PHOTOGRAPHING FLOWERS
Photographing flora is fun and invigorating. We all enjoy flowers. Because they are colorful, stand still, and look pretty, the result inexperienced photographers get is often quite good.
The challenge comes when the quest is for great results rather than merely good ones. The easiest way is to buy individual blossoms at the flower shop, take them home, and shoot them in a controlled environment--premeditated background, positioning, and lighting, etc.
Photographing flowers outside in the weather is more fun but it is always hit or miss. I believe that to be true no matter how good a photographer you are. You have to kiss a lot of frogs if you want master pieces.It's good to remember that picture cards have become amazingly inexpensive, so it's not a matter of "waste not, want not".
I photograph flowers just because I enjoy doing so. When I come across something really pretty when I'm out and about with another agenda, I snap it. If it works, great. If not, it's still better than nothing. I learned something.
I am a maverick at heart. Always has been, always will be! BUT flower photography is one of the places you MUST follow SOME rules in order to get reasonably consistent results.
- Avoid shooting flowers outside in the middle of the day. There's too much contrast and too stark shadows to compliment their fragile beauty. Choose some time close to sunrise or sunset.
void shooting flowers outside in the middle of the day. There's too much contrast and too stark shadows to compliment their fragile beauty. Choose some time close to sunrise or sunset. For the same reasons avoid direct sun. Your flowers will get ugly bleached spots and other hot spots. Choose overcast or cloudy bright light.The more high end your camera is, the more difficult exposures you can get away with. Shoot in raw if you have that possibility.We believe flowers to be pristine and expect those in our photos to be picture perfect. Unless you have done a lot of flower photography, you will be surprised how difficult it is to find flawless models. You can do some cloning in Photoshop, but you WILL get just as grey haired as I am unless you are very choosy with your selections beforehand. Keep all of your ducks in a row. look for harmonious compositions. It's easiest to shoot a whole field of flowers or one or two. Bunches tend to look messy.It's a great advantage to follow the rule of thirds. Place your most important and sharpest object on one of the third points. The "model" should ALMOST always be looking into the photo and towards what else is going on in the image. Avoid shooting flowers on windy or breezy days. Even if you shoot at a fast shutter speed your must shoot on a windy day--or just feel like playing--you can make lemonade out of your lemons. "Wind whipped" shots of flowers in clumps are in fashion. Shoot at a slow shutter speed to accentuate the motion blur. I've seen some interesting images created this way, but my own results have not made my day so far. BUT it IS FUN to try and good practise. I've included a photo of some windy poppies in the flower gallery. It's not my favorite photo. BUT I believe the blurred, yet distinct background is a saving grace.Another popular modern style is to zoom in on one solitary flower {or a part of it} and blur the background--large lens opening, long lens, and/or Photoshop. When done well it's nice to have "color spots" in the background. It takes practice. Oops! There's more (there always is) but I'm out of space