There is a lake nearby, set back from the Dordogne river, surrounded on 3 sides by trees. Perfect cover for the shy heron who never allows you to get too close. I carefully positioned myself and guessed that the bird would seek safety in the middle of the lake if disturbed. I make the slightest of sounds and off it went, creating a silhouette against the misty background as it flew off. The reflection in the water adds a certain balance and symmetry.
There is a texture added and techniques are used to give the photograph a painterly feel. The colours have been reduced slightly, adding a sense of age. Using my technique I am able to play with light and contrast, softening certain areas and strengthening others, which enables me to draw the viewers eye to a specific part of the image, very much like a painter would do. I aim to produce images that evoke a strong sense of nostalgia, and my subjects are almost always trees.
Dan Courtice is a photographer living in rural France. He takes inspiration from the varied landscapes around him, with a particular affinity for trees. He is influenced by landscape paintings of the 19th century, with a style characterised by soft colours and textures. His work evokes feelings of.. Read more…