Photographing something beautiful yet complex can be a real challenge. Today, we'll explore how to capture the grandeur of giant fern trees, which are impressive but tricky to frame.
Coming to you from William Patino, this fascinating video dives into the difficulties of photographing enormous fern trees. Patino takes you through a dense forest, encountering these massive plants and sharing tips on how to tackle their complex compositions.
Patino starts by introducing the giant ferns, describing their sheer size and complexity. These trees are unlike anything he's seen before, and photographing them is no easy task. He emphasizes the importance of light in composition, noting how forest scenes are naturally dark, making it crucial to choose the right time of day. Patino also discusses using different lenses to find the perfect shot, switching between a wide angle and mid-range lens to capture various perspectives.
The video shows Patino experimenting with compositions, highlighting the challenges of photographing in a dense forest. He explains how the overlapping fronds and thick trunks create a unique visual experience but also make it hard to find a clear subject. Patino advises getting the camera out and taking your time to see how the lens captures the scene, rather than trying to pre-visualize everything. This approach helps in finding unexpected compositions that work well.
Patino also addresses the difficulty of balancing light and shadows in the forest. He prefers backlighting to create a gentle glow that guides the viewer's eye through the frame. He demonstrates this by showing different shots, explaining why some compositions work better than others. The challenge is to highlight the size and beauty of the trees without letting the scene become too chaotic.
In addition to technical tips, Patino reflects on the creative process. He encourages embracing challenges in photography, as they lead to growth and satisfaction. Overcoming these obstacles is what makes photography rewarding. Patino’s approach is a reminder that even experienced photographers face difficulties and that persistence and experimentation are key to capturing great images. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Patino.
And if you really want to dive into landscape photography, check out our latest tutorial, "Photographing the World: Japan With Elia Locardi!"
I feel this struggle! I remember being in the redwood forests of northern California and trying to capture them the way I'd imagined in my head. It was an epic failure and I always regret not being able to capture a really great photo from that trip.