Posted by Harald Rust on August 25, 2006 at 6:15 PM
This last Springtime, during a damp day at the Hoh Rainforest. The greens were lush from the winter rains. I'm assembling a series to give the viewer a feeling for what it's like to take a stroll through the Rainforest. It's always a challenge to find patterns (at least for me) in the chaos of the forest.
Harald
Pentax MZ-S, 28-70 2.8, f16, long exposure, 3 secs or so,
tripod, cable release, mlu, Astia 100
Posted by John Lehmkuhl on August 25, 2006 at 10:14 PM
I like this - the Hoh is not an easy place to find compositions that just scream busy busy busy... this doesn't scream busy busy busy
However I would rotate it to the Right a little - make that lowest branch on the Left be level - I lean to the Left the way it is right now....
Posted by Harald Rust on August 25, 2006 at 11:21 PM
John,
Thanks for commenting. Took your suggestion, and rotated a bit to the right. (any more, and the log gets too tight on the right). Replaced the original image on top.
At the time, think I was composing to block out some forest jumble that was interfering.
Harald
Posted by Mearle Gates on August 25, 2006 at 11:38 PM
Harold -
I love the rain forest, and I love it most when it is alive the most - in the rain. The slugs and centipedes and beetles run all about and are happy while photographers are soaked and miserable. Think more wet!
Posted by Harald Rust on August 25, 2006 at 11:46 PM
Mearle,
Once driving the windy road to the Hoh campground late on a rainy night, we had to brake for frogs crossing the road. Always wanted to see a giant PNW salamander, but haven't yet. I haven't had much luck shooting rainforest scenes when it's too wet. I had problems with too much glare and blownout highlights on the vegetation, despite polarizing and all.
Harald
Posted by Marc Adamus on August 26, 2006 at 9:35 PM
I have seen one Giant Salamander in my life. They are a rare species for sure. It was in the Rock Creek rainforest, Oregon. I love the Hoh rainforest and don't try to simplify it too much when taking pictures. For me, it's important to portray the complexities and random nature of rainforests. This is a pretty good attempt. I might like to see further up the canopy of the forest though - or simply the downed log in the foreground. Just a thought. It works as is also. Like Mearle, I think the best time to visit is IN THE RAIN! Especially if you're lucky enough to catch some fog also. I once spent a week strait camped there in early June. It rained all but one or two days. If you haven't been, be sure to visit Enchantment Valley, the Quinalt and the Queets too when the river is low enough to ford.
Posted by Harald Rust on August 27, 2006 at 4:16 PM
I concur the Rainforest is best experienced in the rain, sleeping to the sound of drip, drip, drip... Waterlogged moss can weigh thousands of pounds, and it's a pretty unique environment.
Harald
Neat comp with strong parallel lines in top 1/3. IMHO.
Posted by Erik Lundh on August 28, 2006 at 4:35 PM
Harald,
I think you did a fine job with this. I can tell alot of thought went into it. When I was in a giant rain forest on Vancouver Island, it was hot and dry. I didn't even attempt a shot. You want the leaves to be dripping wet and the skies to be gray for these type of shots.
I echo the comments that it is difficult to grab good compositions in Hoh. There is so much going on and it is all so interesting but difficult to make a defined image. I think you've accomplished that here, although I feel it could have used a stronger subject in the backgroud that the moss covered root leads too. It looks like great DOF. Overall a very nice comp.
Discussion
9 repliesHarald
Pentax MZ-S, 28-70 2.8, f16, long exposure, 3 secs or so,
tripod, cable release, mlu, Astia 100
However I would rotate it to the Right a little - make that lowest branch on the Left be level - I lean to the Left the way it is right now....
Thanks for commenting. Took your suggestion, and rotated a bit to the right. (any more, and the log gets too tight on the right). Replaced the original image on top.
At the time, think I was composing to block out some forest jumble that was interfering.
Harald
I love the rain forest, and I love it most when it is alive the most - in the rain. The slugs and centipedes and beetles run all about and are happy while photographers are soaked and miserable. Think more wet!
Once driving the windy road to the Hoh campground late on a rainy night, we had to brake for frogs crossing the road. Always wanted to see a giant PNW salamander, but haven't yet. I haven't had much luck shooting rainforest scenes when it's too wet. I had problems with too much glare and blownout highlights on the vegetation, despite polarizing and all.
Harald
Harald
I think you did a fine job with this. I can tell alot of thought went into it. When I was in a giant rain forest on Vancouver Island, it was hot and dry. I didn't even attempt a shot. You want the leaves to be dripping wet and the skies to be gray for these type of shots.