Canon 5D, Canon 100mm Macro lens, 1/50 sec. at f/6.3, ISO 400
CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO SEE A LARGER SHARPER VERSION
I photographed this Cyclamen with the use of natural light and a window. Many folks from the seminar I just did in Sarasota asked how do I “exactly” use the window as a light source. Well I place my subject close to the window. I position a reflector behind the flower so that it bounces some light onto the other side of the flower to “even out” the lighting. Once I am happy with the lighting I start to look for the background. By positioning my camera up/down or sideways to include the part of the background I like. For the example image above I used the grass for the green background so I had my camera and lens positioned downward. If I wanted a blue or white background I would have positioned it towards the sky. Next I make sure that the background will be blurred. Because I am shooting from a window chances are my subject and background are far enough apart that I can use an f/8 or even an f/13 with out any problem of bringing in “too much detail” from the background. However I wanted the flower to be a little softer so I stayed with an f/6.3. Why a little softer- well in my opinion flowers are pretty and they lend themselves nicely to a softer look. If you get every detail in focus sometimes you will portray a hard look with out it being your intention. The same is true if you over sharpen or over contrast your flower images or even if you over-saturate your images. There is no right or wrong it is just a matter or preference and I prefer my flowers on the Softer Side.
I use the Promaster 5 in 1 Reflector kitfrom Hunts Photo and Video.
To learn more about creating a softer look for your flower images check out my eBook “The Softer Side of Macro”
______________________________________________________________ denise ippolito
Don’t forget to enter ~ THE BIRDS AS ART 1st International Bird Photography Competition
Excellent shot, Denise.Admirable composition.
Thank you Amal!
Very nice. I would like to compare to a sharper version however.
Jim,
I deleted all the f/13 shots from my files already, they just didn’t appeal to me. The lines in the Cyclamen seemed too pronounced and I was tempted to blur them so…
Beautiful Denise and thanks for sharing your tips.
Thanks for sharing not only the image, which I like very much, but also your thoughts and techniques.
For me it is sharp in the right places. And beautiful. Have you disabled copy?
Thanks so much Edith!
I appreciate it Dennis!
Thank you, Yes, I have disabled copy.
Beautiful composition and ‘softer’ works so well for delicate flowers like this.
Denise, beautiful colors, comp and background. I love all your soft-focused flowers. The ‘Softer Side of Macro’ e-book is a must have for anyone who loves photographing flowers.
Thank you Andrew, I appreciate it!
Just gorgeous Denise, I love the colors and the background. that soft focus just makes this delicate flower more eye catching.
Thanks Hali, I appreciate the kind words.