The olive tree is one of the most iconic and beloved trees in the world Known for its twisted trunks, silvery green leaves, and nutrient-rich fruit, the olive has been a symbol of peace, wisdom, fertility, and longevity for thousands of years If you’re looking to capture the beauty of this remarkable tree in photos, read on for some tips and inspiration!
Choosing the Right Olive Tree Subject
With so many potential subjects, it can be tough deciding what exactly to photograph when it comes to olive trees Here are some classic options
The Whole Tree
Photographing the olive tree in its entirety is a great way to showcase its distinctive gnarled trunk and sprawling canopy. For this type of shot make sure to use a wide angle lens to fit the whole tree in the frame. Photographing the tree solo against a plain background like sky or grass can make for a striking image.
Close Up of Trunk
Zoom in on the knotted, twisted olive trunk for an abstract, texture-focused picture. Get up close to highlight all the nooks and crannies in the weathered bark. Side lighting or backlighting can accentuate the shadows.
Leaves and Branches
The olive tree’s slender, silvery green leaves fluttering against the sky make for beautiful photos. Capture the leaves solo, in bunches, or with some branches. Get creative with angles and perspectives. Play with light and shadow.
Olives
The tree’s fruit are a favorite photogenic subject. Grab some macros of olives on the branch, dangling from a twig, collected in a basket, or up close as a still life. The round shapes and colors are fun to photograph.
Trees in an Olive Grove
The scenic sight of rows upon rows of olive trees blanketing the hillsides is iconic. Capture the olive grove landscape with a vantage point from above or with a wide shot from within the grove itself. The patterns and shapes make geometric, graphical compositions.
Using Natural Lighting
Photographing olive trees outside using natural sunlight is ideal for capturing their true color and form. Here are some natural lighting tips:
Golden Hour
The soft, golden light before sunset brings out the olive tree’s best side. The low angle warms up the silvery leaves and trunk texture.
Backlighting
Position yourself so the sunlight filters through the olive leaves from behind. This can create an ethereal, glowing effect around the foliage.
Dappled Sunlight
Partially shaded olive trees illuminated with patches of sunlight filtering through the canopy make charming images with lots of whimsical light and shadow play.
Reflected Light
Photograph trees close to water so the shimmering reflections bring even more luminosity and interest to your images.
Diffused Light
On evenly overcast days, the diffused natural light is flattering for detail shots of leaves, fruit and bark.
Composing Strong Olive Tree Photos
A few key compositional techniques can take your olive tree pictures to the next level:
Rule of Thirds
Position important elements like the trunk or branching patterns along the rule of third lines for optimal balance and emphasis.
Leading Lines
Use the directional lines formed by the branches, trunk, rows of trees or surrounding landscape to lead the viewer’s eye through the frame.
Symmetry vs Asymmetry
Play with both symmetrical and asymmetrical compositions for visual impact. Highlight the symmetry in patterns or go for unique off-kilter, geometric frames.
Negative Space
Use empty space strategically around details like leaves or olives to create minimalist, artistic images.
Perspective
Get super low or super high with your angle and point of view to add drama. Foreshortening exaggerates perspective visually.
Patterns and Textures
Zoom in on the mesmerizing abstract patterns and textures in the bark, foliage and fruit. Isolate and fill the frame to make them pop as graphical art.
Post-Processing to Perfection
A bit of selective editing can polish your olive tree photos to their highest potential:
Cropping
Zero in on the most compelling compositions within your images by cropping tighter around the key focal points.
Contrast
Bump up the contrast gently to accentuate the striking highlights and shadows that give the trees dimension.
Saturation
Dial the vibrancy up a notch to make those silvery greens and earthy olives pop right off the screen.
Black and White
Convert to black and white to put all the focus on the mesmerizing shapes and textures. The graphic look is super artistic.
Noise Reduction
Eliminate any unwanted graininess or discoloration in the background to keep the details crisp and clean.
Sharpening
Finish off with a touch of sharpening around the edges and details for added definition.
Getting Creative With Olive Tree Photography
Beyond straightforward documentary shots, there are endless creative possibilities for turning olive tree photography into art:
Macro Abstracts
Grab super intimate close-ups of bark, knots, leaves and olives to render the textures in graphic, abstract fashion.
Silhouettes
Position trees in front of brilliant sunrises or sunsets to reduce them to striking black silhouettes.
Color Play
Combine olive trees with brightly colored elements like potted flowers, textiles, or even colored gels for vibrant, lively images.
People in Nature
Add human elements like portrait subjects or figures going about daily life to show connection and scale.
Food Photography
Pair freshly harvested olives or olive oil with food, drinks, dishes to add appetizing ambiance and a sensory experience.
Night Photography
Light paint olive trees at night or capture them under starry skies or a full moon for magical, ethereal photos.
Whether you’re shooting for fine art, editorial content, or commercial use, olive trees make for gorgeous, evocative photography subjects. Follow this guidance on lighting, composition, and editing to create stunning images showcasing all the beauty of this iconic tree. Just grab your camera and start shooting—those photo-worthy olives won’t pick themselves!
Growing Zones: 3-11 patio / 8-11 outdoors
Get Plant Expert advice for your landscape. Schedule your free consultation today!
Tasty Olives Plus Fast Growth
The promise of fresh, healthy olives with the authentic taste of Spain. Arbequinas are popular because of their flavor, but they also have a high concentration of healthy, antioxidant-rich oils. You can get up to 20 pounds of olives each year to enjoy in your salads and add to your favorite recipes – and even make your own olive oil at home!Plus, they grow nearly anywhere. Theyre seldom bothered by pests and will grow organically, no matter where you live. Even better? Arbequinas grow indoors year-round. These trees are semi-deciduous, meaning they only drop their leaves in extreme cold and tolerate 20-degree weather. Grown indoors, theyll keep their leaves throughout the winter.
You can plant them outdoors in areas with temperatures as low as 10 degrees if theyre blocked from northern winds. If youre up North, place them in a container and bring them indoors during the harshest weeks of winter, moving them outdoors again during the summer months.
Why Fast-Growing-Trees.com is Better
For starters, Arbequinas are self-pollinating, so you only need one to produce fruit, though extra trees mean an even bigger bounty. And best of all, our trees are started from branch cuttings instead of seeds, so youll have olives several years sooner. Your tree is grown and shipped in its own container with all of its roots intact, so your tree is ready to grow quickly and fruit. Weâve done the extra work so that you can enjoy a healthful, productive tree even sooner.Order your own Arbequina while theyre still available!
World’s oldest olive tree | Ano Vouves, Crete
FAQ
What does a full grown olive tree look like?
General Appearance. Olive trees, Olea europaea, are a symbol of endurance and vitality. They characteristically grow slowly to a height of between 25 to 50 feet while developing a wide, twisted trunk and a broad, rounded crown. The branches tend to spread out widely, giving the tree a vast and gnarled appearance.
How do you identify an olive tree?
Olive is a slow-growing, broadleaf evergreen tree or shrub that has a gnarled trunk, silvery-colored leaves, and a rounded crown. Olive is native to the Mediterranean, Africa, and China.
What is so special about an olive tree?
They can live for thousands of years. Carbon-dating some of the world’s oldest known olive trees has put their age at approximately 2,000 years. That’s simply amazing – and a testament to the strength and hardiness of these plants.
What does the olive tree symbolize?
-
Peace and Reconciliation:The olive branch, brought back by the dove to Noah after the flood, became a symbol of hope and the promise of a new beginning. In Greek mythology, Athena gifted the olive tree to Athens, establishing a symbol of peace and a food source for the city.
-
Wisdom and Foresight:The olive tree’s longevity and ability to thrive even in difficult conditions are seen as a representation of wisdom and resilience.
-
Prosperity and Abundance:The olive tree is a vital food source, and its fruit is used to produce olive oil, which has both culinary and symbolic importance.
-
Friendship and Partnership:The phrase “extending an olive branch” signifies a gesture of goodwill and an attempt to build a relationship.
-
Divine Light and Rebirth:In some interpretations, the olive tree is associated with divine light, especially in biblical and Christian contexts.
-
Link Between People and the Land:The olive tree’s deep roots and ability to thrive in the Mediterranean landscape are seen as a representation of the strong connection between humanity and the earth.
How many images of olive trees are there?
There are 246,752 free images of olive trees available on Pixabay. Find your perfect olive tree image for your next project.
Where can I find olive tree stock images?
Find Olive Tree stock images in HD and millions of other royalty-free stock photos, illustrations and vectors in the Shutterstock collection. Thousands of new, high-quality pictures added every day.
How many professional olive tree stock photos are there?
Browse 81,341 professional olive tree stock photos, images & pictures available royalty-free.
What is an olive tree?
An olive tree is one of the most beautiful, healthful, and powerful trees. Here at Queen Creek Olive Mill, we hold it in high regard – a richly rooted history that still lives strong today. Have questions about Olive Oil?
What does an olive tree look like?
Noun. A tree (Olea Europaea) with small oblong or elliptical leaves, axillary clusters of flowers, and oval, one-seeded drupes. The tree has been cultivated for its fruit for thousands of years, and its branches are the emblems of peace. The wood is yellowish brown and beautifully variegated. The fruit of the olive.
How tall do olive trees get?
These were the most critical factors that affected the olive tree’s height. Maximum height (theoretically) is one story, but the real-world data is usually different. As you can see above, mature olive trees can reach up to 35 feet (ca. 10 meters) in height.