Roots
One of the less-visited residents of the Hoh rain forest.
One of the less-visited residents of the Hoh rain forest.
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Sep, 2017Views
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Awards
Contest Finalist in Monochrome Addiction Photo Contest
Winner in #blackandwhitetreeroots Photo Challenge
Action Award
Runner Up in Nature Beyond Color Photo Contest
Legendary Award
Contest Finalist in Wood Photo Contest
People's Choice in Spooky Night Black and White Photo Challenge
Peer Award
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Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Outstanding Creativity
Magnificent Capture
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Behind The Lens
Location
This tree stands near a trail that leads through the Hoh Rain Forest, on the Olympic Peninsula, in western Washington State.Time
It was a cold and stormy day. Obvious, I suppose, as it's a rain forest, after all. Actually, according to my file data, the shot was taken at 2:30 PM, on July 1st, 2016. I had abandoned Hurricane Ridge to the clouds and wind, and was searching for a waterfall I'd heard was worth the look. I took this photo as I explored.Lighting
If you've wandered through a rain forest, you probably understand the magic of the light: filtered green, misty lasers of sunlight, moss-dense shadows. You can smell the light.Equipment
This shot was handheld, using a light, packable Canon T5-i, with an 18-55mm lens. I may have used a circular polarizing filter. I rarely use flash, so this was shot in existing light.Inspiration
Look at that tree! Could you have walked past it without stopping? Nope, neither could I.Editing
I edit all of my finished photos. If you shoot raw, so do you. This photo is a single shot. I used Adobe Lightroom's raw console, then incorporated a series of Photoshop adjustment layers, mostly Brightness/ Contrast, with one - obviously - Black and White layer.In my camera bag
I usually take a Canon 77D with me on outings, but my T5-i is light and fits nicely in a backpack with an 18-55mm lens. With the 77D, I use an 18-135mm. I've found this to be a wonderfully versatile lens. When I'm feeling brave or stubborn, I slap on a "nifty fifty", Canon's grand f1.8 prime workhorse. I have, but rarely use due to its weight, a Sigma 70-300mm, and an older Canon 24mm that works for shooting after dark. I often attach a polarizing filter to my lenses, rarely use a UV filter, and always carry a set of neutral density filters. I have an inexpensive cable release, a cheap and packable plastic tripod, and a nice - but not too expensive ($110 US)- 3Pod 3PP3AOR tripod for less mobile shooting. I stuff most of this and lunch into a Lowepro BP 250 AW 2 backpack. It's a good system for now, though I'm always watching for an opportunity to spend some moneyFeedback
- Keep your eyes open. I was looking for a waterfall but found a tree. Sometimes what you're looking for isn't what you want to find. - Learn to think in black and white. Color can mask flaws in a photo. - Avoid blowouts. Try to keep detail in your highlights and shadows. - Don't be afraid to edit your work. Use whatever app or software you like to show your viewer the photo as you actually saw it. Cameras lie. JPEGs lie. Raw can come close to telling the truth. - Get out there! Take any opportunity to get outside to see God's grand world. And take your camera. And an extra battery. And an extra memory card. ;-)
