Forest Photography in Scotland - Tips and Techniques

This video takes you on location with Tom Mackie in Scotland, where he shares forest photography tips and techniques.
Forest and woodland photography offers landscape photographers a superb range of subject matters to shoot, and create artistic compositions from, in virtually all lighting conditions.
Filmed in one of his favourite parts of Scotland, Tom illustrates how he brings together elements of landscape photography with forest photography to create his end images.
Tom illustrates how he composes this type of shot, discusses what are the best lenses for forest photography, explains the subject matter options available and illustrates this by photographing macro details, streams, tree canopies and waterfalls.
At the end of the video Tom shares his finished images.
We hope you find this video useful and as ever, if you have any questions or want additional items covered in future videos, please just leave a comment below.
Thanks for watching!
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PHOTOGRAPHY KIT AND EQUIPMENT USED BY TOM:
CAMERA AND LENSES
Nikon D850 Camera - geni.us/vhrne
Nikon 24 - 70 mm Lens - geni.us/EHh3A
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED - geni.us/mpT6
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 300mm - geni.us/RDGn
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70 - 200 mm f/2.8E FL ED VR Lens - geni.us/d7Eorm
FILTERS
Lee Filters Field Pouch - geni.us/rWKahF
LEE Filters DSLR starter kit - geni.us/NL2bI0
Lee Filters Little Stopper - geni.us/zaiJcwd
Lee Filters Big Stopper Glass Filter Neutral-Density - geni.us/CWL2A
Lee Super Stopper - geni.us/gPZH
Lee Filters s5pl Polarising Filter - geni.us/YY3sGKZ
ACCESSORIES
MIOPS Smart Phone High Speed Remote Trigger Kit - amzn.to/2tgKOU2
Flight Logistics Sun Compass - www.flight-logi....
HoodLoupe® Outdoor Loupe for 3.2" LCD Optics and Base - geni.us/KBVHv3
BAGS
Lowepro Pro Runner BP 450 AW II Bag - geni.us/NVIVT
Lowepro Sac Revolver Top Loader Zoom 75 Aw - geni.us/KOKbtBS
In the spirit of complete transparency, some of the above links are Amazon affiliate links. This means if you make a purchase through this link you will pay the standard price on an item, but we earn a small commission, which helps cover some of the costs of us bringing content to you. Thank you.
#forestphotography #photography #photographysettings

[@neilcole3406]

It’s always a beautiful day when your out with the camera!

[@EdinBurghDronePilot]

Stunning images, thanks for sharing this very helpful video 👍

[@ScenicSouthNZ]

Great work Tom, a very beautiful spot. You don't muck around! Walk up, take one shot and move on. It's like watching someone play speed golf. Haha

[@LandscapePhotographyiQ]

You got the abridged version to keep the video short, I've photographed there so many times I thought I would cut right to the good stuff!

[@neilcole3406]

Very informative, so l subscribed! Great stuff!

[@LandscapePhotographyiQ]

Welcome aboard!

[@Ericbjohnston5150]

I like my water shots tack sharp. I like the detail in the water flow.

[@LandscapePhotographyiQ]

It's a personal preference. I took a poll years ago with my newsletter subscribers as to which they preferred, silky or frozen water. It was a resounding vote for silky. I personally think it evokes a more tranquil feeling. Of course if you're trying to portray power and force of a large waterfall, then frozen works very well.

[@shot2death876]

Nice images.

[@LandscapePhotographyiQ]

Many thanks

[@johns.3169]

Excellent video Tom as always

[@LandscapePhotographyiQ]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@rosssayer6524]

Really amazing place to photograph waterfalls during Autumn, the colour's were just brilliant, nice tip when you moved away from the very bright water to save blowing out the highlights. Love those dark and dang days to photograph the forest and waterfalls. Thanks for sharing and enjoy your week.

[@LandscapePhotographyiQ]

Thanks Ross, glad you enjoyed the video.

[@philociraptor6751]

Thanks for the video. However, I don’t understand your tip to protect the highlight: what’s the point of lowering the exposure time and simultaneously increasing the ISO? In the end the result should be the same, right? I hope you’ll take a bit of your time to answer my question. Thanks in advance!

[@PMCN53]

Fantastic location Tom, the images are great too. I have no idea of the location as I am in Australia. I'd love to know where it is so when I visit Scotland I can maybe visit the location. Cheers from Aus

[@LandscapePhotographyiQ]

If you go around the Pitlochry area you can't go wrong.

[@PMCN53]

@@LandscapePhotographyiQ I’ll put it in my “Places to Photograph” notebook 👍🏻🇦🇺👍🏻

[@lesstringer]

Great video Tom. It must have been a wonderful workshop … wherever you were.

[@LandscapePhotographyiQ]

Yes it was!

[@PhotoTrekr]

Looks a lot like where I live this time of year. Which is my favorite time of year, btw. Always love shooting waterfalls.

[@LandscapePhotographyiQ]

Thanks for watching!

[@District-65]

Greetings Tom, very interesting content, thanks for sharing and the two first shots are just amazing, well done !!

[@LandscapePhotographyiQ]

Many thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@michaelrodger6839]

Birks of Aberfeldy.

[@LandscapePhotographyiQ]

Shhhhh!

[@hanklevesque426]

Enjoyed this video so much. Living in Southeastern Mass, USA, we’re called “Flatlanders” because the surrounding area is a coastal plain leading to Cape Cod. Not many opportunities for scenes like you have in Scotland. Your video has got me looking for nearby dams and streams that might have some motion to them. The pickings are slim, but the pull is strong. Thanks Tom for the video and inspiration.

[@LandscapePhotographyiQ]

Glad you enjoyed it Hank.

[@rodscherich9973]

Fabulous tutorial Tom!

[@LandscapePhotographyiQ]

Many thanks Rod!

[@marellacoyle6999]

Wonderful imagery Tom, I know this area very well. Some great shots can be had in the depths of winter here. Have just subscribed and looking forward to more.

[@LandscapePhotographyiQ]

Thanks and welcome Marella, I've been in winter and it is amazing with icicles coming off the waterfalls.

[@MichaelBlanchette]

I remember that woodland very well. It was my favorite location of the trip. We had pristine conditions. If it hadn't been for kicking my tripod with new camera and 24-70mm lens in the creek, it would have been a perfect day. I'd go back just for more of that woodland.

[@LandscapePhotographyiQ]

Yes, I wondered why you were dancing on the rocks. Those lightweight wellies were terrible for grip.

[@issafarhoud760]

@@LandscapePhotographyiQ Thanks Tom, very much enjoying your videos. See you soon.

[@jerryhughes4720]

I remember that well I hope you disposed of those slippery wellies

[@colinballard1219]

Great video as always

[@LandscapePhotographyiQ]

Appreciate that, thanks Colin.

[@alwyng572]

Love your videos Tom, I was planning a day studying dodging and burning tomorrow but you’ve inspired me to get out there again and catch the fallen leaves before they disappear. You are a brave man leaving your camera on the tripod whilst walking around to the next location! I personally wouldn’t take that chance! Thanks for the inspiration!

[@LandscapePhotographyiQ]

Glad you like the videos and this one inspired you to get out with your camera. I wondered if someone would mention me carrying the camera. I don't normally if I'm in a precarious location, but I was working against the light trying to get the video finished before it got too dark.

[@Floydian1311]

I had to dig deep in my thoughts and then I knew it, I have this location on a memo on my ever growing to-do-list ;-) I'm a sucker for scenes like this, especially in autumn and your images show why.....it looks gorgeous, Tom, well done!

[@LandscapePhotographyiQ]

Thanks Henk, it's worth a visit the next time you're in Scotland.

[@Floydian1311]

@@LandscapePhotographyiQ Next time we have to meet again ;-)

[@LandscapePhotographyiQ]

Sounds good

[@robertspeicher5047]

Nice group of photos. One question. The water in the photos...it looks dry...no hint of "wet". Not in your photos here, but I have seen photos of falls and cascades of water end up looking like ice. No detail in the water. This video reminded me of my photo trkking in New York state. Hudson river, Storm king mountain, Hudson valley. Thank you

[@LandscapePhotographyiQ]

It depends on the exposure and the effect the photographer is trying to achieve. If there is too much water flow then you have to use a shorter exposure to get detail in the water otherwise the highlights will burn out. Thanks for watching!

[@stulav844]

No one else is saying where this place is and I would not either more people find out the place it will get trappeled and that would ruin it. The photos are great Thanks Tom !

[@LandscapePhotographyiQ]

Let's just keep it a secret, thanks for watching.

[@Unmaredilana]

So wonderful! 👍 26 for you!

[@LandscapePhotographyiQ]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@philipculbertson55]

Yeah, I don't mind dull, darkish, and dank. Actually I often prefer those days. What I hate are bright contrasty days. Most of my shots are forest shots and contrasty light is horrible for that unless you find detailed shots in shade.

[@LandscapePhotographyiQ]

Yep, I agree, there's no such thing as bad light, just the wrong light for a particular subject.

[@neilcole3406]

If you want to be a good landscape photographer, your name has to be Tom!

[@LandscapePhotographyiQ]

Thanks!

[@09591000]

Thanks 🥃🥃

[@LandscapePhotographyiQ]

Thank you too!

[@issafarhoud760]

Where I saw last November 2020

[@LandscapePhotographyiQ]

That's right Issa, hope you're well.

[@garykuiken6191]

Really nice waterfall images. Great information. One point that I disagree with you is your point of keeping it secret. As a landscape photographer I am happy to tell people where I take images and even take them there. During grizzly , elk , bighorn season a group total strangers will end up traveling together helping each other out. Regarding landscapes I want people to see some of my favorite places so they can get some real off the road images. We don't own this wonderful creation, we are only here for a short time is my philosophy so I get pleasure in sharing it with young and old alike. Plus often they get the bug and become great photographers. Again great images and do stay safe. Cheers from Western 🇨🇦 .

[@LandscapePhotographyiQ]

Thanks Gary, I understand where you're coming from, but you only have to look at locations such as Mesa Arch or Antelope Canyon. It's pretty much impossible to photograph there now. I first photographed Lower and Upper Antelope in the 90's with only a few other people and now it's one of the most chaotic experiences to try photograph, if you can at all. Social media has helped to perpetuate this situation. Landscape photography is all about the journey, not just the destination. Researching and searching out new locations is a big part of being a landscape photographer.

[@digitalcanvas4444]

I've just come across your videos and enjoy them. But from an instructional stand point they would be much better if you showed us your test shots as well as your final image and show them IMMEDIATELY after taking them. I get that you want us to watch till the end so you get credit for more watch-time from youtube. But it's really frustrating to have you describe a failed element in the test shot and to tell us you're going to correct it - but not show the problem... so frustrating! By showing us the failure, it will increase our appetite to watch all the way to the end to see the final corrected image. Plus it shows examples of a poor photo as well as a good one... more instructional and more valuable to us.