Discover our Area Through The Local Lens: Tristan Shipley

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 Tristan Shipley and his experience of the area.

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

The abundance of nature! The forest is bursting with wildlife, beautiful views, dense flora and there are so many activities you can do here it’s almost impossible to run out of things to photograph.

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

This is more an area that visitors overlook, because it’s not sign posted at all, but locals really enjoy. I hope the other locals don’t hate me for this - It’s the area of forest just north of Staunton where the border of England and Wales is. It has beautiful and hidden natural rock formations, loads of small paths winding through the forest, and, on a clear day, you’ll get amazing views where you can see as far as Pen Y Fan!

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

Mid to late Autumn and early to mid spring. Winter can also be beautiful as well. But these points in the seasons bring beautiful light and a dramatic atmosphere at a reasonable hour. And unlike the summer you won’t need to wake up at 3:30am if you want to catch the sunrise and early morning atmosphere.

Whilst the “best” time of day for photography is generally considered to be around sunrise and sunset, I often find my favourite photos are the ones I took in the middle of the day whilst out just enjoying the forest.

I want to add that in my opinion the best weather is when it’s raining. The atmosphere is unmatched. So don’t hide away when the storm clouds arrive, grab your coat and get out to enjoy it.

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

The starry night sky photo is probably one of my favourites (taken at Symonds Yat viewpoint). The Forest of Dean is well known for it's daytime activities, wildlife and beautiful landscape. But I think a lot of people often overlook that the forest has decently low levels of light pollution and therefore it's fantastic for stargazing!

I recommend heading out in the winter (on a clear moonless night obviously), wrapping up warm, grabbing a comfortable camping chair, a thermos flask and enjoying the night sky and the sounds of the nocturnal animals that come out to play.

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

I just want visitors to feel the desire to let curiosity lead them through the forest. “Let’s find out where this un-signposted path goes”, “If I paddle down this river for 10 more minutes what will I see?”. I’ve stumbled across caves, sculptures, rope bridges, Pixie/fairy trails (a local resident put’s colourful wooden doors at the base of tree’s and stumps. It’s grown into a whimsical community with a bakers, a school, a dentist, a corner shop and more!

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

I’ve mostly seen new infrastructure emerging to make it easier for people to visit the forest and help keep it trash free. But largely my favourite spots have remained the same.

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

This may seem hypocritical because some of my favourite pictures and videos were captured on a phone… but I strongly advise against using phones if you can. They have way too many distractions that pull you away from the wonders of the forest. Get yourself a little point and shoot camera or an action camera to use instead.

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

Dr Ed Drewitt and his wife Liz Drewitt run private wildlife and foraging tours and they are 1000% worth booking. We’ve done a couple tours with Ed now and we’ve learned SO MUCH. Me and Ed have even made a few short videos about the wildlife and diversity of the forest flora. You can see them on my instagram page.

About Tristan Shipley

So this blog post is coming at a time of a major change to my creative life. Up until now I’ve been a full time professional videographer and photographer. Producing all the typical things a generalist videographer does, corporate, weddings, events, theatre, you name it.

But recently stepped away from this being a career and instead I now use my cameras for capturing wildlife and filming every day moment and adventures for memories sake. I recently bought a Sony Handycam (affectionately known as a dad-cam) as a way to film these every day moments. It has a beautiful retro vibe to it. 

You can of course find me on instagram and YouTube, but I don’t post to those platforms so much anymore. Instead you’re now more likely to find me sitting in a wildlife hide or cycling/paddling/hiking through the forest, camera in hand, enjoying what this wonderful place has to offer. 

• YouTube Channel
• Instagram