Photographing Flowers
Beautiful flowers are a gift that's often taken for granted. They're so common, it's easy to forget how many different kinds there are! From the humble daisy to the exotic lotus flower, flowers abound in every country and ecosystem on earth. Their beauty is unrivaled--and that can make photographing them difficult. But don't worry, with these tips you'll be able to take gorgeous photographs of any flower with ease!
1. Pay Attention to Framing
When taking a photograph of a bunch of flowers, the way they are framed can affect how they appear in your photo--either making them look beautiful or looking blurry and out-of-focus. If possible, use a wide-angle lens to take photos of your flowers; this will give them a more natural look that is pleasing and inviting.
2. Get Close!
When taking photographs of flowers, you want to show off their beauty--which often means getting close and personal with the subject! When photographing flowers, try something between three to ten inches away from the flower. This distance will focus attention on the petals rather than on the flower's reproductive organs. One way you can achieve this effect is by using camera aperture to "zoom in" on your subject. For example, to increase the amount of depth of field in your photo, open up the aperture using a smaller number (#2.8 for example) to allow more of the background to be in focus.
3. Use a Tripod
While it's certainly okay to take photos of your flowers without using a tripod, there's no denying that it will make your photo look better! Using a tripod will help keep your flower looking steady as you shoot and will also ensure that your shutter doesn't shake or move while you're taking the shot. Another benefit of using a tripod is that the flowers will sit more naturally, making them easier to photograph.
4. Stop Shaking!
Most modern digital cameras have a "self-timer" which automatically takes the photo when the shutter button is pressed. While this feature is a great way to capture your flower in motion, it can also be a problem when taking photographs of flowers; these self-timers often move, causing your flower to look blurry or out-of-focus. To prevent this from happening, use an external timer (like this one from Amazon). Using an external timer will allow for more control and keep the camera steady as it takes the photo.
5. Explore Different Angles
While many of us are used to taking photographs of flowers from the side, there's more than one way to frame a flower! In fact, some cameras come with multiple lenses which allow for different views of your subject. For example, instead of taking a photograph from above your flower, try taking a shot at an angle--like from 45 degrees upward (or downward). This will provide a new and interesting perspective that will make your flower look fresh and new!
6. Learn to Take Macro Shots
Flowers look wonderful in macro photography--in fact, it's often the only way to photograph some flowers! Macro photography allows you to get extremely close to your subject, creating a gorgeous and detailed photo. However, for those new to macro photography, the subject can be difficult to see through your viewfinder--especially if it's small! To solve this problem, many macro photographers use a loupe (or "magnifying glass") like this one. It allows you to see your subject without taking away from the image.
7. Experiment With Lighting
There's more than one way to light your flower: The first is with natural lighting. This is the easiest type of lighting to use on your flowers but, unfortunately, the most common. When photographing flowers in natural light, it's best to keep the flower as still as possible while you take your photo--otherwise the wind will cause your image to look blurry. However, there's nothing stopping you from experimenting with different angles! Try taking a photo of a flower with natural lighting from below or above; if the sun is shining behind it (like at sunrise or after sunset), this will create an interesting effect.
8. Add a Splash of Color
While there's nothing wrong with photographing your flowers in black and white, it's always better to add some color to your shot! To do this, try shooting your flower with a small piece of colored poster board or fabric. With the right combination of lighting and exposure settings, this will help add a splash of color that will make your photo look vibrant!
9. Replace Your Background
Your flower photos can look great on their own but they can also be mixed into new, creative images. One way you can do this is by replacing the background in your image. To do this, simply take a photo of your flower with a piece of colored poster board or fabric behind it. Then, use photo editing software to replace the original background in the photograph. You can even add additional flowers or decorations to your photograph!
10. Don't Forget About Editing Software!
While some photographers prefer to use natural lighting for their photographs, others will edit them afterwards with photo editing software! Some popular and free editing programs are GIMP and Paint.net. These programs allow you to manipulate your photo in countless ways--including changing the brightness, contrast, saturation, hue and more! If you'd like to learn more about using these programs visit our article: How to Edit Photos Online for Free .
Now that you know more about photographing flowers, get out there and start shooting! As long as you're taking photos of your flowers, you'll always have fresh and beautiful memories! And don't forget to share your best flower photos with us on our Facebook page -- we love to see what's out there :)
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Conclusion
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Photographing Flowers