Well isn’t that just a massively all encompassing and vague title, but at least it got your attention!
Most landscape photographers start frothing at the mouth as Spring edges closer (NB. not all – some hate it, which is fine). Months of cold, dreary grey colour begins to be replaced by pockets and then carpets and canopies of green, blue, white, yellow, pink, purple and more.
So where do you even start? First things first, think about the order of changing colours.
Changing Spring colours
Spring starts in March, and I can personally tell the exact moment it begins due to the intense itchy and watery eyes (thank you cherry plum and pear trees…).
Ash, beech and oak buds begin to open, alder, maple and birch leaves appear, and the colourful pastel blossoms start to adorn trees. The aforementioned cherry plum and pear, with white and light pink blossoms. On the forest floor, daffodils, snowdrops, crocuses and wood anemone being to appear, followed later on by carpets of bluebells, shortly followed by flowering wild garlic.
With our changing climate, a mild and warmer winter has seen a shift in this colour – particularly evident this year, with blossom arriving a little earlier. At this moment, I can’t remember the last properly cold, windy or rainy day. It’s been all too mild and calm – which has basically allowed blossoms to thrive across the city. My histamine levels have gone through the roof this year as a result, but it has certainly made for a more eye pleasing journey across the city, with stunning pink trees everywhere.
Get to know your local spots
Cherry blossom is something you’re more likely to see dotted around urban environments – if you’re a Bristol resident you don’t need to travel far to find one. Look for these at the end of March and then across April – different species will bloom at different times.
Bluebells follow the cherry blossom. Get to know your local woods – if you’re from Bristol or Somerset check out my guide to locations here.
The right settings for Spring photography
Understanding your camera and lenses
Before diving into specific settings, make sure you are familiar with your camera’s basic operations. Whether you’re using a DSLR, mirrorless, or even a smartphone camera, knowing how to adjust ISO, aperture, and shutter speed manually can significantly impact the quality of your photos. The latest iPhones let you take photos as RAW files, so you have far greater editing control now.
Think about the lenses you’ll be using – I find my 24-105mm is my most used lens when doing woodland photography. Found a giant gnarly tree? Get up close and use a wider lens – I’ve sometimes switched to a 14mm lens. In a large woodland? Switch to a longer focal length and compress the scene – particularly if you’re in a bluebell wood. I’ve often made use of my 100-400mm in this situation.
Choosing the Right ISO
ISO determines your camera’s sensitivity to light. In Spring, daylight is abundant, so you can often use a lower ISO setting such as 100 or 200. This will help maintain image clarity and reduce noise. However, if you find yourself shooting in low light situations, particularly at sunrise, or when under a dense canopy, you may need to increase the ISO to 400 or 800. If you’ve got a tripod, use it – you can then reduce the ISO accordingly.
Aperture settings for depth
Aperture controls the depth of field in your images. For landscape photography, a larger depth of field is typically desired to keep the entire scene in focus. Start with an aperture of f/9 and then increase upwards to ensure clarity from foreground to background. If you want to focus on a particular element, such as a blooming flower, using a wider aperture like f/4 can help blur the background and highlight your subject. However this can leave elements of the image out of focus – particularly if using a longer focal length.
Shutter speed
Shutter speed is crucial for capturing motion in landscapes, such as flowing water or swaying trees. However if you want pin sharp non-swaying bluebells, then you’ll need to have a fast shutter speed. Increase this but keep an eye on your histogram and use live view, if your camera has it. To avoid camera shake when using slow shutter speeds, utilise a tripod for stability (don’t forget to turn off image stabilisation if you are using a tripod). Bluebell woods lend themselves to ICM (Intentional Camera Movement) photography as well – try using a longer shutter speed (half a second and upwards), and move the camera upwards (or across or around…), for some abstract imagery.
Capturing vibrant colours
With the abundance of colour in Spring, post-processing can help enhance these hues. Shoot in RAW format to preserve as much colour information as possible. Adjusting the white balance on your camera to the ‘Cloudy’ or ‘Shade’ settings can also warm up your images and enhance the natural colours.
Use filters
Filters can be incredibly beneficial, especially in a woodland setting. A polarising filter can reduce reflections and increase colour saturation, making skies bluer and foliage greener.
Timing is key
The time of day can significantly impact your photos. Early mornings and late afternoons, often referred to as the golden hour, gives a soft, warm light that enhances the textures and colours of spring landscapes. Be mindful of the sun’s position and how it affects shadows and highlights within your scene.
Composition techniques
Good composition is key to compelling landscape photos. Utilise the rule of thirds to balance your composition and lead the viewer’s eye through the scene. Look for leading lines, such as pathways or rivers, to add depth and guide the viewer. Including a focal point, like a lone tree can also add interest and context to your landscape.
Keep an eye on the forecast
Spring weather can be extremely unpredictable, with sudden rain showers or dramatic clouds adding mood and character to a landscape. However it also brings with it a great chance of mist and fog – perfect for those woodland scenes, as the reduced visibility can transform a view. Even a light drizzle can create the effect of mist, so don’t avoid heading out if it’s looking a little grim outside. Mood and Spring colours are a great match. See my blog post on mist and fog for how to predict this!
