Tree
New Forest, April. Had to wander about a bit, get scratched by thorns and watched suspiciously by cattle to get this. Rarely for me, I knew exactly how I wanted...
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New Forest, April. Had to wander about a bit, get scratched by thorns and watched suspiciously by cattle to get this. Rarely for me, I knew exactly how I wanted it to look before I took it. Pentax K3 and tripod.
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Jul, 2016Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
This was taken in the New Forest, near Brockenhurst. I was visiting family nearby.Time
I went for an early-morning walk in the woods and on the heath one gorgeous April morning and, of course, took my camera with me. I noticed this tree from a different angle, and its form appealed to me. I managed to manoeuvre my way around the tree until I was happy with the angle and the lighting, getting scratched by thorns as I did (I was standing almost in the middle of a gorse bush to get the shot I wanted) and standing what felt to be perilously close to some cattle. I then waited for a cloud to come by...Lighting
The air was fresh and crystal-clear.Equipment
Pentax K-3, with 18-55mm lens, circular polarising filter, Velbon Sherpa tripod.Inspiration
I loved the shape of the tree and the bare branches, and saw the picture in my mind as a black-and-white shot. It seemed to me that you could be in Africa or any number of places on earth from looking at that shot.Editing
Minor jiggling with sharpness and of course converting to monochrome. Nothing else.In my camera bag
Usually just the K-3 with a manual SMC 28mm 3.5, although I also have a manual SMC 55mm 1.8 and an SMC 135mm 2.5 which I carry with me if going on serious trips. Velbon tripod, which is very stable, but also a monopod if travelling light. I also have a remote shutter-release for tripod use.Feedback
Just keep looking, and try to imagine what you are seeing from a different angle or vantage point. I also try to visualise many of my shots in monochrome and concentrate on contrast and shadows/highlights. Don't be afraid to use you legs (rather than your zoom) to get to the right spot and, if that cloud isn't there yet, don't settle for the inferior shot, and wait.
