The Speulderforest (“Het Speulderbos” in Dutch) is a wonderful and serene forest, and the most effective methods to seize its pure magnificence is thru pictures. It’s one of many extra widespread forests on the subject of woodland pictures in The Netherlands.
It is perhaps a bit overrated, however since this forest is so near my house, it has change into one among my native patches for woodland pictures. I’ve visited it so many instances all through the years!
One of the vital magical components of the forest is the way in which that the solar filters by means of the cover, creating beautiful solar rays that dance throughout the panorama. Photographing these solar rays generally is a bit difficult, however with the proper data, method, and a little bit of persistence, you may create some actually beautiful pictures.
On this article, I’ll share my expertise of photographing this forest that I gained over time! Nonetheless, the following pointers are relevant to all forests on the subject of photographing solar rays.
The perfect lens in my view to make use of when photographing solar rays (or woodlands usually) within the Speulder forest (Speulderbos) is a medium telephoto zoom lens akin to a 70-200mm or 100-400mm on a full-frame digital camera. One of these lens is good for capturing the solar rays as they filter by means of the timber, and it additionally permits you to zoom out and in to get the proper composition. A telephoto zoom lens can also be an ideal possibility for capturing intricate particulars within the surrounding panorama, which can assist to create a way of depth and context in your pictures.
Shoot on the Proper Time
The very first thing you could do when photographing solar rays within the Speulderforest is to decide on the proper time of day and 12 months. September is arguably the very best month for solar rays as a result of the climate will probably be transitioning from heat summer time to moist and cooler autumn. Autumn and winter have good probabilities for solar rays as nicely. One other good thing about these seasons is the affordable time of dawn so that you don’t must get off the bed actually early! Spring and summer time are much less fascinating due to the straightforward info {that a}) the cover is dense, leaving no manner for mild to be filtered by means of and b) the ambiance will not be in a position to cool off sufficient due to the brief nights.
The perfect time of day could be through the early morning (clearly) when the solar is low within the sky and the sunshine is at its most golden. The ambiance needs to be humid, which occurs principally after a chilly, cloudless evening with little to no wind. It doesn’t must be foggy. About an hour after dawn, the solar rays will begin to seem. That is the time when the solar rays are at their most intense, and they’ll create probably the most dramatic shadows and highlights in your pictures.
Discover the Proper Spot
After you have chosen the proper time of day, you could discover the proper spot to arrange your digital camera. Search for a spot the place the solar rays are streaming by means of the timber and creating a wonderful sample on the bottom. I usually attempt to discover spots like this in direction of the sides of the forest, ideally on the jap a part of the forest as a result of that’s the place the solar rises.
You too can search for areas the place the solar rays are illuminating the leaves of the timber, creating a wonderful, ethereal temper to your pictures. Your finest wager to discovering these spots is by wanting in direction of the east or south as a result of the leaves needs to be backlit creating this glow and light-weight.
Use the Proper Settings
When you will have discovered the proper spot, it’s time to arrange your digital camera. You will have to make use of a low aperture (akin to f/14 or f/16 on a full-frame digital camera) to create a big depth of subject, which can preserve each the solar rays and the foreground in focus. I attempt to keep away from focus stacking right here however I normally take two exposures at completely different focus factors in order that I’m certain that each the solar rays and the foreground is in focus.
Because the forest can lack mild throughout dawn, you find yourself utilizing a slower shutter velocity. Utilizing a tripod is due to this fact advisable to create sharp, crisp pictures with out movement blur.
Spot Fascinating Compositions
A method of discovering fascinating compositions is by on the lookout for components that inform a narrative. The Speulderforest options many useless timber which might be lined with mushrooms, or “elvenbankjes” (Elven timber) as we name them in Dutch. These useless timber are an actual eyecatcher, particularly when the rising solar is aligned behind them, successfully making a highlight. The primary one within the pictures under reveals an instance of this. The second was taken in a neighboring forest however because it was struck by lightning it was the very best instance of “telling a narrative” that I may discover.
Taking pictures the Photographs
Lastly, it’s time to take your pictures! Be affected person, and take your time to experiment with completely different angles, compositions, and focal distances. Attempt completely different angles to seize the solar rays in several methods, akin to taking pictures from a low angle to give attention to the grandeur of the timber, or taking pictures from a excessive angle to emphasise the ground of the forest which might be autumn leaves or a forest path.
You too can experiment with completely different apertures to blur the background and create a way of depth. Nonetheless, I personally desire to have all the things in focus and that is among the the reason why I keep away from zooming an excessive amount of. I normally find yourself utilizing a focal distance between 70mm and 200mm full body equal (or between ~50mm and ~130mm on an APS-C digital camera).
Conclusion
Total, photographing solar rays within the Speulderforest is a difficult and rewarding expertise. With the proper method, a little bit of persistence, and an excellent eye for composition, you may create some actually beautiful pictures that seize the sweetness and serenity of this magical place. So seize your tripod and telephoto zoom lens and head out to a forest close to you to seize the great thing about the solar rays!
In regards to the writer: Jeroen Schouten is a panorama photographer based mostly within the Netherlands. You will discover extra of his work on his web site and Instagram. You too can purchase prints of his pictures right here. This text was additionally revealed here.
