Oak by Simon Baxter | My Photo Bookshelf
To many, woodland photography is one of the trickiest landscape genres to master, and in many ways, I’d probably agree. It demands patience, vision and a genuine passion for the subject to create compelling photographs of the woodland. It’s not simply a case of being in the right place in the right conditions; it’s about an internal moment—being in the right frame of mind to notice something beautiful at a particular point in time, when on any other day you might simply walk past without a second glance.
Simon Baxter’s love for the woodland is infectious, and I have to admit that his photography was a major influence on me when I first began turning my own lens towards the trees back in 2019. I bought his first book, Gathering Time, and more recently Woodland Sanctuary, which accompanied an exhibition he created with Joe Cornish. So, when Simon announced he would be releasing Oak earlier this year, I didn’t hesitate—I pre-ordered a copy straight away.
Synopsis
OAK celebrates a very special species of tree that captured Simon’s heart and imagination as he explored his local countryside in North Yorkshire. Captivated by their beauty and richness of life, Simon has discovered and immersed himself in some of the very best oak woodlands his local area has to offer. OAK includes 38 beautiful images that were all made close to home and haven’t appeared in previous publications.
My thoughts about the book
Oak represents a personal photographic study of a single tree species and opens with a brief but engaging history lesson, taking the reader back to the first forests 56 million years ago, followed by an overview of the life of an oak tree. It’s mind-boggling to consider how long an oak can live and the span of historic events that may have unfolded during the lifetime of just one tree.
The book itself is a high-quality 11 x 8.5-inch softcover zine, printed on 150gsm silk paper. It’s an excellent paper choice, complementing the work beautifully, with enough weight and subtle sheen to bring the images to life without becoming distracting.
After reading about the oak’s origins, the book flows seamlessly into Simon’s photographs—a beautiful collection showcasing this woodland icon in a variety of conditions and across all seasons. Simon chose not to group the images by season, which is a common approach and one that can work well, but I’m glad he decided against it here. As I turned the pages, not knowing what mood, colour or feeling awaited me, the experience felt more varied and engaging. It kept the book fresh and surprising throughout. This approach undoubtedly made the sequencing more challenging, but it was certainly worth the effort in my opinion.
Intertwined among the beautiful photographs of the oak tree is a captivating personal thread, shared through a handful of essays in which Simon reflects on discovering the importance of composition, his own connection with the oak, and how being curious about the subject—rather than prioritising the act of photography itself—can ultimately lead to stronger, more meaningful work.
That last point about creating stronger, more meaningful work struck a particular chord with me. If Simon has taught me anything about making the very best woodland photographs, it’s the importance of looking deeper—studying the subject, noticing its subtle shifts in character and the way it interacts with its surroundings.
This beautifully crafted project is a highlight on my bookshelf, offering inspiration and insight for anyone passionate about woodland photography.
Book Details
Softcover Zine
Size: 11 x 8.5 inches
Pages: 55 pages and photos printed on 150gsm silk paper
Availability at the time of writing: Purchase directly from Simon Baxter’s website https://baxter.photos/shop/oak-zine.
Until next time.
Trevor