Woodland Photography - Don't Look For Trees
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
- "Don't look for trees" in woodland photography is perhaps an odd thing to say but it's simply to remind ourselves to perhaps look beyond the obvious subject and keep our mind open to anything that we are visually drawn to. Your photos will likely still include trees but the primary appeal that influences the composition might focus on something other than an object with a name, such as shape, colour, texture and metaphors. In this episode I revisit and walk through a photograph that was built around colour, layers and the flow of colour and space. It was important for the tree to work together with these elements and provide a bold foundation and contrast in the composition.
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Thank you for watching! Here are links to better quality JPEG files:
'Autumn Layers' baxter.photos/shop/autumn-layers/
'Tree Storm' baxter.photos/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/tree-storm.jpg
Gallery: baxter.photos/gallery/through-the-woods/
There is something so uplifting with the lime greens of spring, mixed with the oranges and browns of autumn - captured beautifully. I enjoyed the links to quality JPEG viewing! Thank you!
I found this useful, as someone who struggles to see compositions in woodland photography. I'll try to put this into practice on my next trip.
Hi Joe, I share your opinion. But I am thinking that learning to compose takes practice. A lot of times I go for walks and see absolutely nothing. Then there are times when I think I can see a potential composition. I'm not giving up, because I like being outdoor with a camera.
I’ve been following several TH-camrs, including you, for several years now. It is wonderful to watch some of you mature into accomplished photographers. I only wish I had matured as much in that time!
Thank you for continuing to watch, Stuart :)
Your doggo is just the best!
As always perfection. You are one of the most professional vloggers on here. Love the Tree Storm wicked
Many thanks, Paul :)
Such a well thought out and useful video Simon. I loved the talk through and the process you took in 'crafting the image'. Thoroughly enjoyed this and the images were superb.
Tree storm is a beautiful image Simon, really good example of looking past the obvious.
Much appreciated, Peter. Taken near where you've been ;)
Love seeing Meg get some airtime too! Delightful video.
Beech are one of the most beautiful of trees, they also photograph well in the depths of winter long after the Autumn colour has finished. I love how you give the tree the time it deserves and you take your time to do it justice! Your dog is a real beauty too, lucky you! cheers.
Even your B roll is brilliant! Great video
I learn more and more just by going out to woodland areas and shooting. Believe it’s more about training your eyes to see than it is to sit and listen to a photographic lesson on video.
Of course. That's what practice is all about. Many benefit from combining that with inspiration/ideas from professionals as it speeds up the learning process.
What an enjoyable woodland photography video. Really liked your thoughts and approach to this shot, definitely some things I'll keep in mind next time I'm in the woods.
thanks, SIMON you are an inspiration to all with such good teachings
I so thoroughly enjoyed this video! Fantastic work on the still images and the video.
Thank you very much :)
Here's an observation about your landscapes and woodland photography, and those of others, as compared to mine. I tend to go out and "be ready" as I walk, by having my camera on a strap around my neck, ready to pop it up and click on scenes as I come upon them. You on the other hand, have everything packed away, and spend your walks looking and seeing what is all around you, and only pull out your camera gear once you have visualized a scene/composition. I get dozens of useless and meaningless exposures. And to be sure, I suspect I miss many great opportunities because I click off a shot as I walk along and do not bother to fully explore in my mind each scene I may encounter. Also, I suspect I am pre-ordained to try and see a scene based on the lens I have attached, rather than which one in my backpack would capture a scene in front of me best. Thanks for the vision and awakening.
Great video as always, enjoyed it so much I now feel I have to get up at the crack of dawn and get out there. Meg is one happy dog chasing water. Thanks Simon!
Wow I love your Photography /Style /tips etc and you are the inspiration for us who want to be a landscape Photographer.
That, again, was very well thought through and lucidly explained.
Much appreciated, as always :)
Very much enjoyed this - like being alongside you on a workshop. Really liked the final 2 images and nice to know lovely images can be achieved without mist! 👍
Many thanks, Simon. So long as people still come on workshops otherwise I'm done :-o
Simon Baxter 😂 you’ll do just fine I’m sure
A great journey through your thought process.
Yet another interesting video from you Simon. I am amazed at how good those trees look compared to what we have here in the South West where it all looks quite tatty now.
Many thanks! Tatty can be nice sometimes :)
I really liked this video. Where I live the woodland are really dense with full of small trees. It's difficult to make some breathing room for the subject. With this video, it shows well how even with a dense landscape, there is still a way to make your subject look good with composition, and bringing the camera higher. Thank you for the video
Really appreciate following your thought process here - thank you Simon! One suggestion: if you use a remote shutter release, you don't need to anchor the tripod so firmly.
Thank you :-)
I think a firm anchoring helps when it's windy, even if using a remote release. However, I'm not currently using spikes, but only because my new tripod is bigger and heavier.
Thanks Simon for sharing this video. I really enjoyed the steps you took us through in developing your compositions. I particularly enjoyed your tips on not always including the entire tree in your compositions. I will have to practice this approach as my natural default would be to include the entire tree.
Keep up the great work that you do.
Cheers, Keith Pinn
Barrie, Ontario Canada
I really liked the presentation of the thought process behind the shot. I didn't think I would like the one with the wind blowing the leaves as much as the still leaves, but I think the movement adds something. Thanks again for a thought provoking video!
Brilliant, detailed walk through. Your videos have really opened my eyes to the potential of woodlands particulalry when the light is perhaps not ideal.
Thx for the walk through
The walkthrough was super helpful, thank you!
Great video. It looks like the kinds of tweaking you do of your camera’s settings is something that comes from thoroughly knowing your equipment. I guess that comes with time. I find myself struggling always with only one thing: finding the right focal point in order to get everything into focus. Considering the right shutter speed for leaves in movement to get different effects is way beyond anything I have done.
Great video with some interesting thoughts, Simon. The last two weekends I tried some woodland photography for my self. At least because of these lovely calm mornings with really thick fog, that I got on these days, which kicked me out of bed, I think :D Even under these conditions it was sooo difficult to find good images. Especially for a beginner of woodland photography like me. Trees, shapes, contrasts, for what to look first?! On one day I think it worked quiet well, because there were some water falls through the forest, of which I got some experience photographing them from the past. But on another day I concentrated more on the woodland itself and it was significantally harder. After your video I think I have to try to concentrate on one thing after the other for each photo walk I go for, to really figure out the different photo opportinities a woodland offers me and to teach my eye for them.
Many thanks! I'm pleased you've been investing time in exploring and enjoying woodland. I'm sure it will start to make more sense soon :)
Thanks for this.
Excellent stuff Simon, really enjoy the philosophy behind your photography and this session was very thought provoking, thank you for all the work you put into your vlogs. Just as an aside, the older I get the colder I get to feel, if you get a moment would you mind telling us what do you reckon to the Vallerett gloves? Best wishes.
Many thanks, Derrick! I enjoy the Vallerret gloves. My favourites are listed here: baxter.photos/my-gear/#tab-clothing
Thank you for taking the time to reply Simon, it has given me the confidence to invest in a pair. I will use the link when I do so. Regards and best wishes to you and yours. Derrick
From the thunderous roar early on in the video I might be amiss but it sounds like you might in the immediate area of what is referred to as the mach loop 🤔 😆
Amazing comments. I'll take them with me next time I'm in the woodlands.
Great episode, enjoyed watching.
thank you so useful
Simon, thank you for unlocking the secret to getting great shots of trees. I constantly look at trees for potential photos and while the visual feast for the eyes is there, I find the whole tree is more than often, way too much for the shot. Thank you for unlocking the secret.
Wow
Fabulous image as always and great explanation. What time of the years did you take this, Oct or November. Cheers.
Thank you! All taken within the past 2 weeks.
Hey Simon, first of all thanks for the videos.
I see you use a Shimoda bag and a PD camera clip, i dont have the bag but I'm considering one. How did you get the clip to attach to this chunky shoulder straps?
Thanks man
Hi! I have mine attached to one of the loops which means the camera will oint out to the side and is quite high up. Not ideal but it works.
@@SimonBaxterPhotography Thats unfortunate but thanks for the info. :)
@@RhawiDantas I've seen a couple of people have managed to fit it over the main strap though.
@@SimonBaxterPhotography Do you mean the sternum strap?
Dog is awesome
what are the shoes you have looks good balance between gummys and walking shoes
Takeaway: CRAFT THE IMAGE.
I quite like this time of the year. The landscape is more transparent and still very colorful.
I always learn something from you, Simon!
Excellent presentation Simon as always. Beautiful images too. I always struggle in woodland to make sense of the organised chaos.
Much appreciated, Peter :)
You want to look at Steve O'Nion's video's, too; Both photographers are masters at this! I just discovered them, and I am impressed.
"Tree Storm" has the perfect name -- first thought that popped into my head was forks of lightning. Really beautiful photos, thanks for sharing as always.
Many thanks! Glad you like it :-)
simon, Such exquisite images. You are a wonderful teacher and inspiration. Thank you for all you do. Question... I often wonder at the seemingly excellent sense of direction you and others seem to have while wandering in the woods. I get lost so easily and remain on the path ( or very close to it ) and I am sure while I see much I miss most. Do you have suggestions for finding your way through the woods?
Many thanks, Kim. To be honest, most of the woodlands I photograph are quite small so it's difficult to get lost. The trees are very varied too, so it's easy pick out certain points. Thanks!
Very helpful
👌
Such a pleasure to watch this video. I really enjoyed how you described your thought processes about "crafting the image". You are so inspiring! Your gallery is amazing.
Thank you very much, Ann!
Great episode Simon and the blend of colours was simply beautiful.
Many thanks, Scotty!
I’m having trouble with small branches looking blurry. I’m trying higher shutter speed and trying to stop down the aperture.
What you call instinct (I´m talking about photography exclusively) isn´t something that people have naturally. It is rather like this: As a photographer, you have to think about many things at the same time: The choice of your camera, what lens, what focal length, ISO, aperture, shutter speed, angle, light, daytime, weather condition, time of the year, compositions, symmetries, balance, focus point, background, colors, contrast, mood, the purpose of the picture, the audience etc, and you might look out for the perfect moment as well. As you do photography you learn these things by making choices. The more pictures you take, the more choices you make. Usually, you review your pictures and in hindsight, you see some things you did not consider when you shot the picture. You might say to yourself: dang it, I wish I could do the same shot a second time and do it better with different choices. That is how we learn. After a while you are able to make decisions quicker and you don´t think about it as much. You make your choices at some point at a subconscious level. The choices you make are the result of a long and complex learning process, so it just "feels right" to use this angle and this shutter speed and this aperture. So it is not instinct, but a result of your experience applied on a subconscious level. At one point you have the "gut feeling": that is the way it works, this is the point where your emotion can play out. "This feels good". And people like it.
Thank you for your comments but I can't say I agree with all of it. It's true that we can all learn photography but the limitations in people vary. Some have a natural propensity for it, which is good instinct that's been developed from many factors throughout a person's life. Anyone can learn to use a camera and take better photos, but to some it comes more naturally and quickly. It's not methodical, formulaic or just learnt through doing, it's visual talent.
@@SimonBaxterPhotography This is what you call talent and it applies to almost everything a human can do. But talent is wasted when somebody is lazy and does not put the effort into it or does not want to improve or learn new things. For example I do a lot of architecture and street photography, but in the last months I did also night photography and events, so there is always a new field to explore.
Thanks for the tips very informative info always trying to be better. I hike with my dogs as well.
Fantastic as always, Simon... Love such backlit color layers as well. I often find myself too hasty in woodland photography, so your advise to slow down more is something to keep in mind. Thanks for another great video!
Hi Simon, I’m a new suscriber, bring on your channel by Nigel and Thomas. I’ve found useful complementary answer in your videos. More particular in this one, about how make my trees’ composition better and give all the essence of my feelings on site. Very helpful. Many thanks
Welcome along. Glad you enjoyed it!
Really incredible images as usual Simon. And likely my favourite video on TH-cam right now! I loved learning more about your approach to these scenes, I've been spending a lot of time in my local woodland and will be putting some of these tips into practice. Thanks for sharing!
Very kind of you, Scott :)
Great video mate, one of your best...I'm trying my hardest to soak this up!
Many thanks, Alan :-)
Thanks Simon, great tips and beautiful images.
Thank you, Bill :-)
Excellent video. Great work Simon!
❤️ Very good.When I need to fresh my mind always watched your video.
Really enjoyed that Simon, I find like you said in your video, watching you workout your shot from start to finish👍🏻
Many thanks :)
Really nice vlog, i can learn from it for my next vlog!
I go to a woodland to look for trees so I can learn to ID them. 🍁🍂🌿🙂
Thanks for all inspiration, nice photos. 🌲🌳📸
Most enjoyable and informative as it always is.
Excellent vlog and images as always Simon. I particularly liked Tree Storm. I have to say that I have never considered myself a "spiritual" person, however, since watching vlogs from yourself, Steve O'nions and Adam Gibbs, I view woodland in a totally different, (spiritual), light. I have been walking my dogs throught a small wood over many years. Only recently have I found myseIf thinking "Wow, look at this place, it's fantastic!!!!. ) Many thanks for your vlogs. Kind regards - Rob
Many thanks, Robin :)
Just came here form a Nigel Danson shoutout
Smashing video Simon. I learn so much from your channel. Living in west coast Canada, I'm surrounded by huge rainforests. Tree photography is challenging. Finding those nuggets amid the complexity of the forest is not easy. Great advice - don't look for trees. Nice bag by the way. Mine is coming soon. Did you get the 50L? Thanks Simon.
Many thanks, Peter! Mine is the 30L and I love it :)
Great to share picture links great stuff 👍
Excellent video! It has changed my approach to woodlands - since so many of the woodlands where I live are quite short (very arid environment), I did not realize how often I've been focused on tree portraits as opposed to color palettes. Thank you! I'm looking forward to taking these thought onto the field! Excellent choice of music, by the way!
Many thanks, Trey! Glad you like the music choice too :)
Fantastic!! 📸📸
Thank you for a very educational video. I find it super useful to understand the thought process behind the photo. And there's always Meg to make me smile...
Thank you, Gisele. Glad you enjoyed it!
Adore your work and specks of Meg...
Hi Simon, really really liked the photo and the video where you guided us through the compositon. In the 13:13 minute of this video you past next to really powerful trees (beech i guess), and i was wondering if you ever tried photographing them?
Thank you! Yesi have but I don't have anything I'm particularly happy with yet :)
Thanks Simon. I really have trouble with woodland images. This has helped a lot.
LOVE 'Tree Storm', I could be looking at that view for hours and still not see that wonderful composition.
Many thanks, Paul. Always appreciated :)
Absolutely brilliant. thank you for reinforcing the 'visualize the end crop'. I just started to incorporate that into my thought process. It really does help develop the eye towards the vignettes and finer details. I also love the way you illustrated the methodical and 'slow down' process in woodland photography. that does take some practice but so necessary. Cant wait to go out tomorrow. Thank you.
Many thanks. Glad you enjoyed it :-)
Thoughtful and considered, chimed with some things I saw this morning in my own local wood - walking the dog... Good to see Meg full of beans too!
Many thanks :-)
You are a wonderful teacher and artist, Simon. Thank you.
Thank you, John :)
Another great and informative video Simon , beautiful image too . It’s great that you are so enthusiastic about woodland
Photography and are putting out such excellent content about it , I love photographing trees and woodland but it’s not a
Passion that is shared by my photo buddies , which can be a bit frustrating when I’m away on a trip , watching your videos
Makes me realise I’m not a tree nutter or at least I’m not alone !
Thank you, Andrew! Woodland photography will also develop your skills in composition which I'm sure wil help the rest of your photography :)
Thanks, Simon for another excellent video! Very few photographers shoot woodland so I am grateful for your time, energy, and sharing your expertise with these videos. Woodlands are all I have around where I live; no seas, or oceans nor epic landscapes. This really helps to see how to tackle the chaos.
Thank you! Glad you enjoy them :)
बानर शारे
Superb treatise on crafting an image. You’re getting better and better at crafting these videos as well. I always wind up with a nugget of useful info such as positioning the camera up a little higher in this instance to include more of the tree without the intrusion of the sky. The images, music, and the wisdom are first rate. And of course, Meg being Meg! Cheers Simon.
That's very kind! Thank you, John!
I love this Time of the Year great Vlog Simon
This is a lovely and thoughtful video resulting in beautiful images. Meg's joyful cameos are the icing on the cake. I love your work Simon.
Always appreciated, Wendy. Thank you :)
Tree Storm is amazing, Simon! What an order in that chaos of branches - absolutely amazing!
Great video Simon with very sound advice always like how you talk us through the thought process 👍 The image you left with is stunning fantastic colours 👌
Many thanks, as always, Chris!
Fantastic video and the photos!
That last photo is glorious, so inspiring. I wish we got autumn colours here in southeast Queensland, although recent bushfires have created a 'false autumn' in our southern hemisphere spring.
Many thanks, Kenneth!
Many thanks for another great video Simon. I live next to the forest of Fontainebleau in France. I strive to get images like yours but have a long way to go yet.
Many thanks! Keep on enjoying :)
👍✳️👍✳️👍✳️
Love the gloves
Excellent walk through that ended in a gorgeous image. I really enjoy your videos.
Much appreciated, Sasidhar :)
A great walk through video of the image you captured, putting your thoughts of the image into words in so much detail blows my mind 👍👍
Love 'Tree storm'. Makes me think that instead of moaning about chaos in the forest we need to embrace it and forget order.
Thank you! We can still have order, just ordered chaos :-)
Beautiful video. Simon has been practically since you opened the channel that I follow, and as a photographer I also enjoy the woodlands, I appreciate your channel and your beautiful photos. I was wondering why you are a little opposed to using the polarizing filter. Personally it is one of the only filters I use often, to highlight some colors and eliminate haze by increasing the depth of shadows in landscapes with super canvases.
Again congratulations for all your work :)
Many thanks, Antonio. I'm not opposed to it, I just don't see the benefit for my own work. I'm not always keen on the look it gives and I like haze, shiny wet leaves and reflections. If it looks good in person then there's no need for me to filter it :). It's only personal preference though.
Simon Baxter Great. You do great then. There are no rules in photography. It keeps deliberating us with your great work and if you ever come to south Italy, send me a message; I'll be happy to take you to breathtaking forests
Very enjoyable video and images Simon although I liked the composition of the beech trees on the embankment as you were walking back to the car at 11 50 Regards Derek
Thank you! It's a nice composition for the video but wouldn't have worked as a photo on that day.
Oh wow, that windy version Simon, simply delightful.
Many thanks, Derek :)
A great and useful lesson .thank you Simon .Tree storm is one of your best !!
Thank you very much, Enrico!