Young photographers in the landscape

Home educated young people from across the island took part in two photography walks led by highly regarded photographer, Maria Bell. Commissioned regularly for the Guardian as well as assignments for the country’s top chefs Maria’s work is grounded in nature, narrative and place.

Over two sessions the group learnt about camera techniques and composition whilst stopping to connection with nature through observation. Starting at Brighstone Forest, the group captured the early signs of spring: Primroses, uncurling ferns and hawthorn blossom. The following week the group took on the dramatic and versatile landscape of Newtown Creek. After a being given a photography brief the group set about capturing the built landscape; including historic buildings and houses against the backdrop of spring. Wildlife, plants and flowers proved to be the most popular subject.

Photo of people on a wooden bridge across marshland towards Newtown Creek
Photo of a photographer with a young person giving a workshop in the forest with blossom in the background
Photo of people on a gravel path in a woodland taking photos

Working in partnership

Isle of Wight NPO (National Portfolio Organisation) Quay Arts supported the project by lending the group three DSLR cameras. The cameras were originally funded by the Mike Howley Trust and enabled the group to use professional cameras under the guidance of Maria Bell.

Brighstone Forest and Newtown Creek

Brighstone Forest is owned and managed by Forestry England and Newtown Creek (National Nature Reserve) is owned and managed by National Trust. Isle of Wight National Landscape partnership is made up of landowning organisations and many smaller private landowners.

Young Photographers’ Gallery

Gaspard

Red flowers on tree in shade
Newtown Creek at low tide with posts reflecting in the water
Marsh and grassland with a yacht in the mid ground and factories and Chimneys in background
Gravel entrance with large tree, hedge and blue sky in the background
Two birds face to face talking, clam still water in the background

May

Sunlight reflecting on the water, grey blue colour water
Close up of shoots, green moss in the sunlight in the foreground and a blurred brown background
Newtown Church against a blue sky with a thick green hedgerow in the foreground
Hawthorn bush bursting with flowers

Milan

Looking up a tree trunk against a cold blue and white sky
Close up of daffodil with sunlight behind, pale yellow petals
Pale pink primroses in full sunlight
Sun behind the clouds against a dark blue sky
Forest in pale light with leafless trees, early spring

Miles

Dark photo with greens and browns, fern unravelling in the foreground
Tree in bud against a blue sky
Close up of dog rose, lilac coloured flower with light behind
Close up of tree in bud, pale greens and muted browns

Ralph

Close up of tree bark in black and white
macro photo of hawthorn blossom
Macro photo of fern curled up before unravelling desaturated colours, browns and dark blues
Blurred green leaves in the foreground, lilac spring flowers in the sunlight in the background
Black and white photo of a blurred figure in the distance reflected in a puddle in the foreground, surrounded by trees

Sophie

Photo along a fallen tree trunk, bark in focus in the foreground

Hugh

The moon in daylight against a blue sky
Close up photo of blossom in dappled light
Wooden harbour walk sign with ivy in the background
Close up of small yellow flowers in long grass at ground level
Over exposed photo with blurred sun, fluffy clouds and a plane in the centre of the sky