Angel Oak
One of the oldest live oak trees in Charleston, SC
One of the oldest live oak trees in Charleston, SC
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Nov, 2015Views
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Superb Composition
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Virtuoso
Magnificent Capture
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Behind The Lens
Location
I travel extensively for work and I drive everywhere. On one trip about 4 years ago, I decided to take my time and explore the outskirts of Charleston, SC. I passed a sign that read "Angel Oak" with a directional arrow. I was disappointed the small park was closed but not by the view of this beautiful tree. It quickly became my first favorite tree. Now when I'm in the area, I stop by to visit like it's an old friend.Time
After seeing it for the first time, I wanted to capture it's image and for the next 4 years I tried to arrive before the park closed at 4pm. I either arrived a few minutes too late or the weather wasn't cooperating. This photo is very special to me because I made it on my 50th birthday, 25 minutes before the park closed, and with perfect summer weather!Lighting
The sky was clear blue with intermittent white, fluffy clouds passing by but because of the thick canopy no issue with dappled light or huge shadows. The canopy softened the late afternoon light perfectly around the perimeter of the tree.Equipment
I used a Nikon D90, 18-55mm kit lens and handheld.Inspiration
The first time I saw the Angel Oak, it was from the street side and the view is drastically different with the abundance of massive branches appearing tangled yet organized. From that moment, I wanted to see the tree from the other side and take photos from that viewpoint too. No one is sure how old the tree really is, some estimate 400 years and others say 1500 years. I think of the time and events that have passed in the area and wonder about the stories it could tell.Editing
The thick canopy softened the natural light around the periphery but underneath where the trunk and largest branches are, there was some light but not a lot. I lightened those shadows a little bit to show some detail in the trunk and the ferns on the branches. I switched it to B&W because the color wasn't important to me in this image since I was more interested in the structure of the tree than the color of the leaves. To go farther with that thinking, I used an infrared filter in Lightroom to brighten the image more and make the leaves all but disappear.In my camera bag
My friends say I have everything but the kitchen sink in my bag! Currently, I have a D600, a D700, Sigma Art 50mm 1.4, Sigma 70-200 2.8 and these are my workhorses. I have other glass that I switch out depending on what I plan to shoot: Rokinon 14mm 2.8 for night skies, Sigma macro 150mm 2.8, Nikon 85mm 1.4, Sigma Art 24mm 1.4, and Sigma Contemporary 150-600 3.4-5.6.Feedback
Keep your eyes open, learn to look in all directions, shoot often and from different angles, but most importantly, shoot what moves you. There have been a number of times I've seen something and tried to walk past it but HAD to go back and capture it. There's one image I missed that still bothers me today and I've learned to ALWAYS be ready. It wasn't anything that was planned so it can't be re-created unless I want to spend a large amount of money. Happy shooting!
