Photo Book Images

The following images are my chosen and edited work that will be incorporated into my latest photo book.

My current photography project is about trees and their presence in the urban environment. I wish to show how trees manage to survive the environment we place them in, as well as how they manage to evolve against the odds in urban settings and how we co-exist with this magnificent and important life form. Sometimes surviving inhospitable environments and living on long after man made buildings crumble, trees are something we see every day and perhaps don't notice their presence or appreciate their valuable function. Sometimes we also use trees outside our homes, in towns and cities to our own advantage with little regard to the tree's welfare.

Image 1

Image 2

Both of these images depict very different trees set against man made buildings. Image 1 lets us see the crumbling building behind the ancient Oak that is probably the older of the two. Image 2 witnesses the tree being used for lights at Christmas time. This one is set against better kept buildings and there is also distinctive evidence of pruning.

Image 3

In image 3 we observe another crumbling building which, looks earmarked for demolition. I do hope the tree inside the boundary will not be removed along with it and will remain to stand proud just as the other tree we see to the right.

Image 4

Image 4 shows us another view of the grand Oak that stands in the grounds of a churchyard, next to the delapidated remains of  'Garnetts Cabinet Works'.  Hopefully the placement of this tree will protect it when demolition of the building finally takes place. The long time neglected building has plant life emerging from its decaying bricks.

Image 5

Quite often trees are planted in formation to suit our needs. These trees which, look like they have been planted to divide the playing fields have grown in a unified pattern whilst battling the winds of an open field.

Image 6

Just about every cemetary I have ever seen has some degree of trees both lining the paths and surrounding the headstones. I believe it adds a feeling of importance to an otherwise sombre place. There is also a message of something being alive in amongst the graves. Trees also have meanings such a peace, old age and eternity. History tells us Yew trees were even used instead of headstones to mark a grave by the poor. The bare trees in my image heightens the feeling of old age and history.

Image 7

Image 7 which is blatant advertising, reveals a Palm tree planted in an attempt to convey a specific message. The sunbed shop is perhaps trying to tell us this is a tropical place and make us think of having a lovely tan. It is a stark contrast to the trees we see on the right hand side of the image which are more fitting with the environment and have been there a long time. Incidentally, the Palm tree doesn't look very healthy.

Image 8

This tree caught my eye, not only because of bringing a little beauty into a drab looking shopping area but also the shape of the trunk reminded of stories I read as a child. A younger person viewing this image may very well not see the shapes that I do however, to me it does appear to have arms that carry the burden of the branches above.

Image 10

Image 9

Image 9 on the left depicts a growing popular trend in garden tree sculpting. Due to our way of living, owls are becoming a rare occurence in our gardens. It's placement in the natural greenery tries to imitate nature. Image 10 shows a Chestnut tree standing alone and completely out of place. I have centralised the tree, revealing the bland surrounding residential environment.

Image 11

Once again we see how trees have been deliberately planted symmetrically to suit our needs. Trees provide areas of shade and as we see here, the seats have been placed in between the trees and also provide places of solitude. There appears to be a barrier separating the areas to walk the path.

Image 12

Trees add character and inject some nature into our city centres as this image depicts, taken in the centre of Manchester. They help to bring birds into the area and provide an area of shade in the Summer. Once again the planting uniformity is evident even as we build in between and all around the trees. The lines of the trees follow the lines of the buildings.

Image 13

A fence has been erected around the base of this Thorn tree to protect it and also signify that it is important in some way. A little research reveals a Pagan history surrounding a tree planted here since the 12th century. This particular tree is reputed to be an offshoot of the holy Glastonbury Thorn. Decoration will take place at the end of June via red ribbons and garlands tied to the branches which, is know as 'bawming the thorn'.

Image 14

The fence in this image is an obstruction rather than protection for this tree. It protects us from the railway line and forces nature to survive around it or as it has developed in this instance - through it. This brings thoughts of how strong and resilient nature can be.

Image 15

A juxtaposition is depicted in this image as our use of the tree is bringing artificial light into a town whilst trying to encourage nature with the use of a bird box. I'm not convinced the artificial home and lights would be a bird's first choice of habitat.

Image 16

This is my final image and I feel it works due to it's imact and positioning of the tree stump within the frame. It does't really need explaining, however I do feel it has captured a sense of humour. Even though the tree has been cut down, enough of it has been left for people to use it as a feature, I wonder how beautiful it was before it was assigned to this fate....