Landscape pro Neil Burnell passes on some tips for capturing magical and atmospheric images in an ancient woodland
THE PRO NEIL BURNELL
CAMERA: NIKON Z 7II
Neil left behind a career in graphic design to become a full-time pro photographer. His work has been exhibited far and wide, and he’s won a plethora of photography accolades, including the Landscape Photographer of the Year 2020 Black and White category. When he’s not hard at work on a project he’s running workshops, putting together books, and selling prints. His Wistman’s Wood photography is well known, so Keith has a unique opportunity to learn from one of the best: www.neilburnell.com
THE APPRENTICE KEITH MALE
CAMERA: NIKON D500
Devonshire-born-and-bred Keith used to shoot game. But after his best gun dog passed away he realised his new pup was gun-shy. This persuaded him to put down his gun and adopt a new type of shooting – photography. It wasn’t long before he was photographing weddings, and he’s since turned semi-pro. The move to Nikon came when he discovered he could pick up a D200 and flash for the price of a digital Minolta, and he’s stuck with Nikon ever since.
TECHNIQUE ASSESSMENT
Neil showed Keith how to set up his camera to capture captivating woodland shots
ADDICTED TO BASE
Neil says… I underexpose by up to two stops and work in Manual mode. If you use exposure compensation in Aperture Priority you’ll constantly have to alter your ISO, and I want to remain as close to my base ISO as possible. I enable the histogram in Live View, too. as I trust it more than the light meter.
READY, PRESET, GO!
Neil says… I tend to set my own white balance presets via Preset Manual. I’ll have one preset that’s cooler and one that’s warmer, so that I can react depending on the situation. It’s important that you always shoot raw, so that if the white balance is off you can easily rectify it in post.
HANDS-FREE
Neil says… A remote shutter release might seem a little redundant when you can set a self-timer or use Exposure Delay mode, but where it comes into its own is timing. If you’re waiting for a splitsecond break in the wind or shooting in Bulb mode, then a lockable remote shutter release is essential.
HOT SHOT #1
CAMERA Nikon D500 LENS 17-55mm f/2.8 EXPOSURE 1 sec, f/11, ISO100
Dartmoor is an area of England that’s steeped in legend. The national park is supposedly home to pixies, ghosts and the famed Dartmoor Beast. It’s the setting of Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles, and its history is peppered with tales of witchcraft. But a small oak wood, with its distinctive gnarled trees and mossy rocks, stands out as the moorland’s most eerie place.
Wistman’s Wood is said to be home to a pack of bloodthirsty hellhounds,
