Braving the cold
One of my projects for 2026 is to explore in depth a small patch of woodland near where I live, following more or less the same path at least once a week throughout the year and recording the changes and my sensations. It’s actually a nature project, rather than a photography project, but as my hand feels lost without a camera to hold, images will no doubt have a pretty big role to play. A couple of days ago I went on my second weekly walk of the year, braving the bitter cold and dodging the lingering patches of slushy snow, not at all my sort of conditions. I did take some photos, but as photography wasn’t my main aim and in any case it was too chilly to stand around fretting about composition, they were more intended as documentation than post-worthy images. But when I looked at them, I thought… well, even if they’re not the greatest of images, wouldn’t it be nice to share them in any case? So without too much fuss and fiddle-faddle, here is a selection…
Up to about 50 years or so ago, where now there is woodland of a sort, there were once fields and meadows lined by oak trees and divided by stone walls and this previous land use has left traces everywhere, the walls now crumbling and covered with moss but still clearly visible.
I’m looking forward to documenting the changing seasons and especially the arrival of Spring, but in the meantime, the lichens and mosses make fascinating subjects, such as on this fallen oak tree…
… which has become a micro-habitat in its own right.
On a technical note, all the photos were taken with my OM1 MKII. For all but the last, I used a Panasonic Leica 9 mm f1.7 wide angle lens, perhaps not an intuitive choice, but I find it’s great fun to use and very versatile for these documentary photos where I can illustrate both the close up and context in one image. The last photo is with the OM System 40-150 mm f2.8. I did have a macro lens with me, but I just couldn’t find the enthusiasm to get down on my knees in the snow for more close-up shots. The lichens will still be there when I go back in warmer weather.
To end, a couple of very quick snaps, again taken with the 40-150 mm, to give you an idea of the context of the woodland as it gradually thins out to juniper scrub then rocky grassland on the slopes of the snow-covered mountain above.
Adapted from an article first published in The 617 Club.
For my Italian-speaking friends (or anyone wanting to translate into another language), I recommend DeepL translator available clicking here or also as a browser extension for Google Chrome.
Per i miei amici di lingua italiana (o chiunque voglia tradurre in un’altra lingua), consiglio DeepL translator disponibile cliccando qui o anche come estensione per il browser Google Chrome.