Wise words, Gill and lovely images, as always. When I first started out on my photographic journey I thought you could only get epic shots in honeypot locations like the Lakes, Dolomites or Scotland. What I soon learned was that there was beauty everywhere and if anything the greater challenge was to unearth the more intimate scenes of epicness. These days I am no longer drawn to the wide mountain vistas that I once was but instead look for the details and human elements that tell epic stories of people and place. Your woodland photos certainly look epic to me and your description of your walk though the woods was beautiful.
Thank you very much Giles for your kind comments. I completely agree with your thoughts and I don't feel it is necessary to search out the grand landscapes. I still photograph them occasionally but I feel there are so many other moments in ordinary landscapes that are so full of awe. I think it is important to photograph the things that we connect with and that inspire us where ever they may be.
I had to think about your question, and I believe what you've identified here is a way that a photograph can convey feeling that our limited vocabulary cannot. I see a nuanced spectrum in between awe and wonder. An expansive landscape can make us feel small within the vast scope of the world and of life. A more intimate scene, like your wonderful photos of the oaks, bring us to the present, as if THIS moment and THIS place holds all the magic we will ever need. There are infinite shades of feeling on the spectrum and I find value in all of them. But, I do think 'epic' has become a colloquialism and poorly describes any of this.
Thank you so much for your comments Erik, which I found really interesting. Sometimes it is hard to articulate these things but I think you are spot on regarding how expansive landscapes and intimate scenes make us feel.
I also think the term epic is overused and doesn't do any of this any justice.
Well said Gill, I’d rather see a well crafted image of a less shot location in great conditions than the same old shots of ‘epic’ locations we keep being feed by the various social media platforms.
Well said. I also find the idea of “epic” to be somewhat a clichéd soundbite. More importantly, it is quite limiting to reduce one’s photography practice to fulfilling “epic” criteria.
A thought-provoking article, Gill, and very timely for me as the “epic” question is one I’ve been pondering and wrote about in “Narrowing my focus”. I prefer the more intimate scenes in nature which evoke a feeling of place and how I felt when I photographed them. I always admire your photographs. I think “epic” is a word that needs to be discarded.
Thank you very much for your comments Susan and I completely agree. Working to evoke a feeling of place is something I too strive to do and for me that is the most important thing. Thank you for mentioning your article - I will take another look. 🙂
I was interested in your comments that we should also look to the smaller picture and that landscapes aren't just about big vista's. I often wonder why these so-called big names (on youtube) in landscsape photography have to go to the ends of the earth to get images, when these shores of ours have an abundance of hidden places where you can be at one with nature and get a great shot.
Thank you very much for your comments Stephen and I completely agree. I don't believe it is necessary to travel to far flung places to make interesting and relevant images. Seeking out places that mean something to us as photographers can often yield much more.
Hi Gill - lovely words and images and you won't be surprised to hear I'm very much with you on this. All that said, that wonderful woodland you photograph so well is absolutely 'epic' in every sense of the word - I know I've only been there briefly twice for a quick walk with friends, but it most definitely inspires awe, wonder and everything else - even in drab conditions! ;) Your photographs truly do it justice, and more...
One of the most incredible landscapes I have visited was the Drakensberg in South Africa - an amazing experience and an awe inspiring landscape and I absolutely loved our five or so days there - however, I probably only have a handful of images, maximum, that I feel come even close to doing it justice - and typically I think we do have a much better chance of conveying that sense of awe and wonder when we have that deeper connection. All that said, sometimes everything just falls into place, even in places new to you... conditions and inspiration perhaps combine.
Thank you very much for your comments Lizzie, it is good to hear from you. I am glad you feel my images do the wood justice. It is an amazing place, but is so chaotic that it can be difficult to portray well. Every time I go there I find something new that intrigues me and sparks my creativity.
I have been watching Alex Nail on You Tube in the Drakensberg and it looks amazing, but I know that it isn't always easy to convey how amazing these places are in a photograph. I find that I always make my best images in places I know well and that I feel connected to.
Very interesting Gill. I must admit I have little urge to visit the so called epic places such as the Faroes or Iceland.
I would get so much more satisfaction capturing a beautiful scene where I live than being put in front of an epic scene I have no connection with. I'd rather see your beautiful calm (epic) Suffolk scenes than huge waterfalls in Iceland.
Thank you for your comments Peter. I agree with you and have come to realise that I always get better images when I am photographing a landscape I am connected to. That doesn't mean I don't like photographing the iconic landscapes, it's just that I usually don't know them well enough to do them justice.
Very interesting nice shots my favourite is the first one. It proves your point,of what you can achieve on your local patch. Can it be classed as an epic shot personally l would not care. Is it a shot that you like and are proud of in my opinion you certainly should be.
I also would rarely use the word epic to describe a landscape, Gill. I think epic is a word better used in the context of a journey. An epic journey is one of an unusual, challenging, perhaps dangerous adventure - I've had a few of these out in Nature, invariably they were not fun at the time, but you come back with some good stories! There are some images of a landscape that, to me, are like a siren's call to adventure - perhaps these are an epic photograph? (and I can seen many an epic adventure in your beautiful images of Scotland)
Thank you very much for your comments James. I agree about the word epic, it does suit a journey more than an image and I guess I can see why some images might become a call to adventure. I guess in that instant you could call them epic. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Very well said Gill, and beautifully photographed. Your woodland images, as well as being quite beautiful, really convey your connection to your corner of the world.
Epic, for me, is an overused word in photography that really means very little. Perhaps it is more of a poor descriptive word for that sense of wonder that photographers get when they really connect to a landscape no matter how grand or everyday.
Like you, I have been focussing on local projects for years but I think the era of climate change, awareness of our carbon footprint and then the pandemic years really brought the whole idea of staying local home to a lot of photographers who used to go to distant destinations so that they could capture that 'epic' shot.
For me simply wandering my local landscape, photographing the magnificence of nature and the hidden stories within it, is all I need - that is where my soul is deeply connected. The images may not be 'epic' to others who only consider the grander vistas as deserving of that description, but they capture that sense of wonder and connection I experienced, and that makes them 'epic' to me.😊
This resonates a lot. I too, would rather see photographs of places that the photographer connected with than a photo that is „epic“ (such a weird word).
For me it’s about the movement the sky and clouds and off course colours and misty and foggy mornings getting up early is a must first light to sunrise is epic not to be missed
Well, I’m not sure I would characterize any photo as epic. At least for myself. I feel like that is an old term adopted to mean something slightly different in today’s vernacular.
Vast. Powerful. Are more what comes to mind for your work, for me.
The woodland shots are lovely and intimate.
I think it’s just me. I’m old, I don’t use epic as an adjective.
Thank you for your comments Scott. I agree with you - I don't use the word epic, but I hear it a a lot and it made me think. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Every now and then I witness some event which is literally so amazing, no words can give the moment meaning..it just is. That light on a destitute old abandoned farm, monochrome gum trees, shadows dancing...veld gnarled and bleeding fire. A single bloom on a cliffside. All of these may garner little views, a passing glimpse, for me they become beacons,
They are epic because my Soul shudders..and that's it I reckon. Cheers Keith.
That's beautiful Keith and I know exactly what you mean. Those moments that speak to the soul are the ones that are truly epic. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Great article and a great question, not to mention the lovely “epic” images!
I think anything that gives one a sense of wonder can be considered epic, although I too am not keen on that term, again a very subjective thing. It doesn’t have to be the great wide open vistas, the honeypot locations, there is definitely beauty everywhere in our wonderful world if you search hard enough. For me a macro image of a flower in full bloom is as much an “epic” image as a lake with a mountain as a back drop.
I absolutely agree Julian. There is always something beautiful or awe inspiring to photograph where ever we are and often the small things can be the most interesting.
Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts and I am glad you enjoyed the article.
Wise words, Gill and lovely images, as always. When I first started out on my photographic journey I thought you could only get epic shots in honeypot locations like the Lakes, Dolomites or Scotland. What I soon learned was that there was beauty everywhere and if anything the greater challenge was to unearth the more intimate scenes of epicness. These days I am no longer drawn to the wide mountain vistas that I once was but instead look for the details and human elements that tell epic stories of people and place. Your woodland photos certainly look epic to me and your description of your walk though the woods was beautiful.
Thank you very much Giles for your kind comments. I completely agree with your thoughts and I don't feel it is necessary to search out the grand landscapes. I still photograph them occasionally but I feel there are so many other moments in ordinary landscapes that are so full of awe. I think it is important to photograph the things that we connect with and that inspire us where ever they may be.
I had to think about your question, and I believe what you've identified here is a way that a photograph can convey feeling that our limited vocabulary cannot. I see a nuanced spectrum in between awe and wonder. An expansive landscape can make us feel small within the vast scope of the world and of life. A more intimate scene, like your wonderful photos of the oaks, bring us to the present, as if THIS moment and THIS place holds all the magic we will ever need. There are infinite shades of feeling on the spectrum and I find value in all of them. But, I do think 'epic' has become a colloquialism and poorly describes any of this.
Thank you so much for your comments Erik, which I found really interesting. Sometimes it is hard to articulate these things but I think you are spot on regarding how expansive landscapes and intimate scenes make us feel.
I also think the term epic is overused and doesn't do any of this any justice.
Well said Gill, I’d rather see a well crafted image of a less shot location in great conditions than the same old shots of ‘epic’ locations we keep being feed by the various social media platforms.
Thank you very much for your comments Rick, I completely agree.
Well said. I also find the idea of “epic” to be somewhat a clichéd soundbite. More importantly, it is quite limiting to reduce one’s photography practice to fulfilling “epic” criteria.
A thought-provoking article, Gill, and very timely for me as the “epic” question is one I’ve been pondering and wrote about in “Narrowing my focus”. I prefer the more intimate scenes in nature which evoke a feeling of place and how I felt when I photographed them. I always admire your photographs. I think “epic” is a word that needs to be discarded.
Thank you very much for your comments Susan and I completely agree. Working to evoke a feeling of place is something I too strive to do and for me that is the most important thing. Thank you for mentioning your article - I will take another look. 🙂
I was interested in your comments that we should also look to the smaller picture and that landscapes aren't just about big vista's. I often wonder why these so-called big names (on youtube) in landscsape photography have to go to the ends of the earth to get images, when these shores of ours have an abundance of hidden places where you can be at one with nature and get a great shot.
Thank you very much for your comments Stephen and I completely agree. I don't believe it is necessary to travel to far flung places to make interesting and relevant images. Seeking out places that mean something to us as photographers can often yield much more.
Hi Gill - lovely words and images and you won't be surprised to hear I'm very much with you on this. All that said, that wonderful woodland you photograph so well is absolutely 'epic' in every sense of the word - I know I've only been there briefly twice for a quick walk with friends, but it most definitely inspires awe, wonder and everything else - even in drab conditions! ;) Your photographs truly do it justice, and more...
One of the most incredible landscapes I have visited was the Drakensberg in South Africa - an amazing experience and an awe inspiring landscape and I absolutely loved our five or so days there - however, I probably only have a handful of images, maximum, that I feel come even close to doing it justice - and typically I think we do have a much better chance of conveying that sense of awe and wonder when we have that deeper connection. All that said, sometimes everything just falls into place, even in places new to you... conditions and inspiration perhaps combine.
Thank you very much for your comments Lizzie, it is good to hear from you. I am glad you feel my images do the wood justice. It is an amazing place, but is so chaotic that it can be difficult to portray well. Every time I go there I find something new that intrigues me and sparks my creativity.
I have been watching Alex Nail on You Tube in the Drakensberg and it looks amazing, but I know that it isn't always easy to convey how amazing these places are in a photograph. I find that I always make my best images in places I know well and that I feel connected to.
Very interesting Gill. I must admit I have little urge to visit the so called epic places such as the Faroes or Iceland.
I would get so much more satisfaction capturing a beautiful scene where I live than being put in front of an epic scene I have no connection with. I'd rather see your beautiful calm (epic) Suffolk scenes than huge waterfalls in Iceland.
Thank you for your comments Peter. I agree with you and have come to realise that I always get better images when I am photographing a landscape I am connected to. That doesn't mean I don't like photographing the iconic landscapes, it's just that I usually don't know them well enough to do them justice.
I reckon we can have EPIC in our own gardens
I reckon you are right Tom. 🙂
Very interesting nice shots my favourite is the first one. It proves your point,of what you can achieve on your local patch. Can it be classed as an epic shot personally l would not care. Is it a shot that you like and are proud of in my opinion you certainly should be.
Thank you very much Philip for your kind comments. I am glad you enjoyed the images.
Love the images!! So lovely!
Thank you so much Manuela. 🙂
I also would rarely use the word epic to describe a landscape, Gill. I think epic is a word better used in the context of a journey. An epic journey is one of an unusual, challenging, perhaps dangerous adventure - I've had a few of these out in Nature, invariably they were not fun at the time, but you come back with some good stories! There are some images of a landscape that, to me, are like a siren's call to adventure - perhaps these are an epic photograph? (and I can seen many an epic adventure in your beautiful images of Scotland)
Thank you very much for your comments James. I agree about the word epic, it does suit a journey more than an image and I guess I can see why some images might become a call to adventure. I guess in that instant you could call them epic. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Very well said Gill, and beautifully photographed. Your woodland images, as well as being quite beautiful, really convey your connection to your corner of the world.
Epic, for me, is an overused word in photography that really means very little. Perhaps it is more of a poor descriptive word for that sense of wonder that photographers get when they really connect to a landscape no matter how grand or everyday.
Like you, I have been focussing on local projects for years but I think the era of climate change, awareness of our carbon footprint and then the pandemic years really brought the whole idea of staying local home to a lot of photographers who used to go to distant destinations so that they could capture that 'epic' shot.
For me simply wandering my local landscape, photographing the magnificence of nature and the hidden stories within it, is all I need - that is where my soul is deeply connected. The images may not be 'epic' to others who only consider the grander vistas as deserving of that description, but they capture that sense of wonder and connection I experienced, and that makes them 'epic' to me.😊
Thank you very much for your kind comments Lin and I am glad you enjoyed the images.
I agree with you about the 'epic' description, it is not something I like or ever use particularly to describe that sense of wonder.
Local projects definitely work for me too as I am so much more connected to the landscapes I am photographing.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. 🙂
This resonates a lot. I too, would rather see photographs of places that the photographer connected with than a photo that is „epic“ (such a weird word).
Thank you very much for your comments Susanne. I completely agree and yes it is a weird word when applied to an image. 🙂
For me it’s about the movement the sky and clouds and off course colours and misty and foggy mornings getting up early is a must first light to sunrise is epic not to be missed
Thank you for your comments Pat. All those things you have described are the things that I find awe in and they can definitely be considered epic.
Well, I’m not sure I would characterize any photo as epic. At least for myself. I feel like that is an old term adopted to mean something slightly different in today’s vernacular.
Vast. Powerful. Are more what comes to mind for your work, for me.
The woodland shots are lovely and intimate.
I think it’s just me. I’m old, I don’t use epic as an adjective.
Thank you for your comments Scott. I agree with you - I don't use the word epic, but I hear it a a lot and it made me think. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Lovely thoughts Gill.
Every now and then I witness some event which is literally so amazing, no words can give the moment meaning..it just is. That light on a destitute old abandoned farm, monochrome gum trees, shadows dancing...veld gnarled and bleeding fire. A single bloom on a cliffside. All of these may garner little views, a passing glimpse, for me they become beacons,
They are epic because my Soul shudders..and that's it I reckon. Cheers Keith.
That's beautiful Keith and I know exactly what you mean. Those moments that speak to the soul are the ones that are truly epic. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Great article and a great question, not to mention the lovely “epic” images!
I think anything that gives one a sense of wonder can be considered epic, although I too am not keen on that term, again a very subjective thing. It doesn’t have to be the great wide open vistas, the honeypot locations, there is definitely beauty everywhere in our wonderful world if you search hard enough. For me a macro image of a flower in full bloom is as much an “epic” image as a lake with a mountain as a back drop.
I absolutely agree Julian. There is always something beautiful or awe inspiring to photograph where ever we are and often the small things can be the most interesting.
Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts and I am glad you enjoyed the article.