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Cool Flower Photography Tips

July 3, 2017 by Ann 10 Comments

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I’ve gotten several compliments about how great my photos are here on my gardening blog. I appreciate the comments but many of the photos are not my own, but from commercial free sites like Pixabay. I’m wanting to learn to take better flower and garden photos and thought I would share some cool flower photography tips.

As a side note, all the pictures on this particular blog post are from me and my husband.

cool flower photography tips

Old School

During my Senior year in high school, I had the opportunity to take a photography class during both semesters. I still remember taking the time to develop the black and white film in the dark room. That statement alone dates me, but I had a lot of fun in those classes and learned many new skills about taking photos.

After digital cameras and quality cameras on cell phones took over, I took advantage of taking more photos to practice my long forgotten photography skills. I love how I can take a bunch of photos without it costing me a dime or take much time to develop the photos.

You can see more of my plant and flower photography skills on my Instagram page.

flower and garden photos

Artistry of Photography

I like to tell people I was born an artist, or at least became an artist when I first learned how to pick up and use a pencil. I still remember the folder my parents kept of all the pictures I drew growing up. I was even a fine art student for a time in college, but life took me on a different career course.

Of course I still find time to feed my creative genes nowadays, but mainly through photography. I take my fair share of candid photos of family and friends (and my cats), but also like to add my own artistic flair to my photos. This will look different for every photographer.

flower and garden pictures

Camera Type-Phone verses Digital

My husband has graciously offered to let me use his Canon 6D camera, which takes awesome pictures. I prefer the camera on my Samsung Galaxy S6 phone. I take it everywhere I go and can easily take it out when a photo opportunity presents itself, especially when I’m out and about.

I don’t think its important if one uses a camera or a camera phone (if you disagree let me know below). I think its more important how skilled the person is in using the camera and how they take photos.

I’m sure some people would argue that one is better than the other. I know there are particular brands of cameras out there that are known for taking quality nature photos. Use whatever type of camera works for you.

flower and garden pictures

How Many Photos Should You Take?

Since I’m pretty new to this whole blogging world (3 months now), I recently decided I should take as many photos of my flowers and garden as possible. I have also taken photos that I find interesting when I’m out and about of various plants and flowers.

By taking a plethora of photos, I can experiment with angle, color, and other features that make a great photo. I also want to have a photo library available for my Google Plus, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and my other social media accounts.

flower and garden pictures

I also like that by taking a bunch of photos, I can use different pictures of the same flower or plant but at different angles. The same picture can be used on all my social media accounts or slightly different photos of the same flower or plant.

Quality not Quantity

Just because I take 100s or 1,000s of photos does not mean they will all turn out great. I may take a bunch of photos of the same plant or area of my garden, but will only use the best ones on my blog and social media accounts.

Lighting

If you’ve ever spent any time around photographers, you will learn quickly how important lighting is when taking photographs. I will only focus on outdoor photography and lighting tips.

flower and garden pictures
Way too bright!

I’m still pretty amateur when it comes to taking outdoor pictures. When I see a pretty flower I just take a few pictures with as little sun as possible and hope they come out nice. I am a work in progress when it comes to flower photography!

Overcast days make the best outdoor pictures (according to my photographer husband). I’ve made the mistake of trying to take pictures of my flowers with the sun shining directly on them. This results in a very bright, glaring picture.

Taking pictures on cloudy days helps avoid pictures with glare in them. I have also been able to take quality photos in the shade, despite the sun being out. I have to be careful that the shade is not too dark or the flower or plant will be lost in the shade.

flower and garden pictures

Angle

I sometimes play with different angles when taking pictures of plants and flowers. Sometimes I take a photo and that one photo is enough for me to be happy with. Other times I play around with varying angles to get the best photo I can of the flower or plant I am focusing on.

There are different ways to achieve varying angles of a flower, plant or several flowers and plants when it comes to flower photography. One way is to take photos of the subject while stand up. Another way to play around with angles is to get on your knees or even your stomach.

I usually just point and shoot from wherever I am standing or happen to be walking. I need to begin experimenting with other methods to get the best angle of my flowers and plants.

flower and garden pictures

Close Ups

I love taking close ups of flowers and plants. It might be to focus on the color, lines, texture, or shape of the particular plant I am photographing. I usually take as many photos close ups as I can of the plant until I find one I like.

Background

Background plays an important role in creating quality photos of your garden. This is especially true if you want the focus to be on a single plant or flower. You don’t want the background of your photo too busy. This will take away the focus off your flower or plant.

flower and garden pictures

There are ways to do this manually with a camera. My phone will automatically focus on the foreground or background when I get really close to a flower I want to photograph.

You may want the focus to be on the background if you are taking a picture of a huge area. My husband recently took a great photo of me in front of a field of lavender with the focus on the plants. I’ve seen some great looking photos turn out well this way too.

flower and garden pictures

Flower Photography Tips

I hope I have kept you interested in what I have had to say about flower photography tips. This is by far my longest but most enjoyable blog to write. I have actually learned a lot of new concepts about taking pictures of my garden by writing this.

Taking more flower and garden photos on a daily basis is a goal I have. I will, of course, share them here with all of you! I know there are many more things I could say about photographing plants and flowers.

flower and garden pictures

Do you have flower photography tips and tricks on how to take better photos of flowers and plants? Let me know in the comments section below!

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Filed Under: How to/DIY Tagged With: art, flower photography, flowers, garden, garden photography, nature photography, photographer, photography, photos, plant photography, plants, visual art

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Comments

  1. lorieb says

    July 3, 2017 at 10:52 pm

    I like to take pictures right after it rains, the water droplets are beautiful and the greenery around the flowers is so lush

    Reply
    • annmarie1979 says

      July 3, 2017 at 11:00 pm

      I love taking pictures of water droplets on my flowers after the rain too! I love the effect the droplets have on the plants and how it looks. I just really like plant close ups, as I’m sure you can tell by my blog!

      Reply
      • lorieb says

        July 4, 2017 at 1:28 am

        I always tell myself I am going to get myself a “good/real” camera, but keep using my phone too, it is so convenient

        Reply
        • annremo79@gmail.com says

          July 25, 2017 at 6:54 am

          Yes it is! I love being able to easily carry my phone and take pictures wherever I go!

          Reply
  2. houstonphotojourney says

    July 4, 2017 at 12:29 am

    Gorgeous shots!!

    Reply
  3. annremo79@gmail.com says

    July 25, 2017 at 6:55 am

    Thank you!

    Reply
  4. Karren Haller says

    April 20, 2019 at 2:22 pm

    Hi Ann, thank you for sharing your post on #soisn last week, this week it is being featured, Pinned and Tweeted. Watch for the post on Instagram #omheartsiegirl http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/something-old-is-something-new-4-4/

    Reply
    • Ann says

      April 20, 2019 at 5:45 pm

      Karren, thank you so much for featuring this older post on your link party! I can’t wait for the next one!

      Reply
  5. Carol says

    April 20, 2019 at 4:35 pm

    Great hints and your photos are always gorgeous!

    Reply
    • Ann says

      April 20, 2019 at 5:43 pm

      Thank you so much!

      Reply

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About the Blogger

My name is Ann. I am a lover of God, flowers, cats, beaches, and my family and friends. Stop and smell the roses while you are here. And even learn to grow your own! Welcome to my blog! Read More…

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