With spring approaching, the stunning vibrant colours of nature are emerging, and the flowers will begin to bloom shortly. From woodland bluebells to elegant roses and graceful lilies, flowers never fail to enchant us with their beauty. Yet, while it is true that flowers can make stunning subjects, capturing their essence takes more than just snapping a photo. As a photographer, there are several factors to consider to ensure that shots achieve a professional quality that draw the viewer’s eye. James Whitten, Marketing Manager at photoGuard says:

“Flowers are captivating with their vibrant colours and delicate fragrances. No wonder they are one of the most popular subjects for nature photography.”

Leading camera equipment insurer photoGuard shares some effective flower photography techniques.

Timing

It's better to take photographs of flowers outside as opposed to indoors if possible. This means photographers can take advantage of natural light and can capture the flowers in their natural habitat.

If taking pictures outside, photographs should be taken in the early morning or early evening. Whilst it may seem tempting to take the photographs when the sun is shining, soft lighting makes for a clearer shot and better compliments the flowers. Additionally, taking photographs at this time greatly reduces the amount of shadow that will appear in the photograph due to the position of the sun.

Steadiness

While photographers can't control the weather, they can put certain measures in place to ensure their photoshoots are not disturbed too much by the weather. Whilst rainy days make for excellent photographs, wind can be a difficult element to battle in photography as it means the flowers will be moving slightly in the breeze. As a result, it can be hard to keep the camera focused. One way to address this is by placing an object outside the shot to block the wind and keep the flower still.

Macro

Don't be afraid to get up close when taking photographs of flowers. A closer shot can be achieved with a macro lens or even by zooming in nice and close can bring out details in a flower that often go unnoticed. Macro lenses can often be found for a reasonable price.

“If you had planned to take photographs on a day and got hit with an unexpected shower, you'll be able to capture individual raindrops with this technique” adds Whitten.

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