Photography Tips & Techniques – Trees

By Harvey Smart

The theme of our next photography competition is ‘Trees & Leaves’.

These beautiful, important and often ancient organisms are all around us, and make fantastic and varied subjects for photography. Here are a few simple tips to get the best shots possible!

Think about light

Golden hour (the period just after sunrise and before sunset when the sun is low in the sky) provides warm, soft light and long shadows, great for mood and backlighting, making leaves glow.

Consider your perspective

Consider the angle and position you’re shooting from. Get low on the ground to create a majestic towering feel, or conversely, step back and shoot from further away, showing patterns and symmetry in tree formations. Or get in really close to highlight details and interesting features in bark or leaves.

Use leading lines and framing

Look for patterns in branches that guide your eye through the image. Also use tree-lined paths or rows in orchards and forests. You can also try using leaves and other vegetation to frame your image, creating interest in the foreground and background.

Utilise colours

This time of year, autumn is in full swing and deciduous trees will be losing their leaves. Try to capture the full range of yellows, greens and oranges this short period offers.

Most importantly, take a minute to just relax and appreciate the majesty of these fascinating organisms. Have fun exploring and seeing trees in a new light!

We can’t wait to see the images you send in. Happy shooting!