Visual Narrative; Initial thoughts & Chevin Forest Trip

 

Initial mind mapping of potential locations

FIRST THOUGHTS//MIND MAPS

After receiving the brief I wrote down a few of the locations I was interested in visiting, and thought about areas both near to Leeds and home in Hull that I could visit to research. 

Out of all the suggested locations, 'forests and parks' was the one I wanted to visit first. I've always felt happy and at home in woods and forests; there's something about them I find myself drawn to on an emotional level, and after living in Leeds for a few months, the idea of getting away from the city and to have some fresh air was something I really liked the idea of. I conducted some research to nearby forests around Leeds and found that Chevin Forest was one of the biggest, and only a 40 minute bus ride away from the city center. 

Photos taken on disposable camera of Chevin

THE TRIP//RESEARCH

The trip to chevin forest was lovely. It was so nice to be in a rural landscape for a change and the whole day felt not only beneficial to my work but to me on a personal level too. Simply being in the outdoors and walking all day; it's amazing how productive and happy a day out can make you feel.

Whilst there I took a lot of photographs for visual reference, to catalogue the typologies and collections of natural flora and fauna around us. I also found myself repeatedly noticing scale whilst we were there. How large the forest seemed in comparison to Chay and Danny in the photos I was taking. 

Location drawing (first double page spread) and later drawing from reference//write up of experiential research

EXPERIENCE

I found the most useful research to be experiential however. Just the feeling of being in the forest. Of experiencing it's scale and natural beauty. The quietness and stillness. The solitude without loneliness. I found myself making notes of any funny or interesting conversations between me and my friends. Making note of any of the few people passing us by. But mostly I was interested in photographing and documenting as much of this beautiful landscape that I could.

Selection from the 579 digital photos taken during the visit to Chevin