Spring forward

A triple exposure of a beech forest. The fog helps to create an interesting pattern in the overlay

There is probably no better example of the photographic potential to be realised from one’s local area than the work of Sandra Bartocha. Nearly seven years after her breakthrough success as a category winner in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, Sandra continues to make frequent trips to the shores of her local lake in Mecklenburg, northern Germany, where she took her prize-winning picture of snowdrops against the golden surface of sun-reflected water (see above). Much has happened since then: exhibitions, judging duties, the publication of – arguably one of the best nature photography books of the decade – workshops and yet more awards, but still Sandra returns to her local lake for inspiration, particularly during spring, her favourite time of the year. ‘I think that everybody needs a place where he or she feels at home and where they are constantly returning,’ she says. ‘I have this little multi-visual show and people who grew up with me in my home town say it’s funny because 80% of what’s shown is taken at this one lake shore.’ It’s February when we speak and although Sandra’s