by Pet Campbell
Choosing a digital camera is like picking that best loved flower, we each have very different criteria. I have been a camera user for around 35 years and I have never found the perfect camera.
I started shooting digitally 3 years ago. I have owned a number of SLR digital cameras as well as point and shoot cameras. The one that most often comes to the gardens with me is a Canon powershot A 300. I really like this little camera, it is a user friendly camera that is considered entry level.
At the other end of the spectrum the camera I use for fast action is the canon Rebel XT/350D. Apples and oranges. If I was just starting out and doing photography for myself and family, I would stay with the Powershot series.
So in my humble opinion, use what you have and like.
When you are photographing flowers you have to define your goals. If you are shooting from a botanical point of reference then you want
crisp, clear well defined photos. Close ups and macros will not usually work
unless you’re photographing stamen, anthers or filaments.
If you are shooting for images that are more impressionistic there are no rules. Let me repeat that there are no rules.
Digital photography - Flower Photos ..
Basic information on digital cameras and techniques to create better photos.
Notice that both are clean and clear shots. There was a lot of wind when I shot the amaryllis and no wind with the rose.
What is a pixel and why should I care?
Digital photographs are made up of hundreds of gazillions of tiny squares called picture elements, or just pixels.
Each of these pixels are captured by a single photosite on the image sensor
when you take the photo. So of course the more pixels you have the cleaner and clearer your photos are. There are programs like Photoshop that can add pixels to the photo’s resolution to increase your photos clarity. More pixels add detail and sharpen edges.
Photographing flowers is a wonderful pastime and with digital cameras the film is cheap! Shoot and enjoy!
About the author:
Pet Campbell is an talented professional photographer who specializes in fine art digital photography.
She produces high quality decorator prints for home and office as well as speciality cards.
Live simply Love generously Care deeply Speak kindly
Sun fades even the most brilliant colors. This rose demonstrates fading quite well.
Macro shots are probably my favorite thing in flowers, I can spend hours
changing angles, backgrounds and lighting. The most important thing is finding the method that suits you.
Here is a close up of a fall amaryllis flower and a close up of a rose taken late at night.
Digital Rose a true work of art.
Site Map Home Boating Camping Cooking Fishing Gardening Photography Vacation Ideas General Links Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2006 ...All rights reserved
One thing you will need is patience and lots of it. Wind is a barrier to digital photography of flowers. When you know you have “the” perfect shot the wind will pick up, then you wait, take a deep breath and try again. Be patient the wind will normally give you a break now and again.
There is a nifty tool called a cloud dome, it’s a weather tent used for outdoor photography. I made something similar that I use quite often. Rather than spending money, I took a large white plastic container and cut out a side. Works great and it not only shields my flowers from the wind as I shoot, but can also mask or soften the background.
In Florida the sun is the second biggest problem. There are many expensive lens
filters you can buy to shield your subject. I’m cheap - I shoot in the morning and late afternoon..
Directional shooting is probably the most intriguing part in floral photography.
I watch people shoot and they always shoot down. If you want things sharp, try to have them all fall in the same plane and have the camera parallel to what you’re photographing. Lay on the ground, close up for some amazing macro shots.
Try various angles; I often use small ladders to get enough height above arbor roses, or tropical vines. Trees are also handy, just don’t drop your camera!
