This Leaf and log have visual character, are complimentary to each other, and balance each other in the composition.
Looking for subjects in the woods can be a bit like a treasure hunt sometimes. I suppose you could photograph any ordinary ol’ leaf, or any log, any flower -but then what you might end up with is an ordinary photograph. Finding subjects with visual character requires a bit more searching. When I started to think about what leads up to finding such subjects, I noted these three basic premises:
Examination
I am quite familiar with the woods around where I live. I have hiked through them so much it sometimes feels like staring at the back of my hand. Despite being familiar with the territory and habitats, walking through them to find photographs can be a little like finding a needle in a haystack. Sure there are a lot of trees, leaves, logs, ponds – but many of them look ordinary to me by now. Perhaps it is because I am overly familiar with them. So I really look for details that are a bit different, details that give the subject some character.
Walking through the woods becomes like having a conversation with them. A lot of small talk going on, but after awhile, something interesting is revealed. An interrogation is taking place whether you consciously acknowledge it or not.
Alternate composition of an interesting leaf and log
Alternate composition of an interesting leaf and log
Patience
I have my good days and bad days with this. I can definitely tell the effect of lack of patience on my creative process. The leaf and log image for this post was made at the very end of my hike this morning. I made various images a long the way, but I really didn’t come across this cool patterned log until the very end. It was new, interesting and full of character. A very small feature in a very large wooded area that is probably impossible to explore down to every finite detail. For the unique things I stumble upon, I feel quite fortunate about.
I believe the the biggest impact on our patience is setting up expectations beforehand. We hope or expect to return home with some images we can be proud of, and when that isn’t coming together like we had hoped, our patience thins. It is a reminder to relax, check your expectations, enjoy the moment, and details will reveal themselves to you. At the very minimum, you will have received some exercise and a nice walk in the woods.
Persistence
Getting out of bed is certainly the first step in the creation of any photograph. You may have no idea about what or where you want to photograph, but it certainly isn’t going to be created while you are sleeping. I just wish a comfortable bed and state of relaxation weren’t such a strong deterrent! 🙂
Finding that needle in a haystack requires persistence once you are out there. Persistence to find something unique that you haven’t acknowledged before. When you do find something, it may require working it a bit to find a good composition.
I find that taking a few initial images and then examining them in two dimensions on the back of the camera helps start the flow of creative ideas. I found something interesting, now how do I make it into an interesting photograph? One does not always result in the other. Does it fit more naturally as a vertical, horizontal, or both? What are some interesting geometric features to use to guide the viewers’ eyes?
I didn’t come away with a lot of images today, but I am happy to have found this interesting log and complimentary leaf. Their visual character tells a bit of a story in the decay of natural elements, with a lot of interesting texture and lines. My woods revealed something to me that I hadn’t seen before. A reward for getting out of bed…examination, patience, and persistence.
“I believe the the biggest impact on our patience is setting up expectations beforehand”.
I think you hit the proverbial nail on the head with this statement Mark. Almost without fail when I build my expectations up in hopes of grand imagery I am mostly let down. My time spent in nature must first be about the connection on any given day, it’s seem to be only after I find that connection images start to appear before me.
Great food for thought.
You aren’t alone there Brad.
@ David, I think many people would notice much more if they just slowed down a little. Photographers have that extra incentive to slow down.
@ Monte, thanks! Nothing like the smell of fresh air on a cool, crisp morning – I particularly love it after a strong storm has passed during the night.
I like this statement you made, “It is a reminder to relax, check your expectations, enjoy the moment, and details will reveal themselves to you.” And, I could not agree more with getting out of bed or sitting along a pond in the cold and damp air in anticipation of forming clouds or color or whatever nature will bring into our frames, or not.
Beautiful woods photo and a very helpful discussion. It is patience and persistence to see deeper into the ordinary that I notice my father and other highly successful nature photographers have in larger amounts than many people.
Persistence certainly paid off here. The details and patterns are powerful and rich, yet subtle.
Sometimes, it certainly is difficult to get past those concepts we have about what we are seeing. Seeing for the first time is easier said than done. All too often, I find myself fretting impatiently and expecting something to speak up and announce itself to me. Meanwhile, I cling foolishly to my old ideas of what is in front of me. It seems that I want the scene before me to look different and more “intersting”, when the truth is that I merely need to actually see what is there. This is a valuable reminder of how to shake up our thinking about what is in front of us. Thanks.
I think we all put similar pressures on ourselves. I know I feel it. I stare at the ground, some leaves, a group of trees and wonder why I am not seeing what “I should be” seeing. Hard not to get wrapped up in it.
I threw my expectations out a long time ago…I have enough problems in my life without having to stop enjoying my time outside because of creative pressures I would force upon myself.
There are times I wouldn’t even pull my camera out because I was too busy enjoying the beauty of the scene I happened upon !!
I can relate Bernie – who needs the extra pressure eh? Thanks for commenting.
Nice job of describing what can be a difficult process sometimes, Mark. Almost anyone who goes to a major vista spot can find Visual Character…but in your back yard or local woods, not so easy. Good post and wonderful images.
Thanks Earl. I have often wondered if the more well known spots actually begin to lose some character because people become so familiar with them.
Really enjoyed this one Mark. I particularly liked the analogy of a conversation or interrogation with the forest. What I find interesting is that one can go to the same place so many times and still find interesting things. And some days you go out and come back with nothing (but, as you say, still had a pleasant time outdoors introspecting)and other times, when the muse is there, you can just keep shooting. It has to be something within as the environment is clearly the same!
And I also like the shots you came home with there!
Thanks for the feedback Howard. I completely agree, although I am still searching for what it is that makes us more receptive on some days versus others.
Great post, Mark. When I first started reading, I thought: I wonder if he has had the same experience as I have … it takes a while to see something after first getting there? I take it that is the case. I need a bit of time to let my expectations bleed away. Sometimes they don’t and, more often than I care to admit, I come home with a load of …. well … crap! 🙂
And yes, getting out of that bed can sometimes be a challenge, and not an easy challenge. The photos are great. I’m glad that you found your needle!
Thanks Paul – yes, I think we are the same in taking awhile to warm up to a place or situation. I suppose I often personify a place or situation as in they initially treat you like a stranger. They have their guard up, not willing to reveal too much that might be considered intimate or personal. But when you spend some time with them, more openness is brought out.
I can certainly relate to times of coming home with crap. I can’t say that was ever in my expectation when I forced myself out of bed. 🙂 Thanks for contributing to this Paul, always great to hear I am not totally off base on these posts.
Good post, Mark, both describing your experience and giving advices to others. The persistence part is what I know very well. I take vast majority of my flowers indoors in my temporary studio (normally a dinning room) where the ideal light is after lunch when my body strongly resists any physical and mental work. I know that if I persist I will end up with some pleasing images in that day and that’s what drives me.
Regarding the photos, I like both even though the horizontal composition works a little bit better for me as the stem of the leaf points to the corner and leads my eyes from the corner to the center of the image. In the vertical compositions it is not so straightforward. One more note, in smaller size the photos look a bit chaotic because of so many details and only in bigger size all the beauty is revealed.
Hey Tomas – good for you on those after lunch images. It is usually nap-time for me. 🙂
To your point on the smaller versions, yeah – I think it is harder to separate the shapes and even perhaps recognize the leaf which probably leads to the chaos you mention.
Thank you for your comment.
Yes, very good post. I have been lazy lately about getting out. This is very inspiring, and the shots are gorgeous. So much color, form, and detail in that leaf and log.
I can relate Amber. It is one of the hardest things to overcome sometimes. Thanks so much.
Good post, Mark. The leaf and log photos are beautiful. I think if we keep our photographic expectations realistic, the basic premises are not as daunting.
Agree Ken… managing expectations can be what is is all about. Thanks!
Inspiring post and great photos Mark! Thanks for sharing. I’ll go for cacti forests here on Bonaire to practice with the three premises you suggest…
I look forward to seeing some cacti forest shots Marco. You have plenty of them to work with down there! 🙂 I also found the use of cacti fences very interesting and ingenious when I was there. That reminds me, I have some shots I need to process from my point and shoot.