Nether Wood

Nether Wood is a small area of willow, ash and beech woodland that has grown up amongst the slag heaps resulting from centuries of lead mining in the heart of the Mendip Hills in Somerset, UK. Abandoned since 1885, the site has been reclaimed by nature, the ugly landscape partly softened by vegetation, the settling reservoirs choked by plant growth and inhabited by waterfowl. My photography attempts to evoke the atmosphere that I detect in this poisoned place – twisted branches and reflective dark pools set against the turning of the seasons. A freeform lensbaby delivers imperfect photographs to enhance the mood.