Notes and Images from a Small Island (Practice 7 Day 1)

I am pleased to get an unexpected extra period of photographic practice before the autumnal season fades into winter.  The colours have been spectacular this year and I want to return to the trees as the spruce turn from green to ochres.  The last practice had focused around the primary strategy of metaphor and my intention in this next phase is to turn to reduction whether that be achieved through the conversion to black and white, intentional camera movement or multiple exposure images.  In terms of the 10-signifiers I will again be working with spatial persistence (returning to the same locations), camera skills and exteroception.

I had noticed yesterday that the colours of the Sitka Spruce had turned from green to yellow and I am keen to capture the intense and vibrant tones of autumn.  However, the weather forecast is not good with large amounts of rain due to fall all week.  The overnight sound of rain and the overcast day that greets me confirms the forecast.  I decide to head out and take my chance as I glance across at the forest area I intend to visit.

It is bright as I walk along the edge of the water although the boggy ground underfoot confirms the amount of rain that has already fallen.  I decide to continue with multiple exposure work as I try to capture the collective of trees rather than isolating individual trees as I had done last week.  The white skies do not help as I sweep my camera upwards to give a sense of height to these towering trees.  It soon becomes necessary to take cover as another squall rolls through.  I have to work quickly – there is not much time to stand and stare or concentrate on technical decisions.  I just have to trust my intuitive skills and work between rain showers.  Not an ideal situation as I return to a location and a subject area I have not worked with for a few months.  As the rain becomes more persistent I retrace my steps.

I am not surprised that after an extended period away from the trees that my images do not measure up to those I had taken in the spring.