In the forest

Rotting log, Cumbria, April 2008

This is one of a series of images I made from a forest walk in Cumbria. Everywhere in forests there are signs of Nature renewing itself. Old growth dies and rots, to be taken over by new forms of life. It is another recurring theme: the process of death and decay leading to new life and growth. Nothing wasted or destroyed, instead an endless recycle.

Nature everywhere

Mossy crevice, Oslo, May 2008

The processes of nature continue everywhere.

In a dark part of the woods, along a little-used trail the proverbial tree has fallen where no one was around to hear it. The rolling stone has stopped and moss gathers in a dark, damp crevice.

Nature is most often in the places we do not often look.

How to capture the wind

Uprooted, Cumbria, April 2008

The wind is an important part of the natural process. It probably has the power to be one of the most destructive forces. We feel its effect every time we step outside. We see the results of its work in erosion, fallen trees or great waves. And yet there is no direct way to capture it in a photograph.

I want to capture more than just the aftermath, although that will be part of it. I shall have to find ways to introduce the concept of motion into images. Swaying trees are fine, but what about sand blowing across a beach? How to differentiate between a gentle breeze and a howling gale? These are technical and artistic challenges. Getting a technique right will open all manner of artistic possibilities in capturing motion.

I want to show both time elements in the process of the wind, the short term storm effect and the longer term patient erosion. And in there must surely be more than destruction for wind moves the clouds that bring the water and the fresh oxygen that bring life. All concepts that are hard to show in a static image.

I can but try. This will likely take time.

Tanglewood

Tanglewood, Oslo, May 2008

One of the few images I got from my recent trip to Oslo.

Fallen branches, rotting wood, the long-term action of air and water. All recurring themes in my photography that will probably form an important part of the project.

Introduction to the project

So what is the project all about?

Firstly it is entitled “Processes of Nature” – a pretty broad concept which gives me some latitude. The idea came to me when I was asked to articulate what I was trying to capture in my landscape images. I realised that, in the broadest sense, this was it.

That was the beginning.

As I think more about this, and now I’ve formulated it as an on-going project, I am forming more concrete thoughts on the matter.

As an Engineer, I see the laws of physics all around me. Physical and chemical processes coming together to shape the World. It is engrained in me, part of who I am. Trying to understand how these processes come together in the natural world is part of the wonder for me.

And so to the project. It is about capturing images that display those processes at work and their results. It is about a world full of change, erosion and growth; life, death and rebirth. At the moment it is only a collection of thoughts, ideas and potential images. Over time I will be trying to bring some cohesion, develop themes and generally produce a series that works together.

This really is a journey for me; hopefully some of you will have enough interest to come along, too.

Introduction to the blog

The idea behind this blog is to document my journey in developing a photographic project, more of which later. It is all about the image I create under the theme and reasons why I am taking these pictures.

This is (without trying to be too pompous) about the artistic journey. What I am picturing and why. If you want thoughts on technical stuff, go elsewhere (my main blog for example). Entries will likely be longer than I normally post as I develop particular themes and lines of thought.

Posting here will be rather intermittent. I’ll post when I have new thoughts or when I feel I’ve some new images. Any images here will be a selection of the ones I am considering for inclusion. Thus, they may be final selections, or not. There may well be final selections that never make it here.