Forest Light : Forest Dark

Cannock Chase in Staffordshire covers a vast area and was once a royal hunting ground. It’s a mixture of upland common, ancient oak woodland and commercial pine forest. This is an area that we had never visited previously, and in the decaying light of late afternoon it had an air of mystery where voices and shouts were echoing between the trees, and meandering pathways created tunnels of light through the dark woodland. A spooky place to be when day segues into night.

Tags: Black & White, Cannock Chase, Evening light, Landscape, monochrome, Photography, Staffordshire, woodland view

28 thoughts on “Forest Light : Forest Dark”

Victor Rakmil on November 23, 2014 at 5:04 pm said:

Expanded, this look stunning.

Reply ↓
- smithiesshutter on November 23, 2014 at 9:04 pm said:
  
  Hi Victor, and thanks very much.
  
  Reply ↓
Sreejith Nair on November 23, 2014 at 5:07 pm said:

Beautiful work, John.

Loved the way it’s composed and use of light 🙂

Reply ↓
- smithiesshutter on November 23, 2014 at 9:07 pm said:
  
  Thanks Sreejith, simple is always best.
  
  Reply ↓
Stephen on November 23, 2014 at 5:16 pm said:

Great shot.. love it. I used to go Scouting on the Chase when i was younger 🙂 My nephews do too… The Chase is a great place for forest photos ..

Reply ↓
- smithiesshutter on November 23, 2014 at 9:10 pm said:
  
  Thanks Stephen, yes, my favourite part is Brocton Coppice. My father did some paintings of the Chase. Living in Scotland we don’t get there too often now.
  
  Reply ↓
David on November 23, 2014 at 5:19 pm said:

Sitting here on Sunday morning listening to a song from Into the Woods when your photo popped up! Thanks for adding to the mood.

Reply ↓
- smithiesshutter on November 23, 2014 at 9:11 pm said:
  
  Always welcome David, hope you’ve had a good weekend.
  
  Reply ↓
allentimphotos2 on November 23, 2014 at 7:17 pm said:

Oh John, I really like this image. As you say it has a feeling of mystery. Your eye is really drawn to the lighted area but then back to explore more of the forested area. A keeper for sure.

Reply ↓
- smithiesshutter on November 23, 2014 at 9:13 pm said:
  
  Thanks Tim, I may get this printed.
  
  Reply ↓
  - allentimphotos2 on November 23, 2014 at 9:35 pm said:
    
    John, I really think that you should. Not that you don’t know this already but make make sure the paper can show the subtle tonal changes that seems so important to this image.
    
    Reply ↓
    - smithiesshutter on November 23, 2014 at 9:51 pm said:
      
      Hmmm, an art paper may do the trick, i’ve been meaning to try a different printer from my usual one.
      Thanks again Tim.
      
      Reply ↓
      - allentimphotos2 on November 23, 2014 at 11:25 pm said:
        
        Anytime!
        
        Reply ↓
Andy Townend on November 24, 2014 at 12:00 pm said:

Excellent, haunting and pulls you right in….

Reply ↓
- smithiesshutter on November 24, 2014 at 5:32 pm said:
  
  Thanks Andy. This is what makes photography interesting for me, this kind of image….but not often achieved!
  
  Reply ↓
  - Andy Townend on November 24, 2014 at 6:22 pm said:
    
    This is one of the best I have seen on your site… 🙂
    
    Reply ↓
    - smithiesshutter on November 24, 2014 at 9:29 pm said:
      
      Thanks very much! I’ll keep trying!
      
      Reply ↓
      - Andy Townend on November 24, 2014 at 9:29 pm said:
        
        And I will enjoy that!
        
        Reply ↓
        
        smithiesshutter on November 24, 2014 at 9:53 pm said:
        
        Sorry Andy, I’ve only just caught up with your new blog….You have some really good photography going on….I’m impressed….and the new blog is cool…very swish….like it. Will return for a long close look…. 🙂
        
        Andy Townend on November 24, 2014 at 10:02 pm said:
        
        Thank you John, I’ve been putting in a lot of time recently and also taking part in WordPress #photo101 which is great fun and met lots of great new friends online…hey and it’s good to catch up again!
        
        smithiesshutter on November 24, 2014 at 11:07 pm said:
        
        I hope you’ve settled in well….a change is as good as a rest, so they say.
        Regards
        John
        
        Andy Townend on November 24, 2014 at 11:19 pm said:
        
        Thank you, up and down…. 🙂
seekraz on November 24, 2014 at 1:35 pm said:

I like it a lot…looks like a great place for a walk.

Reply ↓
- smithiesshutter on November 24, 2014 at 5:33 pm said:
  
  It was great for the kids….lots of things for them to look out for, as well as an adventure playground.
  Thanks Scott.
  
  Reply ↓
LB on November 25, 2014 at 3:23 am said:

I’m sure it is spooky at night, but it’s also enchanting and I want to walk down that path

Reply ↓
- smithiesshutter on November 27, 2014 at 11:57 pm said:
  
  Yes, we enjoyed our walk through the forest, and it is enchanting……..but you do know that photos can sort of bend the truth! The reality was more mundane than my photo suggests……..so sorry!
  
  Reply ↓
Lesley on December 10, 2014 at 5:31 pm said:

Very very nice, love your tree work – this is exceptional more more!

Reply ↓
- smithiesshutter on December 11, 2014 at 5:44 pm said:
  
  Thanks Lesley…..more prepared for later in the month.
  Happy holiday, hopefully?
  
  Reply ↓