Get Close to Create Memorable Pictures

When you get really close to your subject, you capture details in structure and components of a flower of which many people never notice. You provide a unique and interesting view of the world of flowers.

Natalie Denton in her blog suggests a start point. “Stand above the flower and shoot the subject from various angles, then lower the lens in stages to the same level as the flower and shoot again, finally fall beneath the flower head and shoot up at its delicate underbelly.” It is also interesting to repeat the photo session by going back and taking shots at different times of the day under different lighting conditions.

As an iPhone photographer, I find the native camera in the iPhone does not give me the true macro image capability for which I’m looking. You can use the zoom feature and get good close ups, but they lack the detail of a macro view. For true macro captures on a mobile phone you have a couple of options. First, you can buy an external lens you can attach to your camera or you can download a camera app. Because I don’t want to deal with an external lens, my preference is to use a camera app such as Camera+2 which has a macro mode feature. It’s a convenience thing. If you use a DSLR camera you can adjust the f stop to f18 or f22 to get a clear, sharp macro.

When taking macros, keep and eye on the weather. Just a little bit of wind will introduce movement and cause the picture to be blurry. It is also important to get the focus right. Don’t rely on auto-focus; manually set the focus and exposure to get that perfect shot.

As you gain experience in macro photography you may find it will become your favorite type of photography. You can be truly creative and capture unique and interesting pictures.

Grab your camera and look for those great macro opportunities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To see previous articles in this series, check out the Sep-Aug archives in the MCMGA Blog link on the homepage.

Written by Cliff Blackerby, July, 2019.

 

 

 

 

The Montgomery County Master Gardener Association will have a Fall Plant Sale this Saturday, October 5th from 9 am until 12:00 noon. Come early to hear the pre-sale presentation at 8:00 am, then shop the sale from 9:00 am – 12:00 noon. Visit mcmga.com for the list of plants for sale, or call MCMGA at 936-539-7824 for more information.

The sale location is 9020 Airport Road in Conroe, Tx. 77303. Don’t forget to bring your wagons!

Use Perspective to be more creative in your photography

In photography, perspective refers to the angle and height from which the picture is taken. It is true that most pictures are taken from standing height and eye level of an adult. That’s because it’s how we see the world, and it is natural for us to take our pictures from that perspective; however, that doesn’t always create the most interesting pictures, ones that capture the attention of the viewer and create interest in the pictures we share. By changing your perspective when photographing flowers, you change the dynamics of the picture, you avoid  cliché shots and provide the viewer with an image different from what they are accustomed to seeing.

You have a lot of options when you start considering perspective in your flower photography. If the flowers are massed, get close to your subject and shoot the tops. You can fill the frame and create a sense of vastness and color. Get above the flower and take the shot looking straight down to capture an image that lets the viewer see into the flower. Shoot from below; you will be amazed at how much interest this will create in your photo. It seems many people don’t look at flowers from a low angle.

Break the mold in your flower photography and learn to take pictures from a different angles. Take lots of pictures and experiment from different angles and heights and you will capture beautiful memories of your time spent in the garden. You will enjoy photo shoots more, become more creative in composing your pictures and find greater interest from those who view your pictures.

Grab your cameras and mobile phones and practice these hints at the MCMGA’s Plant Sale October 5, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm.

 

Examples of using perspective in flower photography.

If you missed the two previous articles, you can find them by going to the MCMGA Blog and clicking August, 2019.

Written by: Cliff Blackerby