Dixiegirl Loc: Alabama gulf coast

Finding Character…When you are out shooting, go slowly and take the time to study every subject for interesting characteristics. All settings that contain flowers, leaves, trees and bugs have the potential to reveal elements of character. Character is reflected in an object’s distinctive shape, remarkable lines, exceptional contrast, unusual pattern, unique texture or special light. Finding character in nature is about creating images that set themselves apart from the ordinary and mundane that most photographers capture.

Know your environment…One of the benefits of macro photography is that the environment is constantly changing with the different seasons. The life cycle of the plants we shoot are changing monthly. Study and learn the patterns of the environment that you shoot in so you will be in the right place at the right time.

Do you think before you press the shutter...Once you find a subject and set up your tripod and camera to take the shot, do you think to yourself, “Have I seen this subject composed in this manner before?” If you have, then don’t shoot. We all study other photographers’ work online, and we have all seen thousands of images of flowers and other macro subjects. If you are composing your subject as you have seen it done before, then find a way to compose the subject to make it different than anything you have seen before. If you want your images to stand out, then stop copying others and come up with your own unique way of seeing a subject…Mike Moats

And I’d like to add a few of my own ideas about what might be examples of character in nature…ordinary subjects in unique situations or ‘poses’, wildlife (especially birds in my experience) behaving in a manner that make them appear almost human, and plants/flowers growing in unusual ways or places.

My first example is “Where does a dragon go to die?” This lady simply found herself a lovely twig and went to sleep. I’d never seen anything quite like this before, and I think she remained beautiful even in death.

Next example is part of an even stranger situation I came across in the delta, because there was a lazy gator sunning about a foot away from these two. Apparently nobody was hungry at the time.

Please try the downloads for best clarity, and please add your own ideas and examples of Character in Nature.

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Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

What a find with both of your photos, Donna! Great impact.

One I didn't get around to posting to my backlighting topic is below. I bet Mike will know the name Think how differently this presents in this light than if the sun was behind me. The background is a cliffside in deep shadow, making it much easier to edit to black.

on Flickr

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

The essence of Red Twig Dogwood bushes...a winter discovery I call "Red Sticks in the Snow"

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Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

Very good! I was just admiring those here this morning. Red Osier we call them.

Mike

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

I love the snake photo.

Mike

Dixiegirl Loc: Alabama gulf coast

Thanks, Linda, and speaking of impact, what a wonderful example of how the direction and quality of light makes all the difference! Very dramatic!

Dixiegirl Loc: Alabama gulf coast

And I'd encourage a download on your red twigs, Linda. How they shine in winter!

Dixiegirl Loc: Alabama gulf coast

Thanks, Mike. Everyone in the scene was simply enjoying the sun.

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

Very dramatic! I like it.

It is Fiddleneck, I believe - Amsinckia spp. from the Borage family.

Mike

rockdog Loc: Berkeley, Ca.

There is wisdom here! Taking the time to find character in any photographic subject is a worthwhile goal for all of us. Knowledge of subject not only produces more interesting images, it is rewarding in and of itself! Thank you for this Donna and Mike. These are excellent examples.

Dixiegirl Loc: Alabama gulf coast

Thanks, Phil, and you are so right about knowledge of subject. It is indeed rewarding in and of itself! Photography creates curiosity..or it should imo.

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

What we think of as character in this context is "interesting or unusual qualities." I was hiking through the woods yesterday admiring the textures of the bark on the different trees. I was on a heavily wooded dune, a typical Beech-Maple forest with a few White pine and Balsam fir mixed in, but as you go farther in there are a lot of Northern red oak trees, as well, the odd Yellow birch here and there, and several dozen mature Paper birch trees, some of them gigantic. In the spring this forest floor is covered with blossoms - Pink lady-slippers, Starflower, and Canada mayflower primarily.

I thought this scene was interesting with the three different contrasting bark textures next to each other. On the left is a Paper birch, and on the right a young American beech. The middle tree is Striped maple, an under-story tree with huge leaves and distinctive striped bark. As you can see, we still have quite a bit of snow on the ground. You might notice the buds on the shoots from the Striped maple, and the Northern red oak leaves on the ground.

Bark texture certainly gives trees character.

Mike

Tree trunks on Flickr

Dixiegirl Loc: Alabama gulf coast

Thank you, Rick!

Dixiegirl Loc: Alabama gulf coast

It certainly does, Mike, and your beautiful image with three very differently textured bark is a great example!