Tree in the Breeze, Chadron, Nebraska, January 12, 2006

Infrared long exposure, Chadron, Nebraska, January 2006. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)

I spent the Spring of 2006 experimenting with infrared photography. The Nikon D70’s hot mirror filter was inefficient enough to allow for reasonable shutter speeds under sunlight. In this case, a bit more than 1 second at f/8 and ISO 200. It was a breezy day, and the long shutter speed allowed the branches to feather out, while the trunk stayed sharp. As usual with D70 infrared photos, there is plenty of tonal adjustment to increase the contrast.

Big Tree Up Front at Nebraska National Forest, January 7, 2006

A tree stands in a clearing near Dead Horse Road in the Nebraska National Forest, January 2006. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)

Something about this tree drew me in, and I photographed it dead center in the frame (something outlawed by the Rule of Thirds), showing it flanked by nearby trees. The wide-angle perspective showcases the trunk as almost larger than life, and the background trees, although of similar size, become dwarfed. I also like the weight and stability implied by the large size of the tree, as it stands firmly planted. Kind of like an elephant's foot. I also wanted to convey details in the shadows, so kept the tones a bit dark.