70-200mm Use this lens more
In the quiet stillness of a frosty morning, with the temperature hovering around 0 degrees Celsius, I found myself heading to explore the subtle wonders of my local woods. A place I hadn’t visited with my camera since back when we were all in lockdown, I bet you all remember that time of our lives. Armed with my trusty 70-200mm lens, I set out to capture the delicate dance between frost-kissed elements and the first rays of morning sunlight. I want to force myself to use this lens more and this was a good opportunity to do so.
Precision in Composition
The 70-200mm lens, often underutilised by many in landscape photography, proved once again to be a game-changer in capturing the intricate details of this chaotic scene. The frost-laden leaves, glistening like diamonds in the soft morning light, became the focal point of my first composition. The lens allowed me to isolate and emphasise these small, intricate elements which looked great on the back of the camera as I took these first shots. The light arrived casting a warm glow on an otherwise cold subject.
ICM
As I continued into the woods I came to an area that I had photographed before, back when it was totally frozen, it wasn’t on this morning however I decided to try something different here too, with my lens at 10mm I played with Intentional camera movement, moving my camera up and down and around also while I had the shutter opened, this creates an abstract effect and can work depending on the scene and of course the light.
Finding vignettes
One of the notable advantages of the 70-200mm lens is its ability to bring distant scenes into sharp focus. As I ventured deeper into the woods, I spotted a small cascade where the sunlight delicately kissed the flowing water. With the long lens, I could frame the cascade in isolation, emphasizing the interplay between light and liquid in a way that the naked eye might overlook. I took a few shots at 0.5 seconds to keep the texture in the water but also add some movement.
A cheeky hack
To add a touch of atmosphere to my shots, I utilised my breath to generate mist. Positioning myself carefully, I captured the beauty of the backlit mist ( My breath) and a delicate branch. The 70-200mm lens, with its versatile focal length, allowed me to zero in on the subtle details of the mist clinging to the branch, creating a sense of mystery and depth in the photograph. I wouldn’t have been able to be this creative without it as my wider lens would have not been able to fill the frame with this atmosphere.
Seeing Beyond the Obvious
In a landscape filled with sprawling trees and frost-covered ground, the 70-200mm lens encouraged me to see beyond the obvious. By isolating smaller scenes within the larger context, I discovered a world of further beauty that might have otherwise gone unnoticed. The lens served as a tool for exploration, challenging me to look closer and appreciate the subtleties that make each frosty morning unique.
As a landscape photographer, the 70-200mm lens has again earned its place as an indispensable tool in my kit. I would recommend that you always have yours in your bag, and force yourself to use it more. It not only helps you find compositions but also forces you out of a comfort zone that can be so easily overlooked. Its ability to capture details, isolate subjects, and bring distant scenes into focus allows us to elevate our photography. As during frosty mornings in your local woods, it can yield interesting results. Embracing the factual precision of this lens has opened new avenues for creativity, revealing the often-overlooked beauty in the quiet moments of nature.
You can watch the adventure on my YouTube channel and see the images I captured below
