PHOTOS THAT INSPIRE PHOTO WORKSHOP

Chapter 7. Botanical Photography

Nature always ranks among the most popular photo subjects. Much of this appeal comes from our sense of wonder at the beauty of plants and flowers. Through photography, we can express this fascination and share it with others. Whether you enjoy shooting close-ups of a bud unfolding, or an entire mountainside of spring flowers in bloom, there are a number of ways to approach this type of photography. It may mean a trip to a botanical garden, setting up an arrangement of cut flowers, or simply exploring your own backyard. Another plus is that flowers don't move around, nor are they sometimes uncooperative like other subjects. Again, good lighting and composition are key to getting great images. Possibly the best light is the soft, diffuse illumination of open shade or a cloudy day. Like gardening, photographing flora and fauna can provide a peaceful and enjoyable communion with nature.

Most people try to include too much information in their photographic compositions. By contrast, you can see that this photo is more than a simple floral close-up—it's an elegant rendition of bold colors and lines against a dramatic black backdrop. A good photograph of any subject should show a single idea with as little clutter as possible. The photographer chose to crop this composition very closely, reducing it to its simplest form, yet in a way that's highly effective. There's an old saying in photography that says if you want to improve your images100%, then move ...