Capture the Enchantment: Tips for Stunning Forest Photography

moss and lichen covered branches frame sunlight in the forest

Forests are among the most enchanting and visually rich environments. Intricate light and shadow mix with dense textures and vibrant colors. While they offer a wealth of opportunities for stunning images, I feel like I’m not alone when I say forests can be some of the most challenging environments to photograph. Chaos abounds and it can be difficult to find compelling compositions. Unless you lucky with amazing atmosphere, harsh light can add to the challenge. Having recently spent time in the Olympic peninsula’s temperate rainforests, my mind has been in the trees so to speak, so here are some tips to keep in mind next time you head into the forest.

Embracing the Light

The quality of light can transform a forest scene. Understanding how to work with different types of light is key to capturing compelling forest images. When I am walking through the forest, I am constantly paying attention to the direction of the light.

Side Light: the forest is full of intricate details and if the sun is roughly ninety degrees to the direct you are photographing, this is side light and it will bring out textures and details better.

Front Light: if the sun is to your back and your subject is being hit with direct light, this is front lighting. I will look for subjects that are being hit with this “spotlight”. But more importantly, I will look for ways to add contrast by positioning myself so these subjects are against shadowed backgrounds.

Back Light: arguably one of my favorite types of light to use, back light is when you are photographing into the sun. Foliage will pop as light passes through it. This is often contrasted by silhouetted branches and tree trunks. This technique can be particularly effective with leaves, fungi, or spider webs, which can look ethereal when illuminated from behind.

Golden Hour: Early morning and late afternoon light, known as the golden hour, can add a warm, ethereal glow to your forest photos. The low angle of the sun creates long shadows and fewer highlighted portions of the forest. This can help simplify the scene with less distractions.

Overcast Conditions: Cloudy or overcast skies provide diffused light that reduces harsh shadows and help simplify a busy forest scene. This is ideal for capturing the subtle variations in green and the finer details of the forest floor.

Fog and Mist: Fog or mist can add a layer of mystique to your photos. It softens the landscape, reduces contrast, and creates a dreamy atmosphere. Early mornings are often the best time to catch mist rising from the forest.

Simplify Simplify Simplify

There is probably no better advice I can give than to simplify. Recently, I had two clients who hired me to tour around Olympic National Park for a day. We visited two different forests. During the first hike, one of my clients offered a unique question. “How do I move beyond just taking pictures of pretty things?” I had to ask him for clarification because I feel like that is what most nature photographers do: take photos of beauty. What he was trying to communicate was how to get beyond the snapshot. He was wanting to get beyond the habit of seeing something “pretty” and just taking a quick photo of it. Digging deeper, he pointed at some nice warm light on a big tree trunk. At first glance, nothing caught my eye, but the wheels in my brain started turning. My response can be summed up here:

Use Patterns and Textures

  • Patterns: Look for repeating elements in the forest, such as the lines of tree trunks or the arrangement of leaves. Patterns can create a sense of rhythm and order in your photographs. Look for pattern interruption as well. Maybe there are repeating lines of bark in a tree trunk, but with some careful observation, find something to break up that pattern. It could be a lone fern leaf growing from the trunk, or dotted fungi, another type of repeating pattern.
  • Textures: Close-ups of textures, like bark or moss, can make for compelling images. These details can add depth and interest to your compositions.

Isolate Your Subject

  • Focus on One Element: Instead of trying to capture the entire forest, focus on a single element, such as a lone tree, a patch of wildflowers, or a stream. This helps in creating a strong focal point and reduces visual clutter. Unless there is fog, the wide angle lens rarely comes out. Using a mid-range or telephoto lens will help to simplify a scene.
  • Use a Shallow Depth of Field: A wide aperture (e.g., f/2.8 to f/4) can blur the background and foreground, isolating your subject and making it stand out against a softer backdrop.

Incorporate Negative Space

  • Embrace Empty Areas: Leaving empty or less detailed areas in your frame can provide balance and prevent your photo from feeling too busy. Negative space helps in emphasizing the main subject and gives the viewer’s eye a place to rest. This ties back in with an idea I mentioned using front light. Positioning your lit subject against negative space, or a shadowed area, helps to draw focus to the main character of your image.

Be Mindful of Perspective

Changing your perspective can reveal new and interesting aspects of the forest. Harnessing your own powers of observation takes time and patience. Be mindful as you walk through the forest. Slow down and observe the nuanced details found all around you.

Try Different Angles:

  • Low Angle: Shooting from a low angle can highlight the towering trees and create a sense of grandeur. It also emphasizes the forest floor and can capture the play of light through the canopy.
  • High Angle: If possible, use a drone or find a vantage point to capture the forest from above. Aerial shots can provide a unique perspective and showcase the vastness and patterns within the forest.

Get Close and Wide:

  • Close-Ups: Use a macro lens to capture intricate details and textures up close. This approach reveals the forest’s hidden beauty and adds a layer of depth to your work.
  • Wide Shots: Use a wide-angle lens to capture sweeping views and the expansiveness of the forest. This is especially effective in showcasing the grandeur and scale of the landscape.

Experiment with Movement: ICM

Experiment with Shutter Speed

One of the keys to successful ICM is experimenting with shutter speeds. Longer exposures allow for more pronounced movement, while shorter exposures will capture less motion.

  • Slow Shutter Speeds: Start with exposures between 1/4 to 1/15 seconds. This range captures enough movement to create interesting blurs without completely losing detail. I prefer to use an ND filter vs. stopping my aperture down past f11. Smaller apertures like f16 and f22 will result in more dust spots from your sensor which need to be cleaned. Using an ND filter will allow you to use more open apertures.
  • Longer Exposures: For more abstract results, try exposures of 1/2 second to several seconds. This can soften details even further and helps create a simpler aesthetic. 

Practice Different Camera Movements

The type of movement you employ can significantly affect the outcome of your ICM shots. Here are some common techniques:

  • Vertical Movement: Moving the camera up or down during the exposure can emphasize the height and repeating vertical elements. Look for evenly spaced trees.
  • Circular Movement: Rotating the camera during the exposure can create swirling patterns and a dreamlike quality.
  • Start-Stop Movement: Combining a mix of stationary and panning movement in the same exposure can result in more complex and dynamic compositions. Applying digital blur in post-processing to all or part of an image can take this to the next level.

Photographing forests offers endless possibilities for creativity and exploration. By being mindful of light, simplifying your compositions, and being open to experimentation, you can better capture the forest’s beauty. Remember, each visit presents new opportunities, so keep experimenting and enjoying the process! I hope you found something useful for your next visit to the forest. If you have any tips you’d like to share, please leave a comment below. 

Best,
Jim Patterson

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