Spring Photography in the Woods

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In this video, I spend some time looking for inspiration and subject matter in the woods
SunwayFoto Geared Tripod Head - geni.us/enCYg82

[@woodchip2782]

I really like the last composition. It keeps your eye (or focus) locked in, you just can’t escape from the view. It’s busy enough to keep you there. Bravo!

[@QuietLightPhoto]

Glad you like it!

[@hughmccann7414]

Taking a "reference" shot is a VERY good premise for making an image of a certain subject that catches your interest. You can always return in better light and the composition can be developed upon using your reference from before. Plus if you have travelled a long way to the area you may as well capture shots of some of the potential subject matter. Thanks for sharing :D

[@54Mizery]

It is helpful to me that you explain your thought process in selecting your composition. Not just the good ones but also the not so good ones. Many thanks.

[@coopscorner123]

Hi! Adam. I like the Messy Mossy Maple Grove shot of the limbs reaching in to the tangled, busy background. It reminds me of a giant spiders web, and the reaching limbs are the spider legs. Nice job.

[@arbez101]

Thank you so much! I really enjoy your beautiful, intriguing videos, and find myself always wanting them to be a few minutes longer.

[@anujasharma9677]

Loved the wild white flower shot Adam 👌👌👍👍👍👌👌

[@zmudailona]

Absolutely stunning photography, I love the geometry and that background filled with "whiteish" brunches, they literally looks like spider web 👏👏👏 well done

[@QuietLightPhoto]

Many thanks!

[@thomasphillips5850]

Adam, I like the shot, I like the direction of the branches. I think it works. Thanks as always keep up the great work.

[@sueferreira9711]

Love this last image. It's muddle is it's charm. The branches look like young Ents deliberating. Methinks Fanghorn is around somewhere 😀

[@QuietLightPhoto]

Couldn't agree more!

[@darrenleigh2957]

Your videos just keep getting better. Thanks for sharing!

[@trout3212001]

Thanks for another great video. I really love the sweeping branches in the last image and see why you were attracted to the spot. I think that a dark vignette would help, especially in the lower right side. Also maybe reducing the texture of the skinny branches in the foreground would help.

[@TimothyMcGawUK]

Great video Adam. I get what you mean about that last image, but I agree it's good to share the ones that don't necessarily work, as this is helpful for others to appreciate the struggles. The flower shot at the start was excellent.

[@Theoregoncoastexplored]

I took that same photo few weeks ago, same flower walking. Didn't know the name of it, and you answered my own question. Trillium. lol. I was lucky to get the mountain dew and a bug on the flower. Great pic. Sold a few of em now.

[@jahmasuniverse9282]

Thank you again for sharing your life🌹🌱🐛🐢🌏🌎🌍🌾🌾🌾

[@MattRamseyTube]

Awesome concept for the second image, I think it would be worth moving closer and making a stitched panoramic to blur out the background, but you're right--there's no substitute for inviting conditions.

[@cathyann8093]

I like the photo. Love the texture.

[@dietmarventzke5327]

I like that shot . Looks a bit like a Jackson Pollock painting .

[@Loopsrainforest]

I really like the reaching branch photograph. I think as photographers from western Canada it's so easy to to dismiss or be overly critical of our own work of subjects & environments that we have become so familiar with.

[@Bruno_Alves_Photography]

The last photo was amazing ⚡ thanks, you are the best 😉

[@Ericbjohnston5150]

Quite like the busy tree shot.

[@ralphwatson7036]

I could never see whether an object was in focus on the LCD until I got a camera with focus peaking. I love it! Nice video, thanks.

[@ralphwatson7036]

The electronic viewfinder doesn't hurt either.

[@tomholden2510]

Interesting to watch anothers exploration in nature photography, thanks

[@1young-geezer]

The flower was a nice save. But the trees shot, well, I found the twiggy ground growth drained most interest I had in the tree limbs shot, and so if cropped would have be more interesting. The moss covered middle tree bunch looked like fun as the view narrowed, and w/ some of the branches left and right from the other trees drew my interest. Thanks again.

[@lennartphotography]

I like the shot and composition. 👌

[@MLC48]

Thanks for this interesting video, especially for the detailed instructions on composition and how you use your Nikon to adjust the focus. I like the "blabbering on" at the beginning as I'm from Vancouver Island and know the culture. I see Thomas Hetton is looking for a Delica Van like yours! It is a challenge to see through the viewfinder, especially on the Canon 5D Mark IV, good thing I also have the Nikon D850 that's why I appreciate you showing how you use your D850. I have my alarm set for 9 pm UK time to purchase one of your 2nd edition books. Take care and stay safe.

[@andrewstewart6689]

Thanks for showing the photo. It’s nice to know that I am not the only one that cannot find an awesome composition every time I go out. Definitely a spot to reference for future though.

[@brianparks440]

Hey Adam, over the last 3 or 4 months I've watched many of your videos, both old and new. I've enjoyed all of them and have learned much of value from every one. This one is no exception. I'm not new to photography, but I'm new to a full-frame DSLR and I'm having fun with it. As I've mentioned in previous comments I too live in a forest and that's why I gravitated to your videos. I also love your mellow teaching style. I drink more tea now also. You've inspired me in many ways. Lastly, I want to comment on your messy, mossy maple grove image and say I love the patterns Andi feel that it's fine the way it is with those mossy branches pointing in to a background that is as messy as the foreground... hard to articulate, but I think it works. You don't always need a strong subject. It's a lovely image and I quite like it.

[@kawiemer]

I do think the last photo with the branches sweeping in from the sides would work on a heavy fog morning where the branches reaching into the unknown as it were. Thanks for taking us along.

[@Jeff-jg7jh]

I've never thought too much about macro or flowers but if I could use that cool equipment I might try it out.

[@VibePhoton]

So glad we have your videos to look forward to during these strange times. Without having much chance to get out and shoot ourselves these days, your wonderful videos, that are always worth looking forward to, have even more meaning. Excellent video as always!

[@pattymattes7124]

I loved your shot of the flower. The shot of the trees with the branches pointing in would have been nice if there was some light hitting those clump of tress. Hey, I'm not expert. You are. I just thought if there was light hitting that clump of trees it would stand out a bit more. Thanks for showing us that you struggle. I struggle a lot. Pet photography is where I spend most of my time. Landscape is something I do to relax. I struggle with pet photography. I guess that's part of the process of learning and getting better, at least for me. I'm always thinking about how I can make that shot better. Thanks for sharing. I look forward to your videos.

[@YahuahLives]

Just watched this video. I am not a professional, but I am told I have a good eye for balance and composition. I thought you were much too hard on yourself with this! You mentioned wishing you had mist/ fog, but the dormant plants with their masses of tiny branches provided that missing element. The brownish/ grey scale in contrast to the highlights you added to the green moss complete this composition.. It is worthy of praise!

[@michellatendresse1700]

For what it's worth, I do like your last image. I particularly like the textures, patterns, and color contrast. Great work as usual. Thanks for sharing

[@walterwiniana]

Hi Adam great video! And I like that last photo of the branches on both sides of the photo pointing to the middle tree in the background 👍🏼

[@QuietLightPhoto]

Thanks 👍

[@ThePapabull]

Thanks Adam, its really good to hear such honest and informed commentary. Thanks for the video. Best wishes from Wales

[@QuietLightPhoto]

My pleasure!

[@FromePublishing]

As you say, when the light is right its got real potential. The shapes and colour look great.

[@LukeOrwin]

Great video. Hope you well and staying safe

[@brucewdelorme]

Always enjoy your VLOGS

[@sweetdavey]

I really like the last image! Very atmospheric. The busy background works well here

[@jimowens8105]

You have a very easy-going style and personality. I find you to be non-judgemental, encouraging and that nurtures the artist in all of us. Thank you

[@alanhumbard8298]

Wow a video on Thursday. It looks like my Saturday won’t be the same without Adam. Even thought you didn’t particularly like the last photo it’s still better than most.

[@andrewherbert9938]

I like it Adam , there’s an area bottom right that I think doesn’t quite work but otherwise it’s really nice , I saw what you had seen before you told us so maybe I’m learning , thanks for another great vid

[@alexstojanovic6960]

G’day Adam. Nice video and thanks for all the effort you put into your videos. Hope you and your partner are still talking during these tuff times! Haha! I’m always a bit reluctant to express my opinion on people’s imagery, as it’s such a personal craft and people can certainly take it the wrong way. I can see 3 images in the last image of the trees you took. I think if you crop out the bottom third of the frame this will bring more interest to those branches. Each tree on either side of the frame will make individual images by themselves. By vertically cropping the tree on the left is another image and then vertically cropping the tree on the right will make another image. No hard feelings! Kind Regards Alex. 😃

[@simonbuchanan1184]

So, on the North Shore I've been exploring our local small "forest" (Greenwood Park) for the past couple of months. The salmonberries have stopped flowering already! I did discover an area of bluebells and leopard's bane .... looks like they will not flower at the same time, unlike our back garden. There is chaos everywhere in this forest, I now have a better appreciation for that struggle on finding a meaningful composition.

[@andrewcapalbo3544]

i like the shot.and hearing how you set it up is very helpful.

[@26jmcjames]

Hi Adam, I really like the last image. To me it's like the fine lacy appearance of the tiny branches in the background provide a lovely backdrop to the heavier, more dramatic branches coming in on either side. Yeah, I like it.

[@blindowl-bushcraft-survival]

what a great area

[@robertdavis1255]

Great image...the positives far out way the negatives...don't be too harsh on your work...

[@johnsholian4318]

I like the trees composition but totally agree that it needs some atmosphere whether that would be some backlight or fog. It’s just a bit jumbled as it stands. It would be cool to see you return when conditions are more suitable. Always appreciate your videos Adam!

[@JohnPaul-ii]

On your last photo, you had your branches reaching in from left and right sides. The background tree had its branches reaching forward into the middle. As if all were reacting for something that we mere mortals are unable to see. Trees are funny like that. Thanks for sharing Adam.

[@gordroberts53]

Hi Adam. Enjoyed this video a lot. The trillium sequence was very helpful for the insight it gave me on new uses for the 70-200 2.8G I bought used last spring. I like the composition of the last photo but have to agree it would benefit from some fog or steamy morning mist to mute the busy background. I wonder what would happen if some mist was introduced during post with a blurred layer and a brush? Good reference shot for sure. And yes, spring is late coming to the Island this year, my fruit trees are a solid two or three weeks behind "normal". Thanks for sharing!

[@johncordontravelstudiophot9608]

The detail out of your Fuji on that last image is simply incredible Adam! Even viewing KZbin on an iPad the “messy” back trees have so much detail on the Raw file so with a little LR editing despite the non-ideal light I’m sure you will get to like it. John

[@rocketmanab]

I actually think it's really helpful when the photographers we admire show the struggles of the whole process, and the times they get nothing.....not just the really good stuff.

[@proach3]

I love that it happens to you too: you respond to something on location but the image doesn’t quite live up to it. We don’t always need to see your brilliance but like to see the struggles too. Btw, really miss your drone footage; more of that please!

[@QuietLightPhoto]

Absolutely!!

[@michealpociecha8351]

I’m glade you show the photos that may not be perfect and why. It helps folks like me to see and focus on improving our shots as well. Thanks.

[@jeppemichaeljensen2684]

Super video, as usual. I really like your approach on the first photo. So nice to hear your thoughts about comp. and technic. Thanks

[@treyfoerster8759]

Always nice to view your vlog and go on a "walk" with you. Thank you!

[@wallybeep]

Adam. Another great post. As one who lives relatively nearby, thanks for showing once again that the close and familiar reveals a great deal of beauty if only one is able to take the time to look for it and search for the comp. I often forget they are there right in front. Great shots. Illustrative content, as usual.

[@JPLamoureuxsTravels]

Amazing shot IMO just found your channel, have another new sub! im off to binge watch lol 😂

[@paulus0109]

I do agree, a little bit fog will do magic. I like the composition though. Thnx for the vlog Adam.

[@roberttangen3508]

I like the image also only because it is almost there. I can't tell you how many images I have that are almost there and we all need to see that we aren't the only ones that do. Whether it is better light, different lens selection or a different composition. I do love your videos

[@TimberGeek]

Spring is a bit delayed here in New England as well. Nothing too extreme but early on I thought I'd have a bunch of left over firewood and it's slowly fading away.

[@maartenschot]

Thank you!!

[@ellyelzinga01]

Love the trillium picture, very beautiful!! You get snow quite late still though! We didn't get snow at all this winter, would have loved some, but not now anymore 🙈 I also think the last image would be really nice with some fog!

[@larrywales358]

Thanks Adam, Small scenes are a tough one for me. I just need to slooow down.

[@joemorin508]

Hey Adam, awesome videos and great locations! I love how you tramp around the same sorts of places that I hang out. Have you been to the Comox Lake Bluffs nature reserve? It is somewhat like a slice of the gulf islands with its' rocky exposed habitat. Botanically, it is a treasure with its predominantly Pine, Arbutus, Juniper and Hairy Manzanita. The wild flowers are great right now, but the Manzanita with its perfect bonsai forms and fire red bark are mind-blowing in the late afternoon light. Also, I have noticed you like waterfalls and cool mossy canyons. There are more waterfalls (far) upstream on the Browns R. while the Trent River and Nile Creek have at least a dozen falls combined. Some of them quite photo worthy. Perseverance Creek has some beautiful falls as well. Keep up the great work and thanks for doing what you do. Joe

[@QuietLightPhoto]

Thanks for the info Joe, much appreciated!

[@juna61]

Last image looks very cool. Something about it, is so spot on.

[@ian-robinson]

Trillium sounds like something James T Kirk and Spock would be looking for.

[@markglynn4713]

Are you thinking of "Trillian", the character from Douglas Adam's "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy"?

[@twotone3070]

@@markglynn4713 Zaphod's sidekick and wonderfully played by lovely Sandra Dickinson in the TV series.

[@amyfontarensky1510]

As a biology major, I really love the tree shot. It's a daring step away from the clean look we strive for in photography, and you have to have confidence to try it and share it. For me it's a portrait of the reality of nature; whether it be neural connections in the brain, the internet connections of fungi underground that facilitate the communication between plants, or even the complexity of historic interactions, and much much more. As an enthusiastic novice to photography, the boldness of that photograph inspires me.

[@fusion-music]

Enjoyed the video throughout Adam. Yes, "failures" are interesting. I'm glad you mention processing to make up for what you would like to be there. One idea is to post such like photos to allow other viewers to show their ideas. The air quality is what produces woods like these. I made a feature of such branches on a photo I posted on instagram under pittenweem pottery. I separated the branches onto separate layers to isolate them in the photo and try and make 2D look more 3D. But my photo of the Hermitage waterfall was less challenging than yours. If you could spend the time making a separate layer of the foreground, you can then have a myriad of ideas for the background, perhaps even creating mist, or more blur. Once again, a super video.

[@ImolaS3]

Adam, i think that works and the small group f trees makes a good enough focal point. I actually really like the image

[@larrylato1]

Thanks to Adam, I'm learning I have a long way to go when it comes to understanding composition.

[@andreywagner5046]

I disagree, the last one is pretty spectacular and artistic, thank you for sharing.

[@slavomirdzieciatkowski8811]

Love the image. There is a mystery to it. Quintessential PNW image!

[@Alister_Benn]

Nice one man - no glory light there this week. You know that I'd love the tree image at the end, that grasping, searching quality of the two leaning inwards is so evocative. You're making me want to get up into our Oak woods this weekend. Chat soon mate.

[@QuietLightPhoto]

yes I would have been flying to Scotland today I believe, I was looking forward to the Oak forests as well.

[@Alister_Benn]

@@QuietLightPhoto Yeah, that's a real shame. But, we make do and push ourselves in other ways. Hopefully the autumn trips to Spain and Scotland will still happen.

[@TL-xw6fh]

Another great masterclass on composition and how to see a shot. It will be great if you can publish a masterclass book on composition, how to visualise and lighting techniques for for wonderful flower and nature photographs, including images that work and those that did not! Sometimes it is better to learn from failures! If you do publish one, I'll certainly buy it! Thank you once again.

[@tompetersphotography]

Loved that flower shot matey👍🏻 great to see your human and struggle sometimes lol sorry ha

[@gayleruble6529]

Wow! A Thursday vid...however this may have the potential of wrecking my Saturday ritual! Thanks for the content.

[@EdwardKilner]

I struggle more than you do, but don’t get quite the results you do! I did enjoy both the commentary and images.

[@nh-ss5pw]

Enjoyable watch as usual, thank you. Shallow depth of field for the last shot? Or really get out of control and go for daytime flash photography

[@Treydmusicmedia]

Mr. Gibbs, you are a master and I consider myself a novice; a novice in taking photos and processing them. What I suggest is tentatively given. In post, dupe the picture up to three times. Make one shot the background subjected to Gaussian blur. Make sure that layer two has a desired focus on the background "urn" of trees. Layer one would be the leaning branches in sharp focus. I do believe this proposal would need to have been conceived in the field with focus stacking. However, a two-layer post production might do the trick? Thank you for all that you do!

[@j.vadmand1705]

Greetings from Denmark. I absolutely love the last picture, you just need a massive spider in the background behind the three 😀 I think that picture is awesome. Keep up the good work 👍

[@bryanince341]

The branches are beautiful but I agree it could really use a subject in the middle of the frame and some atmosphere. Maybe a heavy vignette or radial filter to create some contrast? And in regards to the macro, can you mount your camera underneath your tripod? Thats what I do for low shots like that. And since you are using a 70-200, chances are you have a tripod collar ring for it so you can still hang it upside down but rotate it back to right-side up to see the LCD.

[@adamsmith6594]

Tree composition first cause I really loved it. The ground cover had a blue haze to it in the raw file and gave the impression of bluebell haze. Really balanced against the strong emerald green of the branches. There was almost the ghost of the tree in full foliage created by the negative space in the middle Adam. Really cool and it was warm in tone too. Beautiful. And of course the flower was just so elegant. Never thought to focus stack close ups of flowers but now I will. You always educate so clearly. Thanks Adam for sharing these.

[@petecundle5071]

Another great vlog. Loved the flower shot. I thought the tree on the right was interesting enough for it to be the main shot after I covered half the screen.

[@philipnixey436]

I found myself staring into that last shot for a long time, but I'm with you, it has got potential for another time. I too had police stop and check up on me when I was parked up at a very remote beach here in New Zealand's wild southern Wairarapa coast. When I explained that I was a photographer waiting for better light, the officer said, 'Man, you're in the right place for rugged beauty'.

[@peilung0943]

I really love this last shot of the branches, because it's very unique and unexpected.

[@davehayford4294]

Adam you seldom disappoint and as usual another good video. Regarding the photograph at the end of the video....the one you are uncertain of....I agree with you, maybe it works maybe it doesn't??? I think I would have to look at it everyday for a week, first thing in the morning, for only a few minutes, at a distance from my computer with my first cup of coffee, and in a week I would know. Let us know what you decide. Thanks for Sharing.

[@jeppemichaeljensen2684]

And YES number 2 is brilliant to !

[@canuckdon]

It may not be your best image, Adam. But I completely related to your struggle in the second image. I don't think there is anything more challenging than selecting an ordered shot in a chaotic environment.

[@vivianmcaleavey1084]

I wonder if darkening the trunks of the tree the branches are pointing to would solve the problem. They seem like they might be interesting enough. Just a thought. Sure appreciate hearing your thought process.

[@JohnHPettigrewFujishooter67]

Nice one Adam, thanks for sharing.

[@KGsPhotography]

I like the last image Adam. It's bit like a triffid and give an impression of the wildness that goes on in the woods and the battle of the trees. Thanks for sharing...cheers Keith

[@irmalabrin4041]

Excelente, tienes un buen carisma 👌🌹

[@Data_Pedia]

Awesome channel man!

[@jaimecifuentes9504]

Hi Adams. In the flower shot, my vision tends to go straight to the flower on the background. You explain that on some way that is the idea. But, is it wrong when the viewer is distracted from what is not the main subject of the photo? Great work as usual. Thank you.

[@chickyleclair3868]

Adam, love your vision and the enthusiasm to share your knowledge. I think the composition could be more compelling in a vertical. The background trees in the center are like a fireworks explosion and make a perfect vanishing point with even more branches reaching in from the sides. The small, thin and pale branches provide a soft hue for the missing atmosphere. The rim light draws you in. Thanks for sharing the love.

[@tvkvarnen8177]

I really like the last shot. It looks a bit scary, like a forest where you would find a witch living. If I had taken that photo I would probably go a bit crazy on the processing trying to enhance that mood, making it real cold, adding a menacing vignette, and such things.

[@keithpinn152]

Hi Adam: Thanks for the tips on photographing a single wild flower. We are also a little behind this spring when it comes to wild flowers so hopefully, the Ontario Trilliums will be out in full bloom shortly. I do like the last image and while it is very busy, as you mentioned, the chaos of the smaller trees is off-set by the maturity of the older moss covered trees. I find the direction of the branches on these trees pull me into the image. All-in-all, I like the composition and I love the colour. Keep safe . . . Keith Pinn (Barrie, Ontario)

[@wendybee9160]

I like the picture