Tomorrow is National Arbor Day, a great idea born in Nebraska City, Nebraska in the latter part of the 19th century. More than one million trees were planted in the Cornhusker State on the first Arbor Day in 1872. It didn’t take long for the concept to catch on elsewhere. By 1920, 45 of the 48 states observed Arbor Day; in 1970 it was officially recognized nationally.
More Than Just Plants
Not only aesthetically pleasing, trees are also powerful symbols of constancy, stability and endurance. I think of all the huge, majestic oaks which stood in the yard around our Midwestern home when I was growing up. When one of them had to come down, we counted the rings: 150. It had been a sapling around the time Abe Lincoln was a boy.
Not all trees have life spans like oaks – fruit trees, for example, might only last for a few decades – but many species can live for a long, long time: from a few hundred to a few thousand years. No wonder trees are often viewed as majestic witnesses to events linking the past to the present (and the future, for that matter).
Consciously or not, people often establish emotional connections with certain trees. Trees you climbed as a child; trees you planted and watched grow; trees that have stories associated with them; trees you consider old friends; trees you love.
Trees are practical, yet also symbolic. They’re generous givers – offering shade, shelter and a sense of peace. They invite us to pause. To linger. A tree doesn't worry about the minutes or the hours; it speaks the language of years and decades. In our fast-paced world, trees whisper to us - reminding us that there can be advantages to slowing down.
These characteristics seem…human, perhaps?
Trees are companions
You head for a favorite tree, book in hand, to pass the afternoon in its company. It offers rest, comfort, shelter, quiet, and a sense of peace. It's always there for you. An ideal friend.
Trees are patient
They don’t rush their construction; they're not in a hurry to grow too quickly. Meticulous planners, they add a “shingle,” a layer of bark, every year – carefully perfecting their architecture. Instant gratification isn’t part of their vocabulary.
Trees are artists
They make music – how else would you describe the soothing sound of leaves rustling in the breeze? They’re dancers: swaying, bending, leaning and bowing with the wind. They’re also poets: Khalil Gibran famously described trees as “poems the earth writes upon the sky.”
Trees are protectors
Sit under a shade tree on a hot summer day and you’ll be treated to refreshing, cooler temperatures. When it starts to rain, the canopy overhead will keep you from getting completely soaked.
Trees are guardians of our memories
They’re points of contact with people, places and experiences from years past. Think of that big, beautiful tree in the front yard of your childhood home and just like that you’re nine years old again, chasing fireflies underneath it on a summer night.
Trees are quiet observers
Because many species far outlive humans, they can be viewed as keepers of history. Their rings aren’t just a chronological record, they also record data such as annual precipitation and temperatures.
Trees are fashion-forward
Deciduous trees change their wardrobe with the seasons, while conifers favor more timeless, classic styles. All of them always end up on the best dressed list.
Trees are resilient
When a tree is wounded, it compartmentalizes the damage, slowly growing tissue to seal off the abrasion. The resulting scars are outward signs of strength and make each tree unique.
Why Trees Can Be Difficult to Photograph
Whether or not you agree with me about the anthropomorphism (I’ll admit, I do tend to look at objects in the natural world that way), you probably have a soft spot for trees. Who doesn’t?
Perhaps it's ironic that something so universally admired can be so challenging to photograph. Trees (particularly forests) are deceptively difficult to capture. Three of the biggest obstacles:
Chaos
There’s a lot going on – branches, underbrush, trunks – which can make it tough to zero in on a subject.
Lighting
Hot spots and extreme contrast are difficult to manage.
Scale
Trees are large - sometimes very, very tall - which can cause issues with perspective distortion. Creating separation can also be a challenge, particularly if you're close to the subject.
Tips to try for a more successful outcome:
Go Tighter
The vastness of the forest is visually striking, but that expanse can look like clutter to your camera. If you can’t see the trees for the forest, so to speak, zoom in.
You don’t have to include 30 trees in the frame. Maybe the story is in a much smaller cluster. Maybe it's just one tree. And if you do opt for a single tree, every inch of it doesn't need to be squeezed into the frame.
Exclude. Eliminate. Look for compositions that are more simplified.
Consider Perspective
Forests are much more chaotic when you're "on the inside." Photographing from the edges or completely outside of the woods will afford you more flexibility if you wish to utilize a wider viewpoint. From there, the trees will be a much smaller scale, and you'll be able to identify completely different shapes and patterns than you'd see when you're in the thick of things. (See the image at the end of the post for an example.)
Avoid full sun
Shoot early in the day, or late, or when it's overcast. This will solve the problem of hot spots and high contrast. Be mindful when framing to keep patches of bright sky out of the composition. Even on an overcast day, the sky poking through the canopy can be distracting.
Take advantage of fog
Foggy conditions are terrific. If you’re lucky enough to get fog or mist, it’ll eliminate distractions, create mood, and act as a huge softbox. It can provide a huge assist in terms of isolating elements.
I’ve probably gone on enough about trees for one post, but these will get you started. Give them a try next time you're out wandering through the forest with your camera.
In the meantime, Happy Arbor Day.
Plant a tree!
