Woodland Landscape Photography - Composition Tips - Wistman's Wood Dartmoor / Devon
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- čas přidán 12. 09. 2024
- Woodland photography is the hardest genre of landscape photography, and achieving great compositions can be a huge challenge.
I return to Wistman’s Wood on Dartmoor, Devon, and share my tips for creating compositions using separation with mist and/or shallow depth of field.
Wistman’s Wood - an old mysterious oakwood - on Dartmoor, is one of my favourite woodland locations in the UK, and I wanted to see if I can improve on the images from my previous visit.
Wistman's Wood was also the location for my first "proper" landscape photography vlog. Hopefully, I've improved my filmmaking and vlogging since then :-)
I used my Nikon Z6 and a 50mm prime.
Video filmed on a GoPro Hero 7.
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#landscapephotography #dartmoorphotography #woodlandphotography
Wow. I picked a great first video to watch after being away.
I don’t think I have mentioned it before but I really do love your cinematography. Those b-roll sections are wonderful.
As for favourite photo, I would rank them in order 6,5,4,1,3,2.
Thanks Mike, and welcome back! Appreciate you providing inout on the images. Ah, b-roll, sometimes it's more fun shooting that, than taking photos, when the weather is not cooperating 😀
5 for me me old fruit👍🏻 brilliant video! I love that location. I must visit again
Cheers Tom, i'll give you a shout when i'm down that way next, maybe a collab is in order again.
Number 5 for me, eerie and magical!
Hey Kathy, thanks for checking out this video too! Appreciate you taking time to comment 🙂 🙏
Number one for me. Great colours and composition.
Thanks! 😊
No. 5 by a street mile best woodland shot great videos Simon
Thanks for taking the time to comment, really interesting to get so much input 🙏😊
Definitely nr 1
5 is stunning. My personal favourite 😀
Thanks Matt 😊
wow! the weather! 😲
Yes, it gets pretty bad on Dartmoor, lots of wind and rain usually!
100% it's image 5 for me. Stunning light and colours, nicely composed, great shot
Thanks for your input Michael, appreciate that!
no 5 I loved the most
Thanks for commenting Sam Sam!
Images 2 and 4 are excellent!
Thanks James 😊🙏
My pick is 1st from over all, but love also 5 and 6, the strongest composition and mood.. Thank you for this unreal beauty!
Appreciate you watching and taking time to comment Vlasova 🙂
Those transition shots around the 3 minute mark are fantastic Simon. Wistmans has this allure and draw that I need to answer and it's been fascinating seeing you visit here in the summer as so many images are captured in autumn and winter. Great work, man, subbed on this one.
Casper, thanks so much for the kind comment 😊 Yes, it's a truly amazing place to visit any time of year.
Great work Simon, thanks for sharing the video.
Thanks for taking time to comment Adrian 😀
Really engrossed in this one! Oh, and if I’m forced to pick one: no 6 😊👍🏻
Thanks Dave, I've been getting presenting tips through watching a certain tog vlogger recently 😉 I was going to give you a shout this week, i'm sure you know why 😁
great images number 5 gets my vote without doubt
Thanks Derek, #5 appears to be winning then!
I really like no. four. Thanks for sharing
Thanks Tony!
I know nothing about photography but I can appreciate the effort that goes into it and how it looks so beautiful at the end, photo 5 and 6 were my favourites but they were all stunning
Appreciate you taking time to comment, thank you 🙏😊
Great video and pictures, for me nr 4.
Thanks, appreciate the comment René.
Like all of them. Amazing
Too kind! I've actually re-edited some of the image since this video, maybe time for a follow-up video 🙂
Great video, only been to this location once myself, but remember it being a truly magical place.
Image 5 is my fav
Thanks Julian. Yes, magical is the word, I love it there, and will return.
A great story Simon demonstrating the unpredictability of Dartmoor.
Number 6 gets my vote.
Thanks Stephen, the unpredictable and rapidly changing weather I think is what makes Dartmoor such an interesting place to photograph. Never a dull moment 😀
Great little film Simon - seemed longer that 6 mins which must be a good thing. Thats an eerie looking forest, must be some cool autumn shots to be had there too? No 4 for me, but its close with No 1 also. I think the mist just makes the shot 👍
Thanks Jamie, i'll have to think about it being a good thing, feeling longer than 6 minutes 🙄 Cheers!
Simon Burn Def a good thing - you packed a lot in a short period 👍
@@JamieOverland 🙏
They are all good in different ways. I like the f13 tree the f1.8 really don’t look right lol great video as always
Cheers Paul. Well, you would have to be different, wouldn't you, lol. 😁👍
#1 Is my favorite from the group.
Thanks for taking the time to comment Dave
Great video Simon. Awesome b roll you’ve done there (as always). Image 1 for me
Cheers Paul, thanks for commenting, really appreciated!
Very nice serie of photos, I like them all but my favourites are nr. 1, 4, and 6. Interesting channel, I'll watch more for sure.
Hi Fabrizio, appreciate you taking time to comment, many thanks 😀
Great video and lovely photos. My favorite was number 6.
Thanks for taking time to comment 😀
Great video Simon! I really like that you show what TO do, and what NOT to do. What works, and what doesn't. As far as images, I like 3 and 4 out of the 6, with 4 being my favorite. I love how the fog separates the tree from the rest of them. I took a similar photo (tree with foggy background) 3 1/2 years ago and just now realized why everyone loved that image. At the time I was just focusing and pressing a button. I always thought it was due to the ethereal look, but it was because it removed all the background clutter. It all kind of starts to make sense after a while. Thanks again!
Really appreciate you taking time to comment Barbara, thanks so much. Certainly with woodland, less is more and makes a better image, I just wish I'd have more fog/mist when I go to these locations!
The bane of our existence. Christopher Walken needed more cowbell, us photographers need more fog! :) @@SimonBurnCreative
@@blivieriphoto 😂😂😂
#4 is the best one by far for me! Great video!
Thanks!
Shots 5 and 6 work best for me, spooky like the wood. For anyone going to Wistmans Wood I strongly suggest you count on there not being fog when it's forecast and if it is there then work fast as it can vanish in a blink. I've never had it despite multiple visits, worse still was seeing it there from the hill once and then watching the wind blow it away before I could get there. Next time.
Very true, the fog is rare treat rather than the norm 👍
Another great watch Simon , i'm gonna say number 4 , I like the F1.8 .. closely followed by Number 1 and 5 in a tie :)
Cheers Ray, appreciate you commenting, this will be interesting to see what one wins in a few days 👍
Great video Simon. The choice of subtle background music was really fitting for this location and your B-roll effects added to the mystery of the place. Ancient woodland deserves to be respected and this was a masterclass in how to do it. I was very much inspired by your film and sorry that the conditions didn't last for you...That's photography for you!
Hey Simon, thanks for the comment, appreciate it Sir. It is a very fragile place and I hate seeing people trample all over the moss and break the branches etc. The advantage of being in these places with bad weather, as you know yourself, is you usually have the place to yourself. That in itself was a treat and made the trip worthwhile.
Image 4 for sur! Great work!
Appreciate you commenting Mark 🙂
My favorite is definitely number 6
Appreciate you commenting Ida 😊
@@SimonBurnCreativeyeah it's for sure good inspiration! So my thanks!
Great once again
Image 5
Cheers Darren, 5 is now inching its way forward!
Nice one! I’ll go with door #4. Second choice is #1.
Thanks Andy. I'm going to find this really interesting to get other people's opinions. I'm undecided right now.
Great video Simon Image 5 for me.
Cheers David!
Toss up between 1 and 2. Great video btw.
Thanks!
I really like 1 4 5 and 6. Personally I think 2 and 3 are busy and too much is happening, nevertheless great shots 😊
Thanks for your feedback, much appreciated 😃
#1 and #4 are my favorites.
Thanks for your input, appreciated 😀
Great vlog and such a shame about the weather not really playing ball, but you really did make the best of it, image 5 also for me :-)
Thanks Lee, yup, it's one of those places I think you need to keep going back to, as the weather changes dramatically by the minute there. Cheers!
No 1 for me Simon
Cheers Jon!
Excellent vlog buddy and love the images
Mark Mark. Hope all is well.
@@SimonBurnCreative yes apart from the d810 sinking lol
Another outstanding short film! For me, images 1 & 5. They create s sense of depth and atmosphere
Thanks, the wind was a problem with this one, so a bunch of stuff didn't make it in sadly. Appreciate you commenting (and watching)!
5 and 6 are really cool
thank you!
I genuinely love these videos Simon, I'm no landscape photographer (far from it) but I truly love the journey you take us on with them & the compositions you managed to capture were great, for me it was 1 & 4.
Thanks, it's a honour to have a non-photography video dude watching, and thanks for the audio tips, it worked a treat!
Shot #4 definitely my favourite, followed by 1 and then 6.
Great b-roll and loving the mysterious feel with the music.
Thanks Alistair!
Tough call Simon, but I’d have to say either 1 or 5.
Another great video matey and I hope you’re well 👍
Thanks for commenting Darren. All is well here, hope it's the same for you 😀
Hi Simon. I just found your page through Facebook. Great channel and videos. In regards to this video for me, it has to be between #3 and #5. Thanks for sharing!!
Hey Tim, that's great, appreciate you stopping by to watch and comment. Ah, yet another vote for #5 ! 😊
Great video. Great photos. I think I’d have to go with 6 or 5 as a close 2nd...I prefer that mood; dark and horror-esq..there is so much drama in them it’s positively eerie.
Cheers Mikey. It really is an eerie place when that fog rolls in. 🙏
Hi Simon,
For me it’s definitely no. 4. Been down to the woods twice before and I can appreciate how difficult it is to isolate a subject there. Look forward to more of you videos.
Hi Justin, thanks for dropping by and commenting! Isn't that woods wonderful? Hoping to go back soon 😃
My favourites are 5 and 1. i think I like 5 because of the colour and the diagonal and 1 because of the out of focus snow in the foreground
Thanks Cameron, appreciate your comment 👍
Still number 1 but I liked 6 as well.
Thanks! It's been interesting getting everyone's thoughts 😊
So there I was sat at the pc and 3 notifications pop up.... Thomas H, The Marathon Man (I'll you work that out) and Mr Simon... you get 1st viewing I say. Lovely location and one day it would be nice to travel down there myself, seen so many good images from this location. Great little epiosde Si and whilst you was stood there talking to camera in the mist I was shouting, turn around and shoot !! :) Glad to see you got something from there for sure and from the 6 at the end the 4th (from this present shoot) was my fave . Was it the best? I suppose that is subjective, but as it came up in the opening scene adn later it was the one that stood out for me. Loved the advice about getting down low to eradicate distractions, so often I don't do these simple techniques and often come away disappointed at the image I get.. must make a crib sheet methinks. It might have been only just oer 6mins but your mastery at b roll and production makes it a small cinematic experience - thank you. :)
Al, thanks so much, really appreciate your comments here. You really should pop down there to shoot, but it is very hit and miss though, with weather. I thought the same thing as you, with that great view behind me, and it was my intention to shoot that and more, but the fog vanished minutes after my first couple of shots, I was rather annoyed about that!
I'm feeling really guilty now I went with TH first, Simon next and still to come is Jon Gibbs.....😰
@@JamieOverland Ha, well that's you struck off my Christmas card list!
@@JamieOverland Great image by Thomas but felty the episode was a bit of a *filler* if I am honest....:) Quality over quantity Si ;)
Really fine and beautiful stuff man! Some of those shots looked as if they were underwater, brilliant. I blame the INGAFFERS! ☘️💪🏽🤠👍🏽☘️
Oh, those Ingaffers are trouble! Thanks for dropping by and commenting 😃
Capture number 5 stands out for me Simon👍, but number 1 is very close also 👏👏👏😄
Cheers Myk !
Lovely shots Simon 👌🏼 beautiful and the sound was great in this video
Thanks Andy. yes, I got some good audio advice - czcams.com/channels/05SCs4CLyancsFAqkjypJA.html
Well! A very varied day and as such a very wide open vlog, excellently put together and narrated full of details and knowledge. No. 6 by a country mile. Maybe 5 was the better composition but for me, the imagination and tones, wow number 6 is a fantastic shot 👌
Thanks Mali, the input here has been interesting. Appreciate your input, as always 🙏😊
Hi Simon, nicely done, I really like #5 for me the Blue and Yellow tint you feel like you are under water.
Thanks Bernard, you're certainly not the first to mention 5 as looking like it's under water. Hope to meet you soon at the Niagara Falls meetup 😀
Enjoyable vlog Simon. I think out of the images at the end, I liked 1 and 5, both really nice images.
Thanks Andrew! It's looking like 1 and 5 are fighting for top place now 😀
I love this
Eleven forest … cloud forests … a special interest of mine
I love 1 … it’s a dichotomy of darkness and luminosity.
It’s pure fey, that image.
I love six … haunting twilight light, shape and shadow. Moody elan.
Elven.
Autocorrect is the bane of my life.
Thanks Alana, appreciate your comment and input! 🙂
Great video as always Simon. I love that location. Judging by the conditions and how the weather has been the last two weeks, this looks around the same time I was at Cadover getting soaked for the sake of photography. Be cool to meet up sometime.
Ha, yes, one minute rain and wind, next bright sun, then for. All within half an hour sometimes! I love shooting on Dartmoor, may well bump into you one day 😀
#1
Hmmmm toss up between 1 & 4. I think 1 is more traditional and probably ticks more boxes but I’m drawn to the surreal look and it’s more unique nature of 4. In my humble opinion of course🙂. But hey, I’d be chuffed to have taken any of them. 👍
Thanks for the input Steve, appreciated 👍
I like nr 5 and then 4 photo.
Thanks, appreciate the input Tomasz 🙂 👍
What a location, Simon, fabulous. I really liked the shot of the wall and tree but it didn't make your cut! Standout images for me were number 1 and number 4.
Cheers Mikey, yeah, I should have gone wider with the wall shot, but it started raining heavy at that point. Thanks for your input mate!
Great location, would love to go there. Picture 1 still the best for me. Followed closely by 4 and 5. Picture 5 is drawing me in more and more lol, looks like its a forest under the sea.
Thanks Mike, I agree, pic 5 does look underwater-like. Appreciate your time to comment 🙏
nice video, think 1 and 6 and maybe 5
Ah, there's a theme running here with everyone's input. Thanks for taking the time to comment!
My second trip to Wistman's Woods. Was it more successful this time? Let me know what image from the two trips is the best, thanks!
i wish i could get some fog like that
Ha, yes, it makes all the difference. Sadly i only had it for about 10 minutes.
I like number 4
Thanks Chris!
#6
Thanks!
Great video. I love old woods. In answer to your question what is the best photo you've taken in Wistmans Woods? I'd say you've not yet taken your best photo of Wistmans Woods but from the 6 hmm 4? 1? 3? 6? 2? Maybe 4. Hope that helps
Thanks Gary, that was the best comment so far, you're saying I need to go back there, and that's fine with me 😃👍
No. 4
Thanks Alan 🙂
The compοsition at 2:05 imho could do without the first tree at right. Ommit it (about 1/6th of width) and then all the other trees look like they form a line dissapearing gradually into the mist. #2 and #5 do it for me.
Thanks, always appreciate this kind of feedback 😀
Between 1 or 5 for me.
My choice is image #1. The image seems more atmospheric and full of character.
Thanks for your input. A dusting of snow is not something we usually see there, and it was atmospheric for sure. Appreciate you taking time to comment 😊
4
👍
6 for me
Thanks!
@@SimonBurnCreative No worries, are you shooting with the z6 or z7? and what are your thoughts, I'm deliberating on the z7 or either the Sony A7rIII / IV?
@@atyl1972 I'm shooting with the Z6, as it's a better than the Z7 for video, plus the Z6 file sizes are more than large enough for my photo needs. Those Sony's are really nice too, there's really not a lot in it. I think comfort and how it feels in your hand are a factor when choosing, and the lenses you already have. Whatever you end up with, you'll enjoy the mirrorless experience 🙂
@@SimonBurnCreative For me I would choose the 7 purely because I like to shoot landscapes and seascapes and have no real interest in video, one more question please Simon. if I wanted to use the rear screen for composition, when I adjust exposure, aperture, shutter speed etc etc, do I actually see what I'm going to shoot, like does the exposure change on the screen as I'm changing various settings?
@@atyl1972 Yes, if you print large, then the 7 is going to be rather impressive for that, although the 6 allows you to create a pretty large landscape print too. The thing I love best about mirrorless is that you can see the exposure change on the screen (or in the viewfinder) as you adjust the settings, and you can have the histogram showing at the same time too of you choose. That's pretty amazing and takes away any guessing.
1 & 6
Thanks! 🙂
5 or 6 for me but youtube is shit for showing photo's
5
Thanks!
@@SimonBurnCreative I was up at Wistman’s wood on Saturday- light was too harsh, but I’ll try again when there is some mist in the air. Enjoyed the video
@@davidcunningham5090 Yes, worth going back when the light is less harsh,. Even if it's not misty, just being overcast can result in some lovely images. Enjoy!