Notes and Images from a Small Island (Practice 2 Day 7)

After a slow start with my photographic practice this week, due to work commitments and treacherous weather conditions, I decide to set out early and take a short drive over the Skye bridge to a wood of largely indigenous trees in Balmacara.  The conditions of stillness are deceptive – there is a loud rustling sound of the canopy moving in the wind and a burn flows down through the wood and babbles along the edge of the path.  I am struck by the difference in the species of trees compared with the non-indigenous woods and forests I have previously worked in on Skye.

There are families of trees clearly visible, where they have seeded in small groups, and there is more varied vegetation such a ferns mosses and some early snowdrops on the floor of the wood.

The paths through the woods are more defined and wider than those on Skye and provide varied visual and photographic opportunities.  I take some photographs to record information about the location and towards the end of the recce I cannot resist taking a few considered shots too.

When I return to process my images, I am taken as to how different the whole look and feel of the wood is, compared with the images of Skinidin.  They are more spartan but have more substantial trees and there are clear and wide paths made by both animals and humans.  In photographic terms, the paths provide scope for lead in lines, and give a greater sense of openness than on Skye.

I need to do more scouting for new locations.  I am going to seek out new woodlands and forests and also lone trees and small groups of trees.  I intend to return to the woodland surrounding Loch Cill Chriosd and begin to experiment with different approaches and techniques.