“As a homage to the mighty tree at Sycamore Gap, I take the time to notice and acknowledge lone trees everywhere”

Art of Seeing by Benedict Brain.

About Benedict Brain

(Image credit: Marcus Hawkins)

Benedict Brain is a UK-based photographer, journalist and artist. He is an Associate of the Royal Photographic Society and sits on the society’s Distinctions Advisory Panel. He is also a past editor of Digital Camera Magazine, and the author of You Will be Able to Take Great Photos by The End of This Book.

I am sure you were as shocked and saddened by the barbaric felling of the wonderful tree at Sycamore Gap in Northumberland as I was. I couldn’t believe my eyes when the news appeared on my social feeds in late September 2023. I initially thought it was an AI-created joke, until the reality slowly sunk in.