IMAGE OF THE MONTH

DECEMBER 2025

The Last Light of the Year

As another year draws to a close, faster than ever, it seems, I find myself reflecting on the balance between time and creativity. Though I’ve had fewer moments behind the lens, my drone work has taken flight, quite literally, and brought a new dimension to my storytelling. It’s been a year since I added it to my toolkit, and the joy it’s brought has been immense. Still, there’s something irreplaceable about capturing a still image that speaks quietly but powerfully. That instinct, honed over years, helps me recognise the scenes that truly suit my style. Panoramas remain my preferred format, and I expect that to continue into 2026, alongside more video and aerial work. Time may always be the enemy, but the pursuit remains deeply rewarding.

December has been unusually mild, another sign of shifting seasons, with only brief visits from snow and frost. So when the conditions do align, you have to act. After a night of clear skies, freezing temperatures, and no wind, I set out in search of something special. That’s when I came across this group of silver birch trees, cloaked in hoar frost. On any other day, they might blend into the landscape, barely noticed. But in this light, against the cooler, darker tones of the pine forest behind, they stood out, delicate, luminous, and quietly striking.

I explored several compositions, but as always, the panorama format brought the scene to life in the way I envisioned. It felt like the perfect image to close the year, a quiet celebration of winter’s fleeting beauty and nature’s subtle drama.

Here’s to what 2026 may bring.