I love that you found the most important thing that most photographers never will. The quest of shooting a marriage of your heart and what you want to see in your camera. Everyday is a new feeling and a moment to tell a new story with your camera. Love it

I'm new to photography and still trying to find my path. I've often felt uninspired by my local area as it's a desert. Lately I've found myself shooting the landscape almost like a portrait, with a bush or tree isolated against the background. This has truly reflected my mood looking back on it now. Understanding that and noticing that I've begun to develop my own style has been a turning point. Thank you for this video and for sharing your stories. Deeply inspirational and I look forward to more.

Loved the video. My turning point in photography was after my divorce, I had started hiking more and just taking photos along the way. After a while, I found myself more into the photography than the hikes. I am still improving my photography daily. It's something that for me is therapeutic and yet when I get too busy with work and such I crave it more.

My turning point was retirement and a comment made by another photographer. He thought that my images weren't up to much, that's true … they weren't. I was determined to take a "slow" path to improving the technical side of my photography and enjoy both the ups and downs that would come my way. I love taking photographs, exploring the creative side of my personality. There are millions of photographers who are better than I am, have access to amazing locations. I don't care. My journey, my images, my learning. Love it. Your woodland work is inspirational. Thanks Simon.

Hi Simon, I’m a bit late to the party and only watching these videos now but I just wanted to say that you along with Thomas Heaton and Sean Tucker are the ones who inspire me the most, because I look at your images and they are just perfect and exactly the kind of thing I love in photography. You always manage to touch my heart somehow, well done mate and keep up the great work 👍

Your photo treatment has always been subdued to retain the true atmosphere of the scenery and this is one of the reasons I truly enjoy your channel. One of the other reason is how much Meg is enjoying each one of your hikes.

Photography has become my release from the pressure of my job and the opportunity to be own my own for a bit when you deal with people every single day. It also has made me realise the beauty that surrounds us when you stop to look and thats what I equally enjoy and more often the experience of being out there is what I come home with rather than an image, but Ive learned to accept that and just be glad of the opportunity to get out there. Was nice to hear more about your journey Simon and been a pleasure to watch your vlogs and see your wonderful images

Okay, first I have to say … how bloody cute is Meg! The way she looks at you at the beginning of this video is just priceless! She is a lovely soul. I thoroughly enjoyed this blog, SImon. Your photos are just stunning, and it was interesting (and instructional) to learn the stories and thinking behind some of your compositions. Looking forward to your next video. Wishing all of you a wonderful week!

Thanks Simon for sharing your journey it remembered me about a turning point in my life 6 years ago. Whenever I need to make important decisions I used to wander into nature opening my senses, smelling, hearing, observing my surroundings. It was on one of this hikes, where I was at a crossroads in my life, after spending several hours in the woods that I came to open place in the woods where they had cut down all the pines. My first feeling was sorrow about the loss of the trees when I noticed that they left one birch tree catching the light which must have been hidden by the pines before. When I allowed the scene to sink in the sorrow transformed in something beautiful with the realization that in order to allow this small birch to grow and bloom it was needed to bring it into the light by cutting down the pines. I felt that it was also the affirmation that I needed to make the right decision by letting go of my fears and old convictions in order to allow myself to grow and bloom. I now believe that it also planted the seed for my fascination with trees. Two years ago I started photographing during my hikes and find myself in the process from mastering the techniques into developing my connection with nature and capturing it into an image that will speak to me as it did that day and hopefully by sharing it also will speak to others.

One thing I am absolutely sure about you Simon is that your photography comes from the heart. Regards from Somerset.

I love your work Simon. A key turning point for me in my landscape photography was walking down an old muddy track early one morning on my way to an old ruin of a manor house in Ireland. It was misty but the sun had risen and I thought the best light had passed. Half way down the track the fog thickened and the low winter sun went behind the ridge behind me. I turned around and was stunned by the sudden beams of light piercing the mist and creating all sorts of interesting shadows and contrasts. It took me right back to the early mornings of my childhood working on a farm near Pendle Hill in Lancashire, when I would walk up muddy tracks amidst such natural glory on my way to collect the cows for milking. Only now I had the skills and equipment to capture the moment. Probably one of the finest mornings in my photographic journey to date.

You are very gifted in articulating the meaning in not only how you view the philosophical side of your photography but also in how and why you craft your images the way you do. The images here are, if I may, “exemplary!” Wonderful video Simon! ✊

First Simon thank you for a great video. I am incredibly impressed with the way you delivered the entire thing in one take. You speak with total passion and I find you incredibly inspiring. I have lived in the New Forest for 25 years and really struggled to get a passion for my photography in the Forest. My love is coastal and underwater photography..until now! Watching and listening to you has suddenly changed something in me, and I feel totally motivated to make the most of my privileged position of living in the heart of the National Park. If you ever fancy a shoot in the New Forest please shout. Thank you again

You are exactly right Simon. Are photographs are what we feel or what we are going through. Keep up the great work, love your photos and channel.

Excellent - I think that if photography is a passion it is as therapeutic as any medicine. There is nothing quite like being mesmerised by the world around you no matter what form of photography you enjoy. Very enjoyable video.

Simon, the word is EXEMPLARY. This is probably the6th or 7th time I have watched this video, it has all my favorites in it. Thank you as always for taking us along.

That Glen Coe shot is spectacular.

I agree with you. It depends on what mood you are in as to what you shoot that day. I get inspirited by your work. so keep up the great job.

I completely agree ... first, decide what you want to communicate, then use rules/techniques of composition as needed to help get a clear feeling/message across. That is also so important for post-processing. Start with what you want to achieve and why ... then proceed with using your expansive toolkits (e.g. Lightroom/Photoshop).

Great video mate. Lovely to hear these stories.

So many congratulations to you two and Meg! Thanks for sharing such a special moment. I love this image, all of them really. And yes I agree, if we care, the landscape dictates the photo. You were inspired but inspire so many of us. With regard to the Guardians of the Forest discussion - the group went right, you went left. You took the road less travelled then and that has made all the difference.

Simon, your work is so inspiring on many levels. I just love the feeling of your moody woodland images. There is a melancholy element to them, but that is often the feeling you get while exploring isolated woodlands. There is a sense of isolation, vulnerability, fascination by the complexity of the woodland and it's beauty mixed with the fear of the unknown. And then you find a subject that owns you, you get so transfixed by it that all the other emotions get pushed aside while work to bring forth the image. Thank you for allowing us to tag along.

Videos like this keep me watching your channel and others like it - discussing images and what lies behind them. (and not a bit of gear discussion anywhere, hurray!)

You are hands down my favourite woodland photographer I love the melancholy side of nature it seems so bleak but so beautiful at the same time. My turning point was an image from 14 years ago a sunrise shot from a local headland looking over the rocks into a cumulonimbus cloud with light rays bursting through, I was so happy I had it turned into a large canvas and gave it to my wife as a gift it still hangs in our home, technically its terrible blown highlights black shadows but I’ll never replace the feeling it gave me, when I saw it on canvas I thought wow how beautiful is nature and quite proud.

Those of us who also love the woodlands understand completely your love and fondness for a particular tree or scene. Leslie

First congrats on the engagement!!! What a wonderful backdrop, I'm sure the two of you will never forget that moment and that place. Your woodland images are so sublime, you are truly a master at one of the most difficult genre's of landscape photography. Enjoyed seeing all of these and hearing the stories behind them!

Very encouraging words, Simon! I must confess I struggle with getting myself "out there" despite the fact that when I finally do I absolutely love it. What a dichotomy of willingness and will, but your video renews the interest and that's a very good thing. So thank you... and of course, your images are beautiful indeed.

This is the first of your videos that I've seen. As a person with ADD, there aren't many videos over 2 minutes that keep my attention. This one certainly did and it was because I related to it on numerous levels. I am a farrier by trade and photography is my hobby. It's also my escape. I do my best work when I'm alone and isolated from people, business, noise, etc. Thanks for creating this video. I'm glad to know that there are like minds out there. You have a gift.

Thank you, Simon. having spent the last 2 weekends deep in the forests here by my place, and only walking away with a handful of mediocre shots, but identifying some great potential but still feeling really despondent, I feel more inspired now. It really is a case of pushing on, getting up early, walking, and learning, and coming back to get the right shot... I will be back on the trails this weekend!

Hi Simon, been following you for a while and was moved to comment on this video. The ability you have to articulate the feelings and artistic process behind your images is a rare skill, and perfectly compliments your work. You have inspired me to consider my own photography turning points, something I haven’t really thought about up to now. I think we all have images we personally like, or even ones that have done well in competitions or whatever, but to reflect on the ones that have shaped our own personal photography journey seems like something well worth doing.

For me I just can’t budge from woodlands. It’s that solitude in nature and away from the hustle and bustle, that healing power of nature. With or without the camera. Mind you I do love taking that camera.

I started following your channel a few months ago. Your story resonates with me. I was keen walker and loved my time in the mountains but several years ago I developed a spinal condition and arthritis. Hill walking and climbing are no longer an option. This made me angry and frustrated and I didn't want to pick up a camera. I started to make images again based around my local area and I've now begun to venture back out into the landscape. The development of CSC has helped tremendously because the cameras and lenses are lighter. I live near the coast and used to enjoy walks by the sea with my dad as a child. Now I've come to terms with my condition my images are quite serene and relaxed, whereas they used to be quite somber. I certainly lacked confidence but now I'm able to push myself more, ok legs giving way without warning putting me and others in danger means fells and mountains aren't a good idea but getting out more has helped. Your work has inspired me to venture into my local woods and try to work with complex and chaotic compositions that are well outside my comfort zone of simple images with just a few elements. I'm really enjoying your channel, not only for the images but for your honest communication. Thanks Tony

Sitting in the car having a coffee after a very cold and snowy day photographing Loch Ard. I really enjoyed the video and can completely relate to your images, the mood created by the light and mist is what I have been trying to capture for a while. First class, thank you.

Cheers, Simon! I just realised that I have been a subscriber of yours from the beginning and since then, I have discovered a handful of awesome photographers from the UK that I love. But, you are my favourite and I wanted to tell you that. Every time I look at my print of Guardians of the Forest, I have to smile! You have given me a sense of the magick that is Britain even though I live in Atlanta! I love your moody compositions and look forward to discovering the next, and the next... Thank you, my friend, and also know there is another "spinal sufferer" on the other side of the pond that gets to live life through your lens. Sean

I can't believe this is the first of your videos I've ever watched!! Where on earth have I been?? You mentioned the word 'magical'. That's how I felt about your photos.

Great video Simon. Lots of nice stories and images, and a lovely story at the start of the video!

Stunning Simon.What a great understanding of our woodlands you have. Keep the video's coming.

I find many videos on KZfaq not worth the time to watch. I have never felt that with one single video from you Simon. Great work!

Wow! I’ve been following a number of you KZfaqrs over the past 5 years, after a personal setback that allowed me time to pursue photography more seriously. Most of you grew, but some grew much more. Looks like you are in that camp. The only advice I can offer is that your images look startlingly like paintings. Spend time in museums. I think you will find artists who see the world like you do.

You are a true inspiration! Loving your videos and your photos even more. I use your work as a reference point to my own progression. Still a long way to go and so much to learn. As you describe, especially why some photos are good and others are great. you certainly help in getting to understand that! Thanks!

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts! I find your videos really inspiring.

This is the reason i started follow your channel to be honest, there is thoughts and a story/feeling behind each frame you shoot. Great work and keep it coming!

Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I find your journey truly inspirational and your ability to wear your heart on your sleeve extremely humbling. Looking forward to enjoying your work throughout the year 👍

Thank you Simon for being so open and honest about your emotions. I've watched every one of your videos since the beginning and it's clear how your relationship at a personal level with photography has evolved and how it's mirrored your own changing feelings. All your photographs, but especially the ones in this video, are not just beautiful but really capture the atmosphere of the location and moment.

Another great video Simon... thanks for sharing your thoughts and your journey with us... great learning for me personally by watching your videos day after day

Truly some of the best landscape photos I have seen. Right, I’m off to my local wood.

Simon, singularly the most inspirational video I've watched on YT to date. Thank you for sharing your innermost thoughts and some engaging stories. All best.

A superb video Simon, a lovely insight into how you found your raw material to work with. For me, it was the realisation that I could stop and look at what was around me, by doing this I could see what I wanted to photograph rather than just shooting hundreds of images which were poor boring and not reflective of what could be achieved with a bit of calm consideration. Thanks for taking the time to do these videos and for sharing them with us.

Wow, what a great job. Loved seeing the old images again and their meaning and story. Great timing on the 10 sec to by the way. Very cool to have something so important,work out so perfectly.

My turning point was your first or second video. I have a small forest right in front of my house, but never thought of taking photographs there. After watching your video, I went right into it, got off the path and spent the most wonderful time in the forest exploring and photographing.

Thank you, Simon. I needed to hear this. What I have taken from this is that you shoot what inspires you and what you feel you have connection with. I have been wrestling with this concept as I find myself trying to please others with what I think they like. You have shown how personal inspiration is a much more authentic driver of quality and progress. Thanks again, and congratulations.

I enjoy watching and hearing your videos, it gives something to think about and then it is some fantastic pictures you take.

Thanks Simon. Just listening to some of your videos while I'm working. So many lessons and advice from you still to be had. Such wisdom and inspiration is always needed to help others. Thanks so much.

Simon...first of all, congratulations on your proposal and may your marriage be richly blessed! Second, thanks so much for your sharing what must have taken months of reflection to realize, then carefully prepare and share! You have helped provide wonderful perspective to all of us who are trying to understand how to best express our creativity.

Wonderful images and the stories behind them. Love your work.

Thank you for sharing those special moments with us. I love your photography and your videos. So inspiring.

Thank you Iam just a old retired guy with a camera inspiration comes in many forms your photos and videos are windows to another world I learn a little bit more with every photo Or video I see

I have just started woodland photography, as my challenge to learn something new this year, your images fantastic and your videos are an inspiration, so glad I have found your channel.

Well done! Very helpful introspection. Thank you, Simon.

Thanks for yet another great video Simon. I really look forward to your videos.

Absolutely stunning work, Simon! I marvel at your ability to find order in chaos with your woodland photography and really enjoyed the insight into some of your favorite images.

Great Video Simon I always look forward to seeing your woodland images. I live in a location really indicative for going out and finding some interesting woodland scenes, I’ve been so inspired following your work I’m going to focus locally this year and see how/if my photography develops. Already looking forward to your next video.

Simon, Loved the video and your commentary, but was truly blown away by your photos! I was transported into those places, and the feeling I got was wonderfully peaceful. Thank you!

Great video Simon. Loved the whole contents of it and those stunning photos you showed. I Hope you soon are back in the Woodland again, with your Camera and Meg.

One of your best. Every insightful.

Your photographs have a magic that is very special. Watching your videos has reignited my interest in nature photography. I enjoy hearing about your journeys and the back story of each photo....thanks for sharing!

Loved hearing your stories behind these beautiful, magical images.

Good on ya brother...another really great video! Your work has been a favorite of mine ever since I saw your first video. I really enjoyed your discussion on self reflection and how the different images changed your perspective on photography. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful art with us!

Thank you for this great video and your explanation of your images reflecting your mood makes so much sense. I've only got into photography in the last 3 years and I have followed you since you started out making videos, but never commented. Thank you for these.

Lovely video, Simon. Great hearing your thoughts on all those wonderful images...but you made me cry at the beginning!

Another great video Simon, giving us such an insight into your thought processes and the reasons you make such beautiful images.

Thanks for sharing this with us Simon, I love all your videos but this one got me thinking about my own photography and why I love what I love. You lit the spark of self-examination that is often needed to allow you to move forward. I "need" a turning point as I feel I am stagnating and loosing drive so the timing was perfect. Great stuff!

A great video. Loved it and love your photos :) A big turning point for me was obviously visiting Iceland for the first time. Spent the last three years as a landscape photographer mainly in the rough Nordic environment. In 2018 I have started being a little full of this kind of photography and have started to turn my eyes towards Denmark again. Greatly inspired by your photography and as a new years resolution I have started exploring Denmark more and just the other morning I spent in lovely hoarfrost and foggy conditions, with a very satisfying result.

Very interesting and inspiring video Simon! It's crystal clear you put a lot of time, thought and soul into your images. They are a joy to watch!

So great to see your video! I think I'am still on that journey to find myself as a photographer. Thank you so much for sharing, I always learn so much.

I’ve started looking around the local patches of woodland after watching your videos, everything about your images inspire me!

Thanks for this Simon. I always appreciate your reflections on why you craft the images that you do. I am increasingly finding more pleasure in trying to convey an emotion through an image, and your style of photography has really helped me develop along that journey.

Excellent video Simon, it is great to hear some of the stories behind your photos. The way you capture the emotion in your photos is fantastic.

Thank you so much for that, Simon. Your videos are getting better and better, with no end in sight, and the metaphor of a journey seems just right. Maybe when you feel it's ripe, you could give us a video about, well, your videos? But thanks, whatever you do.

Thanks Simon. Your deeper exploration of photography really speaks to me and I’m left inspired to keep going with my photography (after a couple of years being uninspired) I’ll be watching more of your videos here.

Great video ... your images capture feeling more than most I've seen. There is something magical about fog, moss, subtle highlights and woodlands that comes together uniquely in your work. Thanks for sharing it.

Loved the video,the images and most importantly the message that you delivered...always an inspiration to watch your videos and see your images!

Both your still work, and your videos, continue to grow and deepen in meaning. A pleasure to watch and share. Well done.

great video Simson. Always loved your videos and images that inspire me every time. thank you for sharing your thoughts.

Your comments about our photography reflecting our moods made me think about my photos from a different point of view. I appreciate your style of going deeper in to things like who we are at a particular moment and what drives us to do things.

I watch photography videos to improve my own photography but you always deliver so much more! Love you and Meg!

Thank you Simon! I found the video so full of honesty and integrity, but also inspiring! Keep it up!

A great video with wonderful thoughts and pictures. And, of course, a very nice story at the beginning of this video. Thanks Simon

Simon, I really appreciated your insightful comments and seeing these wonderful images again. You are an inspiration to thinking photographers. Thank you!

I see atmospheric images such as the ones you're talking about as magical more than somber or depressing. They're just another facet of how Nature shows herself. I feel transported by these types of images.

You are one of my top 5 photographers mate. Your work blows my mind. Amazing to watch you and see your work

A wonderfully intuitive video.Thanks simon . You always leave me with something new to think about . Keep it up !

Really good to hear your thoughts and feelings surrounding some of the key photographs in your journey, Simon. Thanks as ever for sharing.

Simon, An amazing video. Love the way you proposed as well. Those pictures are all amazing and are much more than just pictures.

Simon: I have recently gotten back into photography and for me also I did it for personal healing and renewal. In my case, I needed something to get my head out of politics as I now feel we no longer truly have a voice and it was tearing me apart. Landscape photography has a triple healing effect for me: it is physical, emotional, and spiritual.

Thoughtful and considered presentation which strikes a real note with me. So much more enjoyable to watch and listen than some from other photographers who seem too intent on promoting themselves. Thank you.

Great video. As always fantastic content and very inspiring! looking forward to your next episode.

I agree that it's important to reflect seriously on these things. Well done.

Congratulations on your engagement & wish you both a long & happy life together. I took up photography as a hobby 5 years ago. With a back problem I find it difficult at times, but you have inspired me personally to explore woodland photography & not just landscape images. Here in Devon, we are sadly not blessed with much deciduous woodland & snow or haugh frost are rare. I strive to improve the standard of images I take and print them to go on the staircase walls. I find this helps you to see your progress as you take something better. You have probably become a world renowned woodland photographer & your images are stunning. Don’t stop inspiring us all to get out there & do it.

Excellent video Simon, loved the personal stories and your journey as a photographer. The skill you have acquired being able to see the compositions in a woodland area is amazing and has helped you with your journey and has greatly improved your photography. Wish you and your family all the best and hope to see many more of your exciting videos of you and Meg's in the future.