Woodland Photography - Working Small Areas

I remember after last year's Scotland photography workshops that it felt like autumn was over once I returned home, but this year has been very different! It's been fantastic to be out in my local woodland with Meg, discovering new subjects and visiting repeatedly to get the most out of them. I've been home for 2 weeks and there's still some great colour to be captured. In this episode I visit a relatively newly discovered woodland and work to capture some woodland photographs from a very small gathering of beech trees. I've been back since and captured one of my favourite photos of the year, but that will have to wait for the next episode :)
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#Woodland #Photography #Autumn

[@sandyross2571]

Meg's seeming attention to the landscape while you are composing really taps into my tendency to anthropomorphize...I asked her aloud "So, what are YOU thinking?" Thank you for another lovely video-reminder to keep looking carefully.

[@SimonBaxterPhotography]

Many thanks. Meg is always judging me :-P

[@willsharber]

I have been hiking around a local nature preserve (a true oasis so close to the city) since I was a child. I have been more and more inspired to photograph there and many of my favorite photos have been taken there. It is amazing what you will see when slow down. Thank you for the continued inspiration! Give Meg a pat on the head for being so fantastically judgmental :)

[@SimonBaxterPhotography]

Many thanks, William. There's always beauty in the most unlikely of places and it's a great feeling when you find it :)

[@lindefraser9148]

I must have missed this one Nov./19 but was just delighted with it this evening. The videography was thrilling, the still autumn photographs and the music lifted me up. hugs Meg! So excuse me I need to watch it again. :)

[@anujasharma9677]

Simon, once again a great video. Simple well thought through compositions but very powerful images. Loved the accompanying soft music, Thank You

[@SimonBaxterPhotography]

Many thanks for your kind feedback, Anuja!

[@juanarroyo5324]

Simon youre a master at woodland photography ..stunning shots !!! maybe next year ill join you in one of your workshops !!!!!!

[@tompetersphotography]

So many times I do this and never really show that I’ve just move 10 feet lol 😂 beautiful shots Simon

[@SimonBaxterPhotography]

Many thanks. Good to see you're enjoying the back catalogue :)

[@tompetersphotography]

@@SimonBaxterPhotography well, I’m just addicted to woodland photography now since moving to Wiltshire. So your videos do help get me into the zone lol and inspire my videos👍🏻

[@slavomirdzieciatkowski8811]

What an amazing forest. Well done!

[@neilcole3406]

That’s one happy dog!

[@PAVANZYL]

Your photographs are great, but your video is exceptional. I hate selfie sticks! Well done. I know how hard it is to make a professional looking video.

[@cliveeariss880]

What a lovely video Simon and very informative, love your woodland shots, thanks for putting this up.

[@marcgibier6071]

I could not agree more with last comment, it is so nice to see this dog being free, running and enjoying being out in the wood

[@enohsnairb]

It certainly went frosty pretty fast at the end ; ) Lovely video Simon.

[@enricooldoino1967]

Thank you very much Simon ( and Meg). I always take picture in small areas only for physical problems so ..... happy to know you do it sometimes can't wait to see next video !

[@SimonBaxterPhotography]

Thank you, Enrico. 95% of my work is from small woodlands that involves short walks :)

[@rolfsauer9540]

You the Master of Woodlandphotography Thanks for the Inspiration Simon... Have a great Weekend

[@SimonBaxterPhotography]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you :)

[@hamsterneckliving]

Yes! Great video.

[@adamcurrie1157]

Brilliant video once again. Thank you

[@thevalleywalker]

We are lucky in this area to have a couple of wonderful beech tree woodlands and I suppose it's the same wherever you are it's nice to photograph things are are not readily available in your local vicinity - for instance we don't really have any wet woodlands (like Delamere) or really good silver birch woodlands like the Lake district. Loved the 1st image, not sure what the coillective noun for a group of colours is (palette, rainbow, spectrum?) but you certainly had a lovely splash of them here - one of my favourite things is the Red Carpet that Autumn produces and I always go in search of the old Druid track that links my musical faves with the time of the year I love best. Can't wait to see what that fave image you have captured is like..atb Alan

[@SimonBaxterPhotography]

Many thanks, Alan! Yes, we don't get silver birch here like the Lakes, or the lichens of Scotland, or the moss of Wales, but I'm still always thankful to be out in my local patch - even if it's much more difficult sometimes :)

[@matthewhenry6281]

Simon. Absolutely love your work. Trying to build up my understanding and skill of woodland photography. Which is why I’m still hopeful that your Fall 2020 workshops can happen. With that being said, I think we could all use a little joy and entertainment to help us through these difficult times. Do you think you could put out a highlight video of Meg being Meg? Like at 6:22, so adorable. 👍

[@rodgerwearne9931]

You have to be the best woodland photographer I have seen.. Even though we all have those days.. Thanks

[@SimonBaxterPhotography]

Thank you very much!

[@vijaykumaryadav9070]

Nice video of perfect nature combination with sun light and your dog is pretty good friend

[@RobJorg]

Meg is great and her sidekick does photography.

[@AlexMcDougallPhotography]

Lovely and very thoughtful video as ever mate.

[@nickyfoulkes8476]

Oh you are such an inspiration. My own woodland photography has "bloomed" since watching & learning from you.Thank Simon for all the time & effort you put into to creating these videos.

[@mikemitchell3889]

Simon, I like your plan of making several images from a single (or close-by) location. I find myself scrambling to produce content for several vlogs during the relatively short autumn color peak. Your economy of effort is a great strategy. On another tack, watching your ability to discern composition and the exhibition of Meg's ebullience are both valuable lessons. Thank-You, Mike

[@SimonBaxterPhotography]

Thanks, Mike! Photography has to come first - the video camera goes away when I need to concentrate taking photos :)

[@KarlVaughan]

We're very much on the same page at the moment. Yesterday I was down at Burnham Beeches and the trees there are extraordinary. You wouldn't believe how some of them are still alive. They are hundreds of years old. I certainly recommend you paying it a visit if ever you're down in the Buckinghamshire area. I bet you're looking forward to the colder weather now with maybe some frost or snow. I know I am :)

[@SimonBaxterPhotography]

I've heard good things about there but I'm just too fond of my quiet local spots - hard work but always enjoyable :)

[@wendynewing8834]

Lovely location, lovely photos, great video and lovely seeing Meg. It's a 10 from me.

[@SimonBaxterPhotography]

Thank you very much, Wendy :)

[@jamesattenborough2597]

Love how Meg just sits so patiently with you

[@timscanlanphotography]

Hi Simon. Really like the point of working smaller areas in order to make the most of them. Totally get your point regarding the "throwaways" constantly surprising you when you get them back on the computer. I guess that's one of the many bonuses of woodland photography! Many thanks for sharing another excellent video.

[@chrisdunham2742]

Hi Meg! Love your plate Simon. Different to see Meg on lead. Run free Meg :)Thanks for another great video Simon.

[@MichalOlender]

Pretty place Simon!

[@martingrossniklaus]

fell in love with tree photography since i watch your videos. so thank you simon.

[@SimonBaxterPhotography]

That's fantastic to know - many thanks!

[@AlKulla]

Great video Simon!

[@johndymond2034]

Love the last beech tree, your work is fantastic keep the video's coming.

[@woodycarr]

I always enjoy watching your videos. Great advice about working a small area close to home. It's easy to forget about places near to where you live.

[@fubband]

So lovely, Simon. More and more I feel travelling less is the way to go for me, thanks for showing just what can be done on ones own doorstep 👍🏻

[@SimonBaxterPhotography]

Many thanks, Martin! I'm continually gobsmacked at what can be found in the most unlikely of places when you look a little closer :)

[@marksinthedark2011]

Just discovered you, can't thank you enough for these videos. Good luck with everything you do.

[@SimonBaxterPhotography]

Much appreciated, thank you!

[@Leffe49]

Some good shots Simon! The first one at 6:04 and the last one at 11:53 was real top notch images! The video shots, when Meg was dancing in the creek was true happiness of the day

[@TheMoodyPhotographer]

It was nice that I got the notification with my first sip of coffee. 😀❤ As always so pleasing and calming. Amazing photos ❤❤

[@SimonBaxterPhotography]

Thank you very much :)

[@cathyann1601]

I like all of your shots, especially the last ones. Very, very beautiful!

[@johnsholian4318]

That last image is my favorite but I like your idea about working a small scene from connected vantage points. Another quality video Simon. Nice music and a happy dog puts a smile on my face. Cheers!

[@NealeSmith76]

The final beech tree shot is wonderful!

[@andreywagner5046]

Great video Simon, love the captures, and what a fantastic location. Thank you for sharing.

[@michaellyons5208]

Great video, Simon. All the photos were good, but as to the one you were disappointed in, what made the others stand out was just that extra edge of clarity and dark value of the focal tree (in my opinion.) The other just seemed a bit...IDK...blended. Love the one you got in the other forest very much.

[@fotofletch]

Love this video Simon as it's how I tend to work these days, getting out to a local wood for a couple of hours. In fact, I think I will do just that in the morning. Thanks 🤗

[@SimonBaxterPhotography]

Many thanks, David. Glad you enjoyed it and have a great wander in the morning!

[@mikegosheron1679]

I liked the last one of the birch tree in the middle of the image framed by the squiggly trees in the background. A reverse of the usual woodland images you tend to see. I wish I could find little valleys like this in deepest darkest Surrey!

[@terencebaker4269]

Like the last shot best and Meg is a real star, I wish I could trust my Irish terrier when I walk my local wood, but I can't, its either a dog walk, or a photo trip. Great video, very informative.

[@SimonBaxterPhotography]

Thank you very much :)

[@TimberGeek]

Nice to see healthy beeches, I did catch myself looking for bear tracks. ;-D

[@chriss2761]

You are the master Simon, Great video and beautiful images!

[@iemboyshostel]

Fantastic images... that last e with square crop and the intimate close up one were awesome.

[@JohnHPettigrewFujishooter67]

Great video Simon with some fine images, loved the cropped image you got at the other location, your woodland images are an inspiration, so much so that I mentioned you in my latest video.

[@SimonBaxterPhotography]

Many thanks and thanks also for the mention!

[@mikegindling4236]

Thanks. I went out today in my local patch and did some digital and film photography. Keep up the inspiring videos.

[@bobkent007]

I think I may have been at the same location on one of your days, as I saw another photographer across the stream in a bright red jacket.. and they didn't move for quite some time and assumed they where doing macro images. Great video. :-)

[@SimonBaxterPhotography]

Really? You'll have to hint at where you were ;-)

[@bobkent007]

@@SimonBaxterPhotography oops my bad.. watched it again at home and must of missed the opening few seconds... must of been someone else with a great colour choice ;-)

[@DonnaHughes]

I’ve always loved trees and forests. Years ago, I decided I wanted to photograph trees. I have a few photos I’m proud of, but I love to hear your mature analyses and explanations.

[@GreenhornPhototaker]

There is a reason I link to you in my own videos, B-roll was so well done Simon. Image #2 was my favorite with those winding branches.

[@andreace15]

Siete dei grandi! Sempre belli i video!

[@Sushi0923]

Hi Simon. Thank you for creating this lovely and motivating video. Hopefully be able to get back into the woods and little corners that I love to take photographs of. Fingers crossed, might be able to get some of the last autumn leaves (or whatever's left of it). Keep up the good work, mate.

[@robinchun1]

Love how Meg is sat watching you while your adjusting your composition

[@SimonBaxterPhotography]

It's more likely that she was judging me :-P

[@simonbriggsQCB]

Another amazing video and thoroughly enjoyed watching the whole process. It would be great to see you do a video on tree identity, as whenever I am out in my local area I tend to struggle with certain Tree's, but will one day go and learn more about all our Woodland wonders and get my knowledge in check.

[@SimonBaxterPhotography]

Many thanks and also for the suggestion :)

[@jamesgrant8470]

Nice vlog and some nice shoots reminds me of a forest just along the road from mine lots of beech trees and there massive. So beautiful at this time of year

[@Dog0nWheels]

Just as I'm sitting down for dinner, Simon you legend 🙏

[@SimonBaxterPhotography]

I hope it doesn't spoil your dinner ;)

[@Dog0nWheels]

@@SimonBaxterPhotography Never! Lovely images as always sir. Any particular reason why you don't do a calendar? Would absolutely love one someday if you choose to!

[@nickbristol3457]

I really enjoyed this Simon. Quite calming and so much like how I look at my own photography now. I enjoy taking some longer photography trips but probably 75-80% of my work is done in woods and areas close to my home. Some wonderful images too!

[@SimonBaxterPhotography]

Many thanks, Nick!

[@jamesjohnston6765]

Lovely work as always Simon.

[@petertym7816]

Lovely content and feel to this video Simon, thanks for sharing.

[@chrishall6364]

You've inspired me to do woodland photography this year, thank you!

[@ruudmaas2480]

Magnificent shots !!

[@PointBlankZA]

Inspiring as always, thank you...

[@RussWeymouthPhotography]

I was exploring a local woods down in Essex, on my second vlog, three hours passed by, but I doubt I moved in any direction more than a few hundred metres, I hag a great time exploring a small area.

[@Woodenarrows]

I appreciate your insights. I have a long way to go till I'm able to visualize the final images...

[@christian.irmler]

Stunning how much foliage your trees in UK still have up, ours here in Austria are already nearly empty :) Great works as always, Simon! Your composition from ~10:34 is really interesting. You mentioned that you are not happy with the final composition. I find, maybe a point of interest is missing or gets too low emphasis. Do you have the possibility for getting direct sunlight as backlight into this scene oder perhaps sunbeams through fog, getting a clear POI? I think, also with lots of fog, this scene could looks really amazing - mystic. Just some ideas ;)

[@phurbadukpa4375]

Beautiful Bro. ...keep going. ..good luck.

[@warrenswales5693]

One reason I cannot do woodland photography other than on my own, is it takes me 90mins to walk a mile as I can be easily lost (in a good sense) in a small location every 200 yards or so and end up with 2/3 images from each "stop". Time just slows down and it becomes one of life's treasured pleasures for me, looking for compositional nuggets. 👍

[@SimonBaxterPhotography]

It's wonderful - you photograph in a place where it feels like time stands still but 4 hours goes by in what feels like 30 minutes.

[@tjsinva]

If only you could teach Meg to fetch the b-roll camera, eh? Nice images with an impressionistic flavor to brighten the afternoon. Carry on!

[@giselesmith7795]

I got notice on my phone about this video while I was at work. Got home, made a cup of tea, and found out it was worth the wait. Lovely scenes. I liked the singled out tree on IG too. Same area?

[@SimonBaxterPhotography]

Many thanks! Yes, exactly the same area :)

[@critterstocosmos]

Hi Simon. Great video as always! May I ask the brand name of your gloves? I love the openings for your fingertips! Perfect for winter photography!

[@SimonBaxterPhotography]

Thanks, Jason! Here you go: photographygloves.com/?rfsn=2172814.c9e4a0 My faves are the Markhof 2 and the Skadi Zipper Mitt.

[@critterstocosmos]

Thank you Simon!

[@garylambe1187]

HI simon, always impressed how you can get a composition from the woods. My local woods is Banstead woods and it always seems so dark in amongst the trees and I find it difficult to get a composition. Must try harder - thanks for the inspiration.

[@robc1841]

Hi Simon, really enjoy your videos & images. The image which you weren’t fond of, the “busier” image. What was your focusing strategy with it as there didn’t seem to be a specific subject. Did you use the general guideline of focusing 1/3 into the image with a fairly high F stop? Thanks Rob

[@UrbanoModa]

I think you might be punishing yourself on the shot you are not happy with, I kind like that you didn't crop the left side out, most would have cropped that dark left stump out and made it tighter. Great work as always, really liked the second image.

[@SimonBaxterPhotography]

Thank you! It's good to be self-deprecating sometimes (to a degree). Irrespective of personal taste, that photo just wasn't good enough so it's important to be honest with the viewers :) Thanks for watching!

[@M.Campbell]

Love the orange against the green in the second photo. It's a visually pleasing color combo to me. By the way, how is the woodland that had the fire doing? Apologies, if I missed an update on it.

[@SimonBaxterPhotography]

Many thanks! Good question - I've walked past and it's recovering well but I must make time to do another video there.

[@tjcuneo]

Enjoy your videos and the explanation of your thought process in setting up an image. You mentioned the Shimoda X bag that you are using. Is it the 30L or 50L model?

[@SimonBaxterPhotography]

Thank you! I'm using the X 30 :)

[@wojtekgrabowski1]

absolutely great vlog Simon - just like photos that you took. btw-dont you have feeling 24-70 might be the only lens that we need?

[@SimonBaxterPhotography]

Many thanks :) The 24-70 2.8 is by far my favourite lens and it never comes off my camera for my local work, which is 95% of what I do :)

[@stephanierobinson3731]

Hi Simon. Where is this please? Looks awesome

[@marilynzanca7712]

Hi Can i ask a question, why is it that landscape photographers use a low shutter speed, wouldnt that be sensative to every little movement in the shot or for that fact wouldnt the sky be blurred due to movement of a low shutter speed?

[@elwynsmith5092]

Great images super compositions ! What breed is your dog- she a bute !!!!!!!!

[@SimonBaxterPhotography]

Thank you! Meg is a Labradoodle :)

[@elwynsmith5092]

@@SimonBaxterPhotography Thanks for telling me-I have a Goldendoodle and he's a blonde looks about the same size and temperament ! !

[@RS-Amsterdam]

If only trees could move a bit ;-)

[@bradzaruba9686]

I liked several of your images including the one you weren't too keen on. Secondly, have you trained Meg to run in and out of frame?

[@spankthespam]

Slightly off topic, but could you share what kinds of gloves and trousers you’ve used in this video? Much appreciated!

[@SimonBaxterPhotography]

Here you go: baxter.photos/my-gear/#tab-clothing Cheers.

[@spankthespam]

Simon Baxter Thank you! But I can’t see these pants listed there?

[@SimonBaxterPhotography]

@@spankthespam You won't be able to get these anymore. They're old ones from Tog24, who I don't recommend. All my gear is now from Patagonia. Cheers.

[@ohrah2003]

At 11:39 it looks like two angry faces in the beech tree

[@darkosimunic3700]

Hello, which ND filter can you recomend me for forest photography? I have couple of them from gobe but i m not satisfied with them

[@SimonBaxterPhotography]

I don't use any ND filters but if I did then I have some by LEE.

[@geraldrotich3774]

First

[@SimonBaxterPhotography]

Always easy on my channel :P

[@ohrah2003]

At 11:39 it looks like two angry faces in the beech tree