Use a tripod
A tripod steadies your camera and reduces the chance that you'll get a blurry image because of the longer exposure time required for macro photography. You can also use your tripod to position your camera low to the ground, so you don't have to crouch, get on your knees or lie on your stomach to get a picture.
Choose your background carefully
Even though your camera automatically focuses on your subject and makes its surroundings blurry, if the background is too similar in colour and texture to the foreground, your subject will have little visual appeal and will blend into its surroundings, making for a dull photograph.
Respect the environment
Obey all rules and regulations. Be careful where you walk to avoid trampling endangered species and damaging fragile ecosystems. Do not pick flowers in public places, parks or wildlife preserves. Respecting nature means leaving it intact for your fellow citizens to enjoy.
Photographing flower gardens
Whether it's your own garden, or a public garden such as your town's botanical garden, you can use the same macro photography techniques to take pictures of cultivated flowers as you would wildflowers. Also, flowerbeds in tended gardens have an additional charm of their own and you may want to switch from macro to landscape mode to get the "big picture".
When taking your pictures, be aware of shadows cast on your subject by greenhouse structures or equipment contained therein.
Taking pictures of flowers in greenhouses
Greenhouses let in a lot of sunlight, so the same techniques apply as if you were shooting out of doors. However, you don't have to deal with wind. Also, if it's much cooler outside than it is in the greenhouse, windows will fog up, diffusing sunlight and therefore providing softer lighting conditions. Greenhouses also provide opportunities to photograph species (for example, orchids) that don't normally grow in your region. When taking your pictures, be aware of shadows cast on your subject by greenhouse structures or equipment contained therein.
Taking pictures indoors
Photographing cut flowers in the comfort of your home gives you a lot more control than if you are shooting outdoors or even in a greenhouse. For starters, you can choose a specific flower, isolate it and have full control over lighting and background conditions. You can even photograph your potted plants if you wish. For close-up photography, use macro mode as you would outdoors.
Or, you may want to photograph an entire flower arrangement in its vase. To start, make sure that your camera's macro mode is switched off. Prepare such a photograph as you would prepare a portrait of a human being. After all, it is a still life and is very similar to a portrait in that it is a pose, but not of a person.
For best results, use fresh-cut flowers with properly trimmed stems. For an extra-special photograph, use flowers from your own garden.
For more tips and tricks that you can use to photograph flower arrangements, please consult the portraits tutorial on this website.
Learn about flowers to take better pictures
One way to improve your floral photography is to learn more about flowers. Botanical gardens, community greenhouses, provincial and national parks, and nature preserves are some of the places where you can not only photograph flowers but also learn more about them. You can also attend flower shows, visit local gardening supply centres, visit your local library or do research on the World Wide Web. The more you know about flowers and about where and when they grow, the better your pictures will be.
With so many species blooming at different times and in different regions, your knowledge will help you determine where and when you can take the best possible pictures.
Floral photography is also a great way to decorate your home. Tastefully framed pictures of flowers can complement any décor. You can even change the photographs throughout the year to reflect what flowers are blooming at any given time.
Floral Photography: [1] [2] [3]
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