subscribe 0330 333 1113 I http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk I 23 November 2019 15
Neil Burnell
Neil Burnell is a
multi-award winning
photographer from
Devon. He studied art
and photography at
college in the early
1990s and pursued
a career in graphic
design and marketing. It’s only in the last
five years that he has rediscovered his
passion for photography and is particularly
drawn to atmospheric landscape,
woodland and seascape scenes. Visit
http://www.neilburnell.com.W
hile many landscape
photographers are drawn
to shooting sunsets and
sunrises with drama
light and colour, I’ve always taken more
enjoyment from shooting in conditions
more suited to atmospheric scenes.
Woodland can be a daunting genre for
many photographers who are led to
believe that it’s an extremely difficult
subject to master. While I agree it’s
not an easy subject I’d also say that all
genres are difficult if you don’t put the
time and effort into them. I’ve found
woodland to be an enjoying challenge
and extremely satisfying when it all
comes together.
Rise to the challenge
To begin with, woodland can be a bit
overwhelming: tangled trees seem like a
complete mess and it’s hard to make sense
of it all let alone take an image. Almost
certainly the best place to start your
woodland journey is by going on a few
scouting missions – try keeping it local
if you can. Travel light and go with
no expectations and I can almost
guarantee you will find some scenes
with potential that you can return to.
Work the edges of the woodland first.
Looking into a woodland can often reap
rewards and is an easier way to spot
compositions, especially if you haven’t
shot this genre before.‘Tangle’ shot at Wistman’s
Wood in Devon
Nikon Z 7, 24-70mm lens,
1/10sec at f/5.6, ISO 64