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Nature Photography Tips 6

Our last nature photography tip was about diagonal lines. Multiple parallel diagonal lines bring a picture to life, and add a three dimensional aspect. Diagonal lines in various directions provide even more action, but the most dramatic use of parallel lines in nature photography involves one single line dividing the photo into two distinct areas.

In this photo we have one heavily laden branch of a persimmon tree. These persimmons are far too puckery to eat, and become sweet only after being peeled and dried in the sun. In Japan you can often see strings of them hanging from farmhouse rafters. They are especially photogenic, because they hang from the tree long after the leaves have all fallen.

I tried several different angles for this shot. dividing the photo vertically with persimmons on one side and blue sky on the other was effective, but stationary. Filling the photo with persimmons was just too heavy and cluttered. I then followed this photography tip. The single diagonal line gave the effect I wanted. It adds an element of vibrant life to the photo.

The most dramatic use of the single diagonal line involves having a completely different color or texture on either side of the line.

This simple example of nature photography does just that. The red maple leaves contrast sharply with the blue sky, but the theme is so simple that it might not be very interesting if the photo was cut vertically or horizontally.

Nature Photography Tip:

Try adding the single dividing diagonal line to your nature photography repertoire. Experiment with this concept, and try to one each of a very simple two textured photo, and a more complicated composition incorporating the same technique.

An Experiment in Subject and Framing

Here’s an old Japanese house I liked with a field of persimmon trees in the foreground. I think it gives a great feeling of gracious and slow country living. There’s a big problem with it, though. As soon as I had taken it, and looked at the result, I had to ask myself, “What the picture is really of? (click pictures to enlarge) Is it a photo of an inviting old Japanese house with persimmon trees in the foreground? Or is it a picture of persimmon trees just ready to be harvested with a teriffic background?” I can just see me handing it to someone and hearing the inevitable question. Yes, and what are you trying to show me?

So I stepped back and used some of the persimmon leaves as a frame. I like this better. The stone wall defining the field adds to the rural Japanese atmosphere, and the leaves form a triangle of light directing your eye up to the window — and persimmons. Ah, there’s the same problem rearing its ugly head. What is the picture actually of? The house, or the fruit? I decided to zoom up on the window. I would miss the stone wall, but perhaps it would help to define things.

That helped. But this is definitely a fruit tree shot. I wanted the house. I finally realized I wasn’t going to succeed at getting both, especially in this instance, where it was a whole field of trees to contend with. I gave up altogether, and focused on the house next door.

Now this is much better. There are still a few persimmons peeking out among the leaves. You would never recognize them, but they add just a touch of orange to make the wood appear warm and inviting, and break up the heavy green. The vines curl around in the foreground, and add a playful sense of motion, and it is now unquestionably a photo of an old Japanese farm house with an enormous tree in the background.

Now if only it had been a clear day, and the sky had been blue…