Landgoed Elswout

Elswout in autumn

Landgoed Elswout lies on the Elswoutslaan in Overveen, tucked between the dunes and the outskirts of Haarlem. It is an old country estate with monumental beech trees, a serpentine pond and avenues laid out in the nineteenth century. For photographers it is one of the most interesting spots in Noord-Holland in autumn, not so much because of its size but because of the remarkable variety of fungi that appears here at that time of year.

Fungi on old beech wood

The combination of large, old beech trees and moist soil makes Elswout exceptionally good for fungi. Between October and mid-November you can find dozens of species, from small milk caps among the leaves to sizeable fly agarics along the trunks. That is precisely what makes macro photography here so rewarding. You work low, work close and need very little space. A 90mm or 100mm macro lens is ideal. A 60mm will work too, but you will end up sitting even closer to your subject.

Pay attention to the background. The beeches grow close together and during busy periods walkers will wander into your frame. Go early. Just after sunrise the light is soft, the ground is still damp and you will have the place to yourself. By late morning, especially at weekends, the park fills up.

Light and composition

Elswout is an enclosed landscape. Direct sunlight rarely penetrates, and that is an advantage. Overcast weather works better here than a clear day. On sunny mornings you get hard shadows between the roots, which makes exposing fungi correctly much harder. A cloudy day gives even, soft light and rich colours. A small reflector or a flash with a diffuser can help if you want a little more detail in the shadows.

Look at the avenues too. The beech avenues have a strong sense of leading lines that you can use to good effect with a slightly longer focal length. 50mm to 85mm gives a calm, classic composition with the trees converging towards a vanishing point.

Practical information

You can park along the Elswoutslaan or at the entrance on the Zandvoortselaan. The estate is managed by Staatsbosbeheer and is free to enter. There are no permit requirements for photography without a tripod or for non-commercial shoots, but if you are unsure it is worth checking with the estate manager. The paths are unpaved and muddy after rain. Sturdy footwear is not a luxury.

Sources and further reading

• Staatsbosbeheer – Landgoed Elswout
• Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed – Elswout
• Wikipedia – Elswout