Comrade
Fujifim GFX R + Canon 90mm TS-E version i. Click to view larger image.
When I embark on walks in the local woodland, I intentionally avoid preconceived notions or ideas with intention of making biased images. Instead, I embrace aimless wandering. It is during these explorations that something inevitably catches my eye, sparking the beginning of an idea or concept. Sometimes it takes the form of a metaphor, while other times it can be as simple as a captivating color, shape, or form.
The next crucial step is the composition. Here, I'm not referring to rigid rules, although they do hold value and purpose. What truly matters is the art of exclusion. Unlike painting, which involves an additive process, photography revolves around deliberate choices of what to include or exclude from the frame. This process is where framing becomes essential. Personally, I employ my hands as a visual tool, using them to conceptualize and eliminate any distracting elements. Often, I realize during this phase that the lighting, time of day, or even the season may not be ideal. In such instances, I park the theme in my visual inventory, intending to revisit it at a more opportune moment.
Sony A7Sii + Canon 90mm TS-E version i. Two frames stitched for 4x5 panorama. Click to view larger image.
If everything aligns harmoniously, the focus shifts to selecting the appropriate tools for the task at hand—decisions regarding focal length, camera position, and other technical considerations. Lastly, for film captures, the final step involves the darkroom, while digital images find their finishing touches in post-processing software like Lightroom.
As written earlier, during my walks in the local woods, I often come across intriguing stories. This time it was a Birch tree that I perceived as a fallen comrade, symbolizing friendship and solidarity. The image captured the poignant moment of the fallen tree being cradled by four neighboring trees, with magical fungi completing the natural cycle.
Since then, this tree has now fallen on the ground and broken into three pieces. I believe it was the storm. You can read about it here.