This tree is on Dunstable Downs, in Bedfordshire and it’s on a running route and I’ve passed it dozens of times. It might be an unremarkable tree and yet I’ve come to enjoy it through the seasons and weather conditions.
I used my iPhone 5 for the photograph and without any adjustments, I think I caught the image nicely. As you can see the conditions are somewhat misty and it looks a bit bleak.
Although I was pleased with the unprocessed image, removing the faint colour worked. As you can see I added a vignette which I think helps. Actually I often used to burn the corners when printing black and white prints, so why not? If it is acceptable in the darkroom, why not achieve the same effect by digital processing?
I like the starkness and the cold feel. The misty, foggy conditions were through the low cloud lingering on Dunstable Downs. This reflected the season beautifully and it is almost refreshing to see the tree devoid of the normal background of fine views over the Bedfordshire landscape below. There’s something nice about seeing the tree as the tree, not as part of a wider, more detailed and colourful landscape.
As for my running, I have various regular routes and this one is just over halfway through my favourite 7 mile hilly run. Location-wise it is just on the edge of Dunstable Downs, an escarpment of chalk down land normally providing fine views.
Every other time I haven’t stopped, I’ve just run past the tree. This time, it was worth stopping, unzipping my pocket to grab my phone and capture the image. At least I had a moment’s rest to catch my breath!
All being well, I’ll rephotograph the tree again and will post the result(s) below.