Photographing Woodland in Summer - Advice and Inspiration
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- Опубліковано 1 жов 2024
- It's that time of year when spring is almost at an end and some photographer's start to shy away from woodland as the vibrant green cloak of summer begins to engulf the overstory and understory. Personally, I very much enjoy June and the feelings of vitality and softness it brings. Historically, I favoured the wet and murky days of summer but I'm spending a lot more time embracing the warming sunlight, clear dry days, and the challenges they may bring. After over a week out of action, this was a great evening wander in my project oak woodland. Good exercise, beautiful surrounding, fun times for Meg, successful compositions and new potential discovered. When woodland photography is your passion, it's very much an all the year round pursuit. I hope you enjoy this episode and find some value in the discussions around composition and light.
Custard!
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#WoodlandPhotography #Summer #Custard
your opening statement touched home. You said: "regardless of the conditions, enjoy the process of taking pictures. work with what you have and if no keepers at least it's practice for when the conditions ARE just right". Sometimes I go for a walk and never even take my camera out of my bag. I get discouraged with "poor conditions". I will keep your statement up front in my mind and perhaps I will never get discouraged again. Thank you
Very inspirational, honest and natural, thanks Simon for another great video 😀
Ha, you two are great together! I think you should follow Meg’s lead and do your entire next video arm-crawling face down through leaves like she does. 😀
Haha, I'd imagine that's exactly what mushrooms photographers do :-D
Excellent images! Most of us have to deal with these conditions all the time due to jobs and a lack of flexibility!
Many thanks, Randy!
Exactly, people who contribute to the system with a dam good weeks work.
Sorry to hear about your back, glad it's better now! I know all about back / shoulder / neck / muscle issues, it can be so frustrating! Glad you got to enjoy the woodlands again though! I love all of the images actually, even if the conditions weren't as you'd hoped!
Many thanks, Elly. Frustrating is definitely the word! Glad you enjoyed the images :)
Sorry to hear about your back going again buddy, your definitely right you don’t need them conditions that are supposed to be the best. You just need your eye and some experience. Beautiful shots
Many thanks! Lots to be learned by shooting in the conditions that aren't the 'best' :)
This is what it's all about - just being out there and immersing ourselves in nature. Loves your videos, Simon. Meg always looks so happy! Must be the promise of custard.
I dont get to fet out as much. I havecto stay with my dad, who needs 24 hr care. So i have little time to do anything. I just try to do stuff around my area.
Good to see you productive again Simon. Summer woodlands have to be one of the more difficult subjects to photograph. Nice job on finding the compositions you did. They all invoked a very pleasant "summer woodland" feel. All nicely done.
Hope Meg got her custard! Ha... Our six month old Labradoodle has those weird tendencies as well. It's always something! Right now it's a fascination with lightning bugs or as some call them fireflies. He tries to eat them! Stay well fella.
Many thanks, Brad. Yes, summer woodland can very tricky in many different ways, but it's always enjoyable.
Haha, Meg loves to lick out custard and yoghurt pots :)
Hope you are doing better Simon. I don't know how you do it - find such calmness in the chaos but you do every time Lovely images. And what's weird about Meg wanting custard - I'm with her. LOL. Made me smile.
Much appreciated, Susan :) Haha. she likes nothing more than a lick the leftovers in a custard or yoghurt pot :-D
Hi Simon, I think the images you’ve captured definitely work. Being from the Pacific Northwest I understand moody weather. Moody weather or not compositions is key as you shown in your images. Hope your back continues to stay healthy, but scratch for Meg.
I completely agree, James. The beauty of composition and all of its components are often understated but amount to a true sign of skill and understanding. We never stop learning about it :) Many thanks
I liked the compositions and the images themselves! Moody woodlands are amazing and all, but most of the time that isn't how we experience them. Really appreciated you talking through what you saw....next time I'm out in a woodland (hopefully soon!) I'll be looking a lot more to light & shadow driving my compositions than just interesting subjects 🙂
Exactly that! The experience of nature is what inspires my work and most of the time it's not moody conditions that we experience. All it's moods should be celebrated :)
I may have missed it but I don't remember you doing any macro when the light isn't right, lots of opportunity I'd have thought. Best thing I ever did for my back btw (apart from physio meds etc obvs) was a wholefood plant based diet. Odd I know. Something to do with lower cholesterol and better blood supply to the spine/ muscles apparently. Atb
Hi! Yes, macro would make sense but it's never really interested that much (often too much crouching). I enjoy seeing other people's work but I don't get excited about making those sorts of images.
That's really interesting, thank you. I only have meat once a week but I'm very interested in progressing towards a plant based diet.
Really enjoyed this Simon. Nothing worse than being laid up injured. I honestly think I prefer this kind of evening light to foggy conditions sometimes. Can often end up with images that really grow on you.
Just something that has helped my back, have you ever tried zero drop shoes/boots?
Many thanks! I agree. If your priority is to enjoy them I strongly believe that woodland should be appreciated and photographed in all seasons and conditions. Lots to appreciate when printing images from these soft light conditions.
Lovely video Simon, I really liked the 2nd image, from your video camera we, well I couldn’t really see the shot, but when you threw the image up on the screen, I was like yeah that works, great composition! Deffo my fav from this video. Only complaint, your videos are too short, I could watch and listen to you for hours 😄
Many thanks, David! Glad you enjoyed the image - there's tons of potential in that spot :-D
Lovely video, thanks Simon.
I’m so sorry you have back issues! I have them myself and I can totally sympathise with what you go through! I miss the winter because you can see the personality and complexity of the trees. Here in Atlanta, the trees and the woodland are just like giant green blobs that you cannot see through at all… We do not have midges but the temperature here can be similar to the surface of the Sun in the summertime. That’s why it is nicknamed Hotlanta! Thanks for another great video and I hope your back is better very soon. Hugs to Meg!
Sean
Many thanks, Sean. Yes, it's nice to see the structure of the trees but I do love the effect on light that you get with the canopy. Lots of new opportunities :).
Sorry to hear about the back and glad you are able to get out. You help show how to make the best out of a cluttered woodland. Wise words when you say you make the best out of what you are given. Words to live by in our photography. Meg could give lessons on belly crawling, Simon. Nice to see how much she enjoys the outdoors. Summer woodlands are so pretty with the ferns and all the greens and browns. So tranquil.
Many thanks, Mary! Yes I do love my time in the woods at this time of year. Photographically challenging or not, it's a great place to be (apart from the midges and ticks ;-) )
Like always stunning images n woodlands..the image at 9:53 is gorgeous !!!!!! anyways love your videos ! GOD BLESS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Beautiful video and image.
IMO wherever you look is worth a shot ;-)
Thank you. Oh yes, lots of beauty to be captured :)
You both deserve the tea and biscuit after that great video. I'm so afraid to do pics in chaos scenes like this, the dinamic range of human eyes makes us see an interesting scene but then in the sensor world of the camera it's completelly diferent. But you inspire me to keep trying, and thank you for that!!!!
Thank you very much, Claudio. Glad you're inspired to keep trying - it's worth it :)
Lovely video, glad you felt well enough to get out. I loved the conversation with Meg at the end, tea and biscuits is my favourite after a walk
Hehe, many thanks Shaun
Very nice images. There are some oak trees around my home in central California and your videos really help me to see the possibilities. I must get out and explore.
Many thanks, Edward. Exploring is the best bit :)
Lovey images Simon , just goes to show you can get great woodland images in the summer without having to get up at Sparrows fart
Haha, I do prefer evening wanders at this time of year unless there's a promise of good morning conditions. Thanks!
Great video and loved the images Simon. I really wish I had even a little bit of your eye for compositions. I can never seem to find the composition in the chaos.
Thank you very much, Stuart. I'm sure things will fall into place for you soon :)
Beautiful images and great theme I'm always in tune with. Any light condition can be special and adapting to all conditions (detaching from predilection for scenes) is to have great artistic and creative maturity. Simon's as big as ever
Thank you very much, Antonio. Always appreciate your generous comments :)
Should have glanced over your shoulder 'I've got a stick dad!'
😁
Sorry to hear the back is reminding you again, certainly can relate.
The forest is certainly looking wonderful in its summer greens.
Thanks for sharing again Simon.
Stay safe 😷🇦🇺
When in doubt, black and white images can make things interesting, especially when you have some light coming in through a dense forest. Also changing the crop in-camera can help with compositions. In a busy forest, square crops can make it easier to get rid of some distractions. Either way, it's always fun to get out and try.
When I’m shooting in a forest or amongst the trees, I often think about how you’d tackle the trees and forests here in Australia Simon. But when I see what you do in conditions like in this video, I realise you wouldn’t have any trouble at all. You’d still get bangers.
Class as always Simon 👌
Thank you very much, as always ☺️
Three beautiful compositions, beautiful summer woodland.
Hi Simon, just subscribed following a recommendation from Sean Tucker. I love woodland photography but somehow my images just don't seem to 'make it' and this is the first video I've watched of yours and already I can see a light!
Loved this video, helped to have Meg in the mix with the still photos and narration on the photos, you always include just enough Meg clips to be a bonus and not a distraction. Well done.
Glad you enjoyed in, Joe! Many thanks
Wow! Great images!! You make it look so easy when in reality achieving this requires lots of experience. Great job!! Do you use a polarizer?
Nothing like a Simon Baxter video starring Meg to make our day. I hope you continue to mend. As a landscape photographer with back issues, I really sympathize. We love you forest images and get a lot out of watching your process. Thank you for sharing.
I really enjoyed the calm and slow pace of this video, meg injoying the great outdoors, and the compositions, and just being out there, wonderful video,
just come back from St James park London, very dull day, but more than worth it, thank you for this, made my evening.
I have very similar job than you do but my dog constantly seeks my attention and want's to play. It's hard to concentrate sometimes but it is much harder to leave her at home. Love Your work, very inspiring.
Hi Simon. Lovely shots as always. Could I ask you to have a loom at tge work of an up and coming woodland/landscape photographer. Brad Carr is very talented and is trying to get his You Tube channel off the ground. Please check him out and if you agree with me maybe give his channel a mention to help it grow. Many thanks.
Enjoyed this vlog as always and the way you spot locations/ compositions is amazing. So much to learn from you, Simon. The images were brilliant.
🇨🇦 Hey there Simon n Meg! I particularly like that last catch o' the day! I'm glad that your back perked up. I know what it's like to think one day that you feel like a new penny and the next like you've been broken in two. Cheers, bro!
Here from Sean Tucker's video. Subscribed. Slapped. Smashed.
Glad to see you out and about again Simon and sorry the back's given you further gip recently. The message that no experience is wasted is true and just accepting things as they are similarly so. Much enjoyed the images too and wishing you well going forwards. Top drawer stuff.
Stunning compositions and images, the suboptimal condition notwithstanding.
Thank you for the inspiration!
Maybe Meg has been watching too much Doctor Who and wants custard and fish fingers, hahaha. Always amazed at your woodland photos.
Yes! for custard, Meg. 💖
Beautiful compositions, truly demonstrating what a professional can do with any situation. You're a scene whisperer!
Thank you very much, Lyndsey 😊
Good Morning from New Zealand, thanks for your great simin baxter video, Thank you for sharing have a great week
love this video! very good images but I really prefer the third one .Where I live ( far more south )the light is even harsher but now we have beautiful greens !(in full summer all will be dry).So I'm trying to take advantage of this period( as you I enjoy June ) . Thank you Simon . MEG is fantastic.
Many thanks for your kind words, Enrico. Glad you enjoyed the images and Meg's antics :-D
This video is inspiring to get out in any kind of light and to always be observing what is really there to photograph! The challenge to find images in such "average" light is what makes us grow as photographers and always keeps us looking for inspiring images that may be great under better conditions. I appreciate all the quality images that you shared here and I think you are blessed to have Meg as your companion in the woodlands. She is an awesome dog and companion and even adds to some of your compositions. Just continue to reward her with custard and she will inspire you to get out there and shoot! Thank you for sharing wonderful calming images.
fish sticks and custard
Great Simon....can i ask,where did you focus on the last image....
I especially do like how well the first two images do work despite the complexity and busy backgrounds. This makes the achievement in composition only more remarkable than as if there was thick fog. The layman may go "oh, nice fog" on the latter, but anyone who ever tried to take photos of woodland himself will go "oh, nice photo" instead, I am sure.
For the third location, the shapes two trees on the left fitting into each other like pieces of a puzzle in the composition of the video camera caught my eye and as a result of that bias miss that aspect in the actual photo.
Glad you're back on your feet again, it's a joyous time of year to be out and about which comes across well in this video. Meg is in fine trim too, so full speed ahead and d**m the midges!
I need to force myself to do these photos especially where I live now. It’s not easy for me though growing up, and attending college for photography in nyc my first loves are street and abstract. You’ve inspired me
Such a refreshing change to watch woodland photography I'm a city kinda guy although I take photos of anything the catches my eye Meg is a scene stealer amazing photos on your Instagram gallery 😀
Its often the last glancing look over the shoulder that creates the keeper, proven here 👍
Meg rolling in the leaves and sliding down the slope, hilarious yet essential added ingredients to your work, great stuff Simon 🙏🏻
All beautiful compositions. I like the bit more complex ones. It invites you to look around more and take in the beautiful nature.
As always great insights to your thought processes (and the wonderful Meg).
Hello from Russia! I've been watching your videos for a long time. Very fun to watch. The photos are very gorgeous!
Hi there! Thank you very much :-D
Does the Tamron photo has a different distortion because you did not apply any lens profile? I was expecting to be correct by lens profile the distortion of Tamron
Beautiful image! Wonderful footage of your pooch thoroughly enjoying the day and nature.
As always, great photos with very nice compositions. You proved that ideal weather conditions were not necessary. You're the best at it.
Thank you so much, Marcin :-)
Lovely video showing exactly the conditions most of us have to deal with and you achieved some great images. Really liked the stream shot and the last one. Lovely images let alone compositions. Well done.
As usual a great vlog. I like all images but the last one is awesome.
Many thanks, Martin :-)
Another lovely video Simon. I loved the images. That ancient woodland is such a gem shining in the world.
Thanks for the video. What is the cover you have for your tripod head? I've noticed it before and it looks like a great way to protect it.
I’m with Meg, bring on the custard - runny of course
Meg was definitely the star of this video. Great content as usual Simon.
I always admire your ability to find compositions (in any conditions) combined with the delicate processing.
Much appreciated, Russ :-)
Excellent. Thank you, Simon.
I really like the last image Great comp and what a beautiful pooch
Custard and a dog biscuit sounds like the perfect combination. Loved the second image especially Simon.
hehe, many thanks Bill!
Simon, Thanks for risking the back (I guess travelling light is not an option). Do you know if the landowner is going to start to manage this wildwood once you have finished your project? Loved the last image - colour providing the depth you usually get from a touch of mist.
Many thanks. I've managed to make my gear lighter, so it's not too bad. They've done some planting but I don't think there are any management plans. I'd personally like to see the bracken removed to encourage are more habitat rich understory and natural regen.
From someone who's had a titanium rod and screws implanted into his spine........I can honestly say.........I feel your pain..........
Ouch! Sorry to hear that.
Custard and digestive biscuits are great! Meg knows best.
Great images, especially the last one where the subtle lighting gave a sense of depth. Just loved the peaceful atmosphere of this video.
Thank you very much, Michael!
Just love watching these videos. ❤️
I enjoyed the shots you showed us. They might not "knock our socks off" but they're nice. I was wondering what kind of tripod head you're using. Can you tell us more about that in the next video?
Thank you, Melani. I think I talked about the head in this video: ua-cam.com/video/caeQ9ERI-yk/v-deo.html Hope that helps.
1st image looked like a sloth hanging there :) lovely shot as usual though.
Very nice work! Really enjoyed the video!
I hope Meg has better spatial awareness than I do because it looked like she was going to clean you up with that branch near the end! 😅 I love your scene by the river...so tranquil and relaxing! And I hope your back stays strong and pain free for you!
Haha, yes she waited until I'd passed and couldn't see her. Sneaky 😜. Many thanks!
Amazing as always Simon, thank you so much. Really liked the compositions, especially the last one, it's great when you spot a scene just as you're leaving an area! My recent woodland outings have been very much about the process of exploring and capturing the images them rather than the final images themselves, it's great to just be out shooting even if the conditions aren't "ideal". Thanks so much again and hope that your back is ok!
Thank you very much for your kind feedback, Peter. Glad you enjoued it :)
What lovely photos. I wish I had a woods like that near me.
I loved all the images. I laughed at Meg carrying the branch behind you. She definitely photobombed you on that. I don't know what it is with dogs and sticks. My dog loves sticks and branches too. Thanks for sharing.
Many thanks. Haha, yeah, I didn't even realise until I watched the video back 😁
Subtle beautifully crafted images
Thank you both for another lovely and well balanced 'joy to watch' video. Meg is such fun and your images show the beauty of woodland so well.
Thank you so much, Wendy!
I am so glad I found your channel Simon, great conversations with Meg and all. What I like about these images, is that the conditions were not epic, but the subject and the subtle compositions stand out to make them lovely.
BTW, I take my Jennie with me on my outings and we talk the entire way so no judgements here.
Simon - I noticed you had a fair amount of leaf movement in a couple of your images, presumably due to wind. Does this bother you and do you think it affects the overall quality of the image?
Yes there was quite a lot in the background of the second image but I don't mind that at all. It only affects the quality if it detracts from your intentions with the image. Sometimes I make a point of ensuring the leaves are blurred. Other times freezing the motion has too many other compromises.
Loved the compositions you selected Simon and good to see you back out and about and hope the back has eased off again for you
Many thanks, Scotty 😊
Keep it up Simon! Great work as always..to my eye, .your compositions were excellent. Conditions such as these demonstrate how much you are able to work intuitively. And I do agree with your perspective about not all shots being about the best most incredible conditions. Helps to round out ones experiences and portfolio.
Thank you very much, Jim. Yes, I think it's important to show woodland it all its varied beauty :)
Hi.Thanks dear Simon.
Very nice images Simon. You did well considering the less than ideal conditions.
Simon, I like very much the locations you chose.
I liked the compositions, loved the images!
Thank you so much 😀
awesome work pics and video
I'm guessing you don't have ticks in Scotland?
North Yorkshire and yes we do but Meg is both protected and regularly checked.
I think the second image has the most potential in the future, but for me the last photograph works best with this light.
You have a knack of uncomplicating the complicated.
Meg out there living her best life
Amazing love it.
That last one. Trees and rocks together. You did capture the good light, quite nicely. Love what Meg gets up to behind your back, Simon. And I just added Polaris by Jordan Critz to the play list.
All Beautiful compositions but I especially loved the last one with the boulders. I'm with meg on the custard, although I think it would be an egg custard or two!
ps- Any chance you could enable the subtitles for us hard of hearing togs, thank you 👍🏻😁
Ha! I've already eaten 2 egg custard tarts today :P I can't seem to enable auto captions - the only way would be to type them all out if auto captions don't work :-(
@@SimonBaxterPhotography No worries, I turned the volume up loudly and listened twice 👍🏻😁 Try the Portuguese custard tarts they are amazing!