PHOTOGRAPHING FLORA

Plants are very interesting matter for a photographer. It is worthwhile to consider not only striking or unusual plant but also many common varieties. One can make the plants look impressing if shot thoughtfully.  Texture plays a vital part for a spectacular picture, apart from the shape and color. All plants appear virtuous at some time of a year. If any plant is of specific concern, check the best season for that plant, especially when you might have to travel at some distant location to photograph it.

Many different looks can be given to plants by experimenting with camera tricks. Original effect can be produced by separating one plant in a heap of others, possibly with the use of shoal depth of field. Many other opportunities can be implemented for unusual standpoints. Say for instance, an individual plant or a group of flowers and even trees presented in the foreground would add interest in a scene.

Key features -

1. While taking close-ups of a flower or any plant, depth of field is very low, especially when you are employing bellows and extension rings to take a picture. Therefore, you will need to slow down as much possible and also use a long exposure. The slenderest of breeze can blur the image and thus the plant has to be sheltered from it.
   
   
2. Lightning can be a problem while taking pictures of flora. If clicking pictures in daylight, be careful of not casting the shadow from yourself or from any other equipment on the subject. In the situation of dim lightning, use of ring flash could be helpful. It gives strong but shadow less illumination.
   
   
3. For close-ups it is advisable to use a tripod due to the long exposures.
   
   
4. Unusual pictures can be created with the details of trees and other flowers and plants.   Textures of flower, plant, a bark etc. can look very enchanting and gives a distinct and dramatic appearance to the picture.

ABOVE: in the picture the focus has been given to the white bell in a sea of ordinary bluebells. Careful use of depth of field has put the background out of focus, making the flower even more prominent in the picture.

ABOVE: the cacti in the foreground frame the view. Not only do plants in the foreground add to the general composition, they can also be used to hide unsightly objects such as telegraph poles.