The Nature of Trees

This project was inspired by a few lines written by Hermann Hesse in his 1920 book "Wandering: Notes and Sketches". Referring to trees he wrote:

"They struggle with all the force of their lives for one thing only: to fulfill themselves according to their own laws, to build up their own form, to represent themselves."

Trees are a favourite subject for photographers, especially if they stand alone. They occupy many niches in the landscape from lowland forests to mountain crags. They survive, sometimes against the odds, all that the weather can throw at them and as a result take on a variety of interesting forms.

I chose each subject carefully and using in-camera double exposures sought to combine shape and form with nearby natural textures to evoke a sense of resilience and connection to the land. The images are a celebration of these silent witnesses of constant change both in themselves and the landscapes they inhabit.

Alan O’Brien ARPS is a self-taught photographer based in Inverness. Originally from Lancashire, he moved to the Highlands 45 years ago this year to indulge his passion for hillwalking and mountaineering. Nowadays he is happy just to be outdoors with a camera. The occasional foray onto the high tops is a bonus.

This is his first solo exhibition.