{"id":127547,"date":"2022-03-31T14:32:14","date_gmt":"2022-03-31T13:32:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/amateurphotographer.co.uk\/?p=127547"},"modified":"2022-03-31T12:55:20","modified_gmt":"2022-03-31T11:55:20","slug":"get-best-ever-spring-flower-foliage-shots","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/technique\/get-best-ever-spring-flower-foliage-shots\/","title":{"rendered":"7 tips to get your best-ever spring flower shots"},"content":{"rendered":"

Award-winning nature photographer Annette Lepple shares her top seven tips for flower and foliage shots this Spring<\/h2>\n
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With spring finally upon us, it’s time to dust off the camera and get outdoors. Annette Lepple shares her top seven tips to help you get your best ever Spring flower and foliage photographs.<\/p>\n

Seven tips for better Spring flower photographs<\/h2>\n

Be creative<\/h2>\n

A great way to keep one\u2019s photography fresh is to work with creative or vintage lenses, which can be very challenging but a lot of fun once you get the hang of it. Or try making your own creative apertures \u2013 it\u2019s easy! Play around with different patterns and backgrounds to find out what works best for each subject. Or try your luck with intentional camera movement. It\u2019s much more satisfying to create special effects with your camera than with Photoshop.<\/p>\n\t\t

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Credit: Annette Lepple<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n

Magical light<\/h2>\n

I strongly believe that you can only create special images if you\u2019re passionate and prepared to make a real effort. The quality of light is as important as your subject. My favourite time is early morning because the light has a pure, innocent feel that cannot be beaten. This often means getting up in the middle of the night to be somewhere else in time for the shoot, but when it all falls into place it\u2019s one of the most rewarding things in the world. Of course evening light has its own qualities.<\/p>\n\t\t

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Credit: Annette Lepple<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n

Change your perspective<\/h2>\n

So many people just stand and take images without moving. We\u2019ve got arms and legs, so keep moving \u2013 crouch low down, explore different positions and open yourself to fresh views and perspectives. The vantage point you choose has a big effect on the message or mood of an image. Shooting from above evokes different emotions to shooting from below. Getting rid of \u2018seeing conventions\u2019 will dramatically add to your photos.<\/p>\n

Break the rules<\/h2>\n

I think a lot of rules are useless and only contribute to restricting imagination. If you\u2019ve learned the famous photography rules, it\u2019s time you broke them to set your spirit free. Photography is a way of painting and it\u2019s up to you to fill the images with soul and make them tell a story. You can be as \u2018techy\u2019 as you like, but you\u2019ll only be able to touch others if you see with your heart. It\u2019s also by leaving your comfort zone that you will grow as a human and as a photographer.<\/p>\n\t\t

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Credit: Annette Lepple<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n

Bokehlicious<\/h2>\n

Something that is as important as special light is the bokeh. A great bokeh makes my heart sing! The kind of bokeh I\u2019m looking for depends on the subject. Some look best with a subtle, creamy bokeh; others can do with something zingy like this vase with Cosmos. For a subtle, calm effect you have to make sure that the background isn\u2019t too close to your subject. Explore water droplets, leaf reflections and dappled light through foliage. It\u2019s a matter of experimenting to see what works best.<\/p>\n

Be observant<\/h2>\n

Pay attention to the background and surroundings of your subject and make sure you isolate it well, so that you don\u2019t end up with distractions. The closer the background is to the subject, the more it\u2019ll stand out in the picture, so to achieve a pleasing background choose a subject that is already isolated. Make sure that the image isn\u2019t too busy and keep things simple. Be respectful, don\u2019t pull up or trample on flowers, but removing twigs or a blade of grass is acceptable.<\/p>\n\t\t

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Credit: Annette Lepple<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n

Slow photography<\/h2>\n

Good flower and nature photography can\u2019t be rushed. Take your time observing the environment and the light. I love using my prime and manual lenses because they slow me down, make me concentrate and focus. To be able to capture the dreaminess of a lot of subjects I usually lie on the ground and use a beanbag, but when they are higher up I use a tripod, which not only assures accurate focus and composition but also slows me down.<\/p>\n

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Kit list for Spring flower photography<\/h2>\n