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Photographing Flowers: Basics

© Wendy Folse

Spring is in the air and no other time of year inspires more people to pick up their cameras and head outdoors. As nature begins to spread its marvelous palette of colors across the land, it is time to brush up on some basic tips to turn your garden photos into masterpieces. Remember the hints given in previous articles. Get in close and fill the frame with the subject.

Subject

What are you trying to show? Your garden, a particular flower, a vista, or maybe color, shape, or form. Whatever your subject is, make sure that you concentrate on composition and framing in order to capture the subject.

Mood or Theme

What mood or theme are you looking for? The mood and theme will help determine which techniques will work best. For example, if you are trying to capture a botanical type print of a variety of rose then you will want to insure accuracy. This will require a greater depth of field and absolute sharpness throughout.

• Botanical Print-accuracy
• Blossom-Impressionistic
• Plant--Shape and form
• Landscape--design, color, layout

Motion will blur pictures

• Use a tripod

  Steady is the word. If you don't have a tripod handy brace yourself , lock your elbows and keep them close to your body. This will help to eliminate blurry images. It is very difficult to photograph single blossoms waving in the breeze.

  Do no harm- do not break blossoms or trample plants in the process. Instead, carry small sticks and twist ties to help isolate and steady the stems. Or better yet, wait until the wind dies down.

• Plan your shots carefully

  Limit the depth of field and use a large aperture, f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, in order to eliminate distracting backgrounds. Decide which part of the flower you want to be sharp. Selective focus is the key here. Let whatever is not important go blurry. Blurring the background will put greater emphasis on the flower.

Point & Shoot Cameras

• Manual Override

  If your camera has the option of manual override, experiment with it and learn how to use it. Most flower photos require the use of special considerations that you just cannot get with complete auto modes. Experimentation is the best teacher.

• Program Settings

  Many of the new automatic slrs on the market have a close-up program setting that is great for this type of work. Some programs are even designated with a flower icon.

Time of Day

• Early morning
  • Best time of day to shoot
  • Dew on the flowers drastically adds to the image

Holland

Postcard Series

Program Mode

Patterns in Nature Series

Postcard Series

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