If you’ve always wanted to improve your flower photography and get some great snaps from your garden, look no further. We talk to experts to find out firstly what makes a great photo, and then how to take your own.
First up is Chris Young, editor of RHS members’ magazine The Garden. He looks at three winter garden shots and tells us what works well about them to help you improve your garden and flower photography.
What works well in winter garden photos
1. The essence of a garden
“This shot of our RHS Garden Hyde Hall in Essex shows the stark outline of the different forms and shapes of plants in January. With winter stripping back some of the leaves and many of the flowers, we are left with a composition of foliage, spent flowerheads, stone boulders and the rolling landscape in the background.
“Even though some of the plants look like they should be in a warm climate (the palm for example), there is a clear chill to the shot. Using the camera in landscape form widens the horizon of the shot and ensures the maximum view is taken.”
2. Colour your senses
“Winter doesn’t mean ‘no flowers’. There are many jewels in the plant crown at this time of year, including iris. This bulbous Iris reticulata ‘Pixie’ is a small plant often used in winter walks – as can be here at RHS Garden Harlow Carr in Yorkshire.
“This image ensures the focus is on the deep purple flowers, blessed with yellow splashes of colour, while the foliage in front and behind is out of focus. This centres all attention on the clump of flowers and brings their welcome joy to the viewer.”
3. Not just plants
“The trusty robin always makes a picture-perfect subject for a photograph. By creating a shallow depth of field around the subject, we can focus all our interest on the robin sitting atop a spent seedhead. The background is a muted colour, while the orange of the birds’ breast tonally links to the browns behind.”
Finally, Chris adds: “Choose the right day and the right light levels, and stunning images can be taken. Focus on what you want to achieve in your image – a large-scale statement or close-up detail – and think of the colour combinations, as well as how the different focus can change the feeling to a photograph.”
How to take better flower photography
As the garden bursts into life and spring progresses towards summer, you don’t need a sophisticated camera or tons of equipment to get those ‘gram-worthy pictures, just pick up your phone or digital camera and get out there.
Rosie Nixon, flower photographer and Dobbies plant expert, explains how to bring a garden to life through the lens.
Recognised as a top Scottish gardening blogger by plant and seed company Thompson & Morgan and with a lifetime of both horticultural and photography experience, Nixon explains: “I’d always recommend that gardeners take pictures of their garden – it’s a great way to track progress and helps you become more aware of what’s actually going on in your garden.
“Green fingers or not, I’d encourage anyone to grab whatever camera you have, get outside and start capturing your garden coming to life. There’s so much going on and things can change so quickly that they’re easily missed. After you press that shutter button, you might be pleasantly surprised by what you’ve captured.”
Rise and shine
Early mornings, evenings and hazy or cloudy days are the best times to take your garden photos.
Move closer
Get closer by kneeling or lying down and looking at your garden on the screen of your camera phone or camera viewfinder.
Consider your subject
Take your time and let your eyes roam until you see something that interests you. Look at a few of the buds, flowers, seedheads or leaves and try to find one that is in the best condition, or has a slightly different character that stands out from the rest.
Avoid distractions in your picture
Remove distracting elements like random blades of grass, or if you can’t remove the distraction, change the angle you are photographing it at.
Check the light is right
Notice how the light might fall on a flower or leaf, making it glow, highlighting the texture and enhancing its colour. Try to capture that. Lighting is really important in flower photography as you want to make sure the colours are vibrant and stand out.
Make the subject stand out
Look for patterns, shapes, petal edges, curves, colours or textures – something that grabs your attention and stands out.
So get out there and start clicking.
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