Tell us the story behind your photo in the British Wildlife Photography Awards exhibition?
Like other photographers, bluebell season is my favourite time of year. This beech woodland remains one of my favourite locations to photograph year after year. The North Dorset bluebell woods are over an hour’s drive from my home, but the journey is always worthwhile.
The best conditions are during the golden hour at sunrise, although sunset can be equally rewarding and is often overlooked. Many photographers seek the ideal conditions of the light mist created by the cold and humid morning air. With the clocks already having moved forward, this means leaving home very early in darkness and arriving on location before dawn to catch the first light.
How did you go about getting that shot?
Timing is critical when the bluebells flower. Arrive too early in the season and the bluebells are still sparse amongst the green, while the beech trees remain bare. Arrive too late and the vibrant blues and purples begin to fade as they bleach out and with the full canopy of beech leaves blocks the beautiful morning light.
Although the mist never appeared on this occasion, the woodland offered its own gift. As the sun rose, shafts of warm light filtered through the tall beech trees, illuminating the bluebells and creating a peaceful atmosphere that made the early start worth it.
Did you use any particular equipment or software? worthwhile.
My go-to kit is a Canon R5 and a Canon RF 24–105mm f/4 lens mounted on a tripod.
The Canon R5 capability of high dynamic range allows great contrast between the colours, shadows and light with minimal post processing so that I can retain the natural atmosphere I see with my own eyes. In combination with a RF 24–105mm f/4 lens, it allows me to stick to the path and not intrude on these sensitive protected flowers.
What projects are you working on now or have coming up?
This project is ongoing for the foreseeable future seasons. My goal is to capture the woodland with a carpet of bluebells, soft morning mist, and perfect golden-hour light—conditions that come together only rarely, making each return to the woodland part of the creative journey.
Check out more of Hang’s photography: