Another month, another photowalk with Illuminate. This time it was at Manningtree in Essex, a once-thriving town steeped in history and mystery. The underlying concept this time was to engage in reflection, whether it is in a literal sense, contemplating ourselves, or introspecting about the past or the present.

From the bustling days of the wool trade to its flourishing corn, timber, and coal shipping ventures, Manningtree has witnessed the ebb and flow of time, leaving behind a tapestry of captivating stories. However, it is one particular chapter in its past that casts an eerie shadow over the town's legacy—the enigmatic tale of Matthew Hopkins, the notorious self-proclaimed Witchfinder General.

Matthew Hopkins casted a dark and chilling spell over the towns and villages of England during the 17th century. It is said that Hopkins claimed to have discovered his vocation as a witch-hunter after overhearing local women in Manningtree allegedly confessing to their dealings with the devil. Capitalising on this supposed revelation, he set out on a zealous crusade to rid the town, and the surrounding areas, of those he deemed to be witches. With a twisted sense of righteousness, he employed brutal methods to extract confessions, such as the infamous "swimming test" or "witch-pricking," which often led to the accused facing trials that were rigged against them. The legacy of his witch-hunting activities in Manningtree remains a haunting reminder of the dangers of mass hysteria and the unchecked abuse of power.

Walking along the river and making our way to the woods, you soon become shrouded by the ancient oaks that stretch their gnarled limbs towards the heavens, echoing a haunting past that you can feel lingering in the whispering breeze. As parts of the wood become lit with dappled light, you can really sense a somber aura, as if the trees remember the terror that once gripped their roots. Nature, in its timeless wisdom, has reclaimed the scars of the past, and acts to reflect our emotions, thoughts, and vulnerabilities back at us.

Metaphorically speaking, the woods also become a mirror that urges us to examine our place in the world, looking inward to gain insight and understanding about ourselves and the world around us — the art of introspection.

On arriving at Manningtree, light drizzle started to fall, and with only my X100 to hand, working with the 35mm field of view proved to be quite challenging at times - especially as I was a little restricted to how close I could get to some scenes. Nevertheless, I believe I managed to capture several images that successfully convey the atmosphere we encountered during our walk. A huge thanks to Mikaela yet again for a successful meet and photo walk.