FLORAL
It is hardly surprising that plant life is so popular amomg photographers.Wildlife,plants
and fungi are varied,beautiful and easily accessible subjects for everyone.Regardless of
where you live,or the equipment you own,great nature scenes are well within your reach
and can make for stunning images paxked with color.
The flow color design and the delicacy of plants flowering and
non flowering make them popular and rewarding photographic
subject.In frame filling close up,phtographers can highlight fine
detail and color while from further away,plats can be shown in
context with their surroundings,by adopting shallow depth of field
or creatively using subject or camera motion ,photographers
are able to capture abstract or painterly results.Plants can be
vibrant,tall,dull,or low g rowing,form large carpets of color,or
be found growing singurlarly.some have colorful,impressive
blossoms,while others,like fungi and lichen,dont flower at all.With
such great variety and diversity within the natural world,there is
never a risk of running out inspiration.
As the season change,photographers are preseted with fresh
subjects and photo oppurtunities.During spring,new growth
is everywhere.Visit woodlands,parks,gardens to discover
delicately unfurling ferns,emerging leaves,swathes of blue
bells and colorful blossom.During the fsummer months,the
countryside is brimimng with color.Meadows nurture a wide
array of wildflowers,while foxgloves and whillowherb stand
tall along headgrows and banks.When summer gives way to
fall,foliage turns golden,the light softens and while many plants
stop flowering ,the sudden emergence of weird and wonderfully
shaped toadstools and fungi present new challenges for nature
photographers to enjoy.
When you look at great nature images for example ,the work
of german photographer sandra bartocha they lokk stningly
effortless.However ,great shots are rarely accidental.Although
plants are static subjects meaning photographers are enjoy
a greatdegree of control over the look of the final image
highlighting a plants beauty,form and design in a single frame is
still far fromeasy.In fact,in some respects,the level control plant
photographers have over their results just adds to the pressure
to get things right both technically and aestically.Simplicity
is the soften key,while background choice and lightning are
also particularly important when photographing plants.A
clean,flattering backgdrop,free of any distraction,will help your
subjects stand out boldly,while the lights quality and direction will
dictate the images mood and help hightlight fine detail.
Plants,in all their many guises,provide great subject matter
of photography.It is time to hone your close up skills and begin
exploring the wonderful world of plants.Read on to learn how to
shoot a variety of flora...
6
Working in the wind
Although plants are static subjects,they
can be badly effect ed by wind.Tall flowers
are particularly prone to the movement in
breezy conditions,making it difficult to focus and compose images in natural light.
Plant photography is best attempted in still
conditions,with a wind speed below 10mph.
However it is not always possible to be this
choosy.Light,intermittent winds wont create too many problems just wait for a brief
pause in the breeze before quickly fine turning focus and triggering the shutter.In windbreak.You can make your own windbreak
using heavy,clear polythene held in position
by aluminium rods.Alternatively,the lastolite
cubelite will help shield small subjects and
also diffuse harsh directional light.Another
option is to use a Wimberly Plamp a ball
and socket segmented arm,with a clamp
fixed at either end.One can fasten to your
tripod leg,while the other holds your subject still.However,be careful not to damage
plants when attaching the clamp to delicate
flower stems.