Have you spent any/much time in Australia's tropical or subtropical rainforests? I think the temperate-subtropical-tropical transition there is fascinating, maybe because you don't really find it anywhere else in the world (the temperate part is usually on the west coast!). If you have I'm curious where it starts to feel less like "home" to you - over my relatively brief time there I do remember the temperate rainforests feeling really distinct, without as much contrast between subtropical and tropical.
Darren, not really - and certainly not with serious photography in mind. I do have vague plans to visit some subtropical forest up the east coast - I am very curious now to find some time to get to know them.
Cool - I'm remembering now that I had an over-ambitious idea to do a photography project capturing that temperate-tropical transition, from Tasmania to Cairns (more documentary than artistic). As far as I know nothing like that's been done...probably too niche of an audience...but I'd probably need months for it. Not to mention I have no skill in forest photography!
Glad to hear you think so! I can't say I've gotten much enthusiasm generally from people I've mentioned that or similar ideas to. But I'd have to up my photography game first. There's a similar concept behind the painting I do, over much smaller geographies, but I think this one would need to stay photography...a bit awkwardly between art and science (part of the challenge maybe in terms of audience).
You have my sympathies with the humidity. I was in Borneo in March to visit my brother and he took me to see Niah Caves; by the time we got back to the car, I could have been wrung out like a dishcloth! I haven't experienced anything like it. Essentially no photography as it was a family trip. I hope you get back to Penang to do some more photography. You did a pretty good job in conveying its sense. Maybe you're being too harsh on yourself?
Thank Lynn - I would love to get to Borneo (despite the humidity). I know I shouldn't compare a quick family trip with my photography in my local forests, but it has been useful to think about planning for future photography-focussed trips. You do some fantastic travel photography - how do you get into the groove in a completely new location?
It always takes me a while to get going when I arrive in a new location. There's a sense of overwhelm with the newness of a situation and a lack of understanding of what is going on around me. I have to just let myself settle, observe and, hopefully, make a bit of sense of what is happening. I think that's why my photography is (imo) a response to a place, reactive. There's a complete lack of planning and/or anticipation. Sometimes I get it right, quite often I don't. I no longer beat myself up if I don't get any 'good' shots - the experience of the place/people/culture comes first.
I've been in similar circumstance several times now- an unfamiliar place and on a schedule outside of your control. It's challenging to say the least! I think, though, that just the careful consideration you give the location has already established some connection that is evident in your photos!
Lovely images and interesting observations about photographing the familiar and unfamiliar environment. Forests are challenging - especially tropical forests with the humidity.
Thank you Susan. So true, forests are difficult at the best of times! But I am looking forward to getting back into some tropical forest again this year.
Lovely images James. Even though you might have struggled with the unfamiliarity of the location and the harsh light I think your images portray what it feels like to be there - at least for your first visit.
I agree that we make better pictures when we really understand a place, how it works and how all the species interact with each other. That is why I love shooting in familiar locations. I am sure, if and when you return to Penang you will have much more to say and a greater understanding of what it takes to make a compelling image there.
My parents took me to the forests of Penang and the Cameron Highlands when I was 12 (over 40 years ago now). I vividly remember the lushness, the humidity and all the butterflies. I would love to go back and relive the experience with a camera in my hand. It would be a huge change from my local oak woods!🙂
Thank you Gill. We really enjoyed Penang (particularly the food!) but the photography was frustrating (as it nearly always is on family holidays). I am looking forward to getting back into some tropical forests sometime in the next 12 months.
Have you spent any/much time in Australia's tropical or subtropical rainforests? I think the temperate-subtropical-tropical transition there is fascinating, maybe because you don't really find it anywhere else in the world (the temperate part is usually on the west coast!). If you have I'm curious where it starts to feel less like "home" to you - over my relatively brief time there I do remember the temperate rainforests feeling really distinct, without as much contrast between subtropical and tropical.
Darren, not really - and certainly not with serious photography in mind. I do have vague plans to visit some subtropical forest up the east coast - I am very curious now to find some time to get to know them.
Cool - I'm remembering now that I had an over-ambitious idea to do a photography project capturing that temperate-tropical transition, from Tasmania to Cairns (more documentary than artistic). As far as I know nothing like that's been done...probably too niche of an audience...but I'd probably need months for it. Not to mention I have no skill in forest photography!
That would be an amazing project - and would probably take a lifetime! But why not!
Glad to hear you think so! I can't say I've gotten much enthusiasm generally from people I've mentioned that or similar ideas to. But I'd have to up my photography game first. There's a similar concept behind the painting I do, over much smaller geographies, but I think this one would need to stay photography...a bit awkwardly between art and science (part of the challenge maybe in terms of audience).
You have my sympathies with the humidity. I was in Borneo in March to visit my brother and he took me to see Niah Caves; by the time we got back to the car, I could have been wrung out like a dishcloth! I haven't experienced anything like it. Essentially no photography as it was a family trip. I hope you get back to Penang to do some more photography. You did a pretty good job in conveying its sense. Maybe you're being too harsh on yourself?
Thank Lynn - I would love to get to Borneo (despite the humidity). I know I shouldn't compare a quick family trip with my photography in my local forests, but it has been useful to think about planning for future photography-focussed trips. You do some fantastic travel photography - how do you get into the groove in a completely new location?
It always takes me a while to get going when I arrive in a new location. There's a sense of overwhelm with the newness of a situation and a lack of understanding of what is going on around me. I have to just let myself settle, observe and, hopefully, make a bit of sense of what is happening. I think that's why my photography is (imo) a response to a place, reactive. There's a complete lack of planning and/or anticipation. Sometimes I get it right, quite often I don't. I no longer beat myself up if I don't get any 'good' shots - the experience of the place/people/culture comes first.
It's nice to know it's a challenge even for experienced travellers. Slow down and be open to the experience seems great advice. Thanks Lynn
I've been in similar circumstance several times now- an unfamiliar place and on a schedule outside of your control. It's challenging to say the least! I think, though, that just the careful consideration you give the location has already established some connection that is evident in your photos!
Thanks Erik. I would have loved just a little more time, but what can you do?
Lovely images and interesting observations about photographing the familiar and unfamiliar environment. Forests are challenging - especially tropical forests with the humidity.
Thank you Susan. So true, forests are difficult at the best of times! But I am looking forward to getting back into some tropical forest again this year.
Lovely images James. Even though you might have struggled with the unfamiliarity of the location and the harsh light I think your images portray what it feels like to be there - at least for your first visit.
I agree that we make better pictures when we really understand a place, how it works and how all the species interact with each other. That is why I love shooting in familiar locations. I am sure, if and when you return to Penang you will have much more to say and a greater understanding of what it takes to make a compelling image there.
My parents took me to the forests of Penang and the Cameron Highlands when I was 12 (over 40 years ago now). I vividly remember the lushness, the humidity and all the butterflies. I would love to go back and relive the experience with a camera in my hand. It would be a huge change from my local oak woods!🙂
Thank you Gill. We really enjoyed Penang (particularly the food!) but the photography was frustrating (as it nearly always is on family holidays). I am looking forward to getting back into some tropical forests sometime in the next 12 months.