New Year Sunlight…

2022’s photography started on the first fine day of the new year along the Southwell Trail. Standing out amongst the bare leafless trees was an uplifting sparkle of bright yellow hazel catkins against a clear blue sky - a great colour combination:

This inspired further shots along the trail. I particularly enjoyed the low sunlight tracing the twists and turns of the winter branches merging into a glowing halo of fine twigs:

December on Combs Lane (2021)

The last of 2021’s photography features scenes from Combs Lane, part of a daily walking routine. I generally carry a camera with me capturing familiar compositions in different conditions and after several years of doing this I still find it engaging enough for local photography to remain at the core of my photographic activities for 2022. 

Of course I would like new subjects, a different challenge, perhaps being more creative with my output, but none of that can happen unless I retain the simply enjoyment of being out, seeing, and capturing the light on any particular day. In this way, I feel the results will naturally follow, that they are never forced, and am I rarely dissatisfied by the outcomes.

The conditions that inspired me on Combs Lane in December included a bright day after rainfall and a low light mistiness which was more typical of the month’s weather:

 

December on the Southwell Trail (2021)

The photography on the Southwell Trail during December can be summarised in two sets of images: a rare day of sunshine followed by a low light misty morning which was more typical of the month's weather. Both show the last of the oak tree colours along the trail before winter set in.

 

Clumber Park (December 2021)

Fine weather days in December were few are far between with many being overcast and dull. One of the exceptions was this walk around Clumber Lake. The highlight was the warming late afternoon sunlight illuminating the arches of the recently restored Clumber Bridge: 

 

November on the Southwell Trail (Part 2)

November 2021 finished with flurries of snow along the Southwell Trail which combined nicely with some of the remaining autumnal colours. These were some of the scenes along the trail including the views towards Upper Hexgreave: 

A second selection takes a more close up look at the wintery conditions concentrating on a few colourful leaves and the textures of snow laden grasses and shrubs: