Photo Story: Sherwood and Nottingham

In exploring the various time periods and cultural mindsets of our literature in the course, it was fun to try to find visual representations today while we explored Sherwood and Nottingham. Here is what I found:

Picturesque: the beautiful and classic landscapes





In Sherwood, I was particularly drawn to compositions that contained paths and light (left and bottom right); in Nottingham, the brilliant flowers (top right).

















The Romantic: beautiful and melancholy

Decaying trees in the forest were surrounded by other life which I found sad, but comforting. I much preferred the weeds growing out of the stones lining the path to Nottingham Castle. They simply struck me as beautiful, bright and soft even though they are technically viewed as "unwanted" growth.










The Sublime: uplifting and spiritually awe-inspiring
















Again, I was drawn to the light in the woods and how it played upon the massive trees. One tree in particular struck me as a sentinel to the heavens--I couldn't comprehend the trickling pattern of light and shadow; all I could do was wonder at its beauty and power, and assume that the light was coming from the divine. He seemed to have arms reaching out, both guarding and separating the forest from the skies.




The Modern: contrasting images that call up new interpretations and relationships in the world

The empty beer can abandoned in the tranquil woods--I couldn't think of a better image that shows how man has destroyed nature: literally polluting the natural with our self-serving ways (no, it was not mine!).












Also, the view from the dark, safe and natural wood into the stark and obvious contrast of a modern housing development.
Lastly, a few trees had been carved and manipulated into new art--it shows the functionality of the landscape and potential for re-inventing old forms.