Flower photography

I am definitely no expert on photography but I am keen to learn more.  These are some tips that I picked up to help with flower photography.

• Use natural light.
• Overcast clouds are usually the best conditions – the clouds become a huge light source which eliminates most of the shadows.
• Use macro mode – usually shown as a flower on your camera.

• Steady the camera with a tripod or rest it on a stable surface.
• Steady the flower with a pole or bamboo.  The camera blurs very easily using macro so keep both the camera and the flower steady for pin sharp shots.
• Try to use manual focus for very close shots- you will be able to set the focus yourself.  Your camera will find it hard to focus clearly at close ups when using autofocus.

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• Use aperture mode (usually Av or A on your camera settings) .  You can set the aperture (f/no) and the camera will set the other settings to suit the photo and environment.
• Use a large aperture (smaller f/number) – fine details will be focused but the rest will be blurred nicely – pleasing Depth of Field.
• Make sure the background is not too distracting.
• Use coloured card for interesting backgrounds – place them behind the flower.
• Decide which part is the focal point – the part that draws the viewers eyes.
• Mist water over the flower for a dew like morning look.
• Bounce light onto the flower by using white card or a reflector.
• The shadows and contrast are harshest at midday which makes outdoor photography less ideal but it is the perfect time to take photos indoors.  Use a large window and take photos there. Bounce light onto the flower with white card or card covered with tinfoil.  This will remove the harsh shadow and give a bright photo.

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• Pick your flower carefully – pick a specimen without flaws or marks.
• Change your viewpoint – try shooting from under the flower.  Rest your camera on the ground and shoot up. A blue sky is a lovely background.
• Experiment with angles, crops and close ups.  Photograph small sections of the flower.  Fill the screen or leave a lot of background.

Beautiful examples from around the web: Click on photos to go to original on 500px. (The great thing about 500px is that they show the settings the photographer used to take the shots – it can be a great learning tool)

every end begin by Beauty

Untitled by EMIKO Ito

Purple imagery by Lafugue Logos