Mini Challenge #220: Into the woods

pegellipegelli Registered Users Posts: 8,756 Major grins
edited February 6, 2016 in The Dgrin Challenges
Hello fellow Dgrinners,
The theme for Mini-Challenge #220 is: Into the woods
For this mini challenge I’m going to send you “Into the woods”. I’m always amazed how some people are able to put order in a random mix of trees and shrubs. I always find this a difficult challenge and I’m hoping I can learn to see better myself from your submissions.
I’m going to make it extra challenging by stating that I just want to see trees, broken branches, shrubs and forest floor. No stacks of firewood or streams/paths or other non-forest elements to help the composition. I really want your shot in the woods in its purest form. I also want more then one tree, it really has to be a forest.
At the end of this post you’ll find some examples of what I’m looking for, as well as one examples of what I am not looking for.
Time period for this Mini challenge will be: Today, Monday January 18 thru Saturday February 6, 11:00 am NEW time (Brussels/Paris/Rome)
Happy shooting,
Pieter

************************************************** *******************************************
Usual Stuff:

OUR UN-OFFICIAL GENERAL RULES
1. Have fun sharing and seeing what others share!
2. The host supplies a topic and YOU POST 1-3 IMAGES. The host judges the winners (1st, 2nd and 3rd) and is not eligible to enter. The 1st place winner becomes the next host, chooses the next topic and becomes the next judge.
3. Any photo you’ve taken is eligible, regardless of when taken or camera used.
4. Any amount of post-processing is allowed. However, it is helpful if you list your camera and lens along with your photo.
5. You may comment on other contestant's images. If you want someone to leave you some critique or criticism, just ask within your post.
6. The winner has up to three days (72 hours) to begin a new mini-challenge, or the honor goes to the #2 finisher and so forth.

Guidelines:
1. Enter 1-3 photos and put them in a single post.
2. Either embed your image in the thread or, if you must, supply a link to it. Keep in mind, however, most people don't want to click to open photos hosted elsewhere (i.e. on your website).
3. Also try and resize your photos prior to posting so they're sized appropriately for viewing without having to scroll (~800 pixels on the longest side works best.)
4. Give each image you enter a title.
5. Enjoy discussion with members about their images, don't let this just be an entry thread!
6. When quoting a post, change the IMG urls to a 200x200 size picture so it is clear your post is feedback and not another entry. (See here for help).
7. Don't be hesitant; share 'em and enter!

Mini-Challenge pointers:
1. Upon winning a mini-challenge round, your first step is coming up with a new theme and starting a new thread using the same format as others have used.
2. Make sure to notify the admin of this thread to update the main thread links with your entry thread.
3. Feel free to watch the thread as it grows or wait to the end time and look at all the entries all at once.
4. After the time/date has passed, then officially close the thread with a single post notifying everyone of the fact.
5. After you're finished judging, start a new thread (again using the prior formats) and post your Winner and runners-up. It is important to have runners up in case the winner does not show within the 72-hour window.
6. PM the winner with this info above and let them know they have 72 hours to set up the next mini-challenge.
7. If the winner does not show/start the next mini-challenge after 72 hours, notify the next runner-up and post a message on the Winner thread of the fact.
8. Remember, if you're the Winner, you run the next mini challenge!

************************************************** *******************************************

Here’s some examples from my own gallery:
1:
PEG_A850_08619_20130106.jpg

2:
PEG_NEX6_1_09275_20150202-X2.jpg

3:
PEG_A850_2_09492_20150515-X2.jpg

And here is an example of what I am not looking for, i.e. where the composition is helped by the stack of firewood and the path leading to it (it’s not a great shot, but I hope you get what I mean).
PEG_A850_2_05890_20140321.jpg

In case you have questions just ask, and I'll try to explain further.
Pieter, aka pegelli
My SmugMug

Comments

  • sarasphotossarasphotos Registered Users Posts: 3,822 Major grins
    edited January 18, 2016
    Pieter, this is going to be tough! I've just taken a quick look and seen that 95% of all of my forest/tree pictures feature a path or stream. That what comes from being on my bike underway, I guess!

    Here are three that I hope fit the qualifications - if they don't I'll be happy to dig out another :D :

    NEW 1) Fall Forest, Augsburg, Germany
    Camera: Panasonic DMC-G1
    Lens: LUMIX G VARIO 14-45/F3.5-5.6
    ISO: 200
    Focal Length: 40.0 mm (80.0 mm in 35mm)
    Aperture: f/16
    Exposure Time: 0.008s (1/125)

    20121019_136_DMC-G1-X2.jpg

    2) A weird tree, Siebentischwald, Augsburg
    Camera: Panasonic DMC-G1
    Lens: LUMIX G VARIO 14-45/F3.5-5.6
    ISO 200
    Focal Length: 19.0 mm (38.0 mm in 35mm)
    Aperture: f/4.3
    Exposure Time: 0.05s (1/20)

    20100319_122_beginnings_of_spring-X2.jpg

    3) Snowy forest, Wendelstein, Germany
    Panasonic DMC-G1
    LUMIX G VARIO 45-200/F4.0-5.6
    ISO 100
    Focal Length: 45.0 mm (90.0 mm in 35mm)
    Aperture: f/9
    Exposure Time: 0.00313s (1/320)

    20130210_207_DMC-G1-X2.jpg
  • pegellipegelli Registered Users Posts: 8,756 Major grins
    edited January 18, 2016
    Here are three that I hope fit the qualifications - if they don't I'll be happy to dig out another :D
    I think they all fit the qualifications, although the traffic signs (and maybe the large open area) in the first are borderline. The second and third are "spot on".
    Pieter, aka pegelli
    My SmugMug
  • sarasphotossarasphotos Registered Users Posts: 3,822 Major grins
    edited January 18, 2016
    Pieter, I've switched #1 since you considered it borderline. Hope that's ok.

    Forests are obviously not my forte but I also hope I can glean some tips from the other entries.

    Cheers, Sara
  • pegellipegelli Registered Users Posts: 8,756 Major grins
    edited January 18, 2016
    Pieter, I've switched #1 since you considered it borderline. Hope that's ok.

    Forests are obviously not my forte but I also hope I can glean some tips from the other entries.

    Cheers, Sara
    That's fine Sara, and I actually choose this challenge for exactly the same reason bowdown.gif
    Pieter, aka pegelli
    My SmugMug
  • travelwaystravelways Registered Users Posts: 7,854 Major grins
    edited January 18, 2016
    Here is my contribution - please let me know if they respond to your expectations

    1.


    2.



    3.

    Tatiana - Seeing the world through my camera
    TravelwaysPhotos.com ...... Facebook
    VegasGreatAttractions.com
    Travelways.com
  • pegellipegelli Registered Users Posts: 8,756 Major grins
    edited January 18, 2016
    @ Tatiana, perfect!
    Pieter, aka pegelli
    My SmugMug
  • travelwaystravelways Registered Users Posts: 7,854 Major grins
    edited January 18, 2016
    pegelli wrote: »
    @ Tatiana, perfect!

    :ivar
    Tatiana - Seeing the world through my camera
    TravelwaysPhotos.com ...... Facebook
    VegasGreatAttractions.com
    Travelways.com
  • grandmaRgrandmaR Registered Users Posts: 1,942 Major grins
    edited January 18, 2016
    IMG_4782.JPG

    Here are some trees without other elements, but it isn't really a forest. I'll see if I can find something else
    (This is Vermont)

    This is more a jungle than a forest
    IMG_5308.JPG

    We were in St. Croix and got on the wrong road and the sun would come suddenly through the trees and hit the windshield, blinding us. I was trying to get a photo of that.

    2005 in Talladega AL

    12486073_10207433390266636_2145235838280657734_o.jpg
    “"..an adventure is an inconvenience rightly considered." G.K. Chesterton”
  • puzzledpaulpuzzledpaul Registered Users Posts: 1,621 Major grins
    edited January 18, 2016
    Just wondering whether wildlife is considered to be a 'non forest element' for this MC?

    (not thinking of entering anything, btw - just curious :))

    pp
  • pegellipegelli Registered Users Posts: 8,756 Major grins
    edited January 18, 2016
    Just wondering whether wildlife is considered to be a 'non forest element' for this MC?

    (not thinking of entering anything, btw - just curious :))

    pp
    Good question, and one I hadn't thought of beforehand. So I had to think of an answer on the fly. I'd say it's out unless it's small and inconspicuous in the background. The objective of the shot really needs to be about the composition and juxtaposition of the trees/shrubs and not about something else.
    Pieter, aka pegelli
    My SmugMug
  • puzzledpaulpuzzledpaul Registered Users Posts: 1,621 Major grins
    edited January 18, 2016
    So, would something like the fourth pic (heron pano) here fit that remit?

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/puzzledpaul/with/12802112935/

    (tried a direct link, btw, but flickr didn't want to know)


    pp
  • grandmaRgrandmaR Registered Users Posts: 1,942 Major grins
    edited January 18, 2016
    pegelli wrote: »
    Good question, and one I hadn't thought of beforehand. So I had to think of an answer on the fly. I'd say it's out unless it's small and inconspicuous in the background. The objective of the shot really needs to be about the composition and juxtaposition of the trees/shrubs and not about something else.

    I assumed that if you didn't want wood piles or paths that animals and people would also be out.
    “"..an adventure is an inconvenience rightly considered." G.K. Chesterton”
  • GSPePGSPeP Registered Users Posts: 3,728 Major grins
    edited January 19, 2016
    All less than 1 mile from my house ...

    1.
    IMG_9648-XL.jpg

    2.
    IMG_9819-XL.jpg

    3.
    IMG_9081-XL.jpg
  • pegellipegelli Registered Users Posts: 8,756 Major grins
    edited January 19, 2016
    So, would something like the fourth pic (heron pano) here fit that remit?

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/puzzledpaul/with/12802112935/

    (tried a direct link, btw, but flickr didn't want to know)


    pp
    I'd think it's out. The heron is small, but still an important part of the composition.
    Pieter, aka pegelli
    My SmugMug
  • CavalierCavalier Registered Users Posts: 3,030 Major grins
    edited January 19, 2016
    Boy, this one is a toughie since most of my shots have something else in the "way". But I'll try these three - do let me know if they qualify or not. If not, since I live in and about the Tahoe National Forest, I would be remiss if I couldn't get something that does qualify!

    Foggy forest view:

    IMG_2183%20Tadj%20fill%20fence-X2.jpg


    Snowy forest:

    IMG_3026%20ps%20eds-X2.jpg


    Lundy Lake area:

    Lundy%20area%20signed-X2.jpg
  • fjcvisualfjcvisual Registered Users Posts: 201 Major grins
    edited January 26, 2016
  • travelwaystravelways Registered Users Posts: 7,854 Major grins
    edited January 26, 2016
    Love this one iloveyou.gif
    GSPeP wrote: »

    2.
    IMG_9819-S.jpg
    Tatiana - Seeing the world through my camera
    TravelwaysPhotos.com ...... Facebook
    VegasGreatAttractions.com
    Travelways.com
  • EaracheEarache Registered Users Posts: 3,533 Major grins
    edited January 27, 2016
    Denali N.P. - Alaska

    Denali%20Aspens-X2.jpg


    Eucalyptus Grove

    Forest%20or%20Trees-X2.jpg


    Joshua Tree N.P. - California (an arid climate forest)

    Desert%20Forest-X2.jpg
    Eric ~ Smugmug
  • kdotaylorkdotaylor Registered Users Posts: 1,274 Major grins
    edited January 29, 2016
    There are some truly beautiful photos here! I'll add a couple:

    #1
    DSC_0336%20%281%29-L.jpg

    #2
    1115873260_dsc_0794%20%282%29-L.jpg

    #3
    DSC_0167%20-%20Copy%20%281%29-L.jpg
    Kate
    www.katetaylor.smugmug.com
    "You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus." Mark Twain
  • Boogs10712Boogs10712 Registered Users Posts: 6 Beginner grinner
    edited January 29, 2016
    Into the woods
    Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan
  • SeefutlungSeefutlung Registered Users Posts: 2,781 Major grins
    edited January 31, 2016
    _CBL3485.jpg
    (Into the Woods - Into the Woods is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine.)
    My snaps can be found here:
    Unsharp at any Speed
  • sapphire73sapphire73 Registered Users, Super Moderators Posts: 1,942 moderator
    edited February 1, 2016
    Here are a few that may fit the parameters of this challenge...

    Woods in the Rocky Mountains
    i-4VMQ6GP-XL.jpg

    Aspen
    i-Sd7XtfJ-XL.jpg
  • lkbartlkbart Registered Users Posts: 1,912 Major grins
    edited February 2, 2016
    A couple that might fit (& time to post them!):

    Cypress grove in winter
    (This fits as long as you consider the swamp is the forest floor in the bayou. The water can be the focus but wasn't meant to be in this shot, it's just the floor.)
    If this is a stretch for you, Pieter - it's your challenge - I'll replace it :)
    IMG_8330-L.jpg


    Redwoods showered in sunlight and fog
    IMG_5923-L.jpg


    A Kansas forest - sand plums
    IMG_0891-L.jpg
    ~Lillian~
    A photograph is an artistic expression of life, captured one moment at a time . . .
    http://bartlettphotoart.smugmug.com/
  • synaturesynature Registered Users Posts: 191 Major grins
    edited February 2, 2016
    Into the woods
    Into the woods
    sunsetInWoods_062_DSC01599-XL.jpg

    vertical pano
    i-92g55sQ-X2.jpg



    Inside the forest
    i-sBTFBgP-X2.jpg
    Brandon Smith
    http://redwoodtwig.com
    Sony A7r4 with a selection of Rokinon Cine primes that I'm really enjoying learning how to use.
  • PhotonSnapperPhotonSnapper Registered Users Posts: 4 Big grins
    edited February 6, 2016
    Snow in Birch Forest
    That's a great theme, I love trees and forests very much!
    Take 1) Taken in a forest in Leinfelden, Germany, with my Nikon D810, 100mm f2 macro lens at 1/60 sec, f8 ISO100. This is a significant crop of the original version, a 200mm lens would have worked better with hindsight :D I used a tripod to prevent blurs from motion of the camera. It was not easy to really look through the viewfinder, because it was very windy and the falling snow quickly covered the whole equipment including my glasses.
    During post processing I emphasized the luminositiy of the leaves.

    _6010453_2_frame-L.jpg
  • PhotonSnapperPhotonSnapper Registered Users Posts: 4 Big grins
    edited February 6, 2016
    Snowy Forest
    Take 2) Taken three years ago with Nikon D800 50mm 1.4 at 1/50 sec, f7.1 and ISO 100. During post processing I had to correct the verticals. My frame is certainly a matter of taste, I often try to simulate a matte and frame to give me the feeling how the final image might look like.

    _D131697_BW_frame-L.jpg
  • pegellipegelli Registered Users Posts: 8,756 Major grins
    edited February 6, 2016
    This mini-challenge is now CLOSED.

    I'll start the difficult task to comment and pick winners/HM's.
    Might take a little bit of time, but don't despair, it will come
    Pieter, aka pegelli
    My SmugMug
Sign In or Register to comment.