It is hardly surprising that plant life is
so popular among photographers. Wildflowers, plants and fungi are varied,
beautiful and easily accessible subjects. Regardless of where you live, or the
equipment you own, great nature shots are well within your reach -and this
month's we show you why
Power
plant!
Who
can ignore the impact of a field of red poppies? Make sure you're camera-ready
with our guide in hand when the UK's in bloom this year
THE FLOW, COLOUR, design and delicacy of
plants - flowering or nonflowering - make them a popular and rewarding
photographic subject. In frame-filling close-up, photographers can highlight
fine detail and colour; while from further away, plants can be shown in context
with their surroundings. By adopting a shallow depth-of-field, or creatively
using subject or camera motion, photographers are able to capture abstract or
painterly looking results. Plants can be vibrant or dull; tall or low growing;
form large carpets of colour, or be found growing singularly. Some have colourful,
impressive blooms, while others, like fungi and lichen, don't flower at all.
With such great variety and diversity
within the natural world, there is never a risk of running out of inspiration.
As the seasons change, photographers are
presented with fresh subjects and opportunities. During spring, new growth is
everywhere. Visit woodland, parks and gardens to discover delicately unfurling
ferns, emerging leaves, swathes of bluebells and colourful blossom. During the
summer months, the countryside is brimming with colour. Meadows are home to a
wide array of wildflowers, while foxgloves and willowherb stand tall along
hedgerows and banks. When summer gives way to autumn, foliage turns golden and,
while many plants stop flowering, the sudden emergence of weird and wonderfully
shaped toadstools and fungi present a new challenge to nature photographers.
When you look at great nature images -for
example, the work of German photographer Sandra Bartocha - they look stunningly
effortless. However, great shots are rarely accidental. Although plants are
static subjects - meaning photographers enjoy a great degree of control over
the look of the final image - highlighting a plant's beauty, form and design in
a single frame is still far from easy. In fact, in some respects, the level of
control plant photographers have over their results just adds to the pressure
to get things right -both technically and aesthetically.
Simplicity is often key, while background
choice and lighting are also particularly important when photographing plants.
A clean, flattering backdrop, free of any distraction, will help your subject
stand out boldly; while the light's quality and direction will dictate the
image's mood and help highlight fine detail.
Plants, in all their many guises, provide
great subject matter for photography. It is time to hone your close-up skills
and begin exploring the wonderful world of plants...
Get the gear!
Nature photography requires a modest kit
investment to capture the best results. Here we summarise the type of gear you
need
WHILE SOME SUBJECTS require costly,
specialist kit to photograph them, nature photographers can get by with a
comparatively basic set-up. While a good range of focal lengths will naturally
give you greater options and flexibility, it's possible to get good results
using just a standard zoom. However, most plant photographers will want to
capture frame-filling close-ups of their subjects from time to time, so a macro
lens or close-up attachment is high up on the list of priorities. Aside from
lenses, a number of useful accessories, lighting aids and supports are
available that will benefit your nature images.
Lenses for nature
Macro: Being
optimised for close focusing, a dedicated macro is an ideal choice for nature
photography. They typically have a maximum reproduction ratio of 1:1 life-size
and have a large maximum aperture - typically f/2.8 - which helps provide a
bright viewfinder image to aid focusing and composition. A focal length upwards
of 70mm is a good choice, providing a useful working distance.
Wide-angle:
A wide focal length, in the region of 18-28mm, is ideal for showing plant life
in context with its surrounding environment. By getting close to subjects, you
can create unusual, distorted perspectives. Wide-angles are particularly useful
when shooting from low angles looking upward, or views of vast swathes of
flowers. Wide-angles naturally possess a large depth-of-field, making it
possible to achieve front-to-back sharpness. For more extreme results, consider
using a fisheye lens.
Telephoto/telezoom: Telephoto lengths - in the region of 200-300mm - are perfect for
isolating single flowers. Combined with a large aperture, depth-of-field is
shallow at longer lengths, so with the use of a telephoto it is possible to render
one flower sharply against an attractively diffused backdrop. You don't need a
fast, costly lens - the telephoto end of a 70-300mm will suffice. Extension
tubes can be useful to reduce a telephoto's minimum focusing distance.
