In The Footsteps of a Nightingale by Robert Brittle
In The Footsteps of a Nightingale
For Isla Mae & Robert Peter
Text & Imagery by Robert Brittle
A View From Florence's Seat; Summer
Shaped Stones
A Landscape Defined Land: the solid part of the surface of the earth as distinct from seas, lakes, etc. -scape: suffix forming nouns. Indicating a scene or view of something The word 'Landscape ' can be interpreted in many ways, dependent upon social, educational and economic demographic but in academic terms of reference can be broken down into its two component parts 'Land' and 'Scape'. To consider a landscape that can be defined as a view of the earth's surface, then framed within either the context of the artists predisposition, the equipment used to capture that view and further framed by the cameras characteristics. Interpretation, to what most would consider to be a landscape, or image of, when considered within the context of the dictionary definition of 'landscape' and its other connotations: 1. an extensive area of scenery as viewed from a single aspect 2. a painting, drawing, photograph, etc., depicting natural scenery 3. the genre including such pictures. 4. to improve the natural features of (a garden, park, etc.) as by creating contoured feature. Herein lies the source of the interpretation quandary within the practice of landscape photography, that the project attempts to address. Is a landscape photograph a view of the earth's surface or the surface of land modified by humanity, what defines a 'natural state' what should or shouldn't be included that is present on the lands surface?
The selection of a defined area of the earth's surface, to take photographs of, should in theory answer the questions and / or quandary defined previously. The choice of Lea Wood was a conscious one, as at first glance the area could be considered a microcosm of the wider landscape and its history, it also through either natural or human interaction has significantly changed over the last 200 years. Situated in an area of the Lower Derwent Valley surrounded by relics of the industrial revolution, bounded by a canal, tunnelled under by a railway and which was once a wealthy Victorian's pleasure grounds. Evidence of small scale human activity prior to the arrival of canal, rail and road can be included in this description, history however seems to be now coming full circle, with the managed naturalisation of the area, to return it to a more natural state of a mixed Oak and Silver Birch woodland by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust. Descriptions of the area are not just restricted to visual literature or historical documents. In her introduction to The Industrial Architecture of the Peak District, Helen Harris describes travelling northwards from Derby: 'Travelling northwards through Derbyshire either on the A6 or by a more westerly route - one finds, somewhere near Matlock or Ashbourne depending on the road one is on, that the scenery has made a definite change. The broad flatter lands of the plain have given way to pronounce Pennine undulations and though the road itself may be a busy one the character of the countryside seems to have become less urgently industrial, more placidly pastoral, aloof yet challenging, stimulating yet remote.' (Harris, 1971, p.13)
Beech, 06:26; Spring
Beech, 06:31; Spring
Beech, 06:35; Spring
Beech, 06:40; Spring
Beech, 06:45; Spring
Beech, 07:15; Summer
Beech, 07:17; Summer
Beech, 07:24; Summer
Beech, 07:46; Summer
Beech, 07:50; Summer
Q-Pit - White Coal Production c. 1750's
Gate - Lea Hurst c. 1850's
Rhododendron Removal - Rewilding c. 2018
Oak, 08:17; May
Oak, 08:45; June
Oak, 08:53; July
'Natural' Woodland: Spring
Lea Wood is situated within the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site in Derbyshire, England. On the edge of England's first national park and just a short drive from Matlock Bath. The woodland is situated at the gateway to one of England's most visited areas, attracting thousands of visitors annually. The woodland encapsulates over 300 years of human interaction, completing this evolution by being returned to a natural woodland, in a managed process by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust.
The earth's surface, which the woodland now occupies, shows the scars of historical events, the woodland can be considered as a microcosm that mirrors wider issues around land use. The previous generations decisions of how they have managed the earth's surface for agriculture use, early industrial processes (lead mining and smelting), Victorian landscape gardens, local populous and finally naturalists, have and continue to shape a surface that one day will be inherited by my children, what they will inherit still remains questionable not just in Lea but also on a global scale.
