November and autumn has come late and in full swing. When I could get out most of November was spent scouting out those potential autumn scenes over the High Weald which has lots of woodland. What follows is a compilation of the best November Landscape Photography.
November Scouting High Weald
Throughout November almost exclusively went out with a lightweight scouting photography setup. This included a single 18-200mm lens and 80D APC Canon camera. This setup takes good shots, no need to change lens and not get tired carrying it. Rarely using the lightweight travel tripod either, predominantly hand holding the camera and pushing up the ISO when shutter speed not fast enough. The idea being I would later return with the full frame and holy trinity of lenses for the better quality landscape photos.
Frant to Eridge
This is a woodland scout I have wanted to do for sometime. Through Whitehill wood and Eridge deer park on the high weald near the border between East Sussex and Kent.
Eridge Deer Park is suppose to be one of the oldest in England. There are lots of old knarley trees and the November autumn colours were beginning to peak. But the best shot of the morning walk was the High Weald countryside near Eridge in East Sussex.
Old Heathfield, East Sussex
Another autumn high weald scout, this time a sunny November Sunday afternoon from Cade Street in East Sussex to Old Heathfield. To begin thought it was more going to be a healthy walk rather than any landscape photography. Until I came upon a small waterfall and stream. Come November and the footpaths are getting very muddy. Walking Wellingtons essential now and great for small waterfalls too.
Followed the footpaths through the mostly private St Dunstans Wood into Old Heathfield and stopped for a pint at the 14 century pub the Star Inn.
Lucky I did stop for a pint at the Star Inn at Old Heathfield, else would have missed the November autumn sunset over the high weald. Back at Cade Street there were good views south. During blue hour learnt that the crescent moon sets over the south downs, well worth capturing.
Milne Memorial Ashdown Forest
Still quite a lot of the Ashdown forest area not scouted out. One of these was the Milne Memorial viewpoint. So on a cloudy overcast November morning that was where I was heading. This is real Winnie the Pooh country and gets a few visitors.
Not really capture any compelling compositions from the Milne Viewpoint. But was some captivating autumn woodland landscapes within an area known as The Rough.
November by the Roadside
On the morning I drove to Ashdown Forest, the early morning light was spectacular, even trees on the roadside looked fantastic. Its amazing what light can do. On the B2096 between Battle and Woods Corner, there was a small layby with a good view and had to pull over.
I knew there was a good view from this small layby on the B2096 because I had stopped here before on a scout. I forgot you could see Brightling Temple from this location which makes a great subject and focal point for the composition. All those November autumn colours were now peaking.
On the return drive from Ashdown Forest on the same B2096 but closer to Woods Corner had to pull over again. This time into a farm driveway. The views south were fantastic as the November sunlight hit small copses of trees on the high weald. This is the great thing with having a lens that has focal range of up 200mm or more in your scouting landscape photography kit.
Darwell High Weald Scout
A cloudy Sunday November afternoon I took some footpaths over the high weald from Darwell that I had not walked before. This area was also close to B2096 between Woods Corner and Dallington.
Near some farmland the views opened up south over the high weald to the south downs. These viewpoints had potential when the light was better. Had I walked back the way I came I would have caught some good light after some light November rain.
Dallington November Sunrise
Took a day off work for this day out. The weather forecast was good for the day and needed some midweek sunshine and a good walk, hopefully some good landscape photography too. Problem with November can be a bit gloomy especially weekends which leads to SAD.
Managed to get out of bed early and headed to Dallington on the high weald before sunrise. Intention just to enjoy the morning light and scout out some new locations. Pleasantly surprised by the morning light as I passed Dallington church, super colourful clouds overhead. Not the best composition but great light.
Along a country lane called Herring Road great views south to the South Downs. At the edges of the High Weald the views are good. Was a beautiful November morning to be outdoors.
Did a full circle around Dallington, more good autumn views opened up west of the church of the Autumn high weald woodland and the church spire.
High Weald November Sunset
Was so impressed with the views from the edge of the High Weald near Dallington, decided to return the same evening for a November sunset. Returned home for a couple hours, eat, sleep then returned with the Canon 5D and 70-200mm lens.
Not far to walk, there was a layby right next to a field gate giving access to the viewpoint. The sun was a little subdued via a thin layer of cloud. Problem with sunsets or backlit compositions is the ground can be thrown into complete shadow. The composition is more about the sky. You need some good shapes and silhouettes to get the most out of a sunset landscape. On the drive home near Ashburnham, I observed a big white barn owl sat on a gate with a full moon rising behind it. Of course it not hang around for a photograph.
Ashburnham High Weald Walk
A gloomy November Saturday, no light today. This is a good time to scout new locations over the high weald and get some exercise. Checked out some footpaths via OS Maps near Ashburnham and parked up next to Reed wood on Brownbread Street.
Lots of little streams in the woodlands of the High Weald. Some with small waterfalls as was the case in Reed Wood. On gloomy overcast days and using a polariser to remove any reflections, water features can make good subjects to photograph. Late November now, autumn had peaked, the trees were becoming bare and the ground full of fallen golden brown leaves.
Frant to Broadwater Warren
Returned to Frant late November to take the northern footpath through Whitehill woods and check out some of Broadwater Warren. Was a beautiful sunny Sunday morning but arrived late around 9AM. Light still good though as this time of the year the sun is much lower in the sky.
Those autumn trees of Whitehill wood catch the sunlight so well. Used a polariser to enhance the few whimsy clouds in the sky. Not much to write home about walking through the north footpath through Whitehill woods, mostly overgrown with rhododendron. Confusing as well as to what is public and private did quite a bit of trespassing without realising it.
Crossed the A26 out of Whitehall woods into Broadwater Warren Nature reserve. The footpaths are not joined up here and the A26 is busy. Some impressive heathland in Broadwater Warren. Would be good in late summer with the purple heather and a sunset to the west.
Flimwell High Weald
Another day off work for this one. Another sunny November day but not venture out until the afternoon. Not always a bad thing as sunset is around 4pm when the light gets interesting. Took a footpath over the high weald from Flimwell in East Sussex.
Unfortunately a lot of the area was taken up by Dale Hill Golf course. The trees were thinning, colours fading, autumn was nearly over, chill in the air, winter just around the corner. So Flimwell may well have been my last autumn high weald walk, until next year.
Newhaven November Storm
Last weekend of November and now for something different. Storm Arwen was raging around the country. I did want to get Newhaven at low tide with the cliffs of Seaford head in the background. But once again not make it and arrived in the afternoon.
Although still strong winds at Newhaven the sea was relatively calm. There was a rainbow but on the day the elements not come together. I did scout out a new viewpoint of the lighthouse from a pier that you can only access from the abandoned village of Tide Mills and a walk along Newhaven east beach.
End of November
Still chasing that great autumn landscape composition from the High Weald. Come December and winter may spend more time along the coast. Was hoping Covid and lockdown were becoming a thing of the past and could consider some international travel again. Madeira during winter would have been nice. But the world is poised to go back into lockdown as the Omicron variant begins to spread.