Wind movement in scenes especially with large format photography

[Heroique]

In my younger and less-experienced years, I didn’t understand forest winds very well.

For example, I didn’t know some winds never subside, no matter the patience, curses, prayers, magic incantations, or timing of the visit.

Here’s an example where I waited (and waited) for the mountain wind to stop moving the hanging branches above the creek. I needed a slow shutter speed to impart a touch of motion to the water. Of course, the wind here is due to the creek’s moving current. The wind here will never subside ... unless the creek dries up or freezes over.



I want those five hours of my youth and innocence back.

Tachi 4x5
Fuji A 240mm/9
½ sec. @ f/32
T-Max 100 in T-Max rs
Epson 4990/Epson Scan

[Alan Klein]

In my younger and less-experienced years, I didn’t understand forest winds very well.

For example, I didn’t know some winds never subside, no matter the patience, curses, prayers, magic incantations, or timing of the visit.

Here’s an example where I waited (and waited) for the mountain wind to stop moving the hanging branches above the creek. I needed a slow shutter speed to impart a touch of motion to the water. Of course, the wind here is due to the creek’s moving current. The wind here will never subside ... unless the creek dries up or freezes over.



I want those five hours of my youth and innocence back.

Tachi 4x5
Fuji A 240mm/9
½ sec. @ f/32
T-Max 100 in T-Max rs
Epson 4990/Epson Scan

So how do you know which winds subside and those that don't?

[Jody_S]

A little bit of blurriness just makes it look like you didn't focus properly.

Agreed. 1/30 or above, or 1s or more. In between, only on perfectly still days or sheltered in deep woods.

[Heroique]

So how do you know which winds subside and those that don't?

Alan, by spending lots of time in the woods like Natty Bumppo. ;^)

[Vaughn]

Vaughn, a beautiful shot using breeze to your advantage.

Your subject matter is so light and delicate, it may never have a moment of stillness!

Have you ever returned to try?

No. In fact, I'd be hard pressed to remember the exact spot on Hwy 299 east of here. Along the Trinity River, somewhere.

8x10 carbon print

But photographing in the redwoods for years, one gets to know when the wind will die down...or not. When the down-canyon breezes slow down and before the up-canyon breezes takes their place, there can be a time of still air. Between storms. The vertical (8x10 carbon print) was a two-minute exposure. My boys did a good job of holding still, too. The 4x10 carbon print -- I took a little nap during that exposure.

[PatrickMarq]

Wind can have an interesting vibe.

[Alan Klein]

This thread has me thinking I ought to switch from Tmax 100 to 400.

[ic-racer]

I really like the work of Dick Arnetz:

[Drew Wiley]

Here it's windy most of the time, unless one is sheltered behind a ridge. One simply gets accustomed to it, and learns to precisely anticipate the gusts by watching grass and leaves, and by what clouds overhead are doing in relation to the position of the sun. But this year it's been exceptionally windy, so my large format "kites" haven't gotten as much use as MF gear. When I want deliberate motion of grass or trees adjacent to immobile detail like rocks, I'll try to find a spot beside a large tree or rock to station my camera itself sheltered from the gusts, and then put a strong contrast filter over the lens to slow down the exposure appreciably, then wait for the right effect. A deep blue 47 filter opens up the shadows yet darkens greens much like old blue-sensitive plates, and lends an especially distinct look.

More often I want the majority of the composition tightly detailed, yet with just a hint of being "wind-alive", with just a few tiny sections of grass or leaves in motion. Same with flowing water. One doesn't necessarily need to go to one extreme versus the other. How long to wait? All depends. But in the woods, it doesn't take all that long before the intricate light and shadow patterns change entirely; and recomposition each time with a view camera imposes more delay. Frustrating, or a cat and mouse thrill? The latter to me, even if I don't catch the mouse every time.

[jnantz]

When I shot 8x10 with a shutterless lens and everything at f64 and 1 second or more, I included the word wind in my titles, i.e., Live Oaks and Wind, Little Talbot Island.

that's perfect !

I shoot very slow shutter speeds all the time too. these days about 15-30 seconds an exposure
I don't include the wind in my titles though, that's a great idea! I figure the wind is there might as well accept it move on ..