How to Take Close Up Pictures of Flowers

To take close up pictures of flowers and capture their beauty forever is a splendid thing, indeed. With a good digital camera, lots of flowers, and an afternoon, you can take close up pictures of flowers that will take your breath away.

It is not necessary to be a professional photographer to take amazing flower photos. Enjoy the process of flower photography. With one investment in a good quality digital camera, you will be set for an otherwise inexpensive hobby that you can continue your whole life.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Digital camera
• Camera case
• Memory cards
• Tripod (optional)
• Computer

1. 
    
   Richness captured.

   YOUR DIGITAL CAMERA
   
   Buy a digital camera that is 6 megapixels or greater, and has a macro mode setting. The greater the number of megapixels your camera takes, the more clarity of detail you have and keep, even when photos are cropped and enlarged. A macro mode setting is special for taking detailed nature shots of small objects, like...flowers!

2. CAMERA ACCESSORIES
   
   It is very important to have a couple of large capacity camera memory cards that are empty, ready for your flower photos. So that your camera is protected, you will need a camera case with a strap for easy carrying so you feel free to climb over fences, get on your belly, etc. Although I might think of it as an impediment to my movement, some may want to invest in a lightweight camera tripod to carry, to hold your camera still.

3. 
    
   Orchid.

   FIND FLOWERS
   
   You need lots of subject matter, so go to where the flowers are. Try your local botanical gardens, nearby meadows, neighborhood gardens, nurseries, or greenhouses. Make sure to ask the necessary permission, or even to pay admission, which is well worth it. (My photos are from Longwood Gardens, near Philadelphia, PA)
   
   Go during various seasons, and at various times of day for different light. Take photos in pale and delicate morning light, strong afternoon light, and the golden glow of sunset.

4. 
    
   Lily pads.

   TAKE TONS
   
   The best rule of thumb is to take lots and lots and lots of photos. Thanks to the memory cards you have with you, you can do that! The more you take, the better the chances are that you will have a few real stand out shots that are absolutely brilliant.
   
   Do not delete any photographs from your digital camera while you are on site. When you see the photos on your computer monitor, you will likely be amazed at what you did not see when looking on that little digital camera screen.

5. TECHNIQUES
   
   One of the nice things about flowers is they are very cooperative models. They usually don't move, unless it's a windy day. Just use your camera's regular auto focus mode, but give it a few seconds to focus before snapping the shot.
   Take pictures with the macro mode feature turned on. It usually shows up as a little icon that looks like a flower. Do not use the flash. Definitely read your particular camera's manual about taking close-ups and nature shots.
   Try various angles. Move your body. Take photos from below, above, and from various sides of flowers and plants. Take photos of single flowers as well as clumps of them.
   Don't neglect the greenery. There is unexpected color and texture in leaves.
   Do not look for perfection. There is beauty in bugs, torn petals, slight droopiness, etc. Appreciate all stages of a plant's life.

6. 
    
   Lotus symbolizes purity.

   EDIT IMAGES
   
   Don't ever delete what you've taken. Always keep all of the originals on a disk and edit a copy.
   
   Try cropping in various ways. The greater the number of pixels your digital camera has, the more you can maintain detail when you crop and expand a detail of your photo.
   
   Start a new folder in your computer and title it something like 'Best Flowers- Botanical Garden'. Make different folders for each new day of shooting flower photographs.

Tips & Warnings

• Earth laughs in flowers. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
• Use your flower photos as Powerpoint graphics if you do presentations.
• Give yourself lots of time to take close up pictures of flowers. Relax and get in flow while taking your photos. Don't rush. Enjoy the process of photographing flowers with a digital camera.

Resources

• How to be Photogenic and Relaxed

[vallain]

on 6/11/2009 Oops, I'm afraid I deleted all my originals after I cropped. They were taking up too much space on the computer.

[joanhaines]

on 6/5/2009 I took the photos included here at Longwood Gardens, which is in southern Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. It is an amazing place to spend a day taking flower and plant pictures. You can take pictures with no tripod as much as you want. If you use a tripod, you need permission.

[Gottaloveit]

on 6/5/2009 OMG! The photos of flowers you have in this article make me want to get out and do this right now but it's pouring in Maryland! Of course, I'll bet you'd say there's beauty in rain on a flower. I'm off to do it! Thanks!

[lijandra]

on 4/19/2009 Very good tips for taking pictures of nature.

[druebis]

on 4/18/2009 You rock Joan! These are great points to think about when you're appreciating flowers. Now, what advice would you offer in capturing the visage of a person not stomping on a daffodil?