How to Photograph Flowers

Flower Photography Tips

Throughout history there have been thousands (perhaps millions) of images of flowers created or recorded by artists, scientists and others who find them beautiful. They are also a beloved subject of many photographers who like capturing their vivid colors, remarkable shape and even the way light interacts with their petals and leaves. Though motionless subjects, they are nonetheless among some of the trickiest to record accurately.

This is due to a number of issues including lighting, automatic camera settings, and the remarkable range of colors that appear in the world of flowers. One good example is the problem of color saturation. Many cameras are unable to distinguish between the enormous range of hues and shadings that appear in most flowers. Additionally, neighboring blooms may cast an inaccurate color back towards other flowers or plants, and this too can be improperly recorded by a camera.

Consider that a pale apricot colored begonia will have varying shades of peach, pink, cream, yellow, green and even red that must all be detected, captured and presented in the photograph. Some cameras have difficulty in this amount of color variation and might display such a bloom or plant in only a limited range of color variants instead.
Many ask if there is anything that can be done about this – apart from tinkering with the photographic file in a program such as Photoshop. The answer is “yes”, because color saturation issues can actually be controlled, or at least adjusted, through the use of lighting and camera settings.

There are no subjects that photograph well under the brilliant and somewhat harsh lighting of the midday sun, and flowers are no exception. Their tiny details, including veins of color and soft shading can often be lost to the brightness of sunlight. Most avid flower photographers tend to use a polarizing filter to eliminate reflections of color that may allow a bloom to appear nearly colorless. Other photographers might wait for an overcast or cloudy day to photograph brilliantly colored blooms because such limited light can actually give a great deal more control over the end results.

Black & White Flower Photography

Take the many red, orange, pink and yellow colors of a flower and turn them into classy black and white photos. You’ll find when doing black and white flower photography; you’ll have the richness of the flower disappear into a tone of grayscale that demands a higher contrast and definition. You may have to alter your contrast or brightness in Photoshop to add some depth to your black and white flower photography.



Here are two examples of flower photographs in black and white. The one on the left was created simply by using a grayscale. The photo on the right was enhanced using brightness and contrast.
Alternately many a clever photographer employs something known as “backlighting” in their flower photography. This requires the photographer to either stand with the sun directly behind them, or directly in front of them. This allows the sun to illuminate the flowers in a far more photographically friendly way, but without any concerns about fading or blurring their colors.

These flower photography tips were contributed by Amy Renfrey author of my favorite Photography Books. If you are looking to become the best digital photographer you can be I highly recommend Amy's books. They are available individually or as a package. I've written a book review about Digital Photography Success if you are interested in knowing more.

Backyard Photo Opportunities

How to Attract Birds to Your Backyard

Bird pictures are not always easy to get. That's where backyard photo opportunities come in handy. Attracting wild birds to your yard or garden is a fun way to capture your feathered friends in images.

Add a secluded sitting area that is out of site yet open enough to take pictures through and you are on your way. Nature Photographers call these blinds. And having them in your own backyard makes it even easier to set your camera on automatic and carry on with your indoor tasks.



Learn the fundamentals of attracting wild birds to your backyard. If you're consistent with supplying the birds' needs, you will have a yard that you and your feathered friends will enjoy year round.

Lets start with……..

Food

Place bird feeders 8 to 9 feet from trees or walls to keep the squirrels from jumping onto the feeders. Bird feeders need to be kept clean and filled with fresh feed. Once the seed gets wet and moldy the birds won’t eat it. If the seed is over 6 months old it is no longer fresh. Your feeders should be cleaned with soap and water once a month.

Water

Keep fresh water available for your backyard birds all year long, like humans they need water too. Place a birdbath near cover such as a shrub or other planting. The birds prefer shallow water with a narrow edge or stones to perch on. They also like running water. A good choice would be a birdbath with a drip or warbler in it. Or perhaps a fountain. I like that fountain idea for the relaxing nature it adds to your garden or outdoor sitting area, don't you?

Shelter

Birds need shelter from predators and the elements. If your yard is lacking in trees or shrubs consider planting a shrub or two. Some shrubs produce berries or seeds that attract wild birds.







We have an ornamental cherry tree in our front yard and the birds love it. You might find me lurking behind the bushes on my patio on an early winter morning. The birds seem to like to visit when the leaves are gone and there are still berries on the tree. I like it too because they are most visible then.

Make sure you don’t use pesticides or chemicals on your lawn or trees where the birds feed as they could ingest the poison.

Patience

Once you have decided to set up a feeder or two, don’t expect your feathered guests to
arrive for dinner the same day. It could take a week or two for them to discover your
feeder. Once they discover you have food available for them, they will stop by on a regular basis. If you already have a feeder in your yard and decide to set up a second, it may also take a week or so for the birds to get used to it. They will come.

Conclusion

Building a habitat allows a safe place for your feathered friends to get the food and water they need. The added shelter will also allow you to see various types of birds. Depending on where you live, a backyard habitat has other advantages too. Other forms of wildlife can be attracted as well.

And of course the best advantage of all for us nature loving photographers are the many backyard photo opportunities. Be sure and check out more stories about birds on my main site. Nature And Flower Pictures / Bird Pictures

Happy Bird Watching

Sally

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