Landscapers ― if you disturb a scene, do you restore it?

[Heroique]

Many times before a shot, I’ll move things around to get the composition I want.

For example, I might shift a tree branch to clear the view, push a rock to the left, or drag a log into an empty corner.

After the shot, I’ll put everything back where it “belongs.”

Is this an irrational act? Or considerate?

What are your habits when it’s time to leave – and why?

[Jody_S]

For urban landscapes, abandoned buildings, etc, yes, I make an effort to put everything back exactly how it was. Woodland scenes or whatever, if I move a branch, I generally just break it off and toss it to the side.

[Lachlan 717]

For urban landscapes, abandoned buildings, etc, yes, I make an effort to put everything back exactly how it was. Woodland scenes or whatever, if I move a branch, I generally just break it off and toss it to the side.

Do you mean that you break branches from living trees, or from deadfall?

[Jody_S]

Do you mean that you break branches from living trees, or from deadfall?

If I have a branch drooping in front of the camera, yes I'll try to prop it against another branch or something but failing that I'll break it. Of course we have to define 'branch', I mean something small enough that I can just grab it in my hands and snap it. Twigs, in other words.

[Kuzano]

You have not reached the Zenith of Green until you follow the rules in this book. A huge amount of learning how to leave no "footprint" on the wilderness. As title says... doing what is outlined in the book is "a lost art".

http://www.amazon.com/Shit-Woods-Sec.../dp/0898156270

There are those among us who believe the worst thing that happened to Earth was evolution... the branch that introduced "mankind"

[RichardSperry]

There are those among us who believe the worst thing that happened to Earth was evolution... the branch that introduced "mankind"

What a funny little notion.

[aporodagon]

I remember an article by Fred Picker in which he discusses how to cut branches and shrubs with the cut facing away from the camera (otherwise you'd have to retouch all the white spots you just created). He wasn't shy about altering the landscape to improve his compositions. I think he also kept his gardening tools with his camera kit.

[slackercruster]

Yes, Op it is being considerate if your restore it.

No, I usually don't restore much. i do clean paths on trails though. So people don't trip on rocks that just rolled down or branches that fall.

[bob carnie]

I remember that article as well,, it was the second to last article for the magazine and in the last article all the letters to the editor blasted Fred, and there were no future articles for him to defend himself.

I remember an article by Fred Picker in which he discusses how to cut branches and shrubs with the cut facing away from the camera (otherwise you'd have to retouch all the white spots you just created). He wasn't shy about altering the landscape to improve his compositions. I think he also kept his gardening tools with his camera kit.

[Two23]

Woodland scenes or whatever, if I move a branch, I generally just break it off and toss it to the side.

I sometimes use a chainsaw.


Kent in SD