subscribe 0330 333 1113 I http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk I 23 November 2019 19
Scout
your area
It’s often best to
scout a location
several times before
taking your full list
of equipment.On the
outside
Resist the temptation
to walk straight into a
woodland. It’s often
easier to spot scenes
or areas of interest
while looking into
the woodland from
the outside.Take your
time
Shooting woodland
can be daunting, so
don’t rush straight in.
It will take time to get
your eye in so walk
slowly and enjoy
your surroundings.Be inspired
I often look for
inspiration and
enjoy viewing images
from masterful
photographers I follow
on social media. There
are so many talented
UK landscape
photographers who
shoot beautiful
woodland scenes.Know the
direction of
the light
Even with fl at light or
mist I fi nd it useful to
know where the light
is coming from when
I shoot a particular
scene I’ve scouted.
I tend to prefer
shooting in a backlit
scene or with sidelight
to add drama.Compose
your scene
Don’t just look with
your eyes; sometimes
it’s also a good idea
to look through the
viewfi nder. Even ifyou’re not sure
of a scene there’s
sometimes something
there when viewed
through the camera.Lens choice
I’ve found shooting
with a focal length
between 35mm and
100mm to be most
common within my
photographs. I often
walk around with a
24-70mm, but I very
rarely shoot wider
than 35mm.Get out
there and try
Many people avoid
woodland because
they have been led
to believe that it’s one
of the more diffi cult
landscape genres.
I, for one, have
embraced the
challenge over the
past few years and
have found it to
be very enjoyable
and rewarding.Experiment
with
processing
Over the years I’ve
learnt Lightroom
and Photoshop by
experimenting! It’s
important to create
your own vision in
photography, and
through years of
watching countless
YouTube tutorials and
experimenting I am
more confi dent in
producing an image
I envisaged from the
shoot. Split toning is
a great place to start,
but don’t be scared
to use the HSL colour
sliders and really
experiment until you
reach your own vision.Stay safe
Try going to a new
woodland with a
friend or tell people
where you’re going.‘Hope’ also shot in
Wistman’s Wood
Nikon Z 7, 24-70mm lens,
1/250sec at f/9, ISO 250Neil Burnell’s
simple steps