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A Bridlepath at Belstone

By Miles ·

Black-and-white photograph of a stony bridlepath near Belstone, with bare trees overhanging the track, a fenced field to the left and sunlight filtering through the branches.
Black-and-white photograph of a stony bridlepath near Belstone, with bare trees overhanging the track, a fenced field to the left and sunlight filtering through the branches.

A stony bridlepath winds past an empty field near Belstone, with bare trees arching overhead and morning light breaking through the branches.

On the outskirts of Belstone, on the northern edge of Dartmoor, a quiet bridlepath winds between open fields and a dense bank of trees, their bare branches stretching overhead to form a tangled canopy.

The low morning sunlight filters through the branches, picking out the rough stones of the track and the weathered trunks lining the path. Beyond the fence, the pale, open fields fade into the hazy distance, contrasting with the deep shadows beneath the trees.

Photographed in March 2014, I was drawn to the natural lines of the scene. The fence posts lead the eye along the winding track, while the overhanging branches create a wonderful sense of enclosure.

I chose black and white to emphasise the textures of the old stone path, the twisted tree roots and the intricate patterns of the branches against the bright sky.

There is something quietly appealing about these old country tracks. Worn by countless footsteps, hooves and changing seasons, they are as much a part of Dartmoor's character as its open moorland and rugged granite tors.

Sometimes the most interesting photographs are found along the paths we might otherwise walk without a second thought.