You don’t have to be a professional to create good photographs of flowers or your garden.
Sharon Meriash has these tips for getting started:
Keep it simple. You really don’t need a ton of expensive equipment to get great shots. The choices in digital cameras are amazing, and the prices make them affordable for most people. And there are so many labs and stores that can print directly from your media cards, you almost don’t need a computer or printer to be able to have great prints.
Look for accessory alternatives. My favorite camera bag is a padded, soft- sided ice cooler on wheels. It is water proof, has lots of pockets for my lens and attachments, and because I can roll it around, it makes my day easier. And I can keep my water and snacks cold! My cooler bag was $18 versus $75 to $100 for the same type of professional camera bag. And my tripod bag is actually a small putter golf bag. I can fit my tripod and monopod in the same bag, and I use the ball pouch on the side to keep a few tools I like to have with me.
Always use a tripod. Macro photography requires the camera to be as still as possible. Even though you may think your hand is steady, the slightest movement can cause the photo to be out of focus. If you don’t have a tripod, try to use a fence or wall to brace your camera against. Monopods also are great and can be less expensive than a tripod. Plus if you hike to take photographs of flowers, there are walking sticks that have a camera mount in the handle.
Don’t wait for the sun. You will get your best photos when the sky is overcast or cloudy. Filtered light will give you rich colors and beautiful detail. Bright sun can distort details and wash out the flowers’ colors. If you must shoot in bright sun, try using your hand – or other object you have handy – to shade the flower.
If you want to shoot in your garden, I have found a great way to have filtered light on a sunny day. Take a small card table and turn it on its side so that the table top edge rests on the ground. Next drape a sheer cloth (I use a sheer curtain) over the table, leaving one side open so that you can shoot. Your neighbors may laugh, but you will have beautiful photos.
Be creative. Take the time to look at the flower from all angles and all parts. Some of my favorite photos are of the back of a petal or the underside of a leaf. Try shooting the flower from the side or from underneath toward the sky.
There are plenty of books and instructions for fledgling photographers, too. One particularly geared toward the gardener is “The Art of Garden Photography,” by Ian Adams (Timber Press, $24.95).
Adams is a teacher who conducts workshops in garden photography. The book offers detailed information on film and filters, sharpness and exposure, lighting and even making color prints.
If you know nothing about Fujichrome and Kodak or f-stops and ASA, this book might be a bit intimidating at first. But if you want to learn, the instructions Adams offers are clear, and his examples of photographing are compelling.
