I usually shoot projects in parallel and this year is no exception. As well as completing my work on "View from The Hill" about the lives of older men, rolling out the Red Dress show in Scarborough and York (see Events page) and completing the Human Impact exhibition with a show at the end of March plus a number of other shows, talks and publications lined up later in the year I have decided to take on the challenge of shooting the same tree on each day.

The photographs here show some early examples with the challenge being to keep things fresh.

I have a number of basic rules that I have set myself.

• I must shoot each day unless I am in another part of the country.
• The focus of each photograph must be the tree.
• I must shoot at different times of day.
• I must shoot in all weathers.
• I must keep a diary recording the weather, light conditions, position if relevant to me, number of shots taken and any other info I feel is relevant and could serve as a reminder later.

I am allowed to use different lenses and to use post production methods to alter the look of the photograph. I cannot however substitute a different sky. I can also use other camera techniques such as Intentional Camera Movement, Multiple exposures, and filters (such as a Neutral Density filter) to change the image. When I am not in the area I can use another photograph to fill in for that day so long as it is part of a day when I have shot a few days before I leave or after my return. I will end up with 365 pictures.

Naturally different times of day, seasons and weather conditions will show the nature of the tree without using any of these. Equally mixing it up makes it more interesting and also a greater intellectual challenge as it means that I have to think about what I will do in advance sometimes. For instance can I take a picture of the tree in a mirror which hangs from another tree? Of course I can given these rules.

A few people have already asked me where the tree is but that will remain a closely guarded secret until I have finished the project. However it is within a short drive of my home and therefore easy to reach. The tree is across a sloping field and not immediately accesible. There are ways I can approach the tree without going into the field and I have a rule that I will never tread on any area that has been planted, although I have climbed over the gate and moved a few feet within the edge of the field already. It has a crop planted this year although it is too early to tell what it is. A couple of years ago it had a wonderful rape crop and blazed yellow by early May.  I hope to see someone working on the field at some point so that I can tell them what I'm doing and ask permission to approach the tree around the edge of the field itself. There is a wood also that gives closer access to the tree from the edge of the field about half a mile away so that will be used also. The focus must always be the tree.

I will post pictures on my Facebook and Instagram pages from time to time so you will get occasional updates and eventually I will add a page to this site that just considers the tree.

There is also a Flickr page which posts a picture and log of each day. You can see that here. In addition the Tree also has a You Tube page, updated with a number of shots each month. The first is here.

So why do it? Firstly it is about discipline and the need to stay focussed. Secondly it is about the mental excercise of making day-to-day decisons on how to shoot a fairly boring and inanimate object. Let's face it, the tree will change little apart from adding and shedding leaves during the year. Third - it makes me get out. The area where the tree is is wonderful and I enjoy walking around it. Lastly it is a project which can have an end result. I have not fully decided what that might be although a book is a likely possibility.

I haven't yet decided either on what to call the tree. Russell has been suggested as has Treevor. Any suggestions?