Walking through the rolling hills of Hampshire, the sun beating down on my shoulders (Early Spring 2025), I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of tranquility. The charm of these Photos from Watership Down, near Kingsclere, is undeniable — a landscape steeped in natural beauty and literary history. As a photographer, it felt like the perfect opportunity to grab my Canon R5 and see if I could capture the essence of this picturesque walk.
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But as much as the sun was lighting up the fields in stunning hues, I quickly found it a little too harsh for my taste. The light was playing tricks on my camera, casting stark shadows that weren’t doing justice to the peaceful mood I wanted to convey. So, I decided to take a different approach.
Instead of fighting the light, I embraced it. I converted the colour images to black and white, stripping away the distractions and focusing on the raw beauty of nature.
Why Black and White?
As I walked through the countryside, I noticed that black and white photography had a special way of isolating details, emphasising the textures and contrasts that are often overlooked. The simplicity of monochrome allowed me to focus on the form, light, and emotion that the landscape evoked.
By eliminating the rich colours, I could emphasise the natural shapes of the fields, the curvature of the hills, and the dramatic contrasts created by the sun’s rays. The play of light and shadow became much more prominent. The black and white conversion also gave the photographs a timeless quality, one that felt more connected to the classic photographic tradition.
The Equipment: Canon R5 and 16mm STM Lens
I used my trusty Canon R5 paired with the 16mm Canon STM lens. This combination is perfect for capturing wide, sweeping landscapes with incredible sharpness. The 16mm lens is ideal for getting expansive shots of the scenery around Watership Down, allowing me to capture the vastness of the fields and the rolling hills with just the right amount of detail. It’s also lightweight, so I didn’t feel burdened while walking across the trails.
The Canon R5, with its impressive dynamic range, allowed me to capture every nuance of light and shadow. Even though I was shooting in harsh sunlight, I knew I could tweak the images later in post-processing to create the kind of contrast I was after.
Turning Harsh Sunlight into Creative Potential
I’m always seeking new ways to express the mood I feel when I’m out shooting. While the midday sun was harsh, it was also dramatic — it cast long, deep shadows and created stark contrasts that, in colour, would have been too overwhelming. But in black and white, it became a tool that added character and mood to the images.
It’s funny how sometimes, what initially feels like a challenge can turn into an opportunity for creativity. Rather than shying away from the harshness of the sun, I used it to my advantage. The high contrast of light and dark areas in the photos gave the images a dramatic, almost cinematic feel.
Photos from Watership Down: A Personal Connection
What I love most about photography is its ability to capture moments in time, preserving them forever. Each of the six photos I took on that walk to Watership Down has its own story, its own emotion, and its own connection to the landscape.
It’s not just about the pictures themselves, though. It’s about the experience of being out there, walking through the fields, hearing the rustling of the leaves, and feeling the sun on your face. These photos are a reflection of that experience — a personal journey captured through the lens of my Canon R5.
In black and white, I could focus more on the textures and lines in the landscape, highlighting the way light interacts with the earth. Whether it’s the contrast between the shadows of a lone tree against the sky or the subtle details in the grass, every frame tells a piece of the story of Watership Down.
Conclusion: Embracing the Simplicity of Monochrome
Looking back at those six photographs, I feel a sense of pride in how they turned out. What began as an attempt to overcome the harsh sunlight evolved into an exploration of how the simplest things, like light, shadow, and form, can create beautiful, emotional images.
Sometimes, the best photographs don’t come from the perfect conditions, but from the unexpected moments of creativity. By turning to black and white, I could simplify the scene, strip away the distractions, and focus on the core elements of nature that truly made this walk memorable.
For anyone looking to explore photography in a new light, I highly recommend giving black and white a try. It’s a fantastic way to challenge yourself and see the world in a different way — just like I did on my walk to Watership Down.
Call to Action:
If you’ve ever walked through a place that felt magical, just like Watership Down, I’d love to hear about it! How did you capture that moment, and did you embrace a challenge in your photos? Let me know in the comments below!
How to get to Watership Down
The car park at the top of Kingsclere Hill is located just off the B3051, a scenic road that runs between Kingsclere and the A34. If you’re coming from Kingsclere village, follow Swan Street (B3051) south, passing The Swan Inn and heading uphill out of the village. Continue for about 1.5 miles as the road climbs steeply up the escarpment. Near the summit, you’ll see the entrance to the car park on the left, marked by a small gravel pull-in area. If you’re approaching from the A34, take the exit for Kingsclere (B3051) and follow the road north for about 2 miles; the car park will be on your right just before the highest point. It’s a convenient spot for accessing the Wayfarer’s Walk and offers panoramic views of the surrounding downland.
