Flowers are exciting subject for photography. A close study of flower photography opens up a whole new world of imagery, symmetry, hues, texture and seasonal variations. Keenly observing them can greatly enhance the quality of image.
Colour
The most important characteristic of flowers is their colour and capture them accurately is a challenge.
Whites are difficult to not ‘blow out’ and it is advisable to underexpose the image to compensate. Yellow in isolation can look very harsh and is best balanced with green in the background. Reds are best reproduced in the late afternoon.It is best to shoot flowers in natural daylight to render their colours truthfully.
It is best to avoid cluttering a single photograph with too many colours-it can be visually jarring. A combination of yellow, green and blue is visually appealing. A frame dominated by single colour or a very brightly coloured flower shoot against a monochrome background makes the image harmonious. Many flowers can look good when shot in black and white or when printed with sepia toning.
Lighting
The angle and quality of light are primary considerations for flower photography. Overcast days, mornings, and early evenings-times when the sun is not bright and overpowering are the idle lighting conditions for flower photography.
When shooting flowers indoors, say in home settings where the flowers are placed in a vase, the best thing to do is to use softly reflected light or window light. Using a reflector will help utilise the window light optimally. In case the light is very harsh, it can be made gentler by using a curtain or some other kind of light woven fabric. Get up early-before the sun is hot and harsh and when it is usually far less windy. When you set on early in the morning you will often find dew on flowers making the pictures interesting.
Composition
An uncluttered frame, with a definitive focal point, works best for flowers –whether a cluster or a single blossom. Additional elements that can complement flowers- like insects, a background that places it in context of its environment make the image interesting. A good background is a natural green created by the grass or the leaves of other plants and flowers near the main flower. The background can also be made up of other natural structures like a water surface, sand, the trunk of tree or a rock.
There are a limited number of days when the flowers in full bloom and at the peak of their beauty, so it’s best to photograph them within that time frame.
Focusing and Depth of Field
The point of focus is critical, weather you shoot a flower in isolation or a group of flowers. The area of sharpness, generally the center of the flower can be achieved by using an aperture like f/5.6. It makes the background slightly soft.
When shooting a field of flowers, the depth-of-field is even more important.
Equipment
· A SLR and telephoto lens with image stabilization.
· Manual focusing gives you the freedom of precision.
· A Macro filter for your lens.
· A dedicated 1:1 macro lens is a high-end option.
· Use of a stable good tripod ensures sharper images.
· Attach a ring flash to the lens for high-end photography.
· Using of polarizing filter to reduce glare.
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