Graham is an award-winning professional photographer based in Canberra. While he shoots a wide variety of genre his passion is Australian flora and fauna. Graham is a Birdlife Photography Australia Gold and Bronze medallist, is widely published and is regularly commissioned for themed shoots for Exhibitions. Of relevance to Treenet is his work photographing trees. Graham was commissioned in 2021 and 2022 to shoot and produce multiple frames for 2 Tree Week Solo Exhibitions (2021 and 2023) for the ACT Tree Network. His clients ranged across Federal, State and Local Government Estates and included both native and exotic species. In 2023 the exhibition featured wildlife and trees thereby combining both his passions. When asked ‘why Graham?’ his Tree Network Clients quickly answer not only does Graham bring great artistic photography skills, his background in horticulture, work as a Park Ranger and past Australian Open Garden Scheme participant means he understands the ‘tree tribe’ intimately. Graham has been engaged locally to run nature photography workshops and is in demand as a speaker. He is also a keen member of the Australian National Botanic Gardens Photographic Group. Graham has a large social media following on Instagram and Facebook – @gallpix. Continuous improvement is his professional goal and continuing to exhibit, teach and sell his work his everyday focus.
TREENET Symposium Speaker: Graham Gall
Speaker Biography
Session Abstract
Graham will present on his approach to photographing trees and will also lead a practical workshop so those involved will gain practical insights into his method of producing exhibition
quality shots of trees.
Graham approaches tree photography as an artist and will share his photographing process, beginning at the initial client consultation, delivering the final framed prints and everything in between. These steps will include:
• Understanding the client’s rationale for choosing the tree
• Locating and inspecting the tree on site
• Doing a SWOT analysis on the location – examine the tree in the landscape for photographic Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats
• Deciding which face of the tree to shoot
• Considering what light will best present the chosen face of the tree
• Considering which angle/s will best deliver the client’s expectations
• Considering other shots if requested e.g macro on bark, buds, flowers, seeds, cones etc
• Reaching agreement with Client on proposed treatment
• Checking weather forecasts and plan shoot days to make best use of preferred light – well in advance and day by day
• Preparing kit and accessories
• Thinking through each tree subject and packing a selection of lenses that will give me best coverage from wide angle to macro.
• Assessing the situation again on site at least one hour before optimum light
• Setting up – usually on a tripod
• Shooting settings – Raw, Manual focus, manual exposure, HDR if possible for high resolution
• Taking a variety of shots to give client choices
• Shooting Landscape and Portrait orientation
• Editing the shots and sending proofs to clients
• Consulting on choices for framing
• Delivering digital files to Client and Invoicing
• Meeting with Printer and Framer – selecting paper and frame/mat styles
• Producing slide shows and other products as required
• Delivering to Exhibition location
For the practical Workshop in the Botanic Gardens, he will preselect at 3 trees for participants to work with as outlined above. This will begin with a brief discussion about the ‘Exposure Triangle.’
