As a Brightonian now living and working in the North York Moors National Park, I have two observations to make about this post and these wonderful photographs.
Firstly, growing up in Brighton I just assumed that all towns and cities had great big mature trees growing in their streets. I now know this isn’t the case and you are so right, we really do need more trees in our urban spaces. I seem to recall that the last time I was down there The Level was, excuse the pun, a shadow of its former self and I hope something is being done to address that.
Secondly, since moving up here and taking up landscape photography, I too spend time looking at trees and admiring their beauty. And, although I don’t have the sharp angles of the city as my backdrop, I have grown fond of making pictures of their shadows, particularly when there is snow on the ground.
Finally, so glad to have found you on Substack having followed you on Instagram for quite a while. I know some folks think that photographs should speak for themselves but I have found that many of the best photographers also write very well and, in the age of sound bites, we could all do with a bit of conversation.
Thanks so much Dave. Good to see you on here too. Hoping this is a slower, more conversational kind of place with a bit more space for little collections of work rather than daily ‘content’. We’re very lucky having so many urban trees here in Brighton, but elm disease is really taking its toll over the last few years and we’ve lost some really special old ones. Ash dieback is a problem too, more and more trees removed from parks and open spaces each year. There is a big effort to replace them though, and lots of good people doing good things, so plenty of reason to be hopeful here at least.
These are beautifully observed Finn. I especially like the more graphic shadows. Shadow play is something I have indulged in the past, and still find fascinating whether static or moving.
This is such an imaginative, clever and creative project, Finn, love it! Really shows what (for me anyway) photography does, which to open eyes to what is around us but so often just passes by unnoticed. Also get what you mean about the refreshing simplicity of the shadows compared focusing on the detail of the tree itself… it’s an intriguing alternative perspective. Great stuff!
I love this project Finn, particularly in the built up environment of Brighton - I find tree shadows in urban/residential areas almost ghostly reminders of what once existed there before the land was cleared for development.
These are great, with some very clever and almost humorous compositions. I’ve been enjoying playing ‘guess the tree’
Thank you Mary!
What a great project.
Thank you!
As a Brightonian now living and working in the North York Moors National Park, I have two observations to make about this post and these wonderful photographs.
Firstly, growing up in Brighton I just assumed that all towns and cities had great big mature trees growing in their streets. I now know this isn’t the case and you are so right, we really do need more trees in our urban spaces. I seem to recall that the last time I was down there The Level was, excuse the pun, a shadow of its former self and I hope something is being done to address that.
Secondly, since moving up here and taking up landscape photography, I too spend time looking at trees and admiring their beauty. And, although I don’t have the sharp angles of the city as my backdrop, I have grown fond of making pictures of their shadows, particularly when there is snow on the ground.
Finally, so glad to have found you on Substack having followed you on Instagram for quite a while. I know some folks think that photographs should speak for themselves but I have found that many of the best photographers also write very well and, in the age of sound bites, we could all do with a bit of conversation.
Thanks so much Dave. Good to see you on here too. Hoping this is a slower, more conversational kind of place with a bit more space for little collections of work rather than daily ‘content’. We’re very lucky having so many urban trees here in Brighton, but elm disease is really taking its toll over the last few years and we’ve lost some really special old ones. Ash dieback is a problem too, more and more trees removed from parks and open spaces each year. There is a big effort to replace them though, and lots of good people doing good things, so plenty of reason to be hopeful here at least.
Great project! I especially love the photos where the tree shadow meets with a ‘real’ tree behind the shadow.
These are beautifully observed Finn. I especially like the more graphic shadows. Shadow play is something I have indulged in the past, and still find fascinating whether static or moving.
This is such an imaginative, clever and creative project, Finn, love it! Really shows what (for me anyway) photography does, which to open eyes to what is around us but so often just passes by unnoticed. Also get what you mean about the refreshing simplicity of the shadows compared focusing on the detail of the tree itself… it’s an intriguing alternative perspective. Great stuff!
Thanks Charlie, much appreciated.
Oh these are lovely!
Thank you Janey.
I love this project Finn, particularly in the built up environment of Brighton - I find tree shadows in urban/residential areas almost ghostly reminders of what once existed there before the land was cleared for development.
Thank you Lin. I love that idea of ghostly reminders of the land.