Page 22 - Amateur Photographer - August 5, 2017

Photo Insight

Guardians

of the Forest

By Simon Baxter

Following a serious sporting injury,
Simon Baxter discovered that

photography was able to provide the
solitude and distraction he craves

iving in a small town move, always exploring,
in North Yorkshire, discovering and enjoying.
I spent much of my Woodland photography
L childhood playing in became the answer, and since
the local forest – exploring and late 2015, it’s been both a
building hidden dens. In later necessity and my passion.
years, I continued to spend
many hours in the forest as an Seeking solitude
avid mountain biker. I’d tear In May 2016, I visited
through the trails, passing the Snowdonia with some other
trees with as much speed as photographers. During a fl at,
possible. This ended abruptly grey afternoon, we found
upon injuring my back in ourselves in a forest where we
2012. The diffi cult years and all wandered off in different
resulting chronic pain that directions in search of a shot
followed changed my view of or two. I came across these two
the natural world forever. moss-laden oak trees and was
I struggle to feel content immediately drawn to them,
without progression within the with their almost symmetrical
things I’m passionate about, so appearance and imposing
with mountain biking out of trunks forming a gateway to
the picture, it was time to a woodland waiting to be
rekindle my casual interest in discovered. I knew instantly
photography. It was in early that, under the right conditions,
2015, while photographing a it would make a fabulous
local landmark in the company image, encompassing many
of our labradoodle, Meg, that of the things I enjoy so much
I suddenly became aware of a about woodland photography.
reduction in pain. The fresh air, It’s all about the mystery,
natural movement and genuine mood, story and the feelings
distraction that the process of solitude and discovery.
of landscape photography There are two things I crave in
provided were profoundly woodland photography – mist
benefi cial. But I craved more and being alone (except for my
distraction. I needed to dog). Being alone allows you
become truly absorbed within to get into the zone, let your
the landscape – always on the mind wander and create a true

Simon Baxter
Simon Baxter is a landscape photographer who specialises
in capturing the atmosphere and character of quiet and
obscure local woodland. He has a YouTube channel with
video blogs offering tips and inspiration as he explores the
great outdoors with his dog, one-year-old labradoodle, © SIMON BAXTER
Meg. Visit www.baxter.photos.

22 00 Month 2017 I www.amateurphotographer.co.uk I subscribe 0330 333 1113