Author Topic: Can't see the wood for the trees... (Read 7631 times)

Late Developer · « **on:** December 04, 2010, 06:01:09 PM »

I hope this is a genuinely new topic. Apologies if it isn't.

For some time, I've had an "on / off" sort of relationship with a local National Trust site called Hatfield Forest. which sits in Essex, just to the south of Stansted Airport and just to the east of the M11 motorway.

Anyone wanting to check out its credentials, should have a look at the following link - which explains the place much better than I ever could:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatfield_Forest

As Hatfield Forest is about a 15 minute drive west from where I live, I've been there numerous times in the 12 years I've lived down here. However, whether I've taken digital or film, 35mm or 120, colour or mono, I've never been truly happy with the photos. I have no idea why.

Anyway, a few weeks ago my wife and I went for a walk on a pretty wet and overcast day. I decided to fill my Hassy with Ilford PanF rated at 50 and see what one final roll of film might yield. I'd made my mind up that if this wasn't a success (in my eyes) I wasn't wasting any more time going back there. I only took about 6 or 7 shots. These are the best of the roll I took. They're the best I've managed to-date.

I'm happy for any comments / critiques / suggestions. I'm also wondered if this might be a good theme for a thread for others interested in our leafy, life-enhancing friends.

All photos were taken on Hasselblad 500c/m, 60mm or 80mm lenses (one with extension tube). Processed in CS3 to remove dust & scratches and then via LR2 to apply toning / sharpening and contrast, etc.

Mojave · « **Reply #1 on:** December 04, 2010, 06:27:27 PM »

Hey LD. Personally, I really like these a lot, especially the first and second shots, with the second shot being my absolute favorite of the bunch. I shoot trees a lot and often have issues with the results and am in the same boat as you because I just cant figure out what it is that I dont like about the shots. I think I am getting closer to figuring it out now though and I think that for me, I want to relate to trees and nature on a spiritual level and standard shooting just isnt dreamy enough. I need some kind of alt process to help with that and thats why I love TIP film so much. It gives me the dreamy look I want without having to figure out a complicated alternative process. One of these days though, I will learn wet plate. I love that look the most.

I am not sure if this information will help you or not. Everybody's process is different. But I thought I'd put it out there just in case it might help. But again, I really like them, especially that second shot. I feel like Im looking at twins.

Late Developer · « **Reply #2 on:** December 04, 2010, 09:17:27 PM »

Hey Mojave, thanks for the words of encouragement....

I find it difficult to produce anything other than "record shots". Truth is, I've never really felt as if I had an "artistic" streak in me and spiritual I most certainly am not. It's just not in my nature. I think this is why my starting point is always to take a shot as perfectly executed as I can manage - composition, exposure and sharpness.

From that point, I can pretty much mess with the negative, JPEG or whatever to get the effect I'm after. My earliest influences were the likes of Ansel Adams, Paul Strand, Andre Kertesz and Eugene Atget. I still adore their work and it's incredibly difficult to not try to emulate their work in as much as my limited ability will allow.

I tend to think that trees, like people, have a best side. I must look pretty odd when I'm photographing trees as I walk round them several times before I settle on what I think works best.

The second shot is of a tree which I suspect was either diseased or hit by lightning at some point. The trunk is clearly split in two from the same root system and yet it looks, for all the world, like one tree until you look at it from the angle I've taken.

Anyway, the quest continues.....

original_ann · « **Reply #3 on:** December 05, 2010, 02:45:03 AM »

One of my favorite subjects LD, and you do them justice! My style favors your first image (gorgeous!) but I love, love finding those unique lovelies as you have found here, taking full portraits that display their personalities. Not a 'bad' one in the bunch! - I like them all.

Phil Bebbington · « **Reply #4 on:** December 05, 2010, 10:58:42 AM »

LD, great work and you are right to persevere in my opinion. My favourite is the first.

vicky slater · « **Reply #5 on:** December 05, 2010, 11:03:35 AM »

LD, can't see the wood for the trees is exactly why I find woods really difficult, or anything that's really busy I guess.
Like Ann and Phil, your first one is my favourite, and whilst I like all of them I find the sepia a little too heavy..? It means I have to work harder to see what's happening which doesn't suit my naturally lazy personality :)

I LOVE this woman's polas...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/violetjuliaart/

And these are a few I've taken, but like you never entirely happy.

Phil Bebbington · « **Reply #6 on:** December 05, 2010, 11:09:03 AM »

Vicky, the first and third are stunning.

Late Developer · « **Reply #7 on:** December 05, 2010, 11:41:28 AM »

Here's a slightly more unusual view of a tree (maybe a shrub - but let's not argue over semantics, eh?)

This one was shot, like the others, on the 500c/m with the 60mm lens but it's in front of a house on the main drag through Aldeburgh. At Vicky's suggestion, I've toned the sepia down a bit, so you can take your sunglasses off....sorry, I do love to fiddle with the sliders

Incidentally, Vicky, I love the colours of the top one - the blossom is superb. The muted colours of the bottom one are a perfect depiction of an English autumn. Superb work.

Somewhere in this back bedroom, I've got a small set of Velvia trannies of a forest full of bluebells. I can't wait to find them or for the end of next April so I can go waste some film on them again - properly this time.....

vicky slater · « **Reply #8 on:** December 05, 2010, 12:06:40 PM »

Thanks Phil and LD.

and fiddling with sliders is alot of fun, don't let me slow you down

shuttergee · « **Reply #9 on:** December 05, 2010, 01:07:58 PM »

hi! newbie here in the forum! (alas! found something that i would fit into!) great photos there! love the number 1 picture., BOKEH! (will post mine! is it okay?!)

calbisu · « **Reply #10 on:** December 05, 2010, 01:59:52 PM »

Vicky, the second one.... I think is just poetry

LOVE it!

Ed Wenn · « **Reply #11 on:** December 05, 2010, 05:02:15 PM »

I find trees are really hard to take photos of in a way which captures the aspect of them which made me think, "Now that would make a great photo" in the first place. So far I've just gone with the old close-up and shallow DOF approach because that's the only way I can make them work. For the same reason I like LD's first shot significantly more than the others....maybe they're better seen at a larger size?

I have a nice tree pic that Leon took and printed hanging on my wall and I like that a lot. I think tree snaps have to be dramatic, abstract or stylized to work for me; the more 'dry' the composition the less I am drawn to them. There's a great Rocky Schenck photo of his Dad in a forest which works really well in the book I have (although it doesn't look so great in this scan). In fact Schenck has quite a few good trees in his work.

Here are some of my own efforts in this area (albeit the last 2 are of the same tree - year apart).

Late Developer · « **Reply #12 on:** December 05, 2010, 05:19:46 PM »

Love the tree shots, Ed. The last two are fantastic. If I had to choose, I'd go for the second last photo as I really like the softness of the mist - although the frama of the clouds in the last shot is wonderful.

astrobeck · « **Reply #13 on:** December 05, 2010, 09:27:42 PM »

there's a Michael Kenna shot that Late's "twin" trees reminded me of....

Micheal's "Afternoon Trees, Shexian, Anhui, China, 2008"
really rocks my boat!

Mojave · « **Reply #14 on:** December 06, 2010, 05:04:40 AM »

Ed, Rocky Schenck is one of my all time favorite photogs. I wish I knew how he made his images. I've never seen the one you posted here. Its beautiful. Love your tree shots a lot too, especially the second to the last. Wow!

LT · « **Reply #15 on:** December 06, 2010, 08:06:11 AM »

I've done my fair share of tree shooting. I do like trees a lot, but also find them very challenging subjects to take pictures of. I think trees in the open are much easier - especially if isolated or in nice surroundings. Half the problem when shooting in a forest is the extreme SBR. Sounds like a technical issue rather than aesthetic, but pics of trees that are only silhouettes, or where the highlights are well gone may be ok for the odd shot, but in a group, they start to look a bit naff IMO. My approach is to only shoot in woods and forests in very overcast weather, but even then I often have to rely on film flashing and/ or paper flashing to get things in some kind of printable range. It's all a bit like too much hard work for me. here are some of mine:

vicky slater · « **Reply #16 on:** December 06, 2010, 09:10:32 AM »

Hadn't even heard of Rocky Schenk before but I love that one you posted ed. I'll definitely be checking more out.
Also like your 2nd abstracty shot and the b/w very much.

Leon, I love the formal garden pictures and as always your tones and contrast etc are impeccable.

LT · « **Reply #17 on:** December 06, 2010, 09:14:47 AM »

thanks Vicky

I forgot this one - taken on my first roll through a holga in 2003.

Ed Wenn · « **Reply #18 on:** December 06, 2010, 11:19:48 AM »

Quote from: vicky slater on December 06, 2010, 09:10:32 AM

Hadn't even heard of Rocky Schenk before but I love that one you posted ed. I'll definitely be checking more out.
Also like your 2nd abstracty shot and the b/w very much.

Leon, I love the formal garden pictures and as always your tones and contrast etc are impeccable.

Schenck is well liked by the blur crowd (the ones in the know anyway) and I go along with them to a degree. Some of his older work is quite literally breathtaking. For example:

But some of it just annoys me; as does the marketing that goes along with it. Clearly the guy is a very gifted artist and there's not question that you will get a lot out of hunting down some of his work. Susan bought me one of his books a few years ago (cover above) and I go back to it all the time. Gary Moyer is a big fan too and I probably heard about Schenck from him initially.

calbisu · « **Reply #19 on:** December 06, 2010, 12:00:52 PM »

Mmmhh, some of the work that has been posted is just grrreat.

Leon, fantastic tones and detail.. impressive.

One from me, not very used to shoot at trees, like them but... do not shoot much at them...

Ed Wenn · « **Reply #20 on:** December 06, 2010, 01:06:04 PM »

Great image, Carlos. It immediately brought to mind this scene from The Third Man:

...and anything which brings The Third Man to mind is just fine by me.

Image courtesy of http://www.rouge.com.au/rougerouge/third_man.html

jojonas~ · « **Reply #21 on:** December 06, 2010, 02:40:09 PM »

I guess I'll just bookmark this as: Tree shooting inspiration

great shots everyone! and keep at it, LD. my tip is to experiment

first and last of yours stand out for me the most. love the contrast in sharpness/blur in the first and light/dark in the last. I'm thinking a few steps closer on the last would be interesting~ seeing hints of detail in the dark parts of the wood with the bright leaves looming over.

Late Developer · « **Reply #22 on:** December 06, 2010, 07:51:35 PM »

Cheers Jojonas - I will certainly keep on experimenting - though I suspect Leon's comment (I think it was Leon, apologies if not) about taking single trees is probably the way to go.

Incidentally, Leon, I love your images. The one of the tree on the edge of Buttermere with Fleetwith Pike in the distance is an all-time favourite place for me. The Lake District was my "second home" when I was back in my native north and I really, really must start spending less on gear and more on getting up there to see some of those big lumpy things that get in the way of the horizon - I think you call them "mountains"?

Anyway, I'm really chuffed this thread has provoked some interest and the variety and standard of tree shots has re-kindled my appetite to get out and shoot some for myself.

Paul Mitchell · « **Reply #23 on:** December 07, 2010, 10:08:32 AM »

Some great images here everyone. Haven't been around for the last couple of weeks to post or comment but here are a couple of my dead tree pinhole studies... don't get me wrong I do like the living variety but the stark lifeless branches of deceased trees lends itself to that mysterious feel you get with the pinhole.

Both images taken in Suffolk

Paul

Ed Wenn · « **Reply #24 on:** December 07, 2010, 10:37:48 AM »

Bl**dy hell, Paul. Those are quite, quite wonderful. Yowza!

LT · « **Reply #25 on:** December 07, 2010, 11:37:36 AM »

Quote from: ed.wenn on December 07, 2010, 10:37:48 AM

Bl**dy hell, Paul. Those are quite, quite wonderful. Yowza!

hear hear. Both are great, but the last one is truly outstanding. Print swap???

Late Developer · « **Reply #26 on:** December 07, 2010, 12:39:25 PM »

@Paul Mitchell....

Paul, those are stunners. Where was the second one taken, please? I've travelled the Suffolk coastline a fair bit but I haven't stumbled over such a scene anywhere I've been so far....

Paul Mitchell · « **Reply #27 on:** December 07, 2010, 01:29:03 PM »

Thanks for your kind comments guys.

Paul - the 2nd image was taken at a place called Benacre Broad which is just north of Southwold, you have to park in a small village called Covehithe and it's a 20 min walk from there.

Paul

Late Developer · « **Reply #28 on:** December 07, 2010, 07:39:56 PM »

Cheers Paul, I really appreciate that. I must start to get to know East Anglia in more detail than just "the usual tourist spots" as I spend most of my life here....

Also, I don't need too much persuading to visit Southwold and sample the Adnams. Taking a camera for a walk is probably enough justification to stop off and have a glass or two - on the way back of course (must be able to focus, after all)

I think that will be one of the locations for my project for 2012 (see Urban's "project" thread for details).

Paul Mitchell · « **Reply #29 on:** December 08, 2010, 09:26:28 AM »

Quote from: Late Developer on December 07, 2010, 07:39:56 PM

Cheers Paul, I really appreciate that. I must start to get to know East Anglia in more detail than just "the usual tourist spots" as I spend most of my life here....

Also, I don't need too much persuading to visit Southwold and sample the Adnams. Taking a camera for a walk is probably enough justification to stop off and have a glass or two - on the way back of course (must be able to focus, after all)

I think that will be one of the locations for my project for 2012 (see Urban's "project" thread for details).

Paul, that's exactly what I did a couple of years ago http://www.flickr.com/photos/tobchasinglight/sets/72157604008276498/
All taken on my Bronica and XPan

Paul

Late Developer · « **Reply #30 on:** December 08, 2010, 12:32:27 PM »

Hi Paul.

Now that is what I call a great RPS panel.

15 images to a panel, eh? Better get my skates on, then! I'm certain that Benacre will feature in one of the images but I'm going to mix it up with landscapes and seascapes.

I was also almost convinced that I'd go down the mono route but I'm not so sure now. What film were you using on your panel? Did you stick to one film throughout? Much PP work?

Sorry to be a pest but I'm getting quite enthusiastic about this all of a sudden.......

Regards, Paul.

Nigel · « **Reply #31 on:** December 08, 2010, 01:04:36 PM »

Some really beautiful work here. Leon and Paul, I'm really impressed.

I too had a flirt with trees - as it were.

I had a period of photographing the same stand of trees with different camera, film combinations. But I didn't feel I could get enough variety in the shots, maybe I ought to revisit it.

In order these should be:

Holga wide pinhole on FP4
Yashica Mat 124G on Tri-X
Bessa R3A on Tri-X
and
Holga 120N on Fufi Pro400

Nigel

Mojave · « **Reply #32 on:** December 08, 2010, 02:12:09 PM »

Im like you Paul. I prefer the dead or asleep trees the most.

Phil Bebbington · « **Reply #33 on:** December 08, 2010, 05:28:02 PM »

Like many, I have struggled with trees over the years, never being totally happy with them. Here are a few from the past!

Mojave · « **Reply #34 on:** December 08, 2010, 06:46:43 PM »

Phil, that first tree is just out of this world! Love all the shots. I think the last one adds a whole new element to shooting trees. Wonderful!

original_ann · « **Reply #35 on:** December 08, 2010, 11:42:37 PM »

Holy ghost people! All of these are BEAUTIFUL!

Vicky - that 3rd one is astounding. I feel like they're about to dance in a choreographed number.
Ed, Leon - your trees are stellar! I want them all.
Paul - I just got hit by invisible gale force winds
Phil - gorgeous, gorgeous, mister!!

Paul Mitchell · « **Reply #36 on:** December 09, 2010, 09:18:14 AM »

Phil - that first tree is a blinder!

LT · « **Reply #37 on:** December 10, 2010, 11:47:02 AM »

the talent on this forum never fails to impress. Amazing pics everyone.

Paul H · « **Reply #38 on:** December 11, 2010, 12:08:03 AM »

Funny, I thought it was just me that found trees to be more challenging than I think they should be.

Having said that, there are some lovely shots in this thread.

For several years, since I've come back to NZ, I've been trying to capture the magnificent sight of the Pohutakawa (NZ Christmas Tree) in full red bloom, but I've never really been happy. The red of the flowers often just doesn't look right, I don't capture the form of the trees right, etc. I will keep trying though

One of my favourite tree shots was with my technically least capable camera - a Box Tengor. Holgas and box cameras do seem to work well with trees.

Cabbage Tree (Efke 25 in a Box Tengor):

Late Developer · « **Reply #39 on:** December 17, 2010, 10:11:14 PM »

Badly over-exposed and washed-out colour slide (taken on Mamiya 645 1000s years ago) processed via CS3, converted to mono and given a slightly warm tone, a bit of curve action and some sharpening.....

gary m · « **Reply #40 on:** December 17, 2010, 10:54:50 PM »

Paul that bottom picture is incredible!

Author Topic: Can't see the wood for the trees... (Read 7631 times)

shuttergee

astrobeck