Luke Images

Standing here was all about taking in a multitude of colours and shades as sunlight hit certain leaves. The contrast was lovely. It made me appreciate the vibrant sun-drenched leaves all the more.  On the other hand, it’s a busy shot and I wonder if this wide angled camera phone view really pulls it off. Nothing beats being there, of course.  Standing amidst the beauty of nature and observing its interplay is a wondrous and marvellous thing. It’s mysterious and harsh, too, at times. The deadwood scattered on the forest floor speaks to the ravages of time. And life in the wild is hard for most creatures.  But here, in this moment, with the sun hitting those leaves, it was glorious.  --- Here's what it looks like without the glorious technicolour: This appears to make the tree and its two trunks more prominent, giving a sense of stature within the dense community. Meanwhile, delicate branches provide contrast as their leaves make pretty fleck patterns in the left fore...

The vibrancy of the leaves was stunning in this moment. Clouds were passing overhead frequently and blotting out the sun. The contrast in effect was remarkable.  I love the back glow and how it pulls my eye right in. Are we naturally drawn to the light? I certainly was here.  It was just a glorious moment. I can recollect the atmosphere when the sunlight transformed the scene. It was so peaceful. And it seemed to go from low-key ordinariness to potential-filled brilliance.  —  Again in black and white: —  Snapped on my old iPhone 6s in Pondhead Inclosure, Lyndhurst, New Forest. November 2022.  —  Photo ref: 20221104-Pondhead-Inclosure-25 / IMG_5430

I find something calming about this scene. Yet it wasn’t a still day. An autumn breeze was swirling around and the sun took turns with showers as big clouds ploughed overhead.   I think I caught this as the wind was rustling through the leaves. It’s not the clearest of shots, which disappoints me. Even so, I like the angle. And the flat lighting seems to allow the colours to be themselves. It seems to capture autumn pretty well.  If only it was clearer! —  Snapped on my old iPhone 6s on Beechen Lane, Lyndhurst, New Forest. November 2022.  —  Photo ref: 20221101-Beechen-Lane-11 / IMG_5402

I took this shot because of the sunlight falling on the ground and trees. I never tire of such sights, all the more pronounced when they come as a wonderful surprise. I walked around enjoying the moment; my soul aglow.  In the back of mind was a recurring thought: Make the most of this. It was late October. The leaves were turning. This sunshine was unusual. It felt like something extraordinary was happening.  —  Again in black and white: —  Snapped on my old iPhone 6s at Clay Hill, Lyndhurst, New Forest. October 2022.  —  Photo ref: 20221028-Clay-Hill-159 / IMG_5385

Something about the sunlight on the grass in the foreground caught my eye here. The way it highlighted the detail drew me in. I’m not sure what it is that appeals to me about this. Maybe it’s just the wild beauty which the sunlight emphasises.  It was a lovely October mid-afternoon – warmer than usual. Although it’s on a popular footpath, I had this place to myself. You can’t beat putting on your walking shoes and wandering around here.  ---  Again in black and white: —  Snapped on my old iPhone 6s at Clay Hill, Lyndhurst, New Forest. October 2022.  —  Photo ref: 20221028-Clay-Hill-158 / IMG_5384

What I think I like about these types of shots is the sense of balance. The lines of branches are always fascinating. And the way they extend to the edges looks like they’re attached to fixed points on the frame, conveying a sense of strength and stability like an intricate spider’s web.  Then again, they also resemble lightning-like filaments in a plasma globe, conveying a sense of energy and reactivity.  Either way, it’s the branches that I notice first. And I can’t say they’re particularly attractive!  But the leaves are glorious in the sunshine. Together with the blue sky, they create depth through their various shades.  Standing beneath this vibrant canopy was a wonder to behold. It was this I wanted to capture.  —  Here again in black and white: In contrast to the colour version, this initially feels a little darker in mood – and yet, not overly oppressive. In spite of the blotchy coverage of leaves that might resemble a dark and brooding sky, the lov...