I Can’t See the Wood for the Trees by Eddie Hyde | My Photo Bookshelf
Eddie Hyde is a photographer based in Surrey, and UK. In 2024, I attended an exhibition he co-hosted with Vanda Ralevska, showcasing some of their beautiful landscape photography. While there, I picked up this self-published photobook by Eddie titled I Can’t See the Wood for the Trees, which features a selection of his beautiful woodland images.
Author’s Synopsis
Just to note, I couldn’t find this book on Eddie Hyde’s website, so this is an extract from the book’s introduction.
I have always had a strong affinity for nature and woodland. The range of sensations within a wood brings a sense of wonder, comfort and peace. In Japan, they call it Shinrin-Yoku: taking in the forest atmosphere or “forest bathing”.
Living in Surrey, which has the most trees of any county in England, I am in easy reach of many of these woodland areas and visit them almost daily, most often in the early morning or late afternoon when the light is at its best. For me, being amongst the trees is calming, invigorating and therapeutic. I love to search for order in the chaos.
In this booklet, I hope to share with you this experience and to show the beauty to be found in my local woods.
My thoughts about the book
This modestly sized softback book opens with an introduction by Eddie Hyde, in which he explains his interest in landscape photography and his connection to woodland, particularly in Surrey. When you turn the page, the first woodland photograph appears, setting the focus for the rest of the book.
There’s something deeply satisfying about focused photobooks that explore a single subject or theme in depth. Showcasing the beauty of the Surrey woodland (home to more trees than any other county in England), these smaller, carefully crafted monographs allow the photographer to immerse themselves fully in their subject. I especially appreciate this approach because it gives the author space to reveal what truly draws them to the subject, capturing nuances and moods that broader collections might overlook. For me, such books offer a richer, more intimate connection to the place and the artist’s vision.
Regarding the design, I appreciated the sequencing, which helps the eye flow effortlessly between the pages, and the use of a square crop on each page suits the individual compositions well, giving the book a consistent and balanced look. The images, mostly taken during autumn and winter, are stunning. While including spring and summer scenes might have added a little more variety, leaving those seasons out perhaps opens the possibility for a future volume.
I’m not entirely sure of the paper specification, but each page has a pleasing weight and appears to use a soft-sheen, lustre-like finish, which I feel suits the mood of the work perfectly.
I’m pleased to have discovered Eddie’s book while visiting the exhibition. If you’d like to own a copy, I recommend contacting Eddie via his website to check availability.
Book Details
Soft cover book
Size: 21cm x 21cm
Pages: 46 pages
Availability at the time of writing: I looked on the author’s website to find out more about this book’s availability, but it was not mentioned. I recommend contacting Eddie via his website to check availability. https://eddiehydephotography.zenfolio.com
Until next time.
Trevor