Photographing kudzu vines and similar subjects
Oct 16, 2021 00:23:55 #
Having recently moved south I've become more aware of kudzu and other vines. The visual impact is that of a roadside sea of green that covers and smothers all other vegetation and structures in its path.
My question is, how do you photographically convey the feeling you get when you see this monstrous growth? The subject will generally be uniformly green without any distinctive visual elements.
So how do you photographially capture the menace, the power, the creepiness of this invasive species?
My question is, how do you photographically convey the feeling you get when you see this monstrous growth? The subject will generally be uniformly green without any distinctive visual elements.
So how do you photographially capture the menace, the power, the creepiness of this invasive species?
Oct 16, 2021 00:53:43 #
Orphoto
Loc: Oregon
As a northerner, just guessing here. How about locating a vulnerable subject at the margins, about to be smothered. Getting down low and wide. Emphasize the difference in sizes.
Oct 16, 2021 02:06:57 #
Orphoto wrote:
....Getting down low and wide.....
It sounds like getting in close and shooting wide while including some background is what's needed. With a wide angle lens you can give the impression that the background goes on for ever, and it doesn't have to be pin sharp (but it does need to be recognisable).
Oct 16, 2021 12:55:26 #
I would first find an area where the under structure varies in height giving a waviness to the covering vines. Then shoot early or late to take advantage of shadows.
Oct 16, 2021 13:56:55 #
wjones8637 wrote:
Absolutely! This would be a perfect subject for side lighting and shadows. Or maybe you can find something under a streetlight or during a full moon, to shoot at night I would first find an area where the under structure varies in height giving a waviness to the covering vines. Then shoot early or late to take advantage of shadows.
From viewing some photos via a Google search, a recognizable subject only partially covered - as mentioned by Orphoto earlier - would be a good goal IMO.
Oct 16, 2021 14:07:56 #
Typical advice so far. Might work, most likely not. WYSIWYG, whether it serves your purpose or not.
Why would an image of kudzu show menace ? What you’ve seeing is huge success. There may well be no visual trickery to make that success look like great menace instead.
Why would an image of kudzu show menace ? What you’ve seeing is huge success. There may well be no visual trickery to make that success look like great menace instead.
Oct 16, 2021 14:10:32 #
User ID wrote:
Maybe you need to watch more episodes of The Twilight Zone ...There may well be no visual trickery to make that success look like great menace instead.
First photo from
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/weeds/kudzu-information-and-removal.htm
Photo below is from: https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/indiana/stories-in-indiana/kudzu-invasive-species/
Oct 16, 2021 14:55:40 #
User ID wrote:
Actually a huge failure from a human caused invasive species. Why would an image of kudzu show menace ? What you’ve seeing is huge success.
"Kudzu was intentionally introduced to North America by the Soil Erosion Service and Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s for the purpose of controlling soil erosion in the American Southeast. When kudzu was first introduced in the southeast, it was initially used as an ornamental vine to shade homes." Then it didn't settle for houses, choking out vegetation, flowers, etc. I have literally seen it cover a telephone post, cover the wires, and go down on the other side of a road.
Oct 16, 2021 15:49:03 #
In starting this topic I wondered how a professional photographer would approach this assignment: to take pictures of kudzu to illustrate a magazine article (think NatGeo) on the threats and dangers from this invasive species.
Yes, User ID, kudzu is a "success". But my hypothetical magazine article is focused on the dark side of kudzu, the overpowering envelopment of anything in its path. So, less emphasis on science, more on, as Linda alluded to, "The Twilight Zone".....
For me, this would be a very tough assignment. You all have come up with some good approaches. Appreciated.
Yes, User ID, kudzu is a "success". But my hypothetical magazine article is focused on the dark side of kudzu, the overpowering envelopment of anything in its path. So, less emphasis on science, more on, as Linda alluded to, "The Twilight Zone".....
For me, this would be a very tough assignment. You all have come up with some good approaches. Appreciated.
Oct 16, 2021 16:44:22 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
Maybe you need to watch more episodes of The Twilight Zone
First photo from
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/weeds/kudzu-information-and-removal.htm
First photo from
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/weeds/kudzu-information-and-removal.htm
Beautiful, but I love Two 🏆💚🏆💚🏆
Oct 16, 2021 16:58:44 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
Maybe you need to watch more episodes of The Twilight Zone
First photo from
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/weeds/kudzu-information-and-removal.htm
First photo from
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/weeds/kudzu-information-and-removal.htm
Linda, that second photo really tells the story. A fitting backdrop for a "Twilight zone"/"Outer Limits" story. The car adds a nice touch to give us a sense of scale (I hope they didn't stay there too long!🙄)
Oct 16, 2021 17:01:28 #
srt101fan wrote:
Sorry for any confusion. It's not my photo. The attribution is in the caption.Linda, that second photo really tells the story. A fitting backdrop for a "Twilight zone"/"Outer Limits" story. The car adds a nice touch to give us a sense of scale.
Oct 16, 2021 17:03:08 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
Sorry for any confusion. It's not my photo. The attribution is in the caption.
I realize that. But you found, you posted. Thanks!
Oct 16, 2021 17:03:50 #
srt101fan wrote:
Oh OK, good. Our Mr. Google is awesome, isn't he? I realize that. But you found, you posted. Thanks!
Oct 16, 2021 17:20:32 #
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