Rio Grande National Forest, Colorado, September 24, 2020, Part 2

September 24, 2020, AM, continuing my wandering around in the Rio Grande National Forest, Colorado:

Fallen. Nikon D850, Nikon 24-70mm @ 24mm, 1/125s, f/11, ISO 640.
Forest Clutter. Nikon D850, Nikon 24-70mm @ 40mm, 1/160s, f/11, ISO 640.

For landscape images it is best to make simple images with no distracting clutter.  In a forest it is virtually impossible to avoid clutter.  Trees and grasses grow in a mass of seeming disorder.  Limbs and twigs stick out everywhere, the forest floor is covered with all kinds of natural debris, grasses and low growing plants, fallen trees and limbs.  Still, I try to carefully consider what is in my composition.  Sometimes I can exclude something that I consider particularly distracting, many times I just have to accept what is there and try to compose so that a viewer can get the intended message.

Star Burst Aspens. Nikon D850, Nikon 24-70mm @ 26mm, 1/200s, f/11, ISO 200.

Sometimes, isolating details, either via zooming in or cropping in post processing, works to eliminate clutter, but context may be lacking, if that matters.

Aspen Leaves. Nikon D850, Nikon 24-70mm @ 70mm, 1/100s, f/11, ISO 250
Cradled. Nikon D850, Nikon 24-70mm @ 70mm, 1/80s, f/11, ISO 500.
Forest Floor and Shadows. Nikon D850, Nikon 24-70mm @ 24mm, 1/100s, f/11, ISO 250.

The chaotic nature of a forest may be the message.

Geometric Shadows. Nikon D850, Nikon 24-70mm @ 24mm, 1/125s, f/11, ISO 500.

Sometimes there appears to be a natural geometry within the chaos or just a simple highlight that catches the eye.

Aspen Twig. Nikon D850, Nikon 24-70mm @ 70mm, 1/2000s, f/11, ISO 400.

I do not claim to be an expert or accomplished photographer, so maybe I need to move on now.

Until next time stay well and safe,

Ken