Focus on the Trail - Beginners Guidebook to Improve Your Trail Running Photography
Could not be happier and more thrilled to share with you all, Focus on the Trail, a guide book for every trail runner to help you improve your photographs when out on a run, no matter what phone or camera you take out with you so that you can capture those epic moments to the best of your ability.
The book is soon available for pre-order from Spring 2025.
As well as the book, i will be uploading a short video guide on Kelp and Fern Youtube channel. This will accompany the book release and serve as an introduction to the basics of trail running photography.
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The introduction from the book is below to give you a better insight as what to expect.
PRE-ORDER COMING SOON!
Book Introduction
We all look to the trail for our own reasons, to find positivity, strength, and peace. Some go to rewild themselves, to test their endurance, or simply to reconnect with the natural world. Trail running, I believe, is one of the most beneficial forms of exercise you could possibly do. It immerses you in nature, wilderness, and biodiversity, while improving both body and mind. With each step, you connect yourself to the earth, engaging all your senses as you move through it.
And when surrounded by such beauty on the trail, how can you not take photos? Whether you're a seasoned trail runner, mountain runner, ultra runner, or just starting out, this guide is here to help you elevate your photography skills while exploring the great outdoors and hopefully seeing more of it.
Although this beginners guide is tailored for trail, mountain, and ultra runners, it’s rooted in fundamental principles of landscape and outdoor photography. You’ll find a lot of overlap with general photography techniques, and we’ll explore how to apply those concepts specifically for trail running.
We’ll begin with basic photography rules and guidelines, gradually shifting our focus to techniques and strategies that align specifically with the trail running experience.
And here’s the thing: it doesn’t matter what kind of camera you use. Whether it’s a smartphone, compact camera, or even an action camera, as long as it can take photos, you’ll be able to learn new skills through this guide and the beauty of photography lies in its timelessness, these skills will stay with you and develop for a lifetime and can be transferred from one camera to another, no matter what device you use or what year it is in the future.
I’m Martin, a trail runner, photographer, and filmmaker known as Kelp and Fern. With over two decades of experience behind the camera and a lifetime of adventuring in the hills and fells, I’ve filmed ultra-marathons, created wildlife short films, and followed athletes through some of the most challenging and awe-inspiring landscapes. Through this book, I want to share what I’ve learned. Whether you’re using a smartphone or a mirrorless camera, I’ll guide you through photography fundamentals, understanding light, choosing the right angles, and capturing everything from epic landscapes to dynamic action shots of yourself or your friends whilst on the trail.
The idea for this book came from my own journey. Bringing a camera with me on most of my runs has not only improved my photography but has also deepened my overall enjoyment of trail running. It’s helped me slow down and truly appreciate the natural world, and that has become the driving force behind writing this book, to focus on the trail.
But this isn’t just about capturing beautiful photos, photography has a way of fostering a deeper appreciation for nature. As you bring your camera onto the trail, you’ll start noticing more, the flowers lining the path, the insects moving beneath your feet, the intricate details of nature that make up the world around you. This awareness makes every run richer and more meaningful.
By slowing down, especially on those long and easy runs, you’ll find more opportunities to explore the trail in a new way. Photography gives you another reason to pause and take in the environment, helping you to truly see and value the beauty of the world’s natural spaces.
That’s why I’ve written this book,to inspire you to take a step back, focus on the trail for what it is, and emerge with both improved photography skills and a greater appreciation for the environment. Together, we’ll capture the magic of the trails and the wonders they have to offer.