Where can I get a good idea of the best, most interesting way to photograph a dense forest? I find it quite difficult on account of the monotony of the surroundings. Who are some photographers that focused on this subject? or what are some good movies to watch that focus not on the vistas of the landscape but the feeling of being in a dense, crowded forest.I'm mostly seeking inspiration. Feel free to post anything you think fits the bill. I also want it to feel really eerie, like you've "crossed over" into another realm where things aren't the way you expect them to be... a bit Twin Peaks, even.
I tried some flash photography for the eeriness...
>>4515167I have to ask OP, what settings did you use on that image? To me it looks like you've completely destroyed the highlights since the leaves look extremely washed out and smudged. Not a judgement, it just looks odd and makes me think you overexposed and tried to recover the highlights too much.>>4515168Same problem here which is very strange, the leaves just don't look right at all. What was your editing process?
>>4515169I'm not asking for feedback, so you don't have to ask anything of the sort. I'm looking for inspiration for composition and framing for this kind of subject matter. Refinement of tonality and such will come when it's time.
>>4515170It wasn't so much feedback as it was curiosity, it's just a very strange look is all and I really wondered why.As for composition, it's hard to say. I really struggle with anything nature but one thing I rollback on when I do try is "framing." So sometimes I'll have two trees on either side create a frame of what's in the distance or just do the same with some bushes/leaves. The lack of clear subject is the real challenge imo.
>>4515167Aside from finding the perfect grouping of trees you need to be there with exceptional lighting. Fog may be good for certain types of eerie tree pictures. Sometimes orderliness can be a bit unsettling in the usual randomness of a forest, so look out for that as well I guess.You should study composition and maybe look at famous paintings of trees/woods for inspo.
>>4515167Is this you? >>4512356
>>4515167Maybe not "eerie" all the time but there's always the goat Eliot Porter (pic related)>>4515170Whatever vibe it's not gonna happen with this dogshit lighting. It's the light that turns a boring forest into a dreamy landscape. You need to use fog, rain, sunset, sunrise, etc.
>>4515171>Sometimes I'll have two trees on either side create a frame of what's in the distance.Yeah, I tried that. >The lack of clear subject is the real challenge.The landscape is the subject: the trees, the foliage, the grass, the rocks, the shrubs and sticks, etc.No heroes, only monotone rolling hills of dense eucalyptus bushland.
I ended up thinking very laterally and vertically since it was the most intuitive way to order the chaotic scenery. I think I need to explore the location much more thoroughly and really familiarise myself with that place.I also found this video somewhat helpful. https://youtu.be/Ik6-hmQ_qQI?si=vP-0EHFRjtm4FL1C>>4515175>It's the light that turns a boring forest into a dreamy landscape.Of course, I should not count on an overcast day to give me a stellar image, but it did not hurt to be out there exploring, framing the landscape where I could.
>>4515167Nice, another AusAnon. I'm not great at landscape/woodland stuff either, I usually do close ups on small patches I found interesting or with a tree I really liked as the main subject. Pic is my most recent from a forest trip, it's not great but I liked the oak tree.> I also want it to feel really eerie, like you've "crossed over" into another realm where things aren't the way you expect them to be... a bit Twin Peaks, even.Most of that will be in the colour grade. I don't have the photo on hand, but I took a photo similar to >>4515168 but the colour was a bright red since it was the brake lights from my dads car. It looked really cool since it was a practically pitch black night and some of the thicker trees really blocked out the light and cast big shadows.
>>4515179Never hurts to go take photos. I only thought you needed the advice.I also think if you want the "surrounded" feeling a shorter focale will help.You could also experiment with other effects that would convey the feel in a more original way. For example, taking a slow speed shot while running forward / zooming could give a certain anxiety inducing vibe.Nothing ever beats fog though...
>>4515184>Never hurts to go take photos. I only thought you needed the advice.I do, to be fair, need to plan around the weather for this kind of stuff. I tend to just get in a mood for doing something and go out somewhere regardless of the conditions.
>>4515185NTA but it's winter now, so you could pretty much just get up really early and see some really good fog (assuming you're on the lower East coast and not in QLD).
I don't think you can photograph a whole forest, you should try finding a subject inside it. Ansel did a some nice ones
>>4515167check out Joe Cornish photography on the subject https://joecornish.co.uk/gallery/wildwood/pic related
For me, a tele lens to shoot details of the forest with.
some forest snapsBurke's Aspen series is kinohttps://www.alexburkephoto.com/aspen
>>4515167seek what no one has seen
>>4515258ir+saturation
>>4515258>seek what no one has seenthat's inspiring, thank you anon
>>4515220>a tele lensI decided never to go anywhere without one after a recent trip with just a wide angle. picrel was using my indispensable, trusty tele zoom
>>4515283That looks quite bad though. What's the concept here?
>>4515283Why so dark?
