Flowers are the perfect subjects for digital cameras. With an endless variety of vibrant colors, shapes, and sizes, they are naturally photogenic. Their stillness also helps you capture them easily. If you’re a beginner, you may wonder how to take the best shots of your garden and other flowery areas. To help you with this, here are some tips that’ll help you showcase nature in all its glory.

Do:  

Be mindful of the wind.

Flowers are light and delicate. It only takes the slightest breeze to move them, which can result in blurry images. To prevent this, avoid photographing flowers outdoors on windy days. If you must do it, try shielding the area with your body or having a partner hold an umbrella against the wind. You can also use a plamp, a small device designed to hold flowers steady for photography.

Pick a focal point.

Often, flowers are in groups, so choose one to be the focus and keep the others blurred in the background. This will guide the viewer’s eyes and prevent the image from appearing crowded. Try experimenting by switching your focus from plant to plant to see which focal point you like the most.

Don’t: 

Wait for sunny days.

Lighting is an important aspect of photography, but too much of it can result in overexposed images. If an image is overexposed, a digital camera won’t capture the color information in the bright area, so you can’t edit the brightness down later. This is why many photographers tend to work in slightly overcast days, which offer a softer light.

Be afraid to think outside the box.

By playing with position, lighting, and focus, you can create unique images. For example, if the weather isn’t cooperating, consider taking a flower inside and creating your own background with colored paper. If you want the look of morning dew or rain, bring a spray bottle along and lightly mist the petals for a natural look.

The Shutterbug in Portland, Salem, and Eugene, OR, provides a wide variety of digital cameras, online printing services, and photography classes. Whether you’re looking for an updated device or want to learn a new skill to perfect your craft, their friendly and knowledgeable staff can help. Visit their website for a schedule of their classes or call (503) 227- 3456 to ask about their inventory of digital cameras.