Photographing the Tree Canopy in Ontario’s Provincial Parks

Photographing the Tree Canopy in Ontario’s Provincial Parks

Exploring Ontario’s provincial parks offers countless photographic opportunities, but one of the most captivating views is right above you—the tree canopy. Whether you’re capturing towering pines in Algonquin or vibrant fall foliage in Killarney, looking up can provide stunning compositions of nature’s architecture.

Why Shoot Upwards?

Photographing the overhead tree canopy adds a new perspective to your nature photography. Instead of the usual landscape shots, this approach emphasizes height, depth, and the interplay of light filtering through the leaves. The patterns of branches against the sky can create striking silhouettes, while different seasons offer unique color palettes—from fresh greens in spring to fiery reds and oranges in autumn.

Using a Flip Screen to Your Advantage

One of the biggest challenges in overhead photography is composing your shot without straining your neck or guessing at the framing. This is where a flip screen on your camera becomes a game-changer.

How a Flip Screen Helps with Overhead Photography

Better Composition Without Guesswork Without a flip screen, you’d have to hold the camera above your head and hope for the best. A tilting or fully articulating screen allows you to frame your shot precisely in real-time.

Easier Focus Adjustments With branches, leaves, and sky competing for focus, it can be tricky to lock onto the right details. A flip screen allows you to use Live View, tap to focus (if your camera has a touchscreen), or adjust manual focus while still seeing your composition clearly.

Comfortable Shooting Angle Instead of awkwardly tilting your head or lying on the ground, you can hold the camera at a comfortable level while angling the screen to view the composition easily.

Live View and Exposure Control Shooting directly into the sky can lead to exposure challenges, such as overexposed highlights or darkened tree details. A flip screen lets you monitor changes in real-time, ensuring a balanced exposure.

Ideal Settings for Canopy Photography

Aperture: Use a narrow aperture (f/8–f/11) for deeper focus across the leaves and branches.

Shutter Speed: If there’s wind, a faster shutter speed (1/250s or higher) will prevent motion blur.

ISO: Keep it as low as possible (ISO 100–400) to maintain detail and reduce noise.

White Balance: Adjust based on conditions—Daylight for natural tones or Cloudy for warmer hues.

Final Thoughts

Next time you’re in an Ontario provincial park, take a moment to look up. The ever-changing canopy offers dynamic compositions that tell a story of the seasons, light, and nature’s intricate patterns. And if your camera has a flip screen, take full advantage of it to make capturing these skyward shots easier and more comfortable.

Have you photographed the tree canopy in a provincial park? Share your experiences and favorite locations in the comments!