Leuvenumse Bos en beek

Why Leuvenumse Bos works for photographers

Leuvenumse Bos near Ermelo is one of the quieter spots on the Veluwe, and you feel that the moment you arrive. No busy visitor crowds, no large car parks filled with tourist coaches. What you do find is a winding stream with low banks, plenty of dead and fallen wood, and an open forest structure that lets light through in a way that rarely works this well anywhere else. On misty autumn mornings you get the classic sunbeams here, rays of light falling through the trees and made visible by the mist. That is no coincidence. The combination of the stream valley, taller trees and open clearings means that low-angled light comes in at a slant and has something to work with.

The light and the mist

The best results come in October and November, when the leaves are just clinging to the trees or have only just fallen. Arrive early, ideally within an hour of sunrise. The mist lifts quickly once the sun climbs higher, so your working time is limited. A light night frost the day before helps, as it produces ground mist that lingers longer in the stream valley. Look for overcast-but-bright mornings where the sun just breaks through. Full cloud cover gives soft light that works well for macro work along the stream, but the light rays will not appear.

Compositions and focal points

For wide forest shots I usually work with a focal length between 24mm and 50mm. The winding water of the Leuvenumse Beek provides a natural leading line that draws you into the frame. Dead wood along the bank, covered in moss, lends itself well to macro. A 100mm macro lens or a close-up lens on a 50mm gives good results here, especially if there is dew or overnight condensation on the moss. Avoid harsh midday conditions, as the contrast between light and shadow becomes too great.

Practical

You can park at the edge of the village of Leuvenum itself, or along the Garderenseweg. From either point you are at the stream within a few minutes on foot. The area falls under Staatsbosbeheer and is freely accessible to walkers and photographers. A tripod is useful, but the ground is overgrown and soft, so bring wide feet or a base that you can spread on uneven terrain. There is no lighting, so a torch is worth packing if you are making an early start.

Sources and further reading

• Staatsbosbeheer, Leuvenumse Bos
• Bezoekerscentrum Veluwe, Gemeente Ermelo
• Wikipedia, Leuvenumse Beek