Better Floral Photography

With everything coming up roses - and peonies, poppies and petunias- it's the perfect time to get out that camera and shoot the beauties in your (or your neighbor's) garden.  Here are a few tips to make your images even better:

1. Get out there EARLY in the morning - the light is softer, the breeze is lighter and dew on the flowers make them look fresher. Avoid midday. It blows out the details and creates sharp edges.

2. Get down and dirty - photograph flowers at their level. Don't take all your photos from above their heads. Lay down, sit down, look underneath. Find a different point of view.

3. Place the flower off-center for a more interesting compostition. Watch your backgrounds. A fence can be pretty, but toys, tools and chair legs are distracting.

4. Do a little gardening. Look for the best bloom, without brown blemishes or holes. Then pick off any dead leaves or weeds growing around it.  Once your area is "weeded" take the shot.

5. Take more pictures!! Digital images are free, so take lots. Then erase all but the best one of each flower. I print my 4x6 images at Costco and my larger ones for framing at Picture Perfect in Bayport. Kevin does a great job for a very reasonable price.  I buy blank cards at AC Moore and make my own greeting cards by pasting a photo on a card and writing my own message. 

Enjoy!