grandpaw

A lot of people like to take pictures of trees and I find that perfectly fine, I have done it myself. My problem is when I watch a video blog of someone just out taking pictures and they give me the impression that they feel the need to take some tree photos to be like other photographers. This is not a teaching video but someone out walking around and picks some gosh awful tree to take a picture of and then tries to give some strange reasons for taking the picture, like they are trying to justify their choice. If it is something that appeals to you then just take the picture and be happy. A few that I have seen seem like they feel obligated to take a tree photo to be like everyone else. These are NOT teaching videos. The impression I get is they are trying to give some deep meaning to their choice to justify taking the image. If you like it and think it worthy of a photo just take and be done with.

It is not the fact that a picture of a tree was taken but the reasons for having the need to explain is what I have a problem with.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

I was tempted to say yes. 😜🤪
But I’m guessing that you just clicked “quick reply” which won’t give you the option. Try clicking “reply” directly under one of the posts and you’ll see the upload option.

Real Nikon Lover Loc: Simi Valley, CA

Sometimes I find joy in shooting tree remnants. They remind me of a once great thing gone. But remembered again.

(Download)

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Click on any Reply, or if you want to respond to a specific post, click on Quote Reply under that post. At the bottom of the page that opens you'll see "Choose file". Clicking on that opens a browser which you can use to navigate to the image you want to upload. Double click on the image to upload it, and if you want the full size image available for (Download), check the (store original) box, then click on "Add Attachment". Add whatever text you want in the Reply box and then click on "Send".

foggypreacher Loc: Dickinson, Texas

Linda, I was born and raised in Maine. I like you photo. This scene is very reminiscent of being out on the road after a good snowstorm to see what the world looked like. The maple tree I uploaded was very good for those types of photos. Unfortunately, I cannot find any other than this one.

Amator21 Loc: California

I like that answer! But ignorance can be cured!

Harryd68959

There are some trees I consider old friends and every year if I pay attention they reward me with an illustration of this worlds beauty.

Amator21 Loc: California

Thank you. You represent the part of UHH that is very helpful!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I know you're making a serious and valid point, but this comment really struck my funny bone 🤭

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

So, simply put, your topic was kind of a rant about a small aspect of 21st century photography, social sharing. Hopefully you feel better now, though perhaps not watching video blogs would be helpful for your future well being? 🤔

RodeoMan Loc: St Joseph, Missouri

No it is not "just a tree" It has merit in its own right beyond whether or not the sun has shone on it in such a way as to render it a dynamic subject for a photograph. In the long run of time, given a choice between having a tree or a photograph of the tree regardless of how dramatic, I'd choose the tree.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

The next tip is use the "quote reply" button when speaking to a single person, especially in a topic that is moving fast and has many posters and many pages. As you can see, your comment did not attach itself to the person who helped you

srg

The very fact that you pose such a question is proof enough of the fact that no amount of explanation is possible for you. Humans have souls. Therefore they make and appreciate art.

Retina Loc: Near Charleston,SC

I am guessing you are referring to a recent unpleasant experience, probably only one, with a photographer whose tree picture was not so good but felt compelled to explain over a span of ten minutes his reason for taking it. It sounds like he was excited about photography and just needed more experience. Nothing wrong with excitement. I hope you pointed out the good aspects and made some suggestions with a tone of encouragement. But I would be amazed if any other hoggers can relate similar experiences of being cornered by untalented photographers with mediocre tree pictures trying convince them of their reasons for taking them. I haven't read all the posts, but enough to say you seem to have more than your share of bad luck with this type of encounter. Perhaps I should go to more photo exhibits and stand around pictures of single trees and see who approaches. Maybe you have something there.

MJPerini

I would say this, If you are talking about pictures with artistic intent, Really good pictures are rare things, at least in relation to the number of pictures taken.
Ansel Adams once said that when he was at the height of his powers and energy he considered 10 or 12 really successful pictures a year to be great output. But he certainly 'took' hundreds or thousands more.

But there are lots of different kinds of pictures besides pictures that rise to the level of Art. There are pictures for illustration, family pictures, vacation pictures, evidence pictures, scientific pictures and lately pictures that substitute for language----"Is THIS the kind of Pasta you told me to buy.?" All valid uses.
A musical analogy might be a Guitar, Anyone can buy one, and with just a few lessons can learn a few chords and play a song, and that is nice, But to make Art with the guitar like Segovia, or Wes Montgomery, or Mark Knopfler is a whole different matter. Even if we get serious with the Guitar, we learn, mostly by imitating, until maybe one day we get good enough to do something original.
It's the same with photography, the barrier to entry is very low, any modern camera makes most of the basic technical stuff easy, and that is a wonderful thing, but only half the story. If you have artistic intent, you look at great pictures and consciously or unconsciously replicate them. And there are countless subjects that have become cliche's because if that. Like any other subject you can name, there are countless bad pictures of it, and a few great ones. Like any creative medium, mastering the tools has to be a given and just a starting point. The more important and difficult piece of the puzzle is Having something to say.
So rather than "Not Getting" other peoples pictures of trees or any other thing, ask yourself what you have to say with photography, then try to say it. You'll find that it isn't so easy.
Or, you may conclude that you really don't have artistic aspirations for your photography, but enjoy doing it-----that is fine too. Taking great family pictures is one of Photography's highest and best uses. Or taking pictures of places you have been, or photographing things that are personally meaningful to you. All can bring joy.

Are 'Lone Trees' a popular subject? Sure, trees are beautiful so 'why not try' and we all (or most of us) have tried. Most of us fail, far more than we succeed. Most of us are also not strict enough editors of our work.
But just because you or I do not 'Get' a particular picture doesn't mean it is not meaningful to someone else.
So worry less about what you don't get, and more about what you have to say with your pictures, then go out and try to make a good one. It's not so easy.