Seeing the forest for the trees Photo

Photographer’s Note

Forest path by the lake Särkijärvi.

Finland is full of forests. But I've always found photography inside a forest a tricky task. Contrasts are usually harsh. It's hard to find organised views. There's lots of details but usually not very distinctive or interesting. On this one I find low autumn sidelight nice mixing well with colours of nature.

bema, Dashab, phwall, plimrn has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

bema (9044) 2009-11-04 3:35

Hi Kari,

living in a forest regon for myself, i can understand your opinion, it´s really tricky to get the right moment and motive.., have done some similiar shot´s and uploaded here in my beginnigns..
nice side-light, good contrast and colors, in my eyes a perfect capture..

have a nice afternoon, Bernd

Dashab (1199) 2009-11-04 3:58

Hello Kari,
I love this shot of a forest "interior". I share in your frustration about photogrphing it, not only because of the light, but also composition-wise. Here, you have done an extremely good job on both counts. The open space in the centre gives the eye a path to follow, it does not get lost in a jumble of trees (therefore not seeing the forest :-)). Another thing that helps here is that you are on the edge of the forest and the blue of a lake (?) and the sky can be seen.
Lovely autumnal colours and a great light, too.
TFS and greetings from Prague, Dasha

mortijo (12384) 2009-11-04 5:58

Hi Kari,
You got a good result in this forest shot. There is order in the chaos. The light is soft and there are no harsh shadows. The forest has an edge, a border on the waterside, and there is a semblance of a path leading us deeper into the picture.
Regards
John

ellelloo (4929) 2009-11-04 8:15

Hei Kari,
How aptly you describe the difficulties to get an interesting shot inside our forests! This however is not so disorganized a view. There is the lake front, which due to colour contrast forms a diagonal, even that it is partly hidden. Also there is an opening, some kind of path which leads the eye into the photo. The low light and long shadows, the beautiful, very natural fall colours and blue of the lake and sky make this an attractive shot. An inviting one!
Terveisin,
Lasse

saxo042 (16234) 2009-11-04 9:34

Hi Kari,
I agree, pictures inside forests are usually not very easy to take. But you have succeeded very well here, there seems to be a lot of air around the trees and the lake in the background helps a lot with its blue colour.
Kind regards
Gunnar

phwall (5701) 2009-11-04 12:30

Hi Kari,
I agree with your comment about it being difficult to shoot inside a forest. However, you have made a very good job here, the shot is composed expertly, the depth is good and the light is very pretty.
I like being able to glimpse the water through the trees, the scattering of autumn colours is also very pretty.
Good job.
Regards
Peter

emjleclercq (14494) 2009-11-04 12:59

A beautifull forest view, with a very good light, and thus good colors, including the sky visible between the trees.

All the best,

Emmanuel

plimrn (19694) 2009-11-04 19:35

Hi Kari,
I agree with your comments about forest pictures and I'm very impressed with your masterful light management with the delicate detail of the green and gold leaves against a sky the is actually blue. The low light turns the fallen leaves red and casts long, dramatic tree shadows. I also like the hillside angle, the diagonal of the path leading to the lake and the tree roots
HLJ, Pat

delpeoples (6720) 2009-11-05 0:53

Hi Kari, a clever title for a very beautiful photo. You have overcome the problem of harsh contrasts in light and delivered a photo which soothes the soul. I feel peaceful and de-stressed just looking at it. The vertical frame was a good choice and the Autumnal tones and shadows beautifully rendered. Great job, TFS, Lisa

pasternak (13632) 2009-11-05 1:08

Yes, it's very difficult to get a decent forest shot... here I think you succeeded in this, mainly due to the light that is captured. Very tranquil scenery.

Cheers
A

claudeD (11458) 2009-11-06 0:55

Hello Kari,

I can really agree with your note.Taking shots inside forests ist not a simple thing.I like the atmosphere what you are showing with your picture and the fine autumn colors.TFS.

With regards from Luxembourg

Jean-Claude

fanni (8847) 2009-11-06 2:43

Hi Kari,
I may humbly suggest that there's nothing better and sometimes nothing more emotional than "simple" Nature..
This is a really very beautiful "natural" view :) It must be very nice to walk among these trees along a curvy path on which lay "twisted" shadows and dry leaves.. it's a pity a photo can not "transfer" the air!
As far as the technical aspect is concerned, I consider it a VERY good quality photo :) Very good light management in such difficult conditions!
Warm regards,
Elena

Waylim (11147) 2009-12-09 15:25

Hi Kari,
The Beauty of the forrest is not easy to convey in photograph, one has to be there right in the middle of it to be able to truly experience it. For one the light is difficult, two you can really tell how tall are the trees and how many there were there. I like this one, the light is well manage with good clarity and natural color and light. The little pathway invited us in. Pristine nature and beautifully preserved in this image. Thanks
Way

Photo Information

Copyright: Kari Tanskanen (ktanska) (16695)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-09-29
Categories: Nature
Camera: Canon EOS 350D, Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM, HOYA 72mm circular polariser
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/80 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-11-04 3:15
Favorites: 1 [view]