Yesterday was a very enjoyable day; I spent the day at the Epping Forest Field Centre up at High Beach, helping with a photography one-day course "Photography in Epping Forest in Winter". I volunteer at the Field Centre from time to time, and helping out with the course allowed me to also gain some more inspiration for my own photography.The course was led by a very experienced photographer, John Price, who has worked in publishing, industry, corporate and, for the last ten years, in conservation as a photographer. I am a fan of the Fifty Favourite Trees book that John designed and photographed (a digital version can be found at www.favouritetrees.org), and when helping out on one of his previous photo courses I found him to be very knowledgeable, affable, and full of ideas for taking nature photos beyond the ordinary. Helping John on the course and offering some advice on Wildlife Photography was John Gooday, so all told there was a wealth of photographic knowledge for attendees to tap into.
The weather was fantastic for the morning walk, with snow and sun and a very blue sky indeed. We didn't wander too far from the Field Centre, but some of my favourite trees are in this part of the forest and there were many other things to photograph besides. Lunch was taken at the Kings Oak pub, beside a blazing fire. Things then clouded over somewhat in the afternoon, but by then we had finished taking photos and had returned to the centre to look at some of the images, and to discuss different ideas and techniques. Those attending the course ranged from complete beginners to people that use photography for their work, and yet I think that everyone found the day useful. It was interesting to see the variety of pictures that were captured, and the different perspectives and techniques that people used resulted in some very different images even though they were all walking the same route!
If anyone has the chance to attend one of John Price's photography courses in the future I would highly recommend them (keep an eye on Epping Forest Field Centre courses at www.field-studies-council.org). Particularly useful for beginner and intermediate level, but there are new ideas to be had for many a more experienced photographer.
Some more pictures from High Beach yesterday:
