Darkmoor

Description

Story behind the shot:  In this haunting image, a moss-covered oak tree emerges as a silent guardian of ancient secrets, its gnarled branches casting shadows that beckon toward the unknown. In the hidden corners of the world, where few sounds stir, we are given space to listen more closely — not outward, but inward. Darkmoor is a reflection of that quiet contemplation and the mysteries of our minds that we can explore.

Story behind the shot:  

In 2022, I took a trip to the UK and spent a couple weeks exploring. On the south western edge of the country, sits Dartmoor National Park. I drove there from London and didn’t arrive until after dark. The country roads as I got closer were full of obstacles like sheep and the occasional highland cow. After spending the night in an Airbnb that wasn’t much more than someone’s spider filled cellar, I got up early before sunrise to venture into the woods. The area has a large population of Adders (the UK’s only venomous snake) so I was weary of where I was walking, especially in the low light. I did not encounter any snakes but I did arrive on the edge of the patch of forest I had been looking for just past sunrise. In typical UK fashion, there were heavy clouds and not a lot of good light to work with. Entering the woods was also not an option as it was a protected, old growth forest with delicate moss covering everything. I spent time working around the edges, inspecting angles for compositions that would capture this unique environment. I was the only one there, my partner had left me to go walk among the sheep off in the distant hills. The silence and mood of the forest was haunting at first but as I spent more time being present, the more I relaxed and felt at peace. If would feel like this feels familiar to you in some way, you might be a fan of the Lord of the Rings. While not shot here, this area was inspiration for Fangorn Forest and the Ents when Tolkien was writing the books.

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