A Stonehaven photographer is hoping to create an interactive exhibition featuring one of his favourite spots in the town.
David Officer has launched the project to create an “intimate portrait” of Dunnottar Woods – but is urging the community to help him make his vision a reality.
For If You Go Down to the Woods Today project, Mr Officer will spend a year taking photographs, time-lapse, video and sound recordings to capture the people and wildlife that use the woodland.
To finance the initiative, the father-of-one has set up a Crowdfunding page and is hoping to raise £2,000. He is also hoping to attract sponsorship from local businesses and funding from Creative Scotland.
The 35-year-old, who estimates the project will cost £16,000 in total, said: “I’ve lived in Stonehaven or the area all my life and spend my childhood in the woods, and my mum did the same.
“Now I’ve got my own young family we go there walking almost every weekend.
“The woods are a place that people in Stonehaven hold dear to their hearts. It’s important in the community and I want to explore that relationship, the wildlife in the woods and the people who use it.
“I’ll be spending a year going in and out of the woods, interviewing different people, connecting with different groups and capturing shots of the beasties and other wildlife that people may not know are there.”
Mr Officer, who regularly visits the woods with his wife Heather, son Findlay and dog Daisy, is also keen to hear other peoples’ memories of the spot.
He will be uploading his work onto his website as the project progresses, and at the end of the year hopes to hold an exhibition in the woods.
“It’s a huge project, but I’m looking forward to getting started,” he said.
Pledgers on the Crowdfunding page will be eligible for a reward, such as signed prints, postcards and a book featuring Mr Officer’s work in the woods. Visit the site here
To share a story or to get involved, e-mail david@davidofficerphotography.co.uk