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Flower Photography - How to Photograph Flowers

By Liz Masoner, About.com

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Flower Photography - Lighting Challenges From Multiple Surface Angles

© 2008 Liz Masoner licensed to About.com, Inc.
Flower photography lighting is a challenge because of multiple surface angles. Most flowers have multiple petals. Between petals, stems, and leaves a photographer is faced with light being reflected from multiple surfaces and often blocked by a few. Every petal can act like a mini-reflector.

This often results in a few petals being very dark and a few being extremely bright. There are a few ways to combat this issue.
  • Make the most of it
    Lighting differences on flower surfaces are not necessarily a bad thing. Take the time to study the flower and see if there is an angle you can shoot from that uses the lighting situation as a plus for your image. Silhouttes, backlit images, and highlighted images are often very striking.

  • Add more light
    If the lighting differences are just too great you can add more light to even out the exposure. You can do this with flash (use a diffuser) or reflectors.

  • Come back later
    Another way to deal with the lighting differences is to come back at a different time of day when the sun is at a different angle to the flower. Morning, midday, and afternoon light all have different properties of color as well as light intensity and angle so it is worth visiting your chosen flower subject throughout the day to find the perfect lighting.

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