Luke Images

From my journal…  Autumn is unveiling winter. The forest is a mix of bare branches and leaves holding on here and there for a final golden flourish. Not long now until all will be exposed – the forest becoming a fascinating study in tree shape and form.  —  Again in black and white: --- Snapped on my old iPhone 6s along Beechen Lane track, Lyndhurst, New Forest. November 2022.  —  Photo ref: 20221117-Beechen-Lane-3 / IMG_5527

From my journal…  Stunning ride today. Lovely breeze. Cool wind. Feels like the beginning of the end of Autumn. Trees looking barer.  I’m loving these days of low sun casting a flattering light from the side and its wondrously long shadows.  What a glorious Autumn it’s been. We’ve had our fair share of rain. But then days like these also – incredible.  I had this track to myself today. Can’t be bad. These trees stopped me along the way. I loved the light on them.  —  Again in black and white: —  Snapped on my old iPhone 6s along Beechen Lane track, Lyndhurst, New Forest. November 2022.  —  Photo ref: 20221117-Beechen-Lane-Parkhill-Inclosure-15 / IMG_5539

The light and colours of those trees in the background was something to behold as I stood gazing at them from the shadows. The contrast between here and there heightened the intensity of their autumnal glory. It was like standing outside the gates of a kingdom, peering up at it in wonder for the first time.  —  Again in black and white: —  Snapped on my old iPhone 6s along Beechen Lane track, Lyndhurst, New Forest. November 2022.  —  Photo ref: 20221109-Beechen-Lane-Parkhill-Inclosure-5 / IMG_5452

I could have spent all day in the forest today – stunning weather, gorgeous colours, wonderful atmosphere. As I approached this scene I was drawn in the lovely silhouetted treelines against the vibrant background. Shame about the bush in the bottom right corner. Could have done without that! But anyway, the rest is good.  —  Again in black and white: Hmm, on first impressions with this one it seems to be a bit less clear what’s going on with the weather. It’s a bit dark and brooding, with no colour to draw the eye and warm you up.  But the light on the leaves in the background draws the eye and brings a nice contrast to the silhouetted tree. And you notice that the sky is clear – and what appears to be a faint shaft of light on the ground – so it suggests the sun is out.  I guess all of that provides a certain curiosity factor. And then there are the lovely lines of the tree, and background details and debris on the ground that add interest.  So overall I thi...

I couldn’t get close enough to this with my phone. That middle flourish of backlit leaves caught my eye as I wandered around taking in the beauty.  It seemed so alive in the sun. Such gorgeous colours. Who can take it in? I find it breathtaking.  And the lines of the branches they belong to, flowing in a kind of dance, putting me into a trance…  Such mystery.  Such majesty.  Such mastery.  —  Again in black and white: I love the contrast created by the sunlight hitting the leaves in the centre, and the flecks in the top left.  Even without the beautiful autumnal colours, the lines and backlit leaves provide plenty of interest – it lacks the warmth but not the wonder.   I find it restful. And removing the colour draws me into more of the fascinating detail.  —  Snapped on my old iPhone 6s along Beechen Lane track, Lyndhurst, New Forest. November 2022.  —  Photo ref: 20221109-Beechen-Lane-Parkhill-Inclosure-28 / IMG_5...

I was drawn to the light on the leaves here. It seems now though to be about the patchwork and patterns.  I love looking up at the trees like this. I’m not sure what it is that appeals so much. Maybe it’s their tallness and my smallness. I guess it’s the same feeling you get around tall buildings – the sense of scale and greatness. Plus it’s just fun to capture different perspectives.  This was a quick snap on a quick bike ride. Another glorious moment in a glorious autumn. How amazing to be here.  — Again in black and white: I’m more aware of the lines in this one. The dark trunks seem to play a more significant role. They lead me up into the shot and my eyes meet a fascinating collection of criss-crossing branches. Although they’re separate, they look connected.  Some of those thinner lines combine with the leaves to resemble roads and fields and towns taken from a great height.  I like the mosaic of contrasting leaves in the top left. The lighter central ar...

I loved the tree forms here and how they framed the bright and beautiful autumnal scene behind them. The patterns and spray arrangements of the foreground leaves and branches are lovely too – swooshing this way and that like the fine touches of an artist’s brush.  It was another glorious, magical, sunny afternoon. Everywhere was still. These were the last days of the autumn exhibition in the forest – and what a show it was!  —  Again in black and white: The background has become less distinguishable, like a scratchy ink stamp, but its brightness wants to hold me there.  Peripherally the trunks have become even more dominant, so my eyes wander over to them and the dark canopy which is full of fascinating detail.  The trees communicate strength, grace and practicality to me – I wonder what caused the left branch to take its jagged path in contrast to the smoother courses on the right.  Then I follow the swoop of the slender branch just to the right of centr...