Tips for Photographing Flowers and Gardens
Flowers and gardens provide fantastic subjects for taking pictures. The natural variety makes it easy to find something interesting to point your digital camera at. When photographing flowers outside, these photo tips will help you work with the sunlight and capture your subject's beauty.
Have Fun!
One of the most important tips for photographing flowers and gardens is to have fun. Enjoy the beauty of the flower or garden while you are choosing your subject. Also, you will find what works for you by experimenting with subject and lighting.
Pick and Choose, Then Zoom
You may be tempted to choose only a splendid rose for your subject but remember the smallest flower can be just as glorious photographed up close. Move in on your subjects with a zoom lens and see the integral parts of the flower. You will be surprised at the intricacies you will find in the smallest flower in the garden. Getting closer to a flower will also simplify the composition of your digital photo.
Consider a Cloudy Day
The sun doesn't have to be shining when taking pictures of flowers. In fact, you can benefit from an overcast day. Sunshine can cast shadows that could be distracting in your digital photo. That is not to say that you can't take a picture of a flower on a bright, sunny day. You can compensate by creating your own shade by blocking the sun with an eclipsing material, such as mat board or diffusing the light with materials as simple as waxed paper or a bed sheet. Unless you are double jointed or have a rare third hand, a tripod or a friend to hold the material will be helpful and probably necessary. You also have the option of waiting for a cloud to cover the sun. Remember to adjust your exposure to compensate for the changing light.
The Early Bird Catches the Worm…or Flower
Early morning before the heat of the day is a good time for photographing flowers. You may see a dew drop that can add interest to your picture. You can create your own dew drop with a drop of water or better yet a drop of glycerin. Glycerin is obtainable at most pharmacies and will not dry up as fast as water giving you time to take your picture.
You will also find that it is less windy in the early morning. This makes early morning an optimum time for photographing flowers in a garden. However, if you find that perfect bloom and are afraid to lose the moment, you can also create your own wind block with a piece of cardboard but remember to shoot the photo at an angle so the cardboard doesn't show in the digital picture.
Don't Let Professional Photos Intimidate You
Don't be deterred if you lack professional equipment. Of course, flower pictures that you see in magazines or hung on walls were probably produced using macro filters and high quality lenses. Have fun just using a zoom lens to start. If you find that this is a hobby you enjoy and want to pursue, you can purchase the proper camera with a high quality lens and a macro filter.
The time in the garden, smelling the flowers as you practice taking photographs will benefit your spirit even if you decide against photography as a lifelong hobby. But my guess is that you will be hooked by this hobby and be out purchasing equipment before long. Just think of all the other subjects there are to photograph in this world. And one last hint…be sure to use high quality photo paper when printing your digital photos to obtain the maximum color and detail.
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