Capturing Nature’s Golden Hour: A Stroll Through the Forest with My Canon R5

Hey there, fellow photography aficionados! Grab a cup of coffee (or tea, no judgment here) and settle in as I take you on a journey through the mesmerizing forests in my neighborhood. Picture this: a crisp morning, the forest shrouded in a mystical fog, and the golden hour light creating a symphony of colors. Sounds dreamy, right? Now, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of how I captured this magic with my trusty Canon R5 and the RF 800 f11 lens.

The Gear
First things first, let’s talk about the star of the show—my Canon R5. This camera is like the Swiss Army knife of photography gear. It’s versatile, reliable, and delivers images that make you go “WOW” every single time. Pairing it with the RF 800 f11 lens was a no-brainer. This lens might seem like an odd choice with its fixed f11 aperture, but trust me, when it comes to wildlife and nature photography, this baby shines brighter than Chandler Bing’s sarcasm.

The Walk
I started my walk early in the morning, hoping to catch the forest in all its foggy glory. The air was crisp, the ground damp with dew, and the silence—oh, the silence—was only broken by the occasional rustling of leaves. If you’re thinking it sounds like a scene from a fairy tale, you’re spot on.

The Shots
Peeking Through the Leaves
I couldn’t resist the way the morning light was filtering through the leaves. It was like nature’s own spotlight. With my Canon R5 set to a high ISO to compensate for the f11 aperture, I managed to capture this beautiful interplay of light and shadows. The result? A photo that feels like you’re peeking into a secret world.

Golden Glow
Moving deeper into the forest, I found a spot where the sunlight was dancing on the foliage. The RF 800 f11 lens, with its incredible reach, allowed me to isolate this scene perfectly. The soft bokeh in the background adds a dreamy touch, making the leaves look like they’re glowing.

Forest Depths
There’s something about the way light hits the trees that makes the forest look like it’s painted in gold. Using the lens at its full reach, I captured the depth and layers of the forest, showcasing the contrast between the illuminated leaves and the darker trunks.

Pathway to Serenity
This shot feels like an invitation to walk deeper into the woods. The RF 800 f11 lens did an excellent job of compressing the scene, making the pathway look like it’s leading you into a serene, almost magical place. The way the light filters through the canopy creates an ethereal atmosphere.

Majestic Oak
There’s always that one tree that stands out, and for me, it was this majestic oak. Framed against the morning mist, this tree looked like it was straight out of a Tolkien novel. The Canon R5’s dynamic range really helped in capturing the subtle details and textures of the bark and leaves.

Morning Mist
Finally, no forest walk is complete without a shot of the morning mist. HDR was the name of the game here. Combining multiple exposures allowed me to capture the mist’s ethereal quality without losing the details of the foreground. The result is a photo that feels like you could step right into it.

Final Thoughts
So, there you have it—my morning adventure through the forest with the Canon R5 and RF 800 f11 lens. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that sometimes, the unconventional choices (like an f11 lens) can lead to the most stunning results. Next time you head out with your camera, don’t be afraid to experiment. Who knows, you might just capture something extraordinary!

Remember, photography isn’t just about the gear or the settings—it’s about seeing the world in a unique way and sharing that vision with others. Keep shooting, keep exploring, and most importantly, keep having fun with it!

Until next time, happy shooting!

Shot with Canon EOS R5 and RF800 f11 lens (Check BBPhoto for the gear I'm using!).
All photos are taken by me. If you want to know more, head to beheydt.be/photography or shor.by/BjB for more info.

Feel free to follow me on Instagram too! instagram.com/bjornbeheydt

Check out my NFT series as well, on OpenSea:


Or on Hive's own NFT Showroom: