Looking Up
10/2022
With the pandemic finally (hopefully!) receding for real, we thought it time for an unashamedly optimistic gallery. With the Looking Up theme, we asked that you share images that inspire optimism, and were maybe even captured with the camera pointed north of the horizon. Aiming high can reveal some unique and wonderful compositions, as evidenced in this somewhat surprising gallery, with more intimate and smaller scenes than we expected. Congratulations to the ten photographers featured here, we hope that everyone enjoys this gorgeous collection. Thanks to everyone for participating, and make sure to enter our next challenge. Stay tuned for the selected theme!
A Change in Perspective
Image by: Sherri Cox
I love photography because it helps me notice the little things I might otherwise miss. While hiking, I saw this mushroom nestled in a high, mossy outcropping beside the trail. At first, it was simply another mushroom. However, its position at eye level allowed me to get beneath it where the backlighting beautifully unlocked the symmetry and colors of the mushroom’s lacy gills. Using a shallow depth of field, I captured the mushroom from below, shooting at an upward angle to frame its warm, orangish glow with the cool colors of the towering evergreen trees and splotches of blue sky.
Komorebi
Image by: Subhasish Dutta
"Komorebi", meaning the sunlight shining through the leaves, is one of my favorite images from last autumn. I have no recollection of which path I took before stumbling upon this scene. I took a breather on a bench to take in my surroundings. Looking up a steep slope behind the bench, I noticed this tree with its low hanging branch adorned with marcescent leaves set against a background of foliage in light fog. I remember being very happy with the entire day, although this image was not at the top of my mind. I fell in love with it after discovering it in my library.
Spring Greens
Image by: Scott Aspinall
During a spring family hike along a local trail, I was enjoying the way the midday sun made the new leaves glow. So, as we hiked, I tried to frame a few different backlit branches that were isolated in the tree canopy above. I really enjoyed the balance that this one struck.
Chaotic Calm
Image by: Jennifer Carr
As someone who lives part time at the beach, clear sky sunrises and flying seabirds overhead are the norm. I often have to consider new ways of seeing these subjects in order to challenge myself creatively. On this particular day, I was drawn to the calm sea and peaceful colors of the sky against the chaotic flight and call of this seagull. Using a slow shutter speed and pointing my camera up following the bird, I was able to capture a moment in time that seemed to fuse the two.
Rainbow in the Trees
Image by: Vanessa Hill
On a summer hike in a forest we spotted this beautiful spider web about 50 feet up, being blown by the gentle breeze and shimmering in the sun’s rays as they seeped through the thick canopy of the tall evergreens.
Treetop Sunshine
Image by: Mike Klimek
The most peaceful moments of my childhood memories were when I would climb trees. Looking up to the treetops lately has reminded me of being alone and looking at the canopy of a tree and just listening to the wind. This image and others that I've made recently have been able to take me back to that time.
Rising
Image by: Christopher Warren
Rising to the surface of the water to catch another breath, this green sea turtle hatchling broke through the surface of the wave, scanned the horizon, then retreated to the depths of the ocean to continue its journey. She was starting the adventure of a lifetime.
Rise
Image by: Sarah Merrill
I had an early morning alone to explore and wander through the narrow canyons in this area. The walls rise straight up, and it felt incredible to look up to admire the striking tall passageways. I loved how the sun reflected down the walls in this stretch of little bends, creating a sort of sun burst effect from the opening above.
Down & Up, Around & Through
Image by: Patrick Krohn
I really enjoy photographing the underside of leaves. To do that, I often need to get right down on the ground, and then look up to see the patterns and light. I saw these leaves one morning around the Carolina Bay in Aiken, SC. I captured this light and shadow play just as the sun was coming over the trees around the bay, highlighting the grasses in the foreground, through which I framed these red leaves.
Autumn Canopy
Image by: Brad North
I've often shot images looking up into trees but this is one of my favorites. The fall colored canopy among the pines was from a maple tree not much higher than my head. To get this vantage, I had to lie on the forest floor with the tripod splayed out over my chest and the camera at my face. Since this chance encounter, I'm always looking for new ways to try looking up.