Waiting For Spring
posted on 31st of january, 2008
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After getting smacked by another winter windstorm in our area, I am truly in the mood for for spring. Shooting ice and snow definitely not my thing, but when the spring flowers peak, I'm out there for a few days. There are no real secrets to shooting beautiful blooms, just some planning and common sense.
Know where and when your best opportunities are. The best shots will not happen on a whim. Over the past few years, I have kept a casual "bloom calendar" of when some flowers and shrubs will peak. For heavily trafficked public gardens, go at an off peak time, and at the earliest viewing window you can get. If beds are unguarded, people will just walk where they may, trampling edge blooms and perhaps even picking their own.
Learn the language of light, and study its nuances. Early morning is my favorite, but late afternoon will work too. The light angles are lower, and in addition to the beauty of the flower and its surroundings, you will also have the bonus of more dramatic light and shadow. If shooting mid day in bright sunlight, look for flower beds under trees where you can get a mottling of light instead of direct overhead sunlight. Overcast days also provide great opportunities for closeups. Clouds will act as giant softboxes and provide gentle diffused light.
Try new angles. The front on shots have been done, and done again. Find the perfect bloom and angle it.
For maximum productivity, try making a deal with your local nurseryman. Shooting privileges in exchange for some promo shots. Even small locals have websites these days. One small outlet here is thrilled to use their own flower shots on their website instead of the mundane canned variety seen on every other website.
I wish you all success in your spring flower shooting.
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Tags: flowers spring tulips
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Comments (4)
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I love shooting spring flowers, too, and is quite lucky to have some tulips shots accepted lately. It´s an inspiration being drowned by their spring colors and scents. Today however is snowing, it made my day frozen.
- posted by
Antonia
on March 24, 2008 |
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its spring here my bulbs and tulips are bursting forth with colour. Ive been shooting tulips all week waiting acceptance . hope I can manage to post one here. apparently not I have to post a dreamstime image. later.D
- posted by
Bigpressphoto
on February 04, 2008 |
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Thanks! Still doing some sorting on the archived photos, so will be adding more when I can. Right now just kind of wandering around in 3D land.
- posted by
Niagaragirl
on February 01, 2008 |
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A flower with beautiful nuances, you learned the language of light :-)
- posted by
Electricblue
on February 01, 2008 |
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This article has been read 594 times. 1 readers have found this article useful.
Photo credits: Niagaragirl. |
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Niagaragirl
confidential info
>Photographer and graphic designer with an interest in fractal and computer generated art. I recently renewed my longtime interest in 3D illustration.
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