This series aims to show images of the beauty and uniqueness of natural, primary and well-preserved forests to bring serenity to the viewers.

These images are part of an ongoing work started more than 10 years ago that showcase forest ecosystems worldwide.

As a naturalist and photographer, I got specialized in transcribing the vital energy, beauty and poetry of our world, from the most subtle details to the most remote and still primary forests with limitless aesthetics, through visual idealism with both revitalizing and resourcing stylization purpose. And only the forgotten places against which we never declared war or with whom we decided to sign a pact of peace can give rise to this extraordinary paradox of an enigmatic disorder, a great confusion, coupled with an enduring calm, a prodigious serenity: the feeling that here everything is in its place.

The old, natural or primary forest seems to take pleasure in dispensing its radicalism, its anarchy, to the point of exuberance. In a forest with a primary character, the improbable is the ordinary.

As an urban citizen moved by an idealistic and contemplative vision of nature, deeply influenced by the native tribes as well as by modern era’s pioneers such as Henry David Thoreau, Edward Abbey, Rick Bass and François Terrasson, these « forgotten places » feel my dreams, my heart and my soul.

To explore them with a camera mounted on a sturdy tripod is one of the most powerful, significant and deeply meditative experiences that I have had the privilege to live. There is something indescribably intense about physically experiencing immersion in an old natural or primary forest.

This series of 20 images provides an overview of my wanderings in different remote primary and natural of Europe, from north eastern France to Scotland, Slovakia and Romania, as well as in the mesmerizing temperate rainforests of the Pacific Northwest with moss-laden branches of old-growth trees and a lush understory offering captivating scenes, the mysterious cloud forests of Central America of Panama and in remote parts of the Ruwenzori Mountains between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Blending and immersing myself into these preserved and paradise places is like a journey back in time, a return to a forgotten past along with a journey to an imaginary but nonetheless inexorable future, when the trees and the forest ecosystem, left to their own free evolution and in the long time which is theirs, have regained their rights over all the excesses and omnipresence of humanity. And while perusing this gallery, my wish would be that you become aware of the immeasurable importance these places have for our well-being and that of our planet.

Behind these images, it’s a story of presence, of perseverance, of mindfulness, and of quiet poetry emanating from a special place.

But sadly, these precious places are more than ever under pressure. My images are made for the sole purpose of essential landmarks to be preserved, and these images may be taken as valuable visual testimonies of truly untamed places unsullied by any anthropic consideration and human influence in the most beautiful aesthetic chaos that can be found.

There is a magical atmosphere when I enter these forgotten forests. A truly wild paradise where I can pause, breathe the humid and fresh air, admire primeval trees, tree ferns, moss, epiphytes and sometimes epiphytes or hanging lianas. A unique flora and fauna exist in these living museums replete with species extinct elsewhere. Wafts of fog rise between the plants; it drips from the treetops and an elusive wildlife can be heard o seen from different directions. Silent and amazed, I roam discreetly through these places, always attentively looking for an ideal angle for a picture. The type of photography demands all senses and experiences. But the effort is worth it for these extraordinary places.

About Frederic Demeuse

With a passion for art, adventure and exploring, Frédéric Demeuse, a trained naturalist and ornithologist, is driven by a boundless passion for the outdoor with an inordinate attraction to forest ecosystems and the world of trees among which he feels particularly comfortable.

Frédéric Demeuse’s photos, inspired by living dreams and pure curiosity, are the expression of his unquenchable desire: to testify, to remember, and to share every one of his encounters with the extraordinary diversity of our planet Earth.

His photographic approach is concerned with conveying the deep, universal beauty he feels and lives in connection with the natural world in all its infinite richness and complexity, from geological formations, wildlife, to primary forests. He took up photography at an early age and has developed since a strong commitment to natural sciences. As a photographer and visual artist, he specializes in transcribing the vital energy, beauty and poetry of our world, from the most subtle details to the most remote and still primary forests with limitless aesthetics, through visual idealism with both revitalizing and resourcing stylization purpose. He is strongly committed to speaking up for wildlife and wilderness. Today the Earth is at a crossroads, and he believes that a healthier, more diverse and lively Earth is a world that would benefit and enriche all of us. As an avid naturalist he likes to spend as much time as possible outdoors. This principle of immersion in the natural world is the key ingredient to convey the magic of nature, absorbing its many moods and revealing its secret wonders.

Over the years he developed a unique artistic approach based on the revitalizing energy of nature photography on human beings, bridging photography with the latest research in neuroscience through the concept WALD he created. In addition to his photographic work, Frédéric has also integrated a scientific concept into his art that makes the link between photography with neuroscience to highlight the revitalizing effect of nature on people. This link is reflected in his approach to capturing not only the beauty but also the healing power of unspoilt landscapes.

His fine art photography acquires a new dimension as it intends to interact with the human brain. To this aim, Frédéric selects carefully his scenes to restore the viewer’s inner peace, concentration and creativity.

Frédéric Demeuse combines science and art in his work in an extraordinary way. From an early age, he was drawn to photography and nature, especially the forest with its diverse and rich ecosystems. This passion still characterizes his images today, which bear witness to intense experiences of nature, curiosity and a deep respect for the world around him.

His photographs are a unique blend of documentary accuracy and artistic vision. Frédéric uses a variety of photographic techniques to highlight hidden details and the often-overlooked beauty and diversity of nature. The boundaries between photography and art are often blurred, especially in his black and white images, which have a timeless aesthetic and evocative atmosphere. Frédéric’s color images are often dominated by subdued tones, and the targeted use of light gives his images a special charm.

His ability to capture the mood of rain, fog and bad weather – moments that others would rather avoid – is particularly impressive. For Frédéric, these conditions are key to showing the raw, honest side of nature. From detailed shots of plants and animals to majestic forest landscapes, his work conveys the vibrancy and poetry of the natural world. They evoke not only wonder but also a deep emotional connection.

In addition to his photographic work, Frédéric has also integrated scientific concepts into his art. In his WALD project, he combines photography with neuroscience to highlight the revitalizing effect of nature on people. This link is reflected in his approach to capturing not only the beauty but also the healing power of unspoilt landscapes.

Author of several books about the nature of his country, Frédéric has won numerous awards for his work, including first prize in the prestigious BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. His work has been published internationally in exhibitions, books and magazines. Despite these successes, one thing remains at the heart of his work: to document and share the diversity and poetry of our planet in order to foster a deeper appreciation of nature. He lives and works in Brussels, Belgium. [Official Website]