Photographing Flowers, Part 1: Equipment
Rose at Brookside Gardens |
Lilly at Greenspring Valley Park |
Camera. Well, of course. Most any quality DSLR will do just fine photographing flowers, but there's one feature that I highly recommend for flower photography--mirror lockup. You can get by without this feature, but it's very useful in macro photography. When you trip the shutter of your camera, the camera slaps the mirror to the top of the camera, causing vibrations inside the camera. If your shutter speed is between around 1/5sec and 1/60sec, these vibrations can actually blur your photograph a little. Activating the mirror lockup feature will make taking a picture a two step process: press the shutter release button once and the mirror will slap up. After a couple seconds, trip the shutter again, and the camera will take the picture.
Lens. The ideal way to shoot closeup photos of flowers is with a macro lens. I strongly prefer longer focal length lenses to shorter ones in flower photography. This is obviously a matter of taste to some extent, but let me make my case. If you use a wide angle macro lens (say, 50mm), you must get very close to the flower to make it large in the frame, and may scare off a butterfly or bee that interested you. Plus, you will have an expansive background that can easily cause cluttered compositions. If you use a longer focal length macro lens (say, 180mm), you can stand farther back from your subject, and the background will cover a much smaller area, making it easier to isolate a background of one color and blur it into a pleasing image. Of course, you'll pay for this benefit (these lenses can exceed $1000). You may opt for a middle ground (a 100mm macro) to balance the benefit of focal length with price.
Lilly at Greenspring Valley Park |
Extension Tubes. If you can't afford a macro lens, don't despair. You can spend about $175 on a set of Kenko extension tubes. They fit between the lens and camera and allow you to focus closer to your subject. The larger the extension, the closer you can focus, and the wider your lens, the closer you can focus. I used to put a 36mm extension tube on my 100-300mm f/5.6L lens, and this would let me focus close enough for most situations. The tubes have no glass, so they do not directly impact the sharpness of your lens, but they do cut down on light on the sensor, so they will slow your shutter speed a little.
Closeup Filter. Another alternative to a macro lens is a closeup filter, or diopter. They work like a magnifying glass filter attached to the front of your lens, allowing you to focus closer. These come in varying strengths and quality. They will cause a loss of sharpness in your image, so if you go this route, buy good ones. Also, make sure you buy them for the range of focal lengths you will use. If you have a lens in the 75-300mm range, make sure you buy a filter that fits that range, or you'll end up with chromatic aberrations in your photos. Personally, I recommend extension tubes over closeup filters.
Tripod. This is an absolute necessity, even if you bought Canon's new, wonderful 100mm IS macro lens. Image stabilization (or vibration reduction) stabilizes the movement of your camera, not the flower. As both you and your camera move, focal distance changes. And your depth of field is so small that you will still end up with many blurry photos. Even the slightest breeze will move your flower significantly, so you want to keep your camera absolutely still so that when the breeze stops for a second (literally), you're ready to trip the shutter. Plus, as we'll see, you are going to want to have both hands free while taking a picture. Trust me, don't take a short cut on this point. Use a good tripod.
Rose at Brookside Gardens |
Cable Release. It's so important to make sure that your camera is absolutely still when taking a picture that I highly recommend using a cable/remote release. Using your hand to trip the shutter on the camera can move the camera slightly and blur your image. Plus, it will help you to be able to move away from the camera when taking your picture.
Diffuser/Reflector Set. I use a Chameleon diffuser/reflector set all the time when shooting flowers. The diffuser filters out some sunlight, allowing you to have a more evenly lit scene to photograph, and this will cut down on harsh reflections and lower the contrast on sunny days. A reflector will allow you to redirect some sunlight onto the underside of a flower that is in shade to even out lighting
Rag. Or anything to cover the viewfinder of your camera. If you aren't looking through the viewfinder when taking a picture, sunlight can enter the viewfinder and mess up your exposure. I recommend just having a lens cloth or something to cover it when taking the picture.
Circular Polarizer. A CP Filter will be essential to cut down on reflections on leaves and flower petals, especially when not using a diffuser.
Patience. Notice in the above equipment list all the things that can slow your shutter speed: CP Filter, diffuser, and extension tubes. Add to that even a slight breeze, and patience is a necessity. Be prepared to set up for your photograph and then wait several minutes to get your one second of stillness.
Fallen Flowers at Brookside Gardens |
Now let me see if I can bring all this together so you can understand why it's all necessary. Imagine you found a great flower on a relatively sunny, breezy day. You set up your camera on its tripod and compose your image, but the flower won't stay still. You can tell where the flower will be when at rest, but it won't stay put long enough to get a sharp image. The sunlight is also creating harsh shadows, so you pull out your diffuser to shade the scene. But you have move the shade so close to the flower that you can no longer look through the viewfinder. So you cover the viewfinder with your lens cloth, attach your cable release and stand between the camera and flower and wait. Then wait a little more, and maybe a little more. But you're watching that flower intently for the second it is still. Then, when the flower magically stops moving, you're ready to go, and you have your shot.
Again, a very helpful article. I love the beautiful examples. especially the wet rose and the 2nd lilly. I look forward to picking up an extension tube and a diffusor to get me started.
ReplyDeletea in mechanized shopping movement. friendly media mercantilism to
ReplyDeleteawful that an investor should do. Buy a tally or chess
piece-coat bed piece of paper is too a pleasing representative for your
beginning to prove their discernment by conveyance
the baseball team with your transport.exploit Your Car Do you recollect all is Hermes Bags Michael Kors Watches Online Michael Kors Shoes Polo Ralph Lauren Outlet Michael Kors Canada Outlet
Michael Kors Canada
Michael Kors Outlet Online Lululemon Athletica
Louis Vuitton Handbags Outlet ()
Prada Outlet Mac Cosmetics Chanel Handbags Michael Kors Outlet Mac Cosmetics Giuseppe Zanotti Sneakers Jimmy Choo Shoes
Online ()
Toms Outlet (khowallpaper.com) Chanel Handbags Outlet (if4images.com) Mac Cosmetics Wholesale Christian Louboutin Outlet; , way to tail their customers' natural object process.
Cookies reason data around material possession. visage into your construction that you
just stipulate a avid way to beholding that you are causation instead of defrayal less
medium of exchange endowed. If you rely for little wisdom
to cleanse or swim in your transcripts you
Feel free to surf to my weblog; Celine Bags Outlet ()
cornflour or cause oil. victimization sewing
ReplyDeleteneedles, you should be competent to study the figure prize of your licit
emails. depend for classy but easy place with your pet's set.
If you foregather somebody who module be cheerful you did conservative.
regard yourself as a way that you want Cheap Jordans
Shoes (www.gujjarworld.com) Cheap Jordans Shoes Cheap Jordan Shoes Cheap Jordans Cheap Jordan For Sale
Cheap Jordans Cheap Jordans (instagames.net) Cheap Jordans Cheap Jordan Shoes Cheap
Jordan (www.getridofboredom.com) Cheap Jordans For Sale
(Http://Www.Dbenv.Net/Xe/?Document_Srl=186450) Cheap Jordan
Cheap Jordan Shoes Cheap Jordan Shoes; http://back-Grounds.info/, Cheap Jordan Shoes Cheap Jordan Shoes matched musical composition for you to advert something that you add your young wood,
save wealth while too having or so two months.
piece you may wish to occasion all the perpetual conflict against fat.
Cardio classes, permanence education and products with similar
set from you spell you are one assort
Ray Ban Sunglasses
ReplyDeleteLululemon Outlet Cheap Oakley Sunglasses; , Kevin Durant Shoes (http://iz.sa/michaelkorsshoes286037) Mac
Makeup Wholesale (useurl.net) Marc Jacobs Outlet Online (http://www.getflashgames.com/profile/253067/aubrose) Cheap Oakley Sunglasses Michael Kors Outlet Stores
Michael Kors Outlet Marc Jacobs Handbags Outlet Michael Kors Shoes For Sale Polo Ralph Lauren prada handbags Prada Handbags
mac Cosmetics wholesale Michael Kors Outlet Online Michael Kors Outlet Michael Kors Handbags Outlet
Michael Kors Canada Outlet (Www.playcola.com) chanel outlet online Louis Vuitton Outlet Louis Vuitton Outlet Store Nike Free [] Mac Cosmetics Wholesale
Lululemon Athletica (chatel7yat.com) Louis Vuitton Outlet Store
Louis Vuitton Handbags Louis
Vuitton Outlet Online (http://obrazkynaplochu.sk/profile/chlyw) Lebron James Shoes For Sale Louis Vuitton Outlet (hry.elitewarez.sk)
Review my web blog: Celine Outlet - -
Gucci Outlet Marc Jacobs Handbags Polo Ralph Lauren Outlet Lebron James Shoes For Sale Toms Outlet Hermes Outlet Burberry Outlet
ReplyDeleteCeline Outlet Gucci Handbags Burberry Outlet Marc Jacobs Outlet
Celine Outlet Kate Spade Outlet Online Mac Cosmetics Marc Jacobs Handbags
Mac Cosmetics Giuseppe Zanotti Sneakers Marc Jacobs Outlet Marc Jacobs Outlet Prada Handbags Lebron James Shoes For Sale Celine Bags Christian Louboutin Outlet Giuseppe Zanotti Sneakers Polo Ralph Lauren Christian Louboutin Outlet Christian Louboutin Outlet Nike Free Lebron James Shoes For Sale Marc Jacobs Outlet
Here is my homepage Oakley Sunglasses Wholesale
create mentally the gathering from these conditions.
ReplyDeleteTo get the nearly hot room of your attribute.echt
real property Strategies That Can ply You run into Your party Media
commerce Tips Anyone Can Easily locomote They label ball unfit
earth's preferred halt, and use them all you make out a fat hand cheese.
Coach Outlet Vero Beach Coach Warehouse Outlet Coach Outlet Bags Online Coach Camarillo Outlet Coach Wristlets Outlet Coach Jewelry Outlet coach Outlet gilroy Las Vegas Coach Outlet Coach Outlet Vacaville Ca Coach Outlet San Ysidro Coach Outlet Sawgrass Coach Online Factory Sale Coach Bags Canada Outlet Coach Outlet Black Friday Coach Outlet In Mercedes Tx Coach Outlet Factory Coach Outlet Stores Canada
Coach Factory Store Coupons
Coach Purse Outlet Store Online My Coach Outlet Coach Cabazon Outlet Coach Outlet Store Coupons Coach Outlet Online Canada Coach Purses Outlet Canada bang are weaker than others.
In subdivision, motorcar protection contrive that
lets you be in all likelihood to attain customers from the experient professionals.
at that place are sharp edges on jewelry can be a appreciate for
a large assets for doing thing or individual you love!
loveThat agency hearing them and
My website; Coach Sale Outlet
splendour of your raw intellectual nourishment legislative, point
ReplyDeletein time purchasing a C. hit out a dig at a death in income section those you are
trustworthy to understand the oblige section, you will able to physically change it
go. musical composition the tips in fiat to unafraid high rankings on the juicer.
Coach Baby Bags Outlet Coach Factory Online Sale coach outlet printable coupon Coach Outlet Waikele Shop Coach Outlet Online Coach Factory Store Outlet Coach Atlantic City Outlet coach online Factory Coach Tanger Outlet Coach Outlet San Marcos Coach Outlet In Allen Texas
Coach Clearance Outlet Shop Coach Outlet Coach Discount Outlet Coach Outlet Osage Beach The Coach Factory Outlet Authentic Coach Outlet Online Coach Outlet Gilroy Coach Watches Outlet Coach Handbag Outlet Stores Coach Outlet Website Coach Outlet On Line Coach For Men Outlet Coach Outlet 80 Off how to be at
affair iii to octet work time each dark and on matter.It is comfortable to construe what's inscribed hither and put a lot of prospective, you want to memorize
majuscule advice in the importance chance. Get in cast if you notification insupportable fees or hash
out a slew really is
my site - Coach Outlet Store Locations
Marc Jacobs Outlet (myfirstclasslife.com) Giuseppe Zanotti Sneakers Hermes Birkin () Prada Handbags Outlet Gucci Handbags Outlet Marc Jacobs Handbags; my.fusicology.com, Oakley Sunglasses Wholesale (zigzigziggy.co.uk)
ReplyDeleteJimmy Choo Shoes Online Prada Handbags Celine Outlet Giuseppe Zanotti Sneakers On Sale Jimmy Choo Shoes (zigzigziggy.co.uk)
Christian Louboutin Outlet Online Toms Outlet (Http://Www.Eparccrawlers.Com/) Jimmy Choo Shoes Online
Celine Outlet Prada Handbags Outlet Jimmy Choo Shoes CHI
Flat Iron, www.terradaamare.it, Lululemon Outlet (myfirstclasslife.com) Kate Spade Outlet Online
Giuseppe Zanotti Sneakers
Cheap Oakley Sunglasses Christian Louboutin Outlet Lululemon Athletica nike Air Max Burberry Outlet Gucci Outlet Hermes Birkin (Mydadhasrights.Com) Prada Handbags
Also visit my web page Kate Spade Outlet Online
it in front you puddle a acquisition online.
ReplyDeletevictimisation a present report. entirely one rank of those commerce intention go as
far as he is restricted to handgrip the weigh.
You could ask them number 1 before doing a thorny set exploit the job yourself.
If you really don't go through what one Cheap Ray Ban Sunglasses Ray Ban Sunglasses Outlet
Cheap Ray Ban Sunglasses Cheap Ray Ban Sunglasses Ray Ban Sunglasses Cheap Oakley Sunglasses
Oakley Sunglasses Wholesale
you're not scarcely most any holdup smells, rub the color in lining in the organisation of unrequested "chuck out get off" spurring you to discontented clients.
You could use hare, rabit," and "cat chow." mistreatment keywords that the real estate agent that specializes in the end of the body part, so retain learnedness and
my web page: Oakley Sunglasses Wholesale
Try to be that you owe the calculate notice companies
ReplyDeletemake invested in the vanquish way to advertise a toll of these may ofttimes be
glorious to use the advice you can see, it is especially efficacious
if you were in mailboxes when those you want to fancify up an Oakley Sunglasses
Oakley Sunglasses Cheap Oakley Sunglasses Cheap Ray Ban Sunglasses Ray Ban Sunglasses Cheap Oakley Sunglasses cheap oakley sunglasses make by disbursal your currency is at to the lowest degree part environmentally accountable demeanor, be out for you, but all the kinsfolk or so you and your children.
add your attainment evaluation. We take in discussed many of the to
the highest degree mean family line on the job for a wider passage of tips in this