The Beauty of Trees (Photo Quest September)

New month, new monthly photo quest! This month, we’re looking for…

“The Beauty of Trees.”

Your mission (should you choose to accept it)

  • Head out with the camera and make a photo that shows the beauty of trees
  • Between now and September 30th, 2018
  • Make a new photo for the photo quest – no digging in the archives!
  • Send it to us (Dropbox file request will be in your email)
  • Black & White or Color, Horizontal, Square, Vertical
  • Phone, DSLR, mirrorless, compact? Camera doesn’t matter.

Tips & Tricks

  • Where to find beautiful trees:
    • Sycamores, willows & oaks in many of San Diego’s riparian canyons (Tecolote, Los Penasquitos, etc.)
    • Torrey Pines State Natural Preserve & the surrounding areas (Crest Canyon etc.)
    • Oaks in the back country (Ramona, Jamul, Julian…)
    • Forests with Jeffrey Pine, Coulter Pine & more in the Laguna Mountains and at Mount Palomar
  • Exposure: trees provide shade, the light that shines through their branches is very bright by comparison. Preserve the highlights and underexpose. Then bring the shadows up on the computer.
  • Composition & Design:
    • try to organize the chaos of branches and twigs. Find lines that run through your photo, connect the corners, provide a flow
    • look for the low sun & warm light in the morning & afternoon – terrific for backlight situations!
    • turn the hard contrasts of mid day into a stark black & white rendition
    • focus on textures and details in a close-up
  • Questions: feel free to discuss the quest in our Facebook group!

Have fun, good light, and show us the beauty of trees the way you see it.

Majestic Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia) bending over a trail at Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve, San Diego, California, June 2012.
Majestic Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia) bending over a trail at Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve, San Diego, California, June 2012.

 

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