Through the month of October, desperately been wanting to get out and capture some woodland Autumn Photography. I thought it would be on the Chiltern Hills but the first Autumn shoots are on the High Weald in Kent.
High Weald
The High weald is one of Englands outstanding areas of Natural beauty(AONB). The high weald extends across the counties of Kent, Sussex and Surrey. The high weald is one of Englands most densely wooded landscapes, much of it ancient woodland.
Research
I had noticed some potential areas of interest on my drive along the A21 to Hastings in east Sussex where I now spend my weekends. The weather was going to be mostly overcast, so ideal for woodland and Autumn photography. I chose an area to scout around Lamberhurst in Kent.
Free parking in the village of Lamberhurst and then intended to follow the footpath over Mount Pleasant to Clay Hill.
Then down to the ruins of of Bayham abbey that not knew even existed before studying the area on Ordnance Survey maps.
Autumn Woodland Scenes
I not know what to expect, not walked this area of the high weald before. But I wanted some Autumn woodland scenes. Not far out of Lamberhurst I got what I wanted near Owlet Farm.
The low light of the woodland canopy and overcast sky required a long exposure. Problem was it was also quite windy. To avoid motion blur I had to wait for a pause in the wind. The red sapling tree was the main subject and contrasted nicely with the background greens and orange yellow fall leafs on the ground.
I tried various compositions but regret not using a polariser to cut out reflections and saturate even more the vivid colour combinations. Problem was that would have required an even longer shutter speed. Ideally woodland scenes are best shot overcast but still.
High Weald Oast Houses
I got so distracted by these wonderful autumn woodland landscapes on the high weald I completely missed walking over mount pleasant. My next destination was the ruins of Bayham Abbey.
Within Kent and on the High Weald I am always on the lookout for some Oast Houses which are typical of this area of England. I found a cluster but was lacking the high weald landscape in the background, so still searching.
Bayham Abbey Ruins
After exploring Clay Hill and Snags Well I made my way to the ruins of Bayham Abbey. There was no clear footpath or access to Bayham Abbey ruins so decided to head back to Lamberhurst and drive there.
Parking is free and would seem the grounds are open 24 hours which means potential sunrise, sunset photography opportunities. I love finding old ruins to photograph, especially in autumn on the high weald.
Compositions of the abbey ruins were difficult due to trying to exclude distracting features, tree branches etc protruding into the edges of the frame. It was mostly overcast but waited for the occasions when the sun peeked through the clouds lighting up the stonework. A location I would love to return to with better light, the ruins providing excellent foreground interest.
Hurst Green, Burgh Hill
The following morning I returned to the high weald for more Autumn woodland photography, this time near Hurst Green and Burgh Hill. Hurst Green is on the border of Kent and east Sussex. There is free parking at Hurst Green, just off the A21 down Station road towards Etchingham.
Not far into Burgh wood, just off the beaten track I was rewarded with some autumn woodland scenes including a small stream off the river Limden, fast flowing due to all the heavy rainfall of October.
Forest scenes especially around Autumn are a little chaotic and hard to simplify. It was a still morning with no wind so no problems with motion blur. Using a polariser has really saturated the colours and removed reflections especially off the water.
The end of October
October has now come to a close, my next shoot will be in November. Some deciduous trees still have some time to go before losing all there leafs. Hopefully more Autumn landscape photography to come. Winter is closing in now, the days shorter, the air cooler.