Flower Photography

Help, Recommendations and Ideas for Flower Photography
by Carol Leather

Flower photography can keep memories alive, whether of that beautiful bouquet your loved one bought you or a single bloom your child picked from your garden and gave you. And of course don't forget your wedding flowers!

If you are new to photographing flowers the following hints and tips on equipment and techniques might prove useful. Basic Equipment for photographing flowers

Today's digital cameras have an enormous benefit over film cameras; you can see your results almost instantly! No more waiting for the film to be processed, by which time the flowers have died and the pictures cannot be re-taken. Now you can check your snapshot to make sure it is just what you wanted, and if not try again straight away.

If you are thinking of buying a new digital camera there are some things to keep in mind.

It is a good idea to check whether the camera has a macro photo button. This will enable you to get closer to your flowers while still keeping them in focus. Some cameras will only let you get to within 24” or so whereas with others your lens can almost touch the flower! Think about whether most of your flower photography will be of full bouquets or close-ups of a single bloom.

You may also find a tripod useful. Supporting your camera on a tripod will help to prevent camera shake, which could result in blurred flower photos. If you don't want to carry a full sized tripod you can purchase a table top version, which will be fine for flower photography.

Other things to keep in your camera bag are a piece of velvet and some pegs. Sometimes the flowers you wish to photograph are in front of an ugly background and if you have these items to hand you can disguise it. Use the pegs to attach the velvet to stems or branches behind the flowers you want in the picture. Make sure to keep the peg out of the shot when you press the shutter though!

If you have a tiny space left in your camera bag pop in a white carrier bag as well. This can act as a reflector, shining available light back into the photograph to lighten shadows. You can also enclose wayward stems in it and peg it closed. The weight of the peg (or pegs if one isn't enough) will help to pull the unwanted items out of the shot. And when you are finished you can undo the bag and you haven't damaged the plant.

So with your equipment ready, enjoy yourself taking pictures of your favourite flowers for the album or to frame.

Return to Home page

More flower photograpy tips