As spring approaches and flowers begin to bloom, especially in my homeland the Netherlands, it’s the perfect time to capture the beauty of these delicate blooms. I figured it's time for a new article with some tips on how to photograph them! Here are ten tips for photographing spring flowers that will hopefully help you improve your flower photography.
You may also watch the video on my YouTube channel:
1. Find Flowers Anywhere
You don’t need to visit large gardens to photograph spring flowers. These blooms can often be found in your own neighbourhood or even by the roadside. Whether it’s snowdrops near your house or fields of poppies by highways, flowers are abundant, and with the right perspective, you can capture stunning shots without going far.
Some examples of photos I shot right next to the road:
2. Get Low for the Best Angle
Instead of shooting from above, get down to the flower’s eye level. This will allow you to create separation between the flower and the background, making your subject stand out. For comfort, bring something to sit on and use the flip screen on your camera to avoid awkward positions.
3. Understand and Play with Light
Lighting is crucial in flower photography. Experiment with different lighting angles. Soft, diffused light can bring out the natural beauty of the flowers, while backlighting can create interesting silhouettes. You can also use an umbrella to diffuse direct sunlight and create softer lighting.
Example of the same flower from different angles with different light (and a bee):
4. Choose the Right Lens
Your lens choice can significantly impact your shots:
Long Lenses (100-400mm): Stand far from the subject and zoom in to create a beautiful blurry background (bokeh). Doesn't need to be f/2.8 at all. F/4.6-5.6 is perfectly fine, as long as you shoot from rather far!
70-200mm f/2.8: Great for a smooth background with wide aperture settings, providing a soft and dreamy backdrop.
Macro Lenses (90mm f/2.8): For extreme close-ups that capture intricate details of the flowers. For me, a must have for close up flower photography.
Sony A7RIV - Sony 90mm Macro - F/2.8 - 1/125s - ISO 100
5. Pay Attention to the Background
A beautiful background is just as important as the subject itself. Look for colors, bokeh, or clean backgrounds that enhance the subject. Sometimes even busy bokeh can add to the composition, as long as it doesn’t distract from the flower. The background can make or break a photograph.
6. Show the Environment Around the Flower
Sometimes stepping back and showing the surroundings can tell a more complete story. For example, photographing a tiny snowdrop amidst much larger crocus flowers or capturing a small flower in a vast tulip field can give a sense of scale and context, adding depth to your photo.
7. Get Really Close with a Macro Lens
A macro lens lets you capture incredible details like dew drops or the texture of petals. Close-up shots reveal an artistic side of flowers, such as raindrops reflecting the world around them. For extra creativity, carry a small perfume bottle filled with water to simulate dew drops on the flowers.
8. Use Flowers to Frame Your Subject
If you have a wider lens, flowers can be used as a natural frame for other subjects, such as a windmill (obviously, in the Netherlands :D ) or even a portrait. This technique creates a more dynamic composition and can add a creative touch to your photos. You may want to use Focus Stacking to get everything sharp in one shot.
9. Shoot Handheld for Flexibility
Shooting handheld can give you more flexibility, especially when photographing flowers at low angles or tight spaces. It allows you to move quickly, reposition, and experiment with different angles without the constraints of a tripod. A faster shutter speed helps keep the photos sharp even when shooting handheld.
10. Enhance Your Photos with Editing
Post-processing is a crucial step in bringing out the best in your flower photos. Reducing contrast can create a dreamy, soft look, while smoothing out colors can help enhance the delicate nature of the flowers. Play around with editing tools to add your personal touch and make your photos more visually appealing. I also have a Full Editing Course on Landscape Photography where I also have a lecture about editing these kinds of flower shots.
Bonus Tip: Enjoy Spring and Capture the Moment
Finally, don’t forget to enjoy the process! Spring flowers are everywhere, so take the time to go out, explore, and capture the beauty around you. Remember, photography is about having fun and experimenting, so take your camera and start shooting!
Gear used in this article:
Thank you for reading as always!
Albert
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