April showers supposedly bring May flowers, and we’re feeling optimistic so why not make a blog post about flower photography? Here are 5 tips on how to create stunning photographs of flowers!
Highlight Subjects
Depending on the location of your shoot, (a public garden, a green house, a farm, etc…) there might be a tool shed, a fence, or buildings in the background of your shots. You’ll need to decide whether to include these elements or remove them from your shot. Don’t be afraid to position yourself differently and move around. Or, if you’re cramped for space, try moving your subject – if possible that is.
Step Outside the Lines
You may not want to photograph the whole flower but instead, focus in on one specific part of the flower. This can create wonderful and unusual images that take on an abstract quality, especially with flowers that have contrasting colors, patterns and textures.
Master your Focus!
Sharp focus is important in all forms of photography but in flower photography it is crucial! On breezy days, it can be more challenging to find a centre of focus. You can improve this by photographing in a more controlled environment or shielding outdoor flowers from wind.
Lighting
Ideally your subject flower will be wonderfully light with outdoor natural light however, the world of outdoor photography doesn’t always work as planned. Using a flash or a reflector are two ways to conquer any lighting dilemma. A direct flash on automatic mode might overexpose your photos so consider bouncing your flash off another object. Reflectors can also provide natural, diffused light into areas of your subject that might not be getting natural sunlight. Lenses
Choosing a Lens
If you have a camera that allows interchangeable lenses, you might want to consider purchasing a macro lens. Most major camera manufacturers offer a range of them including ones at focal lengths of 50mm, 60mm, 100mm etc. A shorter focal length means you need to get physically closer to your subject to really hone in on your subject while longer ones allow you to shoot from further back.
