Luck certainly plays a role in photography, but only if you’re prepared when it comes.
Coming to you from Simon Booth, this fascinating video offers a unique insight into a recent photography trip in the Lake District. The video begins with Booth describing a three-day adventure dedicated solely to photography. A highlight is its location between Rydal Water and Grasmere, close to the River Rothay. Booth emphasized the importance of finding hidden works in the woods. During his exploration, he discovered a beautiful oak tree on a rocky mound, perfectly surrounded by bluebells. This serendipitous discovery led to a dramatic photo, taken just as the sun illuminated the scene.
Booth shares another memorable moment from his trip with a group of pristine ferns. Although initially focused on broader landscapes, the intricate details of ferns caught his attention. He demonstrates how a seemingly small and simple subject can be transformed into an exquisite composition. By adjusting the camera angle and using a high depth of field, Booth captures the delicate beauty of the ferns, highlighting their unique characteristics, and the paler fern stands out among the there.
The weekend continues to improve, with each new venue offering better conditions and more attractive layouts. One surprise is a foggy morning in Borrowdale, where Booth and his friends are greeted by ethereal mist blanketing the landscape. While fog can enhance almost any scene, Booth emphasizes the importance of finding subjects that work well even without fog. He focused on a tree surrounded by rows of climbing willows, using mist to enhance the composition. This thoughtful approach ensures images remain powerful, no matter the conditions.
Booth would look at the tree again later, photographing it from a different angle. This time, he focused on the tree’s half-corner, emphasizing how its branches weaved into the frame. This change in perspective, combined with the beautiful morning light, results in a stunning photo. Booth also discusses technical aspects, such as focus stacking and ensuring appropriate depth of field, to achieve the desired sharpness and detail in his images. Check out the video above for the full list.
And if you really want to dig deeper into landscape photography, check out our latest tutorial,”Photographing the World: Japan with Elia Locardi!”
