoot
Recent inspiration from other photographers encouraged me to look beyond the obvious. During this New Forest Photography adventure, I sought textures, colours, and natural forms that told a deeper story. A twisted, knotted tree caught my eye—perfect for a square crop. A fallen trunk resembled an insect, nature’s sculpture lying forgotten in the undergrowth. Yellowing leaves brought an unexpected touch of autumn to a July afternoon.
I kept moving, stopping only when something truly caught my attention—a golden fern here, a lone tree there. One bendy tree intrigued me, but I couldn’t quite isolate it the way I wanted. Still, the process of looking felt rewarding.
Though I only managed one main stop due to the earlier delays, a surprise awaited on the drive home—a lone treestanding boldly in an open field. I had to stop. A cow crossing added a rural charm (and a slight delay), and with the car park closed, I made my way over a narrow bridge on foot.
I took care exploring the area, spotting bright red thorns on a stem against pale green—an unexpected detail that made for a striking final shot.
It was a short but deeply satisfying day. Slow photography in soft light, and time well spent wandering the New Forest. I’ll definitely be back for more.
Leave a reply