Fixed point photography in the Forest
In September 2023, fixed-point photography was launched here in the Heart of England Forest. Since then, volunteers have been heading out into the Forest to take photographs at set locations every month. Fixed-point photography will not only be able to show us how the Heart of England Forest is evolving over the months and years to come but will provide vital geographical data to have alongside other records that are collected within the Forest.
A year in fixed point photography
Over the last 12 months, six volunteers have ventured out into the Forest during the first week of every month to take their photographs required for the project. Each volunteer covers a different area of the Forest, and they have between 8-12 photographs to take each time, dependant on how many posts are in their designated areas, in the direction of North, East, South and West, to capture as much of the landscape as possible. Once all photographs have been taken, our volunteers then upload them to our image library, where we review and see how the different habitats are changing.
Our wonderful volunteers have collectively taken nearly 800 images of the Forest over the last 12 months, amounting to roughly 160 hours volunteered to the project. Dead oak trees have fallen, shrubs have displayed impressive colour contrasts and even results of extreme weather have all been caught on camera.
Changing landscape and the importance of recording it
Large scale monitoring and recording of the landscape is key in ensuring the best implementation of habitat management plans. With practices such as seeding wildflower meadows or coppicing / thinning maturing woodlands it can be more challenging to capture change with a single photo, video or written description. Monitoring the changing landscape over time and through the seasons means that the data collected can be used to form a bigger picture.
By recording changes and monitoring trends we can adapt our conservation management to ensure that we achieve the best outcomes for wildlife and work proactively to grow and conserve our ambitious 30,000-acre native broadleaf Forest.
These images will visually record habitat changes in the Heart of England Forest over a long period of time.
What is fixed-point photography?
Fixed-point photography is an emerging technique that is becoming more frequently used in the conservation sector to help monitor the changes in our landscapes. A set point is selected within the landscape, often determined by an important habitat or a specific feature of significance, and then at regular time intervals (for example once a week) photographs are taken from the same point and position each time. Photographs can then be compared with one another over the following months and years. Fixed-point photography also records the different seasons visually, to see how the landscape is evolving with climate change. This qualitative data - essentially creating a time-lapse of the landscape - can be used alongside other quantitative data such as wildlife surveys to create a greater understanding of our ever-developing landscapes.
How are volunteers helping?
We currently have volunteers taking photographs from several carefully selected locations across the Forest every month; Oak Wood, Spernal Hall Farm, and College Wood in Spernal, and Dorothy’s /Robert’s Wood, Coxmere Wood, Noleham Wood, west of Giddings Wood, and Binton in the Dorsington area of the Forest. These locations were chosen due to the important habitats that can be found there. Each of these areas have huge significance for biodiversity and it is imperative we learn as much as we can about the range of habitats, from new woodland to wetlands, grasslands, hedgerows, and even footpaths.
During the first week of each month, our dedicated volunteers head out to their allocated areas of the Forest, where they will come across several wooden posts with compasses on. A photograph is taken at each of the posts, in the direction of North, East, South and West, which are then upload to our image library for us to review and see how the different habitats are changing.
The beauty of this project is that the volunteers can complete the activity at their own leisure, often when they are out on a daily walk, so not only does it benefit the Forest, but also the physical and mental wellbeing of our volunteers.
As the project continues over the months and years to come, it will be fascinating to see the long-term results. We will see the trees growing, the woodlands forming, and the seasons changing.
After the success of a year in fixed-point photography we are now looking at expanding our fixed point photography team - so get in touch today if you are interested!
No prior experience is needed, however, you will need access to a camera or mobile phone with a camera function.
Can members of the public get involved?
Fixed-point photography is not just for our volunteers here at the Heart of England Forest. Members of the public are encouraged to get involved. If you do come across one of our posts located in the Forest, please feel free to take a photograph.
The locations of the posts have been chosen as they best frame the beautiful landscape we have here in the Forest. Feel free to have a go and to share your photos on our social media platforms. We look forward to seeing what you capture.
