Photography
Create gorgeous compositions with tree photography.
Because of their universal appeal, tree photos are a classic staple of nature photography. Get tips for capturing stunning shots of the giants of the plant world.
Photography
Because of their universal appeal, tree photos are a classic staple of nature photography. Get tips for capturing stunning shots of the giants of the plant world.
Tree photographs are an important subset of landscape photography. Trees can make great backgrounds for portrait photography, but they can also convey a lot of meaning all on their own. And tree wall art and art prints are popular home decor items because of the strong associations people have with these ubiquitous plants. So celebrate the beauty of nature by using one or two trees as the subject of a photograph.
A well-composed photo of a lone tree can be moving, whether it’s taken a few miles from downtown Los Angeles or on a hike deep in the forest of a national park. Almost every area and climate has some type of tree to offer. And for many people, trees symbolize life and strength, and they can evoke special personal memories.
“I grew up in trees as a kid,” says landscape and wildlife photographer Joseph Filer. “I built tree houses on every tree in the yard. I just enjoy trees immensely, and I think a lot of people do. There’s a very pleasing, soothing, warm feel to trees.”
Just as you can find trees in almost any climate, there are myriad ways trees can be photographed. And they can look good in any season or weather condition.
Try some of the photography styles below to see what you enjoy most.
Trees are as unique as people, and each kind has a special look. Below are some famously photogenic species and where to find them.
Research, timing, equipment, and technique can help you create remarkable photos of trees.
Before you go out to photograph, practice with your equipment. “The first thing you need to do is get familiar with your camera,” says nature photographer Patricia Davidson. “You don’t want to be in a situation where some good light is happening, but you don’t know the settings on your camera.”
While it’s possible to take great tree photos by wandering around new areas, more astounding shots often take some planning. Do research, not just on the location, but also on what time of year might be best to shoot in that location.
“I just got back from Georgia, shooting the fall colors and the cypress trees,” says Filer. “We kayaked on a lake in the pre-dawn hours to get in place to shoot the trees. It was a very peaceful, wonderful experience. But I knew that I was there because of research. I knew where I was going and why.”
The best time to shoot trees is during golden hour, the time right after sunrise or right before sunset. “I’m always up an hour and a half before sunrise when I’m out shooting,” says Filer. “And that’s just the nature of the game. You can take a nap when you come back.”
Early morning hours are the best for most types of forest photography, because there’s no harsh sunlight shining directly down onto your subject matter. Bright sunlight poking through tree branches will overwhelm your camera’s sensor and wash out parts of your photo. An overcast day can be great for tree photography, and fog can be even better, adding a little drama to your image.
A tripod is always a good idea for tree photography. Since you’ll be shooting a still subject, you have the advantage of using the manual settings on your camera and the steadiness of a tripod to get the most crisp shot possible.
In addition to your tripod, here are some optional items to bring along:
Play with composition and see if you can frame your shot uniquely. Trees can be a great way to explore leading lines in photos: the line that the viewer’s eye will follow. As always, be sure to shoot your photos as RAW files, so you can easily edit your images in post-production.
Put the finishing touches on your tree photos with post-processing software like Adobe Photoshop Lightroom. Fine-tune every aspect of your image in Lightroom and then add a few more advanced effects.
“There’s always something to do,” says Davidson. “I’ll start with Lightroom to make minor adjustments. And then if I need to do more, I’ll take it into Photoshop.”
You can add artistic blur to your photo of a tree by using a long exposure and/or panning your camera in one direction or another as you shoot. But Davidson recommends adding a blur effect with Photoshop, since it gives you more control over the final image.
Photos of trees can be great subjects to add into a photo collage or a double exposure–style image. See how to combine two images in this way for a stylized montage.
The bottom line with tree photography is to be creative and patient. Manipulate your shots in post as much as you want, but never manipulate the tree itself or the plants surrounding it. Leave the land in the same condition you found it. Getting the exact shot you want isn’t as important as respecting nature and enjoying your time in it.
“There’s nothing like being outdoors. I love that part,” says Davidson. “Sometimes I may be going out there for photography, and I don’t necessarily come back with anything, but I’ve had a really great experience just exploring.”