I have been experimenting with focus staking and forest/woodland photography. I liked the way the sun accented the grasses in the front and sections of the trunk. I kept a bit of sky to help with depth and did some dodging and burning for local contrast. All comments welcome.
ISO 640; f8.0; 1/140 sec; aps-c 60mmm (90mm ff equiv). 4 photo stack.
Hey Charles - I am having a tough time seeing what you saw. I think it’s a combination of subtle light and a very busy scene. What was your intent with this composition? Did you get to spend some time in the area and try different views? I’m blocked and it could be just me.
Hey Kristen - thanks for the question! Here is what I see: the oak tree provides some structure in the center of the composition and the subtle light adds mood along with the highlights cutting through from the low light. From top to bottom there are three bands (grass, shrubs/trees, sky) with the oak running through them. The grasses in the foreground would be out of focus even with f8.0 and so I did a photostack (the branches behind are less important). I also think they are of interest in focus. I am trying to balance complexity with structure. These oak savanas (I think that is the right term) are very messy, there is no approach to these oaks without grassses in the foreground. I thought of zooming in even more, but liked the sky because I felt it gives some depth. Not sure the light is quite right, it may need higher contrast. And maybe the lines I describe aren’t there for you. In short it’s an attempt to convey the complexity and the power of the oak. Still not working? (no worries if not!)
