Florida tree photography
Nov 11, 2018 15:55:42 #
Getting tired of taking bird photos in Florida after several thousand. Does anyone know of a good book on the trees of Florida?
Nov 11, 2018 16:05:45 #
Nov 12, 2018 08:44:16 #
wham121736 wrote:
Getting tired of taking bird photos in Florida after several thousand. Does anyone know of a good book on the trees of Florida?
You have two choices in Florida, Cypress & Palm.....
Florida Fabulous Trees by Williams, the cheap option ~$3.00
Trees of Florida by Nelson, the non-cheap option, ~$30.00
GO to any swamp and there will be a plethora of trees to photograph,
Nov 12, 2018 08:47:42 #
Nov 12, 2018 09:12:36 #
olemikey
Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida
If you are into projects - Do your own "Trees of Florida" book or album, break it down with descriptions, primary shot, still life in its native environment, pics of bark, leaves, limbs, fruit/nuts/flowers, roots, pests, locations (Coastal, interior, swamps, scrub forest, riverside, lakeside, etc. etc.), who lives in them, etc. One real nice thing about the "flora", don't usually have to chase them!!!.....unless they are Triffids, gotta watch out for those!!! Great excuse to see the state for what it really is/was (paradise or paradise lost)!! 
Thinks of the "Highwaymen" still life paintings, collections of those are very treasured.
Thinks of the "Highwaymen" still life paintings, collections of those are very treasured.
Nov 12, 2018 09:46:45 #
TonyF wrote:
Banyan trees are great, what area will you be in?
Tho there are many Banyan in FL, they are not native. Also most of the palms that decorate our cities are not native. Imported from the islands.
Nov 12, 2018 09:47:08 #
gvarner
Loc: Central Oregon Coast
The light is what will matter the most. In the proper light, any tree can be magnificent. Plus a book titled something like Trees of Florida would be useful if you want to associate species with photo. Otherwise just go with light and patterns in your compositions. Be sure to identify a primary subject and create a composition that will bring the eye back to it. Most of what you’ll see in tree identity books are not great on artistic merit. The nice thing about trees is that they don’t move around like birds, giving you time to manage the light.
Nov 12, 2018 09:55:15 #
I had started a project about trees a few years ago, and in fact sponsored a project at Corkscrew Sanctuary to recognize the fact that they have the largest old growth bald cypress forest in the world. I found shooting trees to be in fact pretty difficult. As noted by gvarner the light as in all photos really matters. Perspective, scale, maybe a pc lens, detail, bark, leaves, branches all add a lot to the story. But just shooting up at a tree is difficult. Also consider that most trees are habitats for other life - birds, insects, lichen, moss . . . and the inhabitants vary with the elevation of the tree. What grows on the trunk at the bottom is different at the top. There really is a lot of story to tell.
Nov 12, 2018 10:14:26 #
TonyF
Loc: Bradenton, FL
John Howard wrote:
Tho there are many Banyan in FL, they are not native. Also most of the palms that decorate our cities are not native. Imported from the islands.
Didn't realize the OP was interested in only native trees.
Nov 12, 2018 11:57:31 #
TuG
Loc: Ventura California
I have been down this road and found it to be fun and well worth the effort. The challenges of photographing trees will make you think light and shadows. A polarized lens is a must for the bark of some trees and the leaves or needles of others. Color checker card really a must on reddish barked trees.
I used a gps to track my adventures through the trees. There always seems to be one tree you want to photograph again to get it right. Spring is one of my favorite times to do trees because of the way leaves unfold from the buds. Most importantly, have fun in this new world opening up in front of you.
I used a gps to track my adventures through the trees. There always seems to be one tree you want to photograph again to get it right. Spring is one of my favorite times to do trees because of the way leaves unfold from the buds. Most importantly, have fun in this new world opening up in front of you.
Nov 12, 2018 11:59:41 #
Nov 12, 2018 12:27:46 #
olemikey
Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida
rpavich wrote:
Yes, his work is beautiful, and inspiring!!!
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