How to Take Great Spring Photos

Published: April 13, 2009 | 18 Comments |

I was brought up in the New Forest and, for many years, returned with my camera in the hope of producing an image that would evoke those childhood memories of a springtime walk all the way to Lyndhurst. In early light, it was often the extreme subject brightness range that stole away the magic from my favourite forest glade, replacing precious and sacred shadow detail with black nothingness and, at the other end, turning some of the moist spring leaves into mirrors. It is the succulence of the first leaves to appear that are so wonderful.

Unless I see it well done, I am no fan of HDR and although this technique may be popular to overcome the vagaries of extreme contrast, the ratios are often misjudged resulting in shadows that are not subdued enough and appear to be lit from within (unusual for a shadow!) and highlights that no longer appear to be highlights. No matter how skilled the operator, image manipulation software is no match for getting it right in camera if one possibly can under often trying circumstances. In my New Forest scenario, if a passing and compliant, low- moisture density cloud, were to station itself in front of the sun for a fleeting moment then my glade would have become fairy-like with the sever contrast lessened for a brief moment.

Perhaps as with all landscape photography think of the perimeter of the viewfinder. Ponder for a moment on what I call the ‘brutal and aggressive crop’ We are so often preoccupied with the centre of the image and perhaps are guilty of neglecting the sides. After all no painter would pay scant attention to the edges of their painting and nor should we. Think about what these fierce vertical and horizontal edges will be slicing through and consider cropping sensitively.

There are those who may suggest that the camera intervenes and removes the individual from appreciating the wonders around us. I refute this utterly as it is surely the camera that acts as a conduit to draw us into the very heart of the human response to the world around us and offers us a wonderful device with which to become closer to things.

How to Take Great Spring Photos

The more that one can invest of oneself into the entire image making process, the more rewarding an enriching the experience will be. Perhaps there could be a parallel awakening with our landscape photography to be in step with the spring. A new beginning possibly with a fresh new approach?

Look at blossom, one of the most glorious of springs offerings. There are some orchards in the west country and Kent of course which which would be well worth exploring and the owner would be delighted to help in return for an image perhaps?

In spring, there can never be a better time to become uplifted by life returning to the land and to be there with our camera, in readiness for it all, is hard to beat.

How to Take Great Spring Photos

Biography

Charlie Waite was born in 1949 and worked in British Theatre and Television for the first ten years of his professional life. Throughout this period he became fascinated by theatrical lighting and design. Gradually the landscape and the way it can be revealed to us through light and shade stole him away from the acting profession.

Over the last twenty five years, he has lectured throughout the UK Europe and the US. He has held numerous one man exhibitions in London, including two shows in London’s National Theatre and three at the OXO gallery and held further solo shows in Tokyo, New York, Carmel and in Australia, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. He has published 27 books on the UK, France, Italy, Spain and Germany; all exclusively of his photography.

Charlie Waite is now firmly established as one of the most celebrated international landscape photographers. Aside from his own photography, he also enjoys introducing photography to others. Through his company, Light and Land the leading photographic tour company in Europe, Charlie Waite and his specialist photographic leaders, all at the very top in their field, run worldwide workshops and tours dedicated to bettering photography.

http://www.charliewaite.com

http://www.lightandland.co.uk

All images in this article © Charlie Waite

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spring, how to, great, photos, charlie, waite, charlie waite, seasons, landscapes

Your Comments

18 Comments so far | Newest Oldest first | Post a comment

#1 Tushar

This article did not tell ‘anything’ about ‘how to’ take good pics, only sort of ‘when to’ take and ‘what to’ take.
May be, Better luck next time!

3:27 pm - Monday, April 13, 2009

#2 Nik

Some good thoughts in that article.

3:40 pm - Monday, April 13, 2009

#3 photographer photographers editorial

Thanks for sharing

4:51 am - Tuesday, April 14, 2009

#4 Christopher Harland

Super article. Inspirational.

8:25 am - Tuesday, April 14, 2009

#5 ciare harte

if u have the right camera you can take great photos in any month!!

9:44 am - Tuesday, April 14, 2009

#6 WS

“if u have the right camera you can take great photos in any month”

as in

“If you have the right pot you can make great food with any ingredients”???

:-p by Wei

11:22 am - Tuesday, April 14, 2009

#7 Tonny

What a misleading title. Big disappointment !

2:29 pm - Tuesday, April 14, 2009

#8 James

It reads like a guys diary. One of the least informative ‘tutorials’ on here yet! (I normally enjoy them..)

2:56 pm - Tuesday, April 14, 2009

#9 Clifford

If you have the right camera? Come on guys, if you have the ‘right’ eye and know how your camera works. I thinks that’s what you really mean. I would be happy to read the thoughts of Charlie Waite any day just as I am happy to read the thoughts of David Hurn in “On Being a Photographer”

4:05 pm - Tuesday, April 14, 2009

#10 Mandeno Moments

I agree. I was walking home one winter’s evening and heard a blackbird singing in a junk yard. I had my carry-everywhere camera with me and saw a wonderful photo opportunity: would a non-photographer have seen more than a blackbird on a grey winter’s evening? I doubt it very much. Would a non-photographer have pleasant memories of that walk on a grey winter’s evening? I doubt it very much.

This is one of the photos that I took that evening:
http://mandenomoments.zenfolio.com/p891754224/e6da84bc

6:59 pm - Tuesday, April 14, 2009

#11 cfw

I don’t get it. The article seems like just another guy musing about the beauty of Spring. I agree with the ealier comment about this being a very misleading title.

7:23 pm - Tuesday, April 14, 2009

#12 peter k.

Well, Mr.Mandeno Moments, the photo is excelent - I mean composition and artistic view. The question is “can you make a fine art printing from that photo?”. Does your camera shoot raw? Does it have enough resolution? Doeas it have a low noise level?...The point is (in my opinion) that you have to have the both: a good camera and the artistic vision. As a proffesional you’ve got to have your vision in a shape that will allow you to sell it properly.

7:25 pm - Tuesday, April 14, 2009

#13 Christopher Harland

What a shame that this article should draw such negative comments. First rate, inspirational writing from one of Britain’s leading landscape photographers.

7:10 am - Wednesday, April 15, 2009

#14 Mark Goldstein

Charlie’s article gives a unique insight into how a master landscape photographer approaches Spring. While it doesn’t go into detail about what particular camera settings to use, it does provide some great pointers on how, when and where to take Spring photos.

10:01 am - Wednesday, April 15, 2009

#15 Philip Harle

I guess those who have posted negative comments are more used to dry technical papers and pixel-peeping noise at 100% magnification. Charlie’s beautifully written article doesn’t tell you which buttons to press on the camera - try the camera manual for that. The first comment is the most ludicrous - apart from what to photograph and when/where to do it, what else are you looking to be taught about landscape photography (assuming, of course, that you know how to use a camera)?

11:15 am - Wednesday, April 15, 2009

#16 mahuya

This is a great post where visitor may find some important tips on photography.Hey did you know ? You can now make money and be on real TV by uploading own photos in http://www.uploaded.tv You may check it.

11:12 am - Monday, April 20, 2009

#17 Web Design Quote

I like this one. Other photos are also good. Thanks for the sharing your thoughts regarding this photos.

6:24 am - Tuesday, June 16, 2009

#18 Landscape Photography

The second image is beautiful, nice abstract.

8:39 am - Sunday, July 12, 2009