Lady Bird Grove

Lady Bird Johnson Grove, Redwood National Park, California.

I loved how the trees reached up through the fog and the ferns carpeted the forest floor. This scene really defined what I thought a Redwood grove is meant to be.

Just starting to get to my Redwood images from a month ago. I really like this spot but I'm not sure it translates well in 2D. It was the wide expanse of trees and ferns that I liked, but there might be a bit too much going on. What do you think?

Hi Mat,

I really like this image. It is simple but effective. The lush ferns beneath the trees really look great here.

I have heard Marc A. say things like less is more when shooting in the Redwoods. I think that is a good general rule. But photography rules are meant to be broken and I think this is a good example of that. Yes there is a lot going on. But all of the elements come together for me in this comp.

Great job!

Derek

This certainly says Redwoods to me, Mat. You were fortunate not to have
sunny, contrasty light. I was in Redwoods NP about a month after you and
photographed for two days. I was hoping for some fog as you have here but
didn't get it. However, the sky was overcast and cloudly; so at least I did
have even light. I hope to see more of your posts from your trip there.

It is a very difficult place to shoot but the conditions you have here are great. This looks like what a redwood forest should look like.

Definitely a tough place to shoot. The foggy atmosphere makes this one work, though one thing I've noticed with redwoods (and giant sequoias) is that it's hard to get a real sense of depth in a 2D image. What I mean is, the trees sort of tend to line themselves up along one line, then there may be some depth behind that, but it's hard to find a scene with staggered trees such that you have the sense of walking into the forest. For example with this image, it's more like looking at a forest, not being in one. If that makes any sense.. hopefully helps!

First, it's a very nice image. What the others have said has been my experience too. Redwoods are so tall and majestic, it's very hard to capture that in 2D photos. There are some beautiful Redwood photos around, but I don't think anyone has captured the feeling of how small one is in relation to them. Then again, there are some amazing photos of El Capitan around but they're nothing compared to being in Yosemite Valley and marveling at it.

- Dan.

First of all, I like this image. There is a lot going, but the trees are spaced such that the image doesn't appear cluttered. But I do feel the image has a slightly 2D feel to it, and for me the reasons are 1) the bases of the prominent trunks appear to sit along a straight line and 2) most of the trees appear to be equidistant from the camera - more or less defining the 2D plane. I think some more variation in distance between camera and individual trees might help to better convey the 3D sense of being there.

Thanks for the comments, everyone. I have a better idea of what I'd want to do when I'm there again.

Matt, the way you have all the trees lined up is nice. The only way to impliment the same view with more of a 3D feel you would need specific pano gear and pray for no movement in the scene so get a nice stitch. A lot of work that would pay off nicely if everything works out right.