Tips on Photographing Flowers

The art of flower photography is a combination of photographic genres, which include landscape, art photography, abstract design imaging, and even modernistic art. A famous photographer known for her botanical images is Imogene Cunningham. A good place to gain knowledge about capturing images of flowers would be by viewing Cunningham’s catalog of work.

To capture great botanical images one must have the proper gear. Having a decent film SLR or a DSLR camera, a proper lens such as 100mm f 2.8 with macro capabilities and a good sturdy tripod are the basic tools for great flower images. Some basic tips for capturing great photos of flowers are to always have the subject well lit, using natural light is a plus but adding a touch of fill flash by bouncing or using a flash diffuser will add pop to the flower image and remove any shadowy distractions. Always make sure you have a clean background with no diversions. Another tip is to carry a spray bottle of water in your bag of tricks. A quick spritz can add depth to a mundane flower image by making the bloom appear fresh as the morning dew.

Shooting the image at the right period of a flower's life cycle can also be used to add interest to the shot, a flower that is not completely opened can add a hint of innocence to the image. A flower with some petals that are not perfect can also add to the feeling of an image. Always try to fill the frame with the complete blossom,or for a large field of flowers focus on one flower in the forefront to add depth to the image. Shoot at different angles and from all sides of the flower to achieve great botanical images.