Do WOODLAND PHOTOS really need fog?

[@alanparkinson549]

Some gorgeous views! I'm glad you kept repeating that you didn't want to step on the bluebells. It's not just that you don't want to spoil the site for others, it's actually ILLEGAL to pick or damage bluebells - they are an endangered species, and are therefore a protected species.

[@LauraF4848]

Here in the middle of the US, our woods are thick with poison ivy, ticks, and brambles. I've never seen such a sight as the beautiful carpet of bluebells! Lovely photos, Nigel--thanks for sharing!!

[@richardbripleyutube]

Wonderful Nigel! My wife grew up in London. At James Allen's Girls School which she attended there was a copse filled with bluebells. Seeing your wonderful images of bluebells in Dorset, brought back fond memories for her and your photos delighted me as well. Once again, lovely work. Thank you! BTW, I'm really enjoying your pacing of photo videos and camper van videos. It works for me and whatever you do that makes YOU happy certainly is more than fine with me. Cheers!

[@BlakeGillman-ep9lm]

Nigel, I love your videos as a "learning photographer" that has been doing racing photos. I love your approach as I broaden my learning into landscape work. As a side note, I love your van videos as well, we built our own overlanding van, so I feel your pain for sure...keep up the great work.

[@mark_a_schneider]

I actually loved the image at the 12:10 mark of the video despite your thoughts on it and thought it was the best image you showed. I didn’t find it overwhelming at all and the background light made the image even more desirable.

[@TheCookieMonster5858]

Caught up between doing your campervan and going out and doing some spring photography, you've got the life indeed. Thanks for the vids, I'm finding the campervan ones interesting atm

[@jremi]

Great to see you again Nigel! It does not matter that you are busy with other things. I am always enjoying what you put out regardless of the frequency. Cheers!

[@michaeljolicoeur2157]

Thank you for sharing the images of springtime bluebells and the enchanting forest of southern England. I loved the low light early morning exposures!

[@dianevose9655]

Lovely bluebell images Nigel, very beautiful woodland. Fog is a wonderful bonus on any photoshoot but it's also the birds singing, the peace and calm of having the wood to yourself and feeling uplifted. Fabulous vlog 🌿🌿🌿

[@mattupload5808]

I think you've said it many times but woodland photography is so hard. I've found it really challenging. I love hiking, but too often I come back with images I'm unsatisfied with. There isn't too much fog where I live. Thank you so much for tackling this very difficult subject and giving me more ways to think about it!

[@scotty4418]

I think you demonstrated here Nigel that even without fog you can still come away with some great images. I thought the 1st image was a good example of this as you had the uniformity of the trees in the background which gave that sense of depth as they could be seen but were not overpowering the eye, which allowed the trees in the foreground and the bluebells to take centre stage

[@andyblessett1951]

The image at 10:43 was spot on. In the absence of mist, what about a touch of the 'Orton Effect' to help the effect?

[@hamsterneckliving]

Thanks!

[@NigelDanson]

appreciate that!!!

[@serendigity]

I also always try to tread lightly in nature and respect the environment in which other creatures and plants live.

[@Mikegaryhouse]

Been waiting for this since I saw it on Instagram. Did not disappoint! The shot at 7:42 was my favourite!

[@LandscapesDronescapes]

Thanks Nigel. Great video as always. Yeh. I had another season without fog for the bells. It has forced me to be more creative with my editing, sticking to basics rather than relying on the atmosphere to do the bulk of the job.

[@peterjohnson1739]

Thanks, those bluebells really look dense. I was intrigued at your choice of shutter speed. My instinct is that the flowers and leaves would move and blur at such relatively slow speeds.

[@markledbury3666]

Breathtaking photos Nigel! You’re correct - no fog needed! I thoroughly enjoyed this video. Thanks!😊

[@garrydelday5816]

I love shooting Bluebells and I am blessed with some incredible woods nearby that put on a great display. Like you say you have to think hard about composition and simplify the chaos. Lovely images Nigel, nice contrast between the Bluebells and the fresh Beech leaves 👌👍

[@nancystewart1645]

Nigel, this was really my first time watching your video and I really enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing it with us. Looking forward to your next one.

[@amodernsaga]

Wow!!! That carpet of bluebells, trees, and bright green leaves was amazing!!!

[@rappy90]

I like how the woods there are spacious and not congested with branches and downed trees and bushes everywhere making for some great photo ops, I find the soft colour of the bluebells a good replacement for the fog

[@michaelhall2709]

Several years ago we’d had unusually heavy spring rains in Southern California. I was out shooting in a wildlife preserve, and though I was there more for the birds than the landscape I couldn’t resist taking a photo of the beautiful way the light was falling on a marshland that probably wouldn’t even exist in another two or three months. It was only after I opened it in Lightroom that I realized I’d made the cardinal error you discuss at 6:30: mistaking a beautiful scene for a beautiful photograph, when in fact what I had was a confused, crowded jumble of vivid colors and shapes that had no recognizable focal point. I happened to re-open the file by chance a week ago and realized that with a fairly severe crop there was a decent composition to be had, but since I’m using a crop sensor the photo will never live up to the potential it might have had if I’d been more thoughtful and deliberate when I’d framed it in the first place. Lesson learned.

[@melissastott8191]

Perfect timing- I’m headed to the California Redwoods this weekend and am of course hoping for fog but if it’s not there 🤷🏻‍♀️. Grateful for the inspiration from watching the video

[@knutsander4074]

Great images, Nigel! I like the most the one at 10:42. More please! And Gold luck with your van:-)

[@mikkiscott9995]

I love your composition tips, they are extremely helpful for amateurs like me. What a beautiful location, and amazing photos! Looking forward to your next video!

[@EAlexanderGerster]

Really enjoyed this video, seeing the bluebell woods and how you decide on your compositions. Fog is great but these images didn’t need it. Thanks for sharing this video with us. 😊

[@timrosenburgh8597]

Another great video video Nigel. I thought you had good conditions that morning. Great image's as usual. Look forward to the next one.

[@jimtrull683]

Great tips for woodland photography. Good to see you again on a Sunday morning.

[@celinemorisset5533]

Just beautiful and oh so informative. Such great learning Nigel as usual. Love woodland shots!

[@randyschwager84]

Beautiful location and images! It was nice to start my Sunday with one of your videos! Thanks for taking me along!

[@TimvanderLeeuw]

I think my favourite image of this series is the one you show at 7:30 to 7:40 minutes into the video. Lovely green tones with the purple shades of the bluebells. I also really liked the last image, at 10:40 minutes. I wonder how you edited these images to achieve that soft glow on the green leaves!

[@ronboe6325]

What a beautiful tranquil area. Great place to just sit and soak it all in. Then maybe take a few shots.....Without the bluebells I was thinking Simon Baxter would have a field day there. Loved the trees. Just a great spot! It was funny, a Z8 user on Facebook was trashing the battery life of the Nikon batteries for the Z8 so I was thinking of asking you how they worked for you. Frankly, I never have a problem with battery life - but I don't do video either. The last time I needed a battery, I had two and one was dead already. Gah! Do spring photography; the van will always be there but spring quickly fades.

[@YOJIMMIE]

Glad to see more videos We really look forward to them even if not every week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@scottwaugh7039]

That fallen tree log looks like it’s being helped up by the leafy tree. Awesome from my perspective. Tells a nice story.

[@robert_skonblad]

Love that last shot through the bluebells! Wow!

[@albert25hoo]

Hi Nigel, I quite like the long lens vertical shot. So I do understand your message of going out early, enjoying and thoughtful experimenting. Bert.

[@peaklass1071]

Such magical images, and I’m so jealous of those clear forest floors. The fog would have hidden those beautiful bright beech leaves. 😍

[@jurgenschurr6737]

I am so glad that you made this video. I have a national park within reach but deciduous trees are only at lower altitudes and fog while the tree carry foliage is extremely rare. We either have to travel to other places or accept nature as it is. The masterpieces of landscape painting (for example, from Tom Thomson and the group of seven, Ivan Shishkin “Mixed forest”, and many others) rarely use fog in their woodland scenes. It is true that fog helps to create mood and the impression of depth. Without fog, many of my own photos do not work because the two-dimensional photo looks too flat. Contrast in colour, brightness, and structure as well as perspective helps to create depth. Thank you for sharing your nice examples.

[@SloopJohnBeeRockabilly]

Shot some local tiny wild orchids last week. I was lying down in the grass with a mini tripod, shooting at f2 with my Helios 44 to try and capture some of the lens’s swirly bokeh. One or two shots were ok but need to go back and try to get a bit more depth of field. Of course then I will lose the big blur. It’s an awkward dilemma 🙄🤷‍♂️. Great video man 👍📸

[@teresababer5310]

That gorgeous blue is absolutely amazing! Your images are stunning and I dream of one day being able to walk among such beauty as this - if that opportunity doesn’t ever present itself to me at least this video allows me to “feel” like I’m there walking through such a fabulous display of nature so thank you 🥰

[@mariamullin4031]

Lovely photos Nigel, very nice bluebell woods

[@Jake-vt4ow]

As always, many thanks to you, Nigel! Great images, and ideas❤

[@JulianSaunders]

The lack of mist fogged your mind. LOL Beautiful photographs as always. Beach trees and buebells - what a fabulous combination.

[@eliseomoran7388]

Gorgeous work and explanations. It will be very useful if can explain a little how edit yor photos, mainly about luminosity.

[@tommyvonknorring715]

Your photos are magical with or without fog! 🤩

[@jeanetteheilbronn4682]

Beautiful the colour of bluebells are so hard to capture.

[@sallyboon]

Beautiful wood, nice to see you are in the southwest.

[@carolyncollins9843]

Absolutely SUBLIME!!!! So envious of UKs bluebell woods with beech trees. Nothing remotely like this in NZ.

[@juliewerner1553]

I thoroughly enjoyed this, Nigel. Thanks so much!

[@musiqueetmontagne]

Of course we don't NEED fog. It can be atmospheric, sure but you're a great photographer with a great eye. You can produce inventive images that don't have to "conform to Instagramer's wishes" as I call it. Work with what you have, equipment and scenes... One year or more shooting film, where you don't know what you really have and it cant be easily, heavily manipulated in PS etc (unless scanned and digitized, but that defeats the purpose of film) brings back a reality to photography, a kind of cleansing. Thanks for uploading, some lovely images as always. 😊

[@barrythomas4133]

Really like the ICM shot Nigel

[@tjsinva]

Being there is half the battle. Then the real fun begins, fog or no. Carry on. 👍🥂

[@ivansince91]

This place is amazing.

[@lennartphotography]

Lovely woodland and photographs. 🤩

[@L.Spencer]

I love nature photography!

[@St.Olson_Photography]

We need to see a Nikon zf in your hands. 😅 I think you would enjoy that camera. Keep up the work, thanks for sharing as always. Stay healthy. 👍🏼

[@GG-zv9ku]

What’s the reasoning for choosing ISO 64 and long exposure to risk leaves to blur?

[@amandavoller5124]

Awesome as always Nigel

[@sbimages5408]

Great location and presentation, ps the van series is great

[@maryroseread6817]

Hi Nigel, would you create a video tutorial of ICM that would be fantastic! 😊

[@steveking6204]

Excellent video! One of your best.

[@KarenBaker616263]

So beautiful! Does this woodland have any animals or birds ~ A deer in the photo would be amazing! Thanks for sharing.

[@guntherreissner5966]

Hi Nigel, I have been following you for a while and enjoyed every video of yours, they are so helpful. I just watched your video on the bluebells. I am planning a trip in spring of 2025 to shoot some woodlands and bluebells. I actually wanted to go this year, but went to Madeira instead, which was awesome too. May I ask which woodland you found these beautiful bluebells? I have googled many spots so far, but this one looks really fun to photograph. Looking forward to your next videos. With regards Günther from Austria

[@57sapke]

Beautiful scenic photos. ❤

[@AndrewKerr-lz2dv]

Liked the shots but liked the comments and explanations more

[@markbonham]

Great stuff and love Bluebells. More of the same please 👍👏

[@hamsterneckliving]

How do you make the leaves of the plants have that glowy ethereal quality?

[@NWangdi_Photography]

This is so wonderful ❤it

[@vansapha789]

Amazing video

[@newlife155]

BEAUTIFUL

[@stigfloberghagenphotography]

Very nice video and photos 👍🙂

[@russellguyver7746]

Nigel, love your videos..so practical. I am watching one of your courses on Seascapes. I was wondering, how may shots do you take at one location? 10's, 100's or 1,000's ? I take about 5 of each 'shot' but was wondering how many you would take?

[@MLC48]

I'm looking for a different ball head for my D850; what ball head do you use?

[@williamorford6966]

Where about’s is this Nigel? It looks like West Woods near Marlborough.

[@jpl5007]

Hi Nigel, great video! Appreciate this perspective. In your gear you listed you use a Nikon Z6 for filming. I'm assuming that's what you use for your locked off tripod footage. But it looks like you are handholding a camera quite a bit also. I'm curious if that is also your Z6 or if you're using something more like a GoPro or Osmo? Thanks in advance!

[@GeoffSimpsonCreative]

Rain is not good for bluebell photography Nigel as it normally causes damage to the flowers and flattens foliage will be covered in the husk of the oak or beach buds.

[@adam.bilton]

I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many bluebells in the same place before

[@cornwallkid100]

When are there more van videos mate .....

[@JoshxIZ]

I would lik e to find a forest covered w flowers like that

[@genemaitland2892]

Which template did you use to build your Squarespace website? I've been trying forever to create mine but it looks like there is a steep learning curve involved. Thanks!

[@davelindey8023]

excellent video. Great to see you back in the field. Im curious about operating a drone in the UK. I'm planning on bringing mine with me on a future trip. Do you require a pilots license and must your drone be registered with authorities in order to legally fly a drone. In Canada I have my basic pilots license and the drone registered with Transport Canada in order to fly legally. Do you have similar regulations in the UK that must be observed?

[@OldGirlPhotography]

I'm going to offer a somewhat controversial comment, but one that is being asked more and more as software evolves. If fog or any other moody treatment is a necessary element to expressing the intent of a photograph, and it is not present in the scene, what's wrong with adding it separately later? Painters who take canvas, easel, paint and brushes into the landscape have for centuries "interpreted" that landscape to convey the exact mood desired. Why can't photographers do the same? I no longer have any qualms adding a moody element to a scene that was not present initially. Lots of software can do it automatically - indeed haze/dehaze sliders partly fill that role and everyone uses them today. I do have one personal restriction - I have to have shot that moody element myself rather than find it embedded in a software package, but I'm not wedded to it being shot in the same place or the same time as the main subject of any photo. But that's just me. With our busy lives and increasingly unpredictable weather, this approach works for me. Ok, let the debate begin...

[@yogistrail9723]

How’s the back?

[@JayJay...]

Nice ..

[@Stemully123]

Really great woodland Nigel. I have a question - How do you research good woodlands? Is it just a case of searching woodlands near me into Google or are there any good apps for it?

[@herefliesadam]

Ancient woodlands with beech trees are the place you'll find usually find bluebells.

[@tomspellman1536]

Awaiting the AI plugin for fog creation.

[@brucetreloar3200]

Isn't composition very subjective? In fact can't you read into an image a composition afterwards?

[@zsnajorrah]

"You don't need fog," said every photographer who didn't get the fog they so desperately desired. 😁

[@basementstudio7574]

Not quite sure where in the world you’re located but aren’t there any animals in your forest that can eat you like here in North America?

[@petercollins7848]

There are virtually no animals in the UK that are so dangerous to the extent that you can’t wander at will in woods or forests. The exception might be wild boars when they have young. They are heavy animals and can move fast, but unless they feel threatened you are relatively safe.

[@basementstudio7574]

@@petercollins7848 Yeah, here in North America, depending on where you are there are bears, wolves, mountain lions, cougars and those pesky wild boars also. But at least it's not as bad as the Australian outback where apparently everything can kill you. 😀

[@malcrickman4999]

Like

[@johnclarke1319]

Woodland photography needs 30C and rain forest mist, Nobody needs freezing fog pictures. Another woolly hat movie, Brrrrrgh! nobody need clouds in UK sick of the sight of them!