Luke Images

I think of characters lined up one behind the other when I look at this. It’s like they’re shuffling across the frame – like a chain gang or pensioners in a queue.  Lovely to see such vibrant colours still hanging around in early December, resplendent against the clear blue sky.  It’s like these old characters are saying “There’s life in us yet!”  —  Again in black and white: —  Snapped on my old iPhone 6s on Clay Hill, Lyndhurst, New Forest. December 2022.  —  Photo ref: 20221208-Beechen-Lane-Clay-Hill-5 / IMG_5615

As I cycled up the track on Beechen Lane, I was taken by the long shadows cast by the low winter sun.  It would be a pretty dull shot without them!  All it takes is a bit of light and the situation is transformed.  —  Again in black and white: —  Snapped on my old iPhone 6s on Beechen Lane track, Lyndhurst, New Forest. December 2022.  —  Photo ref: 20221208-Beechen-Lane-Clay-Hill-1 / IMG_5611

It was such a glorious morning. I snapped this shot on my way back from the school run. I was across the main road and waited for a gap in the traffic.  The orange leaves seemed particularly vivid against the clear blue sky. And a lovely sun-tinged haze sat over the field.  I could have stayed there for a while just looking at it, but for the noisy traffic. Even so, for just a few moments this glorious scene stopped me in my tracks.  —  Again in black and white: Hmm, the gold is lost on this one!  Without the colour, the photo seems to be about the dark form of the tree and its fascinating tangle of branches. It looks rather untidy.  The lower tree looks neater, simpler. Perhaps it has led a sheltered life next to the other one. Sadly the vibrancy of its orange leaves are a muted mid-grey here. Yet they bring some relief and calm to the darkness.  And there, beyond the tree, you can see light on the field in the distance. It seems a smaller detail co...