If unexpectedly poor conditions prevent a photographer from observing, he or she will neither gain experience and progress nor any good photo. Only a patient and experienced photographer like you is capable of saying “You take what you get!” And you always get stunning photos! Your first photo is very nice! Because of the low contrast of the main subject, the eye rests longer in the frame until it discovers the subtle structure and pattern. Your bracken photo is also great due to its structure. Thank you for this lesson!
After having watched your videos for a few years last week I grabbed a shot of an intimate scene after a very long time. I immediately thought of you and gave it a go. It was really enjoyable and quite refreshing to be honest. Thank you for influencing us and for teaching us to look at the smaller scenes. 😃
Hi Simon. I've done the fog chase a million times, and generally miss out ! I really like the ideas you have for your channel this year. It's a big commitment so I hope it works for you, because we'll watch your excellent work whatever style of photography you produce. Good luck.
Simon, thanks for the lessons to slow down, take what you are given, try different views, and pay attention to what catches your eye. I enjoy when you talk about the compositions and your thought process because it almost feels like we are walking through the woods with you.
Brilliant video Simon very tough to find compositions in the conditions but the one's you did fine where fantastic and created beautiful photos the second one was my favourite thank you for sharing your video
I've been a (necessary due to health) proponent of finding subjects on the ground around my feet for many years now. My family are all "he's taking pictures of dead leaves again", but I love it 🙂 I think with that first image it was a case of it looking better to the eye than on a screen. I would still be more than happy with it.
Hello Simon - although you were not thrilled with the first image, I have to say that I love the first image because it looks as though the leaves have been splattered with gold foil. Today was interesting. Every shot had wonderful textures and color in the dull of winter. Thanks.
Regarding your leopard leaves - i agree with you re the quality of all the surrounding leaf matter and what effect it has, however, i don't think there's necessarily a problem with that per se. I really liked that tighter crop just before you zoomed out to the full image - the ratio of leopards to savannah was better for me - they weren't being overwhelmed by the vastness of the scene. That aside, the others were, as per usual, delicious. Great vid - a lot of fun and a good learning. Cheers from NZ.
Another great video. I enjoyed all three photos. I have learned from your videos to be intentional in your searches for subjects on the forest floor. As I have adopted a more patient and intentional approach many more subjects have revealed themselves. Thanks for allowing us to accompany you a your journeys.
Thank you Simon for another three super images - I can understand your thinking behind the first image as you had a certain expectation for it but think when viewed as a set of three I think they all work and compliment each other wonderfully. I would certainly consider one of your workshops but possibly a bridge too far for a journey south from Orkney unless I can work it in with a family visit to Cheshire! Thanks again for the video.
Just proves the point that the best time to photograph is when you take your camera with you... anytime... anywhere 🙂 I really liked the first image... maybe because I did not have the strong connection to a moment that you had... 🙂 "focus breathing" is an interesting description 🙂 Three different versions is what I term data harvesting, or collecting recipe ingredients for my salad/soup concoction that I will assembled later 🙂 the displayed leaf has a beautiful texture... like a fine leather coat... amazing details in the fern at about 22 min mark... I love the textures... but would consider converting this to B/W... maybe... thank you for sharing your wander....
Really enjoyed that demonstration Simon. I think another run through of your post processing would be very beneficial especiallyif you run out of location footage. I particularly liked the" leather" treatment to the sycamore leaf. Thank you once again
Simon, perhaps if you reduced the saturation of the orange/red colors that dominate the background leaves it will give more separation from the beech leaves. Still, a very nice image. Thanks.
Here in central Canada we have been patiently waiting for snow. Dark dreary days are NOT normal for us in Jan but I’ll be out next weekend snow or not. Really surprised me to hear song birds in your video. We do not have song birds in winter in my area. It’s usually white, deep snow, very cold and silent. Cheers.
Thanks Simon for another enjoyable video. I agree the lighter beech leaves were a little lost amongst the auburn/chestnut browns of the surrounding beech leaves. However, the leathery/elephant hide of that sycamore is very special. What a gem.
I think maybe masking the yellow and black leaves on the stick and then inverting it, making some sort of light change or color change to add to the contrast could work if you're into selective editing. 10:51
I suspect your first image, which I think was a great subject, lost its impact because the polarizer removed too much glare. I sometimes take multiple frames of static subjects like this, but a several angles of polarization. These can be stacked and masked to control glare & highlights specific parts of the final image.
If unexpectedly poor conditions prevent a photographer from observing, he or she will neither gain experience and progress nor any good photo. Only a patient and experienced photographer like you is capable of saying “You take what you get!” And you always get stunning photos! Your first photo is very nice! Because of the low contrast of the main subject, the eye rests longer in the frame until it discovers the subtle structure and pattern. Your bracken photo is also great due to its structure. Thank you for this lesson!
Improvise adapt overcome ...
tHE 2ND IMAGE IS AWESOME
Love the last photo of the black fern frond.
After having watched your videos for a few years last week I grabbed a shot of an intimate scene after a very long time. I immediately thought of you and gave it a go. It was really enjoyable and quite refreshing to be honest. Thank you for influencing us and for teaching us to look at the smaller scenes. 😃
Beautiful! 🍂🍁
Hi Simon. I've done the fog chase a million times, and generally miss out ! I really like the ideas you have for your channel this year. It's a big commitment so I hope it works for you, because we'll watch your excellent work whatever style of photography you produce. Good luck.
Cheers Tim. I just think a slight change of direction was needed.
Simon, thanks for the lessons to slow down, take what you are given, try different views, and pay attention to what catches your eye. I enjoy when you talk about the compositions and your thought process because it almost feels like we are walking through the woods with you.
Good to hear Bill, thank you. I suppose I never have the benefit of viewing through an observers eye. I’m pleased the films come across this way.
Whenever I see decayed leaves on the ground I think of Simon Booth. This is meant to be a compliment.
And a hap new year to you Simon, may 2024 bring you lots if finds.
Fantastic❤
The last image would make a beautiful print, perhaps even in black and white. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Tony. They often get better as the day progresses
Brilliant video Simon very tough to find compositions in the conditions but the one's you did fine where fantastic and created beautiful photos the second one was my favourite thank you for sharing your video
You never cease to amaze, and inspire.
I've been a (necessary due to health) proponent of finding subjects on the ground around my feet for many years now. My family are all "he's taking pictures of dead leaves again", but I love it 🙂
I think with that first image it was a case of it looking better to the eye than on a screen. I would still be more than happy with it.
Hello Simon - although you were not thrilled with the first image, I have to say that I love the first image because it looks as though the leaves have been splattered with gold foil. Today was interesting. Every shot had wonderful textures and color in the dull of winter. Thanks.
I like the brown leaf. Love the textures. It looks like leather.
What a beautiful photo's!!!
Thank you!
I do many snow landscapes with fog and without fog and it's awesome, it's dull as hell
excellent video my friend,great work
Regarding your leopard leaves - i agree with you re the quality of all the surrounding leaf matter and what effect it has, however, i don't think there's necessarily a problem with that per se. I really liked that tighter crop just before you zoomed out to the full image - the ratio of leopards to savannah was better for me - they weren't being overwhelmed by the vastness of the scene. That aside, the others were, as per usual, delicious. Great vid - a lot of fun and a good learning. Cheers from NZ.
Another great video. I enjoyed all three photos. I have learned from your videos to be intentional in your searches for subjects on the forest floor. As I have adopted a more patient and intentional approach many more subjects have revealed themselves. Thanks for allowing us to accompany you a your journeys.
Thank you Simon for another three super images - I can understand your thinking behind the first image as you had a certain expectation for it but think when viewed as a set of three I think they all work and compliment each other wonderfully. I would certainly consider one of your workshops but possibly a bridge too far for a journey south from Orkney unless I can work it in with a family visit to Cheshire! Thanks again for the video.
I’m often pleased with the trio Simon, even when the images are only average.
Just proves the point that the best time to photograph is when you take your camera with you... anytime... anywhere 🙂 I really liked the first image... maybe because I did not have the strong connection to a moment that you had... 🙂 "focus breathing" is an interesting description 🙂 Three different versions is what I term data harvesting, or collecting recipe ingredients for my salad/soup concoction that I will assembled later 🙂 the displayed leaf has a beautiful texture... like a fine leather coat... amazing details in the fern at about 22 min mark... I love the textures... but would consider converting this to B/W... maybe... thank you for sharing your wander....
Really enjoyed that demonstration Simon. I think another run through of your post processing would be very beneficial especiallyif you run out of location footage. I particularly liked the" leather" treatment to the sycamore leaf. Thank you once again
Simon, perhaps if you reduced the saturation of the orange/red colors that dominate the background leaves it will give more separation from the beech leaves. Still, a very nice image. Thanks.
For some reason the 2nd pic reminds me of Predator ..
Top Drawer
Here in central Canada we have been patiently waiting for snow. Dark dreary days are NOT normal for us in Jan but I’ll be out next weekend snow or not. Really surprised me to hear song birds in your video. We do not have song birds in winter in my area. It’s usually white, deep snow, very cold and silent. Cheers.
Thanks Simon for another enjoyable video. I agree the lighter beech leaves were a little lost amongst the auburn/chestnut browns of the surrounding beech leaves. However, the leathery/elephant hide of that sycamore is very special. What a gem.
Thanks Christopher. Yes, it was a much better find and it felt that way the moment I spotted it.
Maybe if you darkened the red leaves in post, the yellow ones in that first image would stand out more. Interesting video!
I think maybe masking the yellow and black leaves on the stick and then inverting it, making some sort of light change or color change to add to the contrast could work if you're into selective editing. 10:51
I suspect your first image, which I think was a great subject, lost its impact because the polarizer removed too much glare. I sometimes take multiple frames of static subjects like this, but a several angles of polarization. These can be stacked and masked to control glare & highlights specific parts of the final image.
I admire your ability to squat..lol.