In recent years I have really come to love our British landscape. Not just for photography, but for its healing powers. It never fails to lift me, even with its fickle weather and the challenges of occasionally experiencing four seasons in one day. The countryside - even with inclement weather - has become almost a medicine for me, and I know there are many others that feel the same way. It helps to heal the mind and soul when we are feeling overwhelmed by the madness in the world and our busy lives.
But, I do wish we didn’t have so much rain! Since the latter part of 2023 until now (03-24), the forecast for rain has been omni-present in the UK. But rain has never stopped me from getting out into the open spaces which I crave. I actually enjoy walking in the rain and taking pictures in the rain.
On a recent trip to the South Downs just above North Lancing, I felt the need to get out and shoot some frames. I wanted some quiet time with breathing space and it really didn’t matter to me that the wind was blowing a hooley and squally rain was hitting me face on. So off I went with a camera and one lens in a rucksack.
Petrichor is that wonderful smell of rain accompanied with the wind on your face which is so invigorating and makes you feel alive. It was the senses that urged me to go onto the Downs. I wasn’t alone though, because as I wandered I discovered there was just one soul in sight, a chap ploughing his farms’ fields. So out came the camera and these are some of the images I took. I enjoyed the layers upon layers, the tones and the play of light and shade. All thanks to the weather and one man’s very hard work on the land.
