In the village in which I have spent a great proportion of my childhood, there is a particular field, with a particular part that is most familiar to me.
On a daily basis I will run across the neighbouring fields with the company of Milly my dog, and almost every run will begin through a field which – to many – is home to the ‘eye catcher’.
The name of this folly is most appropriate for it was constructed in 1740 by a landscape designer named William Kent, for the Dormer family to view in the distance from their residency at Rousham Park.
A few weeks ago a photography competition arose in which entrees had to display the eye catcher in any manner they desired. After running around the monument numerous times I was keen to display it firstly on a splendid sunny day, and in two contrasting angles. The first angle was to show the folly in it’s sheer size and intended glory, whist the second I aimed to provide a twist; instead of the ‘eye-catcher’ being the predominant view, it was in fact equally as stunning to use it as a frame and catch a glimpse of the surrounding landscape through the arches.
I am thrilled to say that from this I was awarded 1st Prize in the competition and will have my photography published in the monthly magazine!
It is amazing how many buildings, monuments or objects you can pass day in day out without properly knowing the story behind it. More so is it amazing that an object considered so familiar has the potential to be slightly altered to reveal an entirely new image, meaning and function.
In a society saturated with mobiles, screens and fast-walking and urge you to stop and look around – for who knows what will catch your eye!
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