| Without doubt there is something awe | | | | planet that I believe we can start to make |
| inspiring and wholesome in the big view. | | | | any sense of nature as a whole. There is also |
| Every year there are vast arrays of calendars | | | | emotion and drama to be found in these little |
| all full of pretty landscape pictures | | | | cameos that we so often overlook, it may be |
| adorning our high street shops. Many we can | | | | something as simple as a single delicate |
| relate to and one day would like to see for | | | | flower growing in a boulder crevice. Hanging |
| ourselves. Indeed, we are fortunate in this | | | | on and defiant, its tenuous grip on life is |
| country to be blessed with such wonderfully | | | | totally dependent on the sustenance that it |
| diverse scenery. From the wide open spaces of | | | | draws from the debris residing in the |
| the fens to the rugged mountains of Cumbria, | | | | crevice. Yet it lives on year after year, |
| Wales and Scotland. From rolling meadows to | | | | testimony indeed to its determination and |
| dramatic coastlines they all have an | | | | resilience. It is this interrelationship that |
| important part to play. However, sometimes | | | | is so enduring, fundamental and compelling.As |
| with such a grand vista it is difficult to | | | | a natural history photographer getting close |
| fully appreciate its beauty simply because | | | | to nature is a very important part of my |
| there is nowhere for the eye to settle, no | | | | life. It allows a far greater appreciation of |
| point on which to concentrate. There is just | | | | the beauty and a clearer understanding of the |
| too much to take in. It is just so | | | | natural world in which we live. Take for |
| overwhelming.However, if we can take a fresh | | | | example a clear cold winters day with |
| approach and look hard for a moment at just | | | | crispness so sharp it is breathtaking. When |
| part of this scene we begin to see and | | | | we start to look for details in these |
| appreciate the finer features of the | | | | conditions we are immediately drawn to |
| individual pieces of the landscape. Look at | | | | magical patterns in the snow, frosted ivy |
| how they combine, fitting together like the | | | | leaves and shimmering icicles. Ice patterns |
| pieces of a large jigsaw to make the complete | | | | are one of my favourite winter subjects as |
| picture. But let us now break it down into | | | | they offer such diversity and literally |
| its basic components and take time to | | | | capture a moment frozen in time. Some offer |
| contemplate the colours, shapes and textures. | | | | gracefully smooth curves whilst others |
| We can then take this notion even further and | | | | display harsh jagged lines depending on the |
| that distant bright yellow patch becomes, on | | | | prevailing weather conditions. So even |
| closer inspection, a rich and riotous stand | | | | something as simple as a puddle icing over is |
| of Broom. If we move closer still to the | | | | heavily influenced by its immediate |
| broom we see clearly the perfection and | | | | surroundings.Light quality will also play a |
| intricate detail in each flower and seedpod. | | | | significant part in our appreciation of these |
| Look even closer at the seedpod with its | | | | finer details, if it is too harsh then the |
| gossamer covering of fine hairs, each one an | | | | increase in contrast will actually block out |
| individual but reliant on its close | | | | the very detail we are trying to see. It is |
| neighbours and we can begin to understand how | | | | far better to have the diffused light that |
| things fit together. Whilst this may not be a | | | | occurs with high thin cloud cover. This |
| scientific approach it provides a raw and | | | | provides a much softer light allowing all the |
| basic understanding, offers enlightenment and | | | | detail, texture and nuances to be so clearly |
| makes us feel an integral part of nature. So | | | | seen. Subject colour will also influence our |
| by isolating and concentrating on a small | | | | interpretation of the subject, for example |
| part of the whole we have simplified the | | | | vibrant colours like reds and yellows suggest |
| subject. Made it more memorable, more basic | | | | dominance and power, whereas muted shades |
| and more powerful.We have now entered the | | | | like grey and browns portray more tranquil, |
| close up world of nature, a world that lies | | | | earthy and basic feelings.Early morning is |
| just beyond the familiar that is so full of | | | | often a fine time to appreciate a wide range |
| rich detail and striking beauty. With an open | | | | of subjects and a stroll in the garden will |
| mind, a little imagination and an almost | | | | pay dividends. Flowers and grasses, for |
| childlike curiosity there are many more | | | | example when covered with dew or fine rain |
| subjects for us to consider. There is | | | | make fascinating studies, the fine hairs hold |
| certainly no need to go far. Indeed it should | | | | onto droplets of water so that they almost |
| be seen as more of a soul searching journey, | | | | defy gravity. If the conditions are right |
| a journey of inner vision and contemplation | | | | there may be insects that have become |
| rather than a journey to some far off place. | | | | encrusted with minute droplets of water |
| Furthermore, the deeper we delve the more | | | | following a night's inactivity. Butterflies |
| fascinating and rewarding they become. They | | | | in particular look stunning covered in dew as |
| reveal their hidden treasures without | | | | it makes them sparkle as though covered with |
| hesitation allowing us time to reflect and | | | | a myriad of jewels.So, with renewed vision |
| admire their majesty.With this attention to | | | | and childlike wonder the natural world is |
| detail it becomes easier to understand that | | | | without doubt a beautiful place that only |
| the whole is clearly made up of many | | | | requires a little time and an inquisitive |
| individual parts that are all unique. All | | | | mind to fully appreciate. Satisfaction and |
| these parts inter-relate with each other and | | | | contentment can be provided by the simplest |
| no doubt they all have a vital role to play. | | | | of things and with this comes harmony and |
| Indeed, it is only by appreciating the | | | | hopefully inner peace. |
| importance of the smallest parts of our | | | | |