Know Your Camera

Read the manual and experiment with the different settings on your camera before you go out in the field. The more familiar you are with your camera, the more confident you will be in producing great photos and in taking advantage of those fleeting opportunities that would otherwise catch you off guard. Study the effects that different aperture openings (F-stops) have on the depth of field. This will help you to be able to control how much or how little of your subject is in focus depending on the effect that you are trying to create.

If you are having trouble understanding all of the controls of your camera contact an associate at one of the Cord Camera Stores for assistance or take one of the photography courses offered through Cord University.

Use A Tripod

Use a tripod whenever possible and you will notice a consistent improvement in the sharpness and the composition of your photographs. Not only does using a tripod reduce camera movement for sharper photographs but it also forces you to slow down and to think about the composition of your photograph. If you find yourself in a situation where you cannot use a tripod, then practice good camera holding and shooting techniques.

A monopod might be another alternative. For those who own a camera capable of using different lenses, there are lenses designed to reduce camera movement at slower shutter speeds. A Cord Camera associate can help you choose a lens that is right for your needs.

Most of the digital cameras on the market today have a mode called “macro”. In this mode the camera can focus very close to the subject. This allows you to obtain excellent close-ups of flowers. Take advantage of this mode and fill the frame with the subject that you are photographing. You will immediately notice a marked improvement in your photographs of flowers. Cameras with interchangeable lenses require a micro or macro lens to have the same macro capabilities as the point & shoot cameras.

Choose Your Subject Wisely

Don’t pick the first flower you see. Choose a fresh bloom with little or no damage. Remember that small blemishes on a flower will be very noticeable in your close-up photograph.


 

Look For The Best Angle

After choosing a subject, look at it from all angles and decide which angle is most appealing. Try to visualize the end result. Look for an angle that will produce a finished product that is different than the usual documentary photograph. Observe the lighting at different angles and how it changes the appearance of the subject. Watch for background objects that can take away from the impact of the photograph. One way to eliminate an unappealing background is to have someone hold a piece of black paper or cloth behind the subject as a back-drop. You can experiment with different back-drop colors. Another idea is to get under the flower on your back and shoot upwards so that you have a background of blue sky and clouds. Use you imagination and you will soon be producing more exciting photographs.

Use natural lighting whenever possible. Observe the light on your subject at different angles and see what is most appealing. Cloudy, overcast skies produce softer, more even lighting than bright, sunny skies, which give harsher shadows and highlights. For the most dramatic lighting, photograph the subject at sunrise or sunset. Early morning mist and the moments right after a rain are also good times get that special photo. You might try a shot with the sun behind your subject so that the light is shining through the pedals of the flower. This can be very dramatic but you need to pay close attention to your exposure so that you do not overexpose. If you must use flash, pay attention to shadows. Because of the position of the flash on a large number of the digital cameras, the lens housing tends to cast a shadow on the subject when focusing at close range. When the flash is very close to the subject, the camera may over expose and cause your photograph to look extremely overexposed or “washed out”.

Use Your Imagination

Remember that it’s not the camera that takes a great photograph but the photographer. Make sure that you know your camera well and that you have a good knowledge of photography basics such as exposure and lighting, composition and camera techniques. These proven basics will help you to consistently produce technically good photographs. Using you imagination and “thinking outside of the box “ will help you on your way to producing prize winning photos that effectively communicate your “feelings” in the photograph.
 

If you apply the tips given in this article to your flower photography you will be on your way to producing great, appealing photographs that are more that just a snap shot. One way to continue to progress in bringing out your photographic abilities is to attend some of the Cord University photography classes offered throughout the year.

Keep shooting and keep growing in your abilities because photography is a unique, lifetime opportunity to communicate to family, friends and strangers in a creative language.