How I Scout - Ancient Woodland Photography
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- čas přidán 7. 09. 2024
- This one is a little different. A new style that I hinted at last year and which I enjoy producing and so I hope you enjoy watching. No glitz or glamour, it's all about the woods and taking you along for the relaxed wander. Follow me as I scout this private ancient woodland and find characterful gnarled trees and scenes that are brimming with history and stories to be told.
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Hope you enjoyed this format I'm working on. Please let me know if you enjoyed it.
Thank you Niklas. Much appreciated as always 👍
Yup, really enjoyed this video, really nice and relaxed format ☺️ Was a very enjoyable watch this morning with a nice cup of tea! ;-) And what a great idea, love the idea of the box set Simon! Just ordered mine this very minute! Seems a fantastic unbelievable price for all these gorgeous photos! Cant believe I’m finally going to own a copy of ‘Afraid of Time II’ So look forward to getting this! Thank you 😊
@@f4.therapy Thank you very much for your support, David. Much appreciated :)
I enjoy that you bring your dog with you. She is very well behaved and obviously likes being out there with you.
The way you did the video made it seem like we were all on a workshop with you.
OK Simon, you have 2 advantages over all of us out here.... you have THE most awesome woodlands with such beautiful distorted trees AND you have Meg The Wonderdog. I know she's not a puppy any more, but she still has the puppy personality and energy. Every time I watch one of your videos, it feels like I am transported back in time....I am just waiting for Robin Hood to appear from behind a tree....
Haha, yes I'm very lucky with what I've found close to home and even more lucky to have Meg :-D Many thanks, Dave!
Watching your videos can be as relaxing as going for a walk in the woodlands. Both your videos and your photos are always so beautiful and relaxing to look at. Thanks again for another enjoyable and interesting video!
That's much appreciated. I'm very pleased the relaxing element comes through.
All along we thought Meg was a dog of some kind. Turns out she's an otter. Thanks for taking us along!
Thanks for the opportunity to follow along on this walk. A beautiful woodland, envier you this area. Right now I'm stuck to pine trees, not so many characters among those. love the video and your comment. Grabbes a few tip too. Can't wait until the spring an another follow along when the leaves start growing
Many thanks as always, Jhonny! Oh yes, I'm very much looking forward to spring this year :)
What a beautiful woodland! You are so privileged to have permission to photograph there!🤩
I think the amazing shapes of the trees that you are seeing in that area are remnants of ancient hedge laying. That is often what causes horizontal main trunks.. years of laying long forgotten. Wonderful.
Yes! I agree with the many others that I enjoy the change of pace of more casual, real-time productions that make us feel like we are there with you and where we get to hear your thinking process! That last square crop was gorgeous! I wish I could get such good 'scouting' shots. They would be my final shot! Take care of your back as we want to keep you out there scouting.
Thank you very much, Juanita. Expect more like this one :-)
That's not to say I don't like your other videos as well. I am a sucker for mood music and enjoy a variety of filming techniques! But this was fun and refreshing.
"Ancient woodlands and bum scratches." That should be the tagline on your CZcams banner art!
There are many people who know those wonderful and spectacular places, which at the same time have been stepped on by hundreds of photographers, but they do not know the nearby secret places within their own region and they may not have much to envy those so trite places.
I'm from your same club.
Hey Simon, I just wanted to say that you're an inspiration to me. I also have a long term injury that can hold me back and put me down for days, and seeing you be able to get out and be so successful and capable gives me comfort in that I as a budding photographer can also not be held back by my injury.
It always amazes me how you find photos in the chaos!!
As you mentioned in the video, this is a place you will come back to because there are multiple images available in the woodland area. Now if there are multiple locations that offer the same opportunity then you have for a book. I want an autographed copy of the first printing. Keep up the good work! I hope you recover soon from your back pain.
That's great to know, James :) Many thanks!
I prefer to photograph trees with 4x5 large format on black and white too! I particularly like that the recording technology doesn't play the special role here, more the effect and why exactly this tree is being photographed.
Your back pain probably didn't hurt as much knowing you saved two trees!! Loved the video.
As a photography related channel myself, I just found out about your content, its been an amazing watch. Thank you.
Loved this style of video Simon, please do more like this, appreciate you sharing. Looks like Meg had fun.
Brilliant! what a great place to explore. I like the format, Simon.
Many thanks, Adam :)
I very much enjoyed this one, Simon. Showing your approach to finding strong compositions is interesting. I do much the same thing, but where I live we don't have the wonderfully gnarled oaks and mossy boulders, but our own delights. I hope to see more videos like this.
Many thanks for the positive feedback, David. Much appreciated!
Lovely episode! Thanks for sharing. Always good to remember that not every excursion has to result in a portfolio shot.
Speaking of trees: I took some shots of a great old tree in Old Town, Albuquerque, that was covered with ivy. I came back at a different time of day a week later and the tree was gone. The city, in it's infinite stupidity, took out the tree. Now I make sure I get some kind of photo of a composition no matter what, because it may not be there again; halitosis is better than no breath at all.
Loved your video. Sorry for your hurting back, but thank you for saving those 2 trees!!
Yup. Really enjoyed that Simon. Very interesting to listen to your compositional thoughts as you went along. I do that too sometimes but I'm only talking to myself!
I have a German Shorthaired Pointer who I'd love to take out with me and my camera but I don't think she'd be as patient as Meg! And she has a penchant for rolling in very smelly things - badger and fox poo being her favourites! Does Meg behave herself in that respect?
Many thanks, Phil. Glad you enjoyed it :) Haha, fortunately Meg only rolls in the clean areas. She typically walks around mud and puddles :-D
@@SimonBaxterPhotography I wondered how she keeps her coat so clean! :)
This video is just pure joy.
🇨🇦 Hey there, Simon! I enjoyed this very casual vid. Can you address your relationship with landowners and how you find private woodland sites to photograph? I find that rather fascinating. As I've noted in the past, I'm a Canadian, living in Michigan in an area that doesn't seem to have much "old growth" woodland. It all seems to have been sorted through by farmers over the modest few hundred years history, here. But there must be gems hidden away on private land that had not come to light. Btw, my own chronic pain is slowing me down at the moment. Plantar Fasciitis (s?) this time. I feel ya! Cheers, bro!
Many thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. I mentioned the relationship with the land owner at the end of the snow video but I'll see if I can expand upon it at some point. Cheers :-)
What a gorgeous area! Really enjoying your videos, Simon. Best regards from Melbourne, Australia. :-)
Enjoyed the new format and the new woodland, felt very much like I was out with you. Although you always give good insight into your thought process in composition, this I felt was another level. I m looking forward to receiving your boxed set.
Ps, very jealous of your ancient woodland, we’ve nothing like that- all very young local woods and the one gnarled ancient oak is on a crossroads with houses on all four corners and two street lights 🙄
Many thanks, Keith! Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you very much for your order too. Much appreciated :)
One of the most valuable videos I saw recently ... so much packed with information. One really feels your love for nature :)
Wow such cool trees you found!
Well done saving those two trees Simon 😍
Great adventure in the woods. With your back out of whack, I hope you had someone helping you film this.
No help I'm afraid. I suffered for it but happy with the result with all things considered :)
Brilliant. You can repeat at any time.
My friend, I understand your back pain perfectly as I not only have degenerative disc disease and scoliosis, but I was run over by a car five years ago. Now, I just tore my left rotator cuff bench pressing! Anti-inflammatories are mediocre at best. I think you know what you really need…
I love the fact that you stood up for two trees and tried to plant them or did plant them even though you hurt yourself! You’re a good guy, Simon and I am proud to call you friend!
Sean
Thank you very much, Sean. Yes, it's hard but we get a feel for what we need over time, as you say. Keep well.
Wow, what a tour of your countryside, Simon. So many subjects and such a magnificent and beautiful areas with the trees, moss, rocks, fences and old building sites. Talking us through your take on the potential sites and how you'd set up were really quite interesting. Thanks for taking us along on your outing. You should consider more vlogs like this one. Take care of that back and stay well. Jim
Much appreciated, Jim :-). Expect more like this!
Wonderful woodland and it was fun to watch Meg. You are the only photography channel that my wife will watch with me because of Meg. I hope that your back gets better soon.
Haha, Meg certainly draws a crowd 😁. Many thanks!
Thank you for bringing us along. I hope you are feeling better soon.
Great video Simon, Meg seems to enjoy the exploration side of things. I have a fascination for trees. When I was 8 - 11 yrs old I used to go to a local Sunday School at the bottom of our road. Every year the summer trip was to a local farm where several Sunday Schools would meet up for the day. This farm had loads of very old Oak Trees (60+yrs ago), I would look at them & wonder 'what have you seen in your life time', I still go through that same thought process today (I am 73 now)...Stay Safe & keep the videos coming.............
Many thanks, Graham. Thanks for the little story too. Great to let your imagination go :)
Thank you for showing us this fabulous location. Sadly we do not have those landscapes in Oxfordshire so I have to travel to find them. You have certainly given me a bit more inspiration to get out and just explore.
I particularly liked the scene of the oak tree with orange leaves from the perspective of your video camera. I think that would be a great shot.
Yes, purposely set up like that with the video camera ;-). There's a few potential angles for that beast.
I like the slight change in format, it’s good just being along and seeing the work, effort and research that needs to be put in to facilitate the eventual image. 👍
Many thanks, Steve! And for ordering a box set. Much appreciated 😊. This location in particular seems to be taking a lot of effort, but I think it will be worth it.
So enjoyable to be taken for a walk in your wood for photography adventures!
Yes, the video is different, but I love it! I appreciate any video where you explain your photographic process. I've learned so much from you.
Yea, I concur. Camera settings usually interest me very little. I'm much more interested in hearing how the photographer's mind works a scene when it comes to landscape photography. Thanks Simon! 👍👍👍
Thank you very much guys. Very much appreciated ☺️
Great video Simon sorry you’ve had trouble with your back I know what it’s like as I suffer with mine absolutely stunning location I’m sure you will do it proud thanks for sharing look forward to the next one. All the best Andy
Much appreciated, Andy., Glad you enjoyed it :)
Always love your VLOGS, I so struggle with woodland photography. I think I try to hard and try to force the shot. But, watching your VLOGS helps greatly.
I really love this new type of presentation. Instead of the usual camera-settings-and-compositions it feels so refreshing to tap in to the way you think when scouting. Listening to your enthusiasm makes me think we'll be seeing more of this format... Keep'em coming:)
You are really lucky to have exclusive access to this woodland.
Meg is the star and her performance is awesome 😂😂😂
Very enjoyable and enlightening on how you approach a new area. I know for you those were just record or planning shots but I would have been quite happy with them as they were. I keep saying that Meg needs her own channel. I bet she would grow subscribers at an alarming rate if you filmed her antics and you added some of that jazzy music you used on her appearances before!
Oh, the excitement of such a found treasure! To leave the measure of it in your sensitive hands is rewarding for all of us. Thank you Simon.
Much appreciated, Lynne :)
That was a wonderful 25 minutes of woodland exploration. Interesting, informative and relaxing in equal measures!
Many thanks, Cath! Glad you enjoyed it :)
Thanks for another very interesting video. Loved going scouting with you.
Simon, I feel I have gotten to know you, most importantly your uncanny ability to rely on your higher and innate enthusiasm to guide yourself and us watchers to produce not only the most skillful match human to nature but enthusiastic photographs where you bring woodlands to life. I am a photographer of 30 years, film is my choice. Your videos are a compilation of softness towards nature and trees in particular and giving them credit for the wisdom they harbor . You end up being the best person to expound the values shown to us through the photographs of trees in a naturalist and spiritual manner so that your photography and counsel among trees becomes a blessing not restricted to photography alone but a look beyond the mere physical. I have seen nearly everyone doing you tube videos on photography. You alone have raised it to a higher art raising the photographs you show and we, the viewer, see. Not to be comparative with other youtubers focusing on photography, but the love and reverence, the nature man has lost his brotherhood with and your humility to nature's forms is utterly amazing and deserves recognition as you slow down photography to a benediction that man holds for woodlands and inches us closer to that primal instinct to be surprised by nature while preserving it's spirit in many ways above and beyond the grab fest of ownership that is man's egocentric rule over what is not ours to judge but wonder and be amazed by life not manmade.
I wish someday I could share my accolades for your professional photography and love of worlds living beside and apart from man's taming. You are in a class all your own and clearly in search of a relationship with nature with a restrained personal agenda rising over a different living world.
Gratefully Yours,
Robert Charles Le Moon
creamdaslos@gmail.com
USA 1-541-731-7132
1956 Orchard Dr. NW
Olympia, Wa. 98502
Thank you very much for your kind thoughts, Robert. I'm very pleased that you appreciate my approach to photography :)
Really enjoyed this scouting video and hopefully something you will do again. Thanks Paul
Very enjoyable video today! Thanks! Suggest you use one hiking pole when out in areas with uncertain footing; adds a huge amount of extra stability.
I love very much this new video and the new style .Better than the older one .As always you are improving ! I appreciate your effort .and I'm supporting you as much as I can .
Much appreciated, Enrico. Many thanks for ordering a box set 😊
Nice location mate place will keep you and meg busy in the right conditions .meg sure likes sliding on the ferns .keep up the good work .Hope your bad back eases, its no joyi no from personal experience .touch wood fine for couple years now but have to be carefull .
Thanks for sharing your walk in the woods. Cheers!
What a fabulously awe inspiring place, Simon, brimming with characters! (Including Meg Lol ♥️) For someone with the imagination a whole fantasy animated film/ book/ tv series could be created, with Meg as the star! Loved following your exploration process, great to do it in winter to help you get a feel for the ‘bones’ of the place 👍🏻
Many thanks as always, Martin! Yes, it's certainly full of magic there. It's a great to explore it right now, as you say :)
Wonderful journey. Beautiful woodland.
hahah Meg sure is loving that morning!
Your appreciation and respect for the "small things" is very refreshing and admirable. We must think a lot the same because your narrative seemed to answer questions I was asking and you mentioned thoughts that I was having as well. Brilliant video and as a fellow back pain sufferer, take care of yourself and enjoy a dip in a hot tub. I look forward to your next video.
Thank you very much. Glad you enjoyed it, Craig :)
Sorry to hear your back pain is bad, having a prolapsed disc myself I can empathise with you. You are so lucky to have such wonderful local woodland. Torbay has small ivy ridden tree woods & Plantations. Churston Woods had the heart ripped out 3 years ago with Ash dieback. A very wide centre centre section through the woodland floor is now a mass of brambles, nettles & self seeded buddleia. The police here are getting very strict on not travelling out of the town of residence. Drive 3 miles to walk a coastal path & they are issuing fines. You may be happy about this lockdown, but like thousands of others I am not, as my regular photo locations like Dartmoor & coastal paths further afield are out of bounds at the moment which is not good for mental health. The weather here in South Devon has been rubbish photographically, but we photographers are never happy when it comes to the weather. Ps. can we have more of the star of the show please. More Meg please.
Oh I'm certainly not happy about lockdown, but I'm taking what positives I can from it. It's lead me back to this place and strengthened my love for local, so I'm grateful for that.
Great Vlog Simon, wonderful site to scout under great woodland conditions, thanks for sharing
Beautiful trees,my very favorite subject to photograph,thank u for this video!
Thank you for this very enjoyable video Simon, I like this format very much. All the best for your aching back.
Thank you for making these thoughtful videos. I really appreciate how your almost poetic response to your subjects informs your compositions. And of course I love the way Meg, like many other dogs out for a romp, tries to figure out where you're going so she can get out front and lead you. ;)
Thank you fir kind words, Peter! Haha, yes she likes to get out in front but always like to know that you're not too far behind :)
22:05, I swear the dog knows not to screw up your shot by walking in the direction the camera is pointed! Great video, I enjoy the composition tips and hearing the thought process.
I love your videos and your talent. I also love your crazy Meg! I have decided I want to get one but will never do some crazy haircut to it!
That is wonderful, that you saved those trees!! Will you show us the trees you saved sometime? What an interesting woodland to explore, such unique trees! And no other people.. A dream come true!
Yes, I'm very fortunate. I look forward to sharing more. Sure, I'll take a pic in the spring :)
When I see your videos, I really feel at home. I see myself in my outings in the mountain woods and rivers, but without my Attila (which would hyperventilate after the first km between climbs and descents). Great Simon, I always follow you with pleasure. The place you discovered is crazy, I hope to see more videos of this place.
Always much appreciated, Antonio. Many thanks! Lots more videos to come from this location :)
Really enjoyed the new format Simon...as mentioned before, has a feel of being on a workshop.. but without the swearing, any camera breakages and Heaton in the background saying "Is there an unneccessarily steep hill we can climb around here? !!"
Many thanks, Nigel! Haha, that's certainly a steep hill if it's the one I think you're referring to :)
I really enjoyed hearing the excitement in your voice when you found something that caught your attention...I feel that same excitement when I spot something of interest while walking on our local trails. Thank you for your videos....really enjoyed this one.
Very pleased that you enjoyed it, Sara. Many thanks!
Thank you to you and Meg for yet another lovely walk in the woods.
Brilliant idea Simon - much like going on a hike with you and being able to appreciate your thought process. Cheers!
Many thanks, George. Glad you enjoyed it :)
That's very kind, Niklas. Always appreciated 😊
What an amazing woodland
Extremely Enjoyable More Please !!!
Great looking location.
Beautiful location and the photographic potential is fantastic!
I liked the format, Simon! It was good to hear your thoughts about the various trees as you walked the woodlands. Please do more. Plus I wish I had half of Meg's energy. :)
Many thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. I'll certainly do more :)
Contagiuos enthusiasm Simon. Thank you!
Simon this was brilliant. Great to look over your shoulder and hear you describe your thoughts for future shoots in this beautiful wood. Many thanks for putting this together and sharing.
Thank you very much, John. Much appreciated :)
Love your local areas Simon, beautiful landscapes.
I enjoyed following along on your scouting trip. I hope your back feels better soon. I know what back problems are like.
Many thanks Melani 😊
I really enjoyed this style of video Simon - great to follow you through this amazing woodland, hear your thoughts on how you approach scouting and what you are looking for, plus the benefit of looking at the scene and area ourselves. Some of those trees are amazing. Thanks a lot for sharing and for the additional thought & work that went into the production of that video. Nicely done!
Much appreciated, Al! Glad you enjoyed it :-D
Gotta just love nature and how trees keep on growing even after the topple over. Always amazes me. What a lovely location. I wish I had some of Meg's energy. She's such a treat to watch. Some lovely trees there. Hope your back is okay. Take care and stay safe.
Thank you Simon for this wonderful insight to your process. I have never looked at tree's the same since I first watched one of your video's, and I now see more than I ever did before, but putting that sight into practice with the camera is another thing entirely. Thanks again.
Thank you, Andrew. That's much appreciated 😊
I like the old homestead site.
It's a beaut. I'll certainly be working on some more intimate views of there.
Really enjoyed this format. Loved this. Keep safe. Pal
This brought back fond memories of the workshop I took with you Simon. Nicely done!
Many thanks Tony 😁
Wonderful area ! Thanks to CV19 I've spent 10 months scouting woodland including one spot that looks similar to your woodland .... gnarled oaks sprouting from rocky outcrops and old birch. Great fun and plenty of potential when conditions are right. Thumbs up for Woodland therapy ! Look after that back of yours ... 😉
Thank you Steve and thank you very much for the box set order 😁. I'm pleased you've been able to explore a great woodland. Send me some photos ;)
Really enjoyed the vlog Simon, great format. It was very interesting it makes up for not hanging around with you more when I was on your workshops :-) Just out of interest how old do you think that crazy birch was? I know they lifespan is very short relative to those Oaks, but it must of been pushing the upper limits of 80 to 100 years old.
Many thanks, Malcolm. I actually think it's much older - probably double that.
Excellent insight into your photography, Simon. Cheers!
Much appreciated, Jim 😊
Random question: what rain boots do you wear? I have been interested in getting some all-weather muck/rain boots that are comfortable for long hikes. Love your content! Out of most of the photographers on CZcams, your work resonates with my own the most.
Wow loved this video, the trees are magical! And Meg is lovely, she like my Spaggi likes a bum scratch too 😆❤️🐕🦺
Many thanks Amanda 😊
Great video, Simon, thanks!
Hi simon, inspiring video and great talk through.loved it. I wonder if you could let me know where you got Megs coat from. I need one for my Wheaton terrier Ruby. Cheers.
Many thanks! Here you go: amzn.to/3s2UwWv
Absolutely wonderful video. Your love of trees and woodland and your gratitude for the experience are so evident..Hugely instructive to hear your thought process as you explored, lots of little insights as to composition , conditions and the seasons
Thank you very much, Howard. That's very kind of you to say :)
Enjoyed that Simon ... a nice relaxed feel to it with some great finds .. reminds a lot of CaptureLakeland .... I love this side of photography, almost as much as capturing a final image, especially when you know it's somewhere you can come back to when the light is better combined with the lack of pressure of capturing something on that first visit .... All the best with the box set ...
Many thanks Nigel. Yes, it's my favourite stage to be honest. Seeing something for the first time is wonderful :)