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 subjects 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 Open Garden Scheme experience 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 foci.
Treenet Symposium Speaker
Graham Gall
Biography
Session Abstract
The art of tree photography
Graham approaches tree photography as an artist. He will share his process from initial client consultation to delivering the final framed prints and everything in between. These steps include understanding the client’s rationale for choosing the subject tree, analysing the location and examining the tree in the landscape for photographic strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Considerations when deciding which face of the tree to shoot, what light will best present the chosen face of the tree and which angles will best deliver the client’s expectations will be described, as will opportunities to add value e.g. through macro on bark, buds, flowers, seeds etc. Graham will share his planning process for shoot days, along with preparing kit and accessories for each tree subject and packing a selection of lenses that will give best coverage from wide angle to macro. Reassessing the situation prior to optimum light will also be discussed, as will setting up, shooting settings, taking a variety of shots to give client choices and producing and framing the final prints for delivery or exhibition.
