I know I know, fences aren’t exactly nature or wildlife related but they do exist in some beautifully scenic areas and can actually enhance a photograph some of the time. For me as a photographer a fence can be a blessing or a curse. There have certainly been times when there is a naturally beautiful landscapes in front of me and I’d love to photograph it if it weren’t for some ugly fence that somebody had to go and put there. I understand they are needed but sometimes they are just a big old stain in an otherwise perfectly natural scene. A fence can also just block my way to get to a great photograph, I’m sure I shouldn’t be going over or around them but hey it’s just there to cross right, haha (I’m kidding of course, I’m certainly not suggesting anybody trespass or cross fences they shouldn’t)
The other take on fences is what I’m exploring with this post. There are countless time where a fence in the right place just MAKES the photograph. It may add texture, or depth to an otherwise boring photo. A fence can be the main subject of the photo or just a simple element that adds just the right touch. The majority of fence photographs I like are where fences are used for leading the viewer into the photograph, as in the first photo above. In that photo the fence is certainly the main subject of the photo, it’s almost the only thing in focus and because of the angle I took it at it tends to draw you into the photo. This is certainly a great way to use fences to your advantage in photography, they almost always have cool lines that can be a photographers tool in his or her picture.
For bird photography a fence can become a convenient perch for many different birds. Some fences can also be very natural looking and as stated above add depth to a photograph with a bird (like the photo below). Some of my bird-on-fence photos are great solely because of the fence, if the bird hadn’t been able to land on the fence I wouldn’t have had the beautiful background or great depth of field to a particular photo.
In the end my vote goes for good. I’ve incorporated fences into many of my photographs and I view them as more of an element to include instead of something to shy away from. Let me know in the comments what your vote is.
Larry Hennessy photographing a Crow on a Fence
You can view the result of the above photograph here.
Wildlife Photography Blog
I think I’d have to agree, these images do really draw the viewer into them. I vote good, if you’re keeping score and I’d also say I think they enhance the nature surrounding them, at least your example do. Very nice shots, and I really like the white board fenced pasture (#7). Nice job!
My vote is good, but echoing some of the same caveats. It is rare that a chain-link fence will be appealing in any way, in any nature photograph, but it might look very stark and perfect in an urban setting, for instance.
Fences with texture and nice form (such as the post-rail you lead the article with) are made of natural wood and blend well, or at least are not obtrusive. You’ve also shown many examples where the fence itself as the subject of the photograph makes for wonderful compositions.
One of my favorite shots is of a Boat-Tailed Grackle sitting on a rusty guardrail at Forsythe. The contrast of rusted metal with a gleaming purple-black bird with a bright yellow eye makes it really “pop”.
There are undeniably more situations where fencing can make for fascinating shots, but the most important ingredient is the photographer being able to incorporate the structure in a pleasing way. Whether it be as a perch for a bird, a perspective enhancer or focal point, or as an interesting subject in and of itself. Your examples are wonderful and show great skill in doing just that. Nice work.