Art | STYLE
Season of
photographic fruitfulness Pete Lock Photography
By Tra cy Ca lder, co-fou nder of the a n nua l Close-up Photog rapher of the Yea r competition
A
utumn has a unique way of satisfying the senses. As a keen close-up photographer, I can often be found lying among the leaf litter inhaling the rich scent of decaying bark, twigs, and leaves. Lying still you become more aware of your surroundings: a twitching leaf pile betrays the presence of a small bird or mammal, the squeak of branches rubbing against each other adds music, and the mild discomfort of acorns and pine cones digging into your ribs reminds you that this is a season of great renewal and abundance. It’s a fabulous time to explore nature with your camera. But with so much going on it can be hard to know where to begin. To help, we have compiled a list of tips covering everything from freezing motion to celebrating shadows and playing with light.
1. Look up We often take pictures at eye-level, but there’s much to be gained from looking up. In colder months, many trees begin to lose their leaves and the canopy changes daily. Spend time in Dickson’s Copse and you’ll soon see what I mean. A wide-angle lens is great for including the trunk and boughs of a tree and giving a sense of it soaring straight up into the sky.
September and October 2021
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