After two weeks of staying at home and self-isolating, I was able to venture further than my garden. On a beautiful Sunday with a blue sky and streaming sunshine, I made my way to the park. I knew that it would help in my recovery for both body and soul.
My intention was to explore double-exposures further. I also was inspired by shots taken on 20 March, especially when they were presented in grid form.
The challenge I had that day was to ensure I kept to the social distancing measurement of at least 2 metres. I also had to keep moving, as staying in one spot for any length of time was not allowed.
The first images I took were with my smartphone of this tree.
I didn’t take any with my DSLR as I couldn’t get the same perspective with this lens.
I walked a bit further and started my experiment. The intention was to take a ‘grid’ of double exposure shots of the same tree. While standing in the same spot, focus on the top left corner of the planned composition, then the first shot then move the camera slightly down for the second one. I would then move the camera down and repeat the process three more times. Next, I’d focus the camera to the right then repeat the process going up. This is a selection of the images.
Next, I tried a similar technique with a single tree, taking three shots from top to bottom.
Interesting. I have to work on the exposure on the third shot in the sequence.
I then ventured into the Woodland Gardens and tried the same technique with this tree.
Better, but not sure if a using a tripod would give a stronger, continuous line with the trunk. The following was taken free-hand – I do prefer the way the trunk flows between each individual image.
After wandering through the gardens, I realised I was feeling very drained. It was a timely reminder that, even though I had shaken off most of the symptoms, I still needed time to recover fully and regain my energy. As such, I changed my planned route and walked across part of the park that I hadn’t been to for quite a while.
On this part of my walk, I came across the following tree.
As with other dead trees in the park, it looks like a sculpted statue.
While taking these photos, I noticed this aspect taken from a particular angle.
It looked like a robed person outstretching their hands to the sky.
The next tree I encountered was this rugged specimen.
Again, I took some detail shots.
I was also delighted to spot a kite perched at the top of this tree. Unfortunately, both my DSLR and smartphone lens couldn’t get close enough, so this will have to do.
Jennie Meadows MA Photography 