Macro Photography
Tips For Shooting Flowers With A Macro Lens
Looking for the small details can make for a better impacting image
Flowers are something that I’ve always admired. They are the perfect subject to photograph. The colour, shapes, textures and its widespread accessibility make flower photography an interesting subject for any photographer looking to improve their macro skills.
No matter how many flowers I’ve photographed, they never cease to amaze me. It always seems to me that they just stand in place, holding their pose and waiting to be photographed.
Even though it might seem like something anybody can do, it is not an easy task. Flower photography involves a lot of technical knowledge and practice to create good images.
In this article, I will give you some tips that will help you improve your flower photography skills. Whether you’re a beginner or a long-term flower photographer, there’s something to learn for everyone.
Fill the frame
Equipment
Choosing the right equipment is something really personal. At the end of the day, it’s about what works best for you. But that doesn’t mean we can’t help you make a wise choice.
Camera body, macro lenses, diffuser, reflector, tripod and shutter release are essential pieces of gear for this type of photography. But you should also take into account portability.
Long nature walks in carrying heavy equipment are not something I like to do, so I try to reduce my gear to the minimum.
Most of the time I carry just my camera with a 105mm macro lens, a small and lightweight tripod, an IR shutter release and a couple of sheets of white and wax paper. I use these as natural light reflectors and diffusers.
Whenever possible, I try to bring more gear with me but this essential kit has never failed me.
Look for the unusual parts and isolate them
Planning
Flower photography depends a lot on location, weather conditions and time of day. Being one step ahead and planning are key factors in shooting flowers.
I try to scout the place and check the weather conditions in advance. Calculating the best time of the day to photograph is also important. This will affect the harshness and colour temperature of sunlight.
Early morning and late afternoon have a softer light than midday. And the end of the day has a warmer light than the morning.
Spring is for me the best time for flower photography. The conditions are optimal, the sun is shining and the flowers are blooming.
Check out your local parks/gardens and even your own back garden can surprise you.
Try a different angle
Composition
With such a tight framing, composition assumes a dominant role in the image. Following the rule of thirds and using negative space are great ways to create interest in your image.
Finding the right angle is not easy. I always take a look through a handheld camera and only set up a tripod when I find the right spot.
It’s also important to find the right angle to create volume. Photographing flowers can look really flat. Try to capture macro shots in different angles.
Depth of field
Controlling the distance between the nearest and the farthest objects in focus on the scene provides a great way to create interest in your image. It allows for background separation and a cleaner composition without distracting elements.
Shutter speed
It might seem that flowers don’t move much. But even the slightest breeze can create a motion blur effect when photographing close-up or at such a close distance.
Even with the camera mounted on a tripod, it is really important to determine the right shutter speed to freeze the action.
Manual vs Auto-Focus
Creating the right focus point on photos of flowers is not an easy task. Auto-focus often gets confused by focus points overload. And in macro photography distances a couple of millimetres might be enough to have the wrong focus point.
Manual focus is the way to go if are using a tripod and have control of the camera’s positioning.
Auto-focus is essential for handheld shots but you should use the One-Shot AF option. This is a more reliable focusing method because it locks focus, while AI Servo does not.
Flash lighting
When natural light and reflectors aren’t giving you the desired look and feel you want to your images, flash lighting comes to the rescue. It is a lot more powerful and offers different possibilities. It results in images with a more artificial look.
But it also freezes movement. This allows us to create images that would be otherwise impossible due to insufficient light.
So there you have it.
These simple tips for macro flower photography will for sure set you on the right track to some amazing flower images.
Go out there and give it a try!
Still looking for more great tips and a little tuition ?
Then book a macro photography workshop with Ian, contact him for more info and availability on his workshops.
Image taken in my own back garden
