Discover our Area Through The Local Lens: Mark Adams

Through the Local Lens' is a series celebrating the stunning Forest of Dean and Wye Valley through the eyes of passionate photographers who know this landscape intimately.

Each feature reveals what captures their imagination and draws them back time and again to this remarkable corner of Britain. From hidden gems that locals treasure to the seasonal transformations that make every visit unique, we explore how these artists see and experience the region's beauty.

Through their lenses and stories, discover what makes the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley so special, and perhaps find inspiration for your own photographic journey.

This episode focuses on the talented Mark Adams and his experience of the area.

What draws you to photography in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley?

The Forest of Dean is a very unique place, one that has won me over and has a special place in my heart, parts of it are ASNW (Ancient semi-natural woodland) forest that’s beauty changes throughout the year. To experience these seasons and capture those moments is for me a natural flow of creativity that I cannot resist but to record and share with my chosen form of media the camera. My goal is to share The Forest of Dean's beauty and magic along with its ecological importance through photography and correct representation.

Can you share a location that locals might overlook but visitors would love to discover?

This for me is a difficult question to answer as there are so many great places in the Forest of Dean to visit that you would need to come back time and time again to discover this wonderful place.

One place I would suggest to pay a visit to would be Hopewell Colliery along Speech house road. It’s a small locally run place. You can book a guided tour where you will be taken down underground by Rich Daniels or one of the other guides sharing their knowledge of the history of coal mining in The Forest Of Dean. They have a wonderful café there too so after the tour you can reflect on the day with coffee and cake.

What's your favourite season or time of day to capture this region, and why?

Spring is a favourite of mine although it’s hard to choose as every season has something amazing to offer. It’s a time where the Forest seems to come alive once more after almost becoming dormant during the winter months. The displays of wild garlic and the bluebells along with some areas toward Newent displaying wild daffodils are a glorious spectacle.

The trees start to wake as they sense the days becoming longer. The wonderful blossoms and the tiny green speckles as the trees start to produce leaves celebrating the more pleasurable months.

Early morning sunrise just cannot be beat. Its my favourite time of the day, a tranquil time where early morning mist rises from the woodland lit by the warm glow of sunrise its also a perfect time to see the wildlife of the forest and the dawn chorus is amazing.

Tell us about one of your photos from this collection - what's the story behind it?

The Grand old English Oak you see in this collection is one of my favourite trees in The Forest Of Dean. This Oak would have been planted hundreds of years ago proactively for the wood production to build ships. As time moved on and ships were made from steel and other alternative materials this oak and a few others were spared and left to continue to grow and live out their days in this special part of the world, still standing strong and tall to this day. These oaks have seen many things and heard many stories that many of us would love to hear but they will remain forever secret.

This photo I took was fortunate enough to be accepted into the Earth photo 2024 exhibition in the Royal Geographical society London. This was an exhibition working across multiple genres sharing the prescient issues affecting the climate and life on our planet. Bringing a little part of The Forest Of Dean to London.

What would you want visitors to feel when they see our area through your lens?

The feeling of being emersed in the forest and overwhelmed by its beauty, The Forest of Dean is an amazing area of natural beauty. I want visitors to see it’s a special place to respect and protect where they can return time and time again to enjoy and make wonderful memories.

What's changed in the region since you started photographing here?

As a whole not a great deal of the actual forest has changed since I have been here I can still get lost in the forest and enjoy every moment but one thing that’s inevitable is that some of the people have come and gone. We all have a limited time on this planet and some of the old Foresters have passed on taking with them their wonderful character and stories from the past. I am just fortunate to have met and spoke to some of those who have been and gone.

Any photography tips for visitors wanting to capture their own memories here?

Choose what you wish to capture as there is so much here from wonderful trees to wild boar that if you don’t make that decision you may go home empty handed. Also, re visit time and time again, get to know the forest and become friends with the woodland. When you learn the land your success rate will increase.

What local business, attraction, or community spot deserves more attention?

One local business that deserves more attention is Dean Forest cycles. Its a small family business that provides a great bike hire service along with a wonderful shop and café so if there is one place that would be the one. It’s located in Park end close to the Norchard railway so not only can you have coffee and cake but you can also watch the old steam trains go by. At this point it sounds like all I do is drink coffee and eat cake around the forest. I mean that would be good but how would I get anything done and share any photos with you all?

I have deliberately got lost in the woodland on many occasions spending hours exploring and capturing what I see and experience on my adventures. All woodlands are important to me and deserve all the representation they can get. I love woodlands it just so happens the Forest of Dean is where I am lucky enough to live. Oh did I mention my love for woodlands… if you do happen to see me out and about in the forest (I’m normally with my whippet) please come over and say hello and have a chat.

Check out Marks website here: www.focusingonthelight.com

Don't forget to check out and follow his journey on his socials too:

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