Twig on the Trail

[Tom Robbins]

Encountered a branch reaching down from above while hiking in the woods this morning. It was just the right height to knock the hats off the unwary and decorate them with spider webs at the same time. The first thing that struck me, after the branch, of course, was that it existed mostly along a single plane, and photographing it with an fairly open aperture might create an unusual image.

Branch in the Woods​

The result looks a bit like stained glass or black lightning, or like maybe something went awry with the camera's processor. At any rate, I intend to keep the idea in my back pocket for other opportunities.

There was no breeze at the time, so got away with three stitched 90mm t/s frames at f/3.2 with the camera body in portrait orientation using horizontal shifts. There are sections of the branch that are a little out of focus, but a smaller aperture would have brought in unwanted background detail.

 

[Asher Kelman]

Branch in the Woods​

That's great observation and logic! I too thought of lightening. "Black lightening" is a good title!

Asher

 

[Rachel McLain]

Really lovely minimalistic shot!

 

[Tom Robbins]

Thanks for looking and commenting, Rachel. Also, welcome to OPF!

Thanks Asher. The out of focus bits of branch works as an example of how every decision made while photographing something, or someone, entails a trade off elsewhere. In this instance the narrow depth of field needed to pull the subject from the background meant some portions of the subject would be out of focus.

Deciding how to balance the variables—positioning the fulcrum, so to speak—for any given situation is like working a puzzle, isn't it? The cool thing is every photographic puzzle has many solutions. This is not unique to photography, of course, but it certainly is a very pleasurable endeavor, possibly because it combines technical and aesthetic choices.

 

[Mark Hampton]

Encountered a branch reaching down from above while hiking in the woods this morning. It was just the right height to knock the hats off the unwary and decorate them with spider webs at the same time. The first thing that struck me, after the branch, of course, was that it existed mostly along a single plane, and photographing it with an fairly open aperture might create an unusual image.

Branch in the Woods​

The result looks a bit like stained glass or black lightning, or like maybe something went awry with the camera's processor. At any rate, I intend to keep the idea in my back pocket for other opportunities.

There was no breeze at the time, so got away with three stitched 90mm t/s frames at f/3.2 with the camera body in portrait orientation using horizontal shifts. There are sections of the branch that are a little out of focus, but a smaller aperture would have brought in unwanted background detail.

Tom,

I have been working on some images a bit like this in a quarry at the moment - so its good to see how others approach planes of focus in relation to lines.

have you tried using the tilt to separate the plane in situations like this? I have had some success but need to work more with the light on my work.

cheers

 

[Tom Robbins]

have you tried using the tilt to separate the plane in situations like this?

Hello Mark, I'm not sure I understand your question, sorry. Please rest assured, the problem is at my end. Just the same, I'd still like to try to respond. Not knowing what I'm talking about seldom stops me from spouting nonsense.

There seems to be two ways to use tilt: to include elements along a plane of focus; and to exclude elements along a plane of focus. The intention of the first is to include elements within a plane which is typically horizontal from your feet to the horizon, while the intention of the second is to exclude elements within this plane by using a tilt angle that effectively isolates an element. I prefer the former, mostly because my goal is to use a fast shutter speed with an open aperture. There are probably perfectly good circumstances where the second method of tilt will work, but I've yet to encounter them.

 

[Jarmo Juntunen]

Tom, I keep coming back this picture. And like more and more each time. Good idea! Maybe, just maybe if you could shoot against a more monocolour background next time. This might emphasize your notion of a black lightning more.

 

[Tom Robbins]

Jarmo, thank you for your comment and for the observation. I agree with you completely, and this is why I will be keeping the idea "in my back pocket" for other circumstances. A little less busy background may be an improvement, particularly if the lighter spots of blue sky can be avoided.

Mark, I had your question in mind this morning as I hiked alongside a ripening wheat field.

Corner Post​

The perspective I wanted put the subject on an angle. This is a single frame using the 90mm ts-e at f3.5 swung horizontally to keep the rusty old egg insulator and the fence post in the focal plane. I enjoyed working the lens, and believe this is what you may have had in mind. Thanks for the idea!

 

[Asher Kelman]

There seems to be two ways to use tilt: to include elements along a plane of focus; and to exclude elements along a plane of focus. The intention of the first is to include elements within a plane which is typically horizontal from your feet to the horizon, while the intention of the second is to exclude elements within this plane by using a tilt angle that effectively isolates an element. I prefer the former, mostly because my goal is to use a fast shutter speed with an open aperture. There are probably perfectly good circumstances where the second method of tilt will work, but I've yet to encounter them.

Really the same objective, except you have inverted the function in the two examples. I use the tilt laterally to keep flowers and trees in the same plane. I also use the shift to take pictures that folk don't realize!

Asher

 

[Mark Hampton]

Jarmo, thank you for your comment and for the observation. I agree with you completely, and this is why I will be keeping the idea "in my back pocket" for other circumstances. A little less busy background may be an improvement, particularly if the lighter spots of blue sky can be avoided.

Mark, I had your question in mind this morning as I hiked alongside a ripening wheat field.

Corner Post​

The perspective I wanted put the subject on an angle. This is a single frame using the 90mm ts-e at f3.5 swung horizontally to keep the rusty old egg insulator and the fence post in the focal plane. I enjoyed working the lens, and believe this is what you may have had in mind. Thanks for the idea!

Tom,

bang on. its the adaptability of plane, the pure fun of using it and the clarity. as will.i.am would say that is dope - pow pow pow.


here is part of the sketch work from a quarry i am working on - march is to long away but I am pleased with the ground work. If i remember correctly f4 horizontal tilt (full) - trying to pull the light on two sets of twigs and still keep them separate from the back ground - i tried to mirror the angle.

cheers

 

[Lakshitha Udara]

really liked the image with branches , cleaver work

 

[Tom Robbins]

really liked the image with branches , cleaver work

Thank you for viewing and taking the time to comment, Lakshitha. This is much appreciated.