Field Journal: Forest Floor Close Ups
Using a macro lens with a Platypod Extreme for forest photography
The forest is a calming place to relax and immerse yourself in nature. There is shade and dappled light, rustling leaves, wildlife, and sometimes the sounds of running water. It all combines to be a very serene environment. But from a photography standpoint, it can be chaotic and a bit overwhelming at times. How do you isolate elements and tell the story of this environment in a 2D frame?
Aside from fog or other weather conditions that can help, I have found a few ways that work for me. In this Field Journal, I will talk about one of them.
Look Down
The following set of images are from a short hike on a trail at a local campground we were staying at on a mid-September camping trip. You can do this on an afternoon outing almost anywhere. I used a Fujifilm X-T5 with an XF 30mm macro lens. I secured it on a Platypod Extreme. I’ll talk about the benefits of using that more at the end. Most images had some lighting and contrast adjustments in post-processing using Lightroom.
Tripods and the Platypod
Many landscape photographers are using tripods less and less due to the image stabilization abilities in today’s cameras. I really like being able to shoot on the fly in many cases. However, in woodland photography, there are some advantages. In these images, I used the Platypod to get the camera low to the ground and to be able to fine-tune the composition. I’ve got terrible knees, and my days of kneeling to get these low shots have long gone. A flip screen and a tripod are the best way for me to compensate for this.
You can leave the camera in one place and wait once you have your composition. In the woods, the light changes quickly on the right kind of day. Between the leaves, the sun changing position in the sky, and clouds moving overhead, something that is completely shaded now can have a spotlight on it within a very short time. I set up a composition, wait for that highlight to shift slightly, and then take the shot.
Besides the Platypod, a small travel tripod can also work. Either a tripod that allows for a very low point of view, or any tripod that lets you flip the center column upside down. I use a Vanguard VEO travel tripod for these outings as well. This tripod has a multi-angle center column and allows you to get the camera very low to the ground.
A small LED fill light is also valuable for smaller subjects in the woods. They can take up a very small amount of space in your camera bag and are rather inexpensive (see a link below). I did not use one in these shots, but I often take one along for some additional lighting options.
The Forest Floor
Leaves, acorns, pine cones, and small plants can provide almost unlimited photography interest in the forest. So, one option for simplifying and isolating subjects in the woods with your camera is to look down.
✅ Where to Find Me
You can find more of my work on the web at: Simmons Photography
If you want to work with me, or inquire about licensing images: Contact Page
More of my work can be seen on Vero and Flickr.
🎒 The Gear Bag - Gear and Inspiration
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I don’t have any affiliate association with Platypod, but here is a link to the Platypod eXtreme and the Delta. I have one of each. The Delta is a little lighter, but the eXtreme offers more stability.