Photographing Spring

by Mom-to-Mom

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Look for contrasting colors

Look for contrasting colors

I visited a local nursery to find lots of color. Spring felt a little closer than it actually was as I walked around with my daughter looking for interesting flowers. Put your main subject slightly our of center (to left or right, top or bottom) for a more interesting shot. Stacie: Tamron SP 60mm F/2.0 Di II 1:1 Macro
Look for patterns

Look for patterns

I loved the leaves of this plant. it reminds me of a seahorse. When using a macro lens, focusing is very critical since depth of field is so shallow and you can easily miss focus on the important part of the subject. Try focusing on your subject and then switch to manual focus. Then move your camera back and forth and see how different parts of the subject come into focus. Shoot when the image is pleasing to you. A higher ISO helps as well. Stacie: Tamron SP 60mm F/2.0 Di II 1:1 Macro
Plant and tell your story

Plant and tell your story

<p><p>Every spring my daughter and I plant something new. Sometimes it's flowers, quite often it's herbs, and once, it was a tree. We have been doing this since she was a baby, though back then she just laid on a blanket gazing at me. (see next image for more of the story)</p> <p>Liz: Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Di 1:1 Macro</p>
Plant and tell your story (2)

Plant and tell your story (2)

<p><p>This year, we decided to plant some Lily bulbs. Cannot wait to see them spring up! Since this is a tradition, I wanted to play up on the nostalgia aspect. I grabbed my Tamron Macro Lens to deliver that feeling. (see next image for rest of our story).</p></p></p> <p><p><p>Liz: Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Di 1:1 Macro</p></p></p>
Plant and tell your story (3)

Plant and tell your story (3)

<p>I used a large aperture (f/2.8 in most of these shots) to create the shallow depth of field, which to me, is what memories feel like, they're a little soft around the edges. When I wanted to take a clear photo of my daughter, but didn't have another lens on hand to switch to, I bumped the aperture up to f/5.6 and took a few steps back. The results were a nicely blurred background, and my daughter in perfect focus. Great memories to cherish for years to come!</p> <p>Liz: Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Di 1:1 Macro</p>
Pick the perfect time of day

Pick the perfect time of day

If you are looking for a warm glow in your images try shooting right before the sun sets in the evening. Stephanie: Tamron SP 60mm F/2.0 Di II 1:1 Macro
Create drama

Create drama

Getting up close and personal can result in some interesting images, place the camera on a steady service and try converting the image to b&w for a more dramatic effect. Stephanie: Tamron SP 60mm F/2.0 Di II 1:1 Macro
Change your point of view

Change your point of view

Experiment with different angles, get down on the ground or stand above your subject to capture them from a new point of view. Stephanie: Tamron SP 17-50mm F/2.8 Di II VC
See it through your viewfinder

See it through your viewfinder

Crop your images in-camera instead of cropping during the editing process will not only save time but will also ensure your focus is on what you intended. Stephanie: Tamron SP 17-50mm F/2.8 Di II VC
Blur the background

Blur the background

Taking pictures of flowers is always fun (especially on the first warm day), but making those photos interesting is a challenge! I generally use a shallow depth of field to blur out much of the distracting background. I wanted the background to be simple and but natural. Jeanne: Tamron SP 17-50mm F/2.8 Di II VC
Shoot in the shade

Shoot in the shade

I like when the whole frame is taken up by flowers, but only some are in focus. Lighting is a big part of the photo as well. When shooting in harsh light, color can become washed out. I tried to shoot in the shade or when the sun was lower in the sky. I also used the exposure compensation to under expose just a bit. I must admit I didn’t change the white balance, but I may play around with this the next time. Jeanne: Tamron SP 17-50mm F/2.8 Di II VC
Use the rule of thirds

Use the rule of thirds

Like many people, when I think about Spring, I think about flowers. There are many ways to photograph flowers but this time I used the "Rule of Thirds." To use this golden rule, imagine your picture broken up into thirds. Think of your picture with three horizontal lines and three vertical lines to make up 9 small boxes. Then try and put your subject into one of the boxes that is NOT the center. By placing interesting components of your image, such as the flower, at the intersecting points, you can make your image well balanced and help viewers move naturally through your image. Lynda: Tamron SP 70-300mm Di VC USD
Create contrast

Create contrast

With this shot I used the same "rule of thirds" but, unlike my other picture, I used a higher f-stop so that the leaves of the plant would be very clear. I also loved the contrast of the dark green leaves to the yellow and white flower! Lynda: Tamron SP 70-300mm Di VC USD

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Hello. Welcome to Mom-to-Mom, a series of photo exhibits that feature non-technical tips and artistic inspiration from image-making moms. The exhibits, which focus on a new theme each month, are designed to encourage other moms like you to experiment with your cameras, lenses, a…

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Spring is in full bloom in some parts of the country already, and the moms were anxious to get and shoot the first signs of spring in their area. For some, it meant tiny crocus blooms, for others, a trip to a the local nursery. It's the perfect time to get out your camera and search out some natural beauty springing up around us. Have fun! The moms: Hollie, Janet, Jeanne, Liz, Lynda, Stacie and Stephanie.
Tamron Exhibits
  • Look for contrasting colors
  • Look for patterns
  • Plant and tell your story
  • Plant and tell your story (2)
  • Plant and tell your story (3)
  • Pick the perfect time of day
  • Create drama
  • Change your point of view
  • See it through your viewfinder
  • Blur the background
  • Shoot in the shade
  • Use the rule of thirds
  • Create contrast

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Guestbook for “Photographing Spring”

Name/Note Date

04/21/12

nordic lady

i really like the teaching and the photos together. i'm going to try some of these hints from you. very pretty photos.

04/09/12

bosley

d.e. bosley, jr.

 

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