CAMERA CINIC

Master the art of modern photography

This month: Trees

Great photos don’t grow on trees, but trees can make awesome pictures

Autumn is simply the best time of year for tree photography

Will Cheung

Will Cheung

An imaging journalist and freelance photographer based in London, Cheung has a wealth of experience over several decades. www.williamcheung.co.uk

■ Trees are subjects for all seasons and, with autumn approaching, now is the time to think about the opportunities ahead. The great thing is you don’t have to go far to enjoy trees; you might even have one or two in your garden or on your street, and you will certainly find a few species in your local park or nature reserve. And we haven’t even mentioned woodlands, managed forests and arboretums. In fact, trees are so common that you might take them for granted – but that changes now. We’re putting trees on a pedestal, and this Camera Clinic is about how to make the most of them with your camera. As a subject, trees give generously all year round and while the challenges and opportunities change as we move through the seasons, there’s always something fresh to try. Summer, when trees are fully furnished with leaves, is possibly the least appealing season from a photographic perspective, with the harsh light that is part and parcel of the season. Never say never, though, and if you skirt round the middle of the day, great shots can still be had.

Likewise with winter. While the coldest season is physically the most difficult, scenically, with the low sun and seasonal weather, there are all sorts of picture possibilities, even with just bare branches. The transition period from winter to spring is also a great time, whether that’s shooting broader tree scenics with snowdrops, daffodils and bluebells adding foreground interest or detail shots of blossom, buds and young leaves.

However, autumn is the best time to capture trees. Colourful leaves, fruit, interesting weather and more mean a busy time for photography. So sort your gear, leave the bag by the door, digest the advice on these pages and be ready to branch out for memorable photographs.

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Trees play a larger role in photography than you’d think

■ Trees play a fundamental part in the well-being of our planet, and it’s a huge concern for all of us that their numbers are decreasing. Their role in scenic and nature photography, though, remains undiminished whether you enjoy trees in the landscape or as the main subject.

There’s a practical side, too, where trees can hide unwanted elements in a scene, give shade for portraits and play their role in nature itself, providing us wonderful subjects to photograph.

Trees play the starring role in this Camera Clinic and we’ve gathered some hints and tips for how you can make the most of them with your camera. In this regard, trees offer unbridled potential, whatever your creative style and however you prefer to tackle this diverse subject.

Three lenses for all seasons

Arm yourself with this trio of lenses to exploit trees

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There is no better lens for powerful compositions than a wide-angle, but you need to use it with care. A common mistake made by newcomers is not making the most of the compositional potential. Leaving too much empty space around the subject, missing out on lead-in lines and not being bold enough with the foreground are common issues. Be aware of this and the lens is capable of dynamic photos.