Photographing forests

[Davi]

Every few weeks we go out for a wander in the forest, I always take the camera, I'm yet to take a single pic I'm happy with. They just turn out flat and lifeless, a sea of green. Anyone got any hints or tips for me, or example pics I can aspire to recreate?

[Major Bloodnok]

http://www.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?VP3=ViewBox_VPa...

http://www.trevillion.com/bin/trevillion.dll/go?a=...

There might be something in there to inspire.

[Ed_P]

I don't know if you've seen any of the forest images I've added recently:


Forest-Abstract-4 by Ed Phillips 01, on Flickr

I wanted to get something a "bit different". Technique:

- Camera on tripod with "rear" two legs parallel to scene;
- Camera on Manual, with an exposure of about one second;
- (I used a very small aperture and a polarizer to get long exposure);
- Position camera to get required framing;
- Shutter on timer;
- Pull tripod back onto the two "rear" legs so camera is pointing upward;
- Fire shutter and wait for timer to nearly finish;
- Smoothly return tripod to resting position during exposure;
- Repeat until you get it the way you want.

I used some Topaz filters to enhance the shots for more "pop". The Deep Blue Sky filter was particularly good for the bluebells. This was applied in a separate layer in PS and reduced to around 50%.

[Pixel-Snapper]

Did wonder how you did those abstract shots might well have to have a go.

[furtive]

Lie on the ground:


supergrass by furtive, on Flickr

[Davi]

Cheers, some nice idea's in there to play with

I love that effect Ed, but I was looking for something a little less abstract at the moment. Maybe that's the problem though, I should think a little less straight forward with my forest shots!

[GetCarter]

Ideas?

Go misty


or Autumnal


or wacky sunlight


or reflections


or arty

[Goldeeno]

I think the winning factor with taking photos in woods and forests is lighting. My personal love is early morning and late evening light as you tend to get a bit more colour out of it. On the other hand mid day with give you really strong light with sharp harsh shadows.

All of the points above, mist, reflections etc are great. I would also say shooting the landscape is great but i would also think small. Random leaves, mushrooms and fungi, things like these people so often walk straight past.

[Davi]

see looking at those Steve, I was about to say that it would appear to be a case of waiting for the right conditions, then I saw the last shot... love it!

Just processed the ones from the weekend, actually got a few I'm not too unhappy with - PP is virtually nil on them, just raw conversion with tweaks to the curves and saturation, couple of BW conversions. Your thoughts / criticisms would be very much appreciated - hints tips on how to improve each particularly!.

All bigger on my flickr page ( Davi tries to take photos )