It is the last day of a two-week practice period that has been dogged by uncertainty about whether I can legitimately spend time in the landscape taking my photographs. Having said that, I have just received a letter from the University confirming I am engaged in bona fide research activities. So, in two weeks’ time when I start the next period of practical work. I can feel confident and comfortable spending time in the landscape, writing and taking photographs.
It is a spectacular day on Skye – the sun is shining, and it is very warm for a winter’s day. I return to Skinidin and choose a familiar spot in the trees, close to Caolas Scalpay. The colours under the trees are warm and vibrant and there is good contrast of light and shade. I look up into the canopy and get that sense of spinning around.
Among Trees 26 - Alison Price, February 2021
But then, I begin to focus on the woodland floor allowing the camera to dwell on the rich greens and russets. There is just a glimpse of the water beyond.
Among Trees 27 - Alison Price, February 2021
I also spend time looking at other details such as the grasses and the patterns on the bark of the trees.
Among Trees 28 - Alison Price, February 2021
Before leaving I cross the woodland path and return to a very small group of trees. The grass is thick and bounces as my feet touch the ground, but it is pitted, made uneven, by the visiting deer. Again, I focus on the floor of the wood sweeping the camera upwards to just give a hint of the blue sky beyond.
Among Trees 29 - Alison Price, February 2021
Among Trees 30 - Alison Price, February 2021
Among Trees 31 - Alison Price, February 2021
I am pleased with these images - especially the last four. The mixture of greens, browns and oranges under the bright blue skies captures the essence of a wood as a warm place and one where animals, birds and humans can take cover rest. The amount of blur, that I finely tuned in camera, also gives a welcoming and restful feel to the images, in comparison to earlier work where there has been a frantic movement in the trees. I also worked hard on the processing - reducing the vibrance, saturation and clarity to match the mood of the wood.
Alison Price
My name is Alison Price and for the past ten years I have travelled the world photographing wildlife, including Alaska, Antarctica, Borneo, Botswana, the Canadian Arctic, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.