Tim Smalley

Hey, my name is Tim.

I'm a recovering tech entrepreneur now working as a full-time professional photographer based in Hertfordshire, UK. I specialise in architecture, but my passion is trees and forests.

I left tech in 2017 and had a breakdown shortly afterwards, which nearly led me to take my own life. Having a fantastic therapist and spending lots of time in nature helped fix me up, and helped me rediscover my love for photography.

A few recent woodland images are below.

#introduction

Nov 18, 2022 at 7:46pmWeb
Show threadMarkusNov 18, 2022
@timsmalley following, hoping very much to see more such pictures. Thanks for sharing some of the beauty you see.
Show threadTim SmalleyNov 19, 2022
@markus_quandt thanks for your kind words Markus.
Show threadSapNov 18, 2022
@timsmalley Can almost hear the underfoot crunch of the beech mast
Show threadTim SmalleyNov 19, 2022
@MrPDaniel ahhh, that sound is blissful. Thank you. :)
Show threadSue McBean 🌿Nov 19, 2022
@timsmalley Love these images, thank you
Show threadTim SmalleyNov 19, 2022
@organicbotanic thanks for your kind words Sue!
Show threadCathybugNov 19, 2022
@timsmalley beautiful images
Show threadTim SmalleyNov 19, 2022
@Cathybug thanks very much :)
Show threadCathybugNov 19, 2022
@timsmalley croeso
Show threadPaul JacksonNov 19, 2022
@timsmalley Beautiful photos Tim. Nature is so healing.
Show threadTim SmalleyNov 19, 2022
@pjmonsar thanks Paul, nature is my medicine. Have you read 'The Nature Fix'? It's an approachable but fascinating look at the science behind nature's healing properties.
Show threadVixJ 🇪🇺💙Nov 19, 2022
@timsmalley These are utterly beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Glad you received the help you need.
Show threadTim SmalleyNov 19, 2022
@VixJ Thank you for your kind words. Life could not be better. :)
Show threadVixJ 🇪🇺💙Nov 19, 2022
@timsmalley That’s good to hear. Being out in nature is really good for all of us, I think. Modern life can disconnect us from it, but finding our way back is incredibly rewarding and nourishing for the soul, I find.
Show threadTim SmalleyNov 19, 2022
@VixJ you're very right. We have been zombified by the dopamine hits our smartphone gives us.
Show threadAlecNov 19, 2022
@timsmalley - Welcome - great shots
Show threadTim SmalleyNov 19, 2022
@AlecDepledge Thanks for the welcome Alec!
Show threadschoolingdianaNov 19, 2022
@timsmalley I’m so glad you’re here and that you left tech. Holy smokes, those photos are another level. What the world would have missed without you here, or if you’d stayed on tech. What camera are you using?
Show threadTim SmalleyNov 19, 2022

@schoolingdiana Hi Diana, tech lost its purpose for me... and I hadn't enjoyed the work for several years.

I shoot with a variety of equipment, but pretty much all of my digital gear is now Sony. My main camera is an A7Riii, but I also have an A7iii, A7ii, an A6400 and, finally, an A5100 converted to infrared. I do also shoot with a large format view camera (4x5in), a 6x7 film back, a 6x9cm folding bellows camera, and I have an unhealthy collection of 35mm film cameras, too!

Show threadschoolingdianaNov 19, 2022
@timsmalley My ex uses a Sony for his hockey game photos. I’ve got small hands so I always preferred a Canon, but one of my kids with a Digital Media degree (3 of them do) and specializes in post production is trying to convince me to get the new … I think it’s a Nikon? The retro looking one. The cmos in my Canon died several years ago and with all the advances, it’s almost like starting over. My photojournalism was all 2008-2010.
Show threadTim SmalleyNov 22, 2022

@schoolingdiana very cool, thanks for sharing - the retro Nikon is the Zfc or something like that? Most cameras on the market (if you buy a reputable brand) are pretty good these days. It’s more about what works best for your needs.

I was a Canon shooter, but at the time I was ready to upgrade the Canon mirrorless bodies were underwhelming and I’d really need to look at a new set of glass too. I hired an A7Riii, a Z7 and an EOS R… over the course of a week, I came to love the Sony.

Show threadShield MaidenNov 19, 2022
@timsmalley Ooooh, trees...now, only now do we understand what tree-hugging is all about. Some knew this decades ago. Have photographed lots, and have a local favourite.
Show threadTim SmalleyNov 19, 2022
@Judeet88 gosh, if you asked me for a favourite tree I wouldn't know where to start! There are too many favourites, but I tend to go to different forests to fulfil different moods. One of my favourite ancient trees fell a couple of years ago - I managed to photograph it one last time in full autumn colour in the middle of summer.
Show threadAndrew Morgan 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿Nov 19, 2022
@timsmalley Nature knows how to fix us
Show threadTim SmalleyNov 19, 2022
@andrewmorgan it certainly does Andrew! :)
Show threadDavid RuslingNov 19, 2022
@timsmalley excellent, these capture what I see walking here in Derbyshire
Show threadTim SmalleyNov 19, 2022
@davidrusling ahhh, I grew up on the Staffs/Derbyshire border in Ilam/Dovedale. It's such a beautiful part of the world with many fond childhood memories, but I was so sad to see the ancient ash forest on the Staffordshire side of the gorge absolutely ravaged by chalara/ash dieback a few years back. I managed to speak to the ranger and it had taken hold in about three years. It was like witnessing winter in the middle of summer.
Show threadMJ SantosNov 19, 2022
@timsmalley oh my wow! Those are gorgeous!
Show threadTim SmalleyNov 19, 2022
@MadJSantos thanks for your kind words :)
Show threadJames BasooNov 19, 2022
@timsmalley that's some dreamy photography!
Show threadTim SmalleyNov 19, 2022
@Jbasoo much appreciated, James.
Show threadClaireNov 19, 2022
@timsmalley amazing photos 🌿🍁🍂🍃
Show threadTim SmalleyNov 19, 2022
@clairepass thanks a lot Claire!
Show threadVictoria Goldman 📝Nov 19, 2022
@timsmalley Amazing photos. I’m in Herts too. Will be following.
Show threadTim SmalleyNov 19, 2022
@victoriagoldmanauthor hey Victoria, thanks for your kind words - most of my photography is within Hertfordshire or the surrounding areas. Which part of Hertfordshire are you in?
Show threadVictoria Goldman 📝Nov 19, 2022
@timsmalley I’m ‘near Watford’. Near this church (without specifying exactly where I live on here). I’m not such a great photographer!
Show threadTim SmalleyNov 19, 2022
@victoriagoldmanauthor ahhh, got you - I don't know it, but there are some great woods around Watford. I haven't visited for a while, but occasionally volunteer at Merry Hill and Harrocks Wood.
Show threadIanLathamNov 19, 2022
@timsmalley @EmmaKennedy love these. Great work
Show threadTim SmalleyNov 19, 2022
@ianlatham @EmmaKennedy thanks very much, Ian
Show threadadrinuxNov 19, 2022
@timsmalley beautiful light.
Show threadTim SmalleyNov 19, 2022
@adrinux thanks very much!
Show threadRachelNov 19, 2022
@timsmalley Amazing pictures, thanks for sharing!
Show threadTim SmalleyNov 19, 2022
@rvedotrc thanks for your kind words Rachel!
Show threadIsland_MarthaNov 19, 2022
@timsmalley
Wonderful photos. Yes, trees are life-affirming.
Show threadTim SmalleyNov 19, 2022
@Island_Martha There are so many lessons we can learn from trees. Thanks for your kind words.
Show threadKaSaPoNov 19, 2022
@timsmalley These are some beautiful images! Nature sure has healing powers. It destresses and grounds you just walking in nature and enjoying the beauty.
Show threadTim SmalleyNov 19, 2022
@KaSaPo I met a psychotherapist while photographing his home the other day. We talked about my journey and he said that one thing many of us are afraid to do is to be present with ourselves and our thoughts. For me, a walk in the woods helps me to enter a meditative/flow state - it heightens my senses and self-awareness.
Show threadKaSaPoNov 19, 2022
@timsmalley I can see how that works for you. For me it's I sometimes have too many thoughts, not structured, a walk in nature calms that down, lets me see things with more ease - I think it's something similar what you experience as meditative/flow state. That's why it's also more effective if I walk alone, no distractions through speeches
Show threadTim SmalleyNov 19, 2022
@KaSaPo yep, that's it - I don't get the idea of having the radio/a podcast/a book/etc in your ear when you're in nature. It's a time to be free.
Show threadKaSaPoNov 19, 2022
@timsmalley Yes, otherwise you also miss out on all the noises of nature or its quietness.
Show threadMistenguetNov 19, 2022
@timsmalley lovely photos! Inspiring intro!
Show threadTim SmalleyNov 19, 2022
@Mistenguet thanks for your kind words :)
Show threadAbracadabra💥🧙🏻‍♀️Nov 19, 2022
@timsmalley Fabulous pictures and very calming, too.
Show threadTim SmalleyNov 19, 2022
@YoungatHeart much appreciated :)
Show threadMerlinaNataliaNov 19, 2022
@timsmalley such beauty you are able to share with the world. Thank you for making the world a better place!
Show threadTim SmalleyNov 19, 2022
@merlinanatalia much appreciated, thanks for your kind words :)
Show threadColin PattonNov 19, 2022
@timsmalley Lovely photos.
Show threadTim SmalleyNov 19, 2022
@colinpatton thanks Colin!