Tips- Add your flower photography tips here
Joanna
Here is a list of 10 tips that will help you create some amazing
flowerphotography.
1. One of the first things you need to do with digital photography is
to make sure you are using thecorrect white balance settings. If your
camera has the option, I recommend that you use themanual white
balance function. If not, then use whatever setting is appropriate for
the lighting youare shooting with. The equivalent to white balance if
you are shooting film is color balance. If youare shooting outside be
sure you are using daylight balanced film. I also suggest that
withdaylight balanced film outdoors that you use a slight warming
filter. Most of the flowerphotography that you may do will either be
in shade or on an overcast day creating a much bluerlight then the
film is balanced for. On the flip side, if shooting indoors with
incandescent lightingor normal house lights you should be using
tungsten balanced film. If the indoor lighting is beingsupplied by
florescent light, then use a florescent filter with daylight balanced
film. This is just astarting point. Experiment, mix it up. You can get
some fantastic special effects that way.
2. Get a polarizer filter. The great thing about a polarizer is that
it will eliminate or reduce imagedegrading reflections. This helps to
improve color saturation and contrast. At the proper angle itwill also
dramatically darken a blue sky. This effect is adjusted by rotating
the filter until thedesired effect is achieved. There are 2 types of
polarizer's available, circular and linear. Most ofthe advanced
metering systems today that are built into your camera will not
function properlywith a linear polarizer. So I suggest you get a
circular polarizer to play it safe. I have also seenwarming
polarizer's. While I have not tried one you may want to experiment
with them.
3. Always use a tripod. Let me repeat that, "Always use a tripod". Not
only will a tripod steady yourcamera and help you achieve a much
sharper image, but it will also force you to think about
yourcomposition. You will have to place the flowers in your
photographic image much moredeliberately instead of just pointing your
camera and shooting away.
4. Don't just take a snapshot of a flower that interests you and then
move on. Set up your first shotto include the whole flower then
concentrate on the details of the flower that attract your eye.Focus
on the color or small details of the flower.
5. Control your depth of field. If you are photographing a single
flower with a busy background thenuse a wide aperture to selectively
focus on the flower and blur out the background. Conversely, ifyou are
photographing a field of flowers the use a smaller aperture setting to
bring most, if not allthe flowers into focus. If your camera has a
depth of field preview then this is the time to use it.
6. Look for the unusual. Some examples would be snow or ice on a
flower, A flower growing out ofconcrete or even a dead flower that has
an interesting look.
7. Don't put your camera away just because it's cloudy or looks like a
storm is coming. Colors reallypop at this time and you can get some
amazing photographs in these conditions. I have evenphotographed in
rainy and foggy weather with great results. Be sure to use a tripod
and keepyour gear dry.
8. On a bluebird sunny day, soften the harsh contrasty light by
placing a diffusion screen betweenthe flower you are photographing and
the sun. You can purchase a portable diffusion screen oruse something
you have on hand. You can completely block the sun and put your flower
inshade, then redirect some light back on the flower with a reflector.
This reflector can be acommercially made reflector or just something
reflective like a white T-shirt or a piece of foamcore. Another
photographic technique would be to use fill flash. If your camera has
an automaticfill flash function then give it a try. Experiment with
the lighting ratio if your camera will let youchange the flash output.
I find reflectors to be a better option then fill flash most of the
time.
9. Photograph your flowers from different angles. Shoot straight down,
from the side, from theunderneath, just change it up a little.
10. Have fun with it. Don't be afraid to experiment and try different
things. Once you think you havethe photograph in the bagArticle
Search, get wacky with it!