Featured Photos:

The following photos feature Photo Veils from the Botanical and Illumination Collections. The before photos are straight-out-of-camera RAW files before foundation edits and the addition of Photo Veils.

This summer, Steve and I ventured into the remote mountains of Central Idaho to experience the largest tree in North America east of the Redwood forests – a giant 3,000 year-old cedar, 18 feet in diameter at its base and rising 16 stories into the sky, dwarfing even the ancient trees surrounding it. I wanted to show through photography how this venerable cedar was able to achieve such impressive mass by standing alone in a little fern glade where it was able to drink in more nourishing sunlight than its peers huddling shoulder-to-shoulder in the surrounding grove. There was one angle telling this story, but unfortunately my photo’s sky was severely over-exposed, there were miscellaneous branches and trunks pulling attention away from the giant cedar, not to mention parts of the fencing and pathway that were still visible on the ground. Previously, this was a throw-away photo, but with the power of AI and modern technology, I was able to eliminate the distractions, re-create the sky, and turn this photo into one of my all-time favorites. I love how the giant cedar dominates this scene and the trees around it; the distortion of my wide-angle lens causing those trees to bow inward towards it in respect.

Fine Art Prints Available | Nikon D850 | 14-24mm lens at 18mm | f/10 | 1/100 sec | ISO 1000

Sometimes, nature seems to imitate human designs, like the bark on the giant cedar. Calling to mind Norse weaves or Celtic knots, I was struck by this pattern on the giant cedar’s skin. Perhaps these types of anthropomorphisms inspired J.R.R. Tolkien’s Ents, the Shepherds of the Forests, in his Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Fine Art Prints Available | Nikon D850 | 24-70mm lens at 70mm | f/2.8 | 1/60 sec | ISO 400

I was surprised to find straight-line geometry out in that ancient forest! What caused this fallen cedar to collapse in such a way? The light was perfect for this scene, highlighting the tree’s interesting edges and illuminating the mist in the atmosphere to create a literal “air of mystery.”

Fine Art Prints Available | Nikon D850 | 24-70mm lens at 24mm | f/2.8 | 1/160 sec | ISO 1250

Speaking of light, I loved how the sun’s rays played on the giant cedar’s branches. Its new green sprays really popped in front of its massive dark primordial trunk. Knowing the tree has stood for more than three millennia, it was a wonder to see it still puts out new growth each year…I felt it really is forever young.

Fine Art Prints Available | Nikon D850 | 24-70mm lens at 70mm | f/2.8 | 1/160 sec | ISO 400

What’s Up Next?

Let’s stop and smell the roses! I’ll take you on a relaxing Photo Walk through our local Rose Garden where I’ll share some of my favorite tips for photographing flowers.

In the meantime, make sure you head on over to Youtube and subscribe so you don’t miss any of the fun! You can also sign up for our newsletter, where you’ll be the first to know when we drop a new episode. Until next time, get out there, get clickin’, adventure awaits!

You’ll find all of these photos in my Fine Art Print Shop, featuring giclée prints on Hahnemühle Photo Rag®, the industry’s highest standards in printing and art paper. This combination gives my prints the special touch and feel of genuine art.