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| Finding and Photographing |
Good Transport |
All that is needed to find Giant Redwood trees (Wellingtonia) is a good pair of eyes and a good map. Oh, and good transport! They are relatively easy to spot where there is a clear line of sight, since they generally tower over their surroundings. They have a fairly distinctive profile - a bulky, smoothed outline rather than the thin straggly top like Leylandi and many other conifers. (example) Having said that, there will always be some variation, particularly when one has been struck by lightning. They are not too dense either - it is possible to see the sky through them from a reasonable distance. |
| A few hours drive around the countryside in many parts of England will often reveal at least one Giant Redwood, but with a good map it is possible to be a little more organised. Maps will often specify many locations as "xxxx Hall" or occasionally "xxxx House", and there is a possibility that one or more Redwoods may be found nearby. (example) The original building or estate may have long since been demolished, but in Victorian times the owners might well have taken part in the frenzied rush to plant Giant Redwoods soon after they were discovered back in the 1850's. Another point worth remembering is that where there is one Giant Redwood, there is often another within a mile or so. Jealous neighbours perhaps! |
A good Map |
| Churches are a likely place to find them. Perhaps donated by a wealthy parishioner, or maybe just planted by a more adventurous Rector, tired of the usual Yew and Cedar. (example) |
Likely Places |
Naturally, any street named "Wellingtonia Avenue" is worth investigating. Large parks and gardens, particularly those which date back hundreds of years, are also worth checking. (example) |
Coast |
Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) are a little harder to spot, they may be as large as the Giant Redwood (Wellingtonia, Sequoiadendron giganteum), but they are a little less distinctive in their overall profile. They are more of a "shaggy" silhouette than the smoother outline of the Wellingtonia and are more easily confused with other evergreen trees from a distance. A closer inspection soon reveals their true identity.
Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) are a similar overall shape to the Giant Redwood but the tell-tale difference is their leaves turn in the Autumn and drop off. Again, a closer look at their leaves and bark help with identification. |
Dawn |
| Taking a picture of the lower trunk of a tree is of course relatively easy and Giant Redwoods, with their attractive bark and sweeping shape can be very photogenic. (example) Getting a really good full portrait of a tall tree, however, is not as easy as it might seem. The first problem is of course the sheer size of them. Standing far enough back is the most obvious answer, but that may not always be possible where there are obstructions. |
Angle |
The other choice, often the only feasible one, is to use a wider angle setting on the camera. This will usually give a slightly distorted picture - and can be a bit distracting where there are buildings or posts at the edge of the shot. |
| The second problem is one of contrast. A bright cloudy skyline will mean that the picture will become a silhouette of the tree, with all detail other than the outline being lost. Whilst this can become a feature on some occasions, it is not usually the desired result. There is of course little choice with the weather, but ideally a deep blue sky with the sun behind the camera will give better results. |
Contrast |
It might still be necessary to set the camera to "over expose" a little in order to lift the foliage and trunk out of the relative darkness, but this will be at the expense of the sky's natural colour. A delicate balance, but one which is easier with digital photography.
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Focus |
If your camera does not provide a facility to adjust this setting, it can be simulated by pointing it first at a point below the skyline, pressing the shutter button half way (until the exposure and focus lock engage), then lifting up again to frame the shot you want. Take care not to focus on something closer than the tree. |
Just a note on the legality of taking photographs in public places. This has become more relevant in recent years, as the level of hysteria regarding a perceived "risk" of terrorist activity on every street corner has risen to ridiculous levels. The result of this is that amateur photographers are often being challenged and asked to stop photographing in public places, usually because of the mistaken belief that this is somehow illegal or requires special permission. In the vast majority of situations however, this is quite untrue. There are a few exceptions, as of course there have always been (military bases being one possible example), but generally there should not be a problem.
There are more detailed explanations of Photographers' Rights on the internet. A guide written by Linda Macpherson (a legal specialist) can be found on this website: www.sirimo.co.uk/2009/05/14/uk-photographers-rights-v2/.
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Legal |
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Finally, don't forget to tell us where you find any Redwoods and send us a copy of the photos! |
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