photographing wildflowers equipment and gardens · title: microsoft powerpoint -...

Photographing Wildflowers and Gardens 9/18/2010

© Copyright 2010 Tim Lewis 1

Photographing Wildflowers Photographing Wildflowers and Gardensand Gardens

The BasicsThe Basics

© Copyright 2010 Tim Lewis

EquipmentEquipment

CamerasCameras

Digital Single Lens Reflex (dSLR)

Range Finder (RF)

Range FinderRange Finder

Parallax

Digital Single Digital Single Lens ReflexLens Reflex LensesLenses

•• Normal (50 mm)Normal (50 mm)•• MacroMacro•• Zoom and TelephotoZoom and Telephoto•• Wide AngleWide Angle•• CloseClose--up Accessoriesup Accessories



Normal LensNormal Lens Normal LensNormal Lens

Macro LensMacro Lens Wide AngleWide Angle28mm Lens

CloseClose--upup

•• Close Focusing Range FinderClose Focusing Range Finder– “Flower” Setting

•• dSLRdSLR “Normal” or Macro Lens“Normal” or Macro Lens•• TripodTripod•• File SizeFile Size•• EditingEditing

CloseClose--up Settingup Setting

•• “Flower” Setting“Flower” Setting



Accessory Accessory –– TripodTripod Digital FilesDigital Files

•• .jpg (or jpeg).jpg (or jpeg)•• RAWRAW•• ..psdpsd (Photoshop)(Photoshop)•• Copy files to computerCopy files to computer•• Delete, delete, deleteDelete, delete, delete•• EditEdit

– Photoshop, Elements or other

•• Preserve master filesPreserve master files– Save edited photos with new file name

ExposureExposure

Exposure ElementsExposure Elements

1.1. Film Speed (Sensitivity)Film Speed (Sensitivity)2.2. Shutter SpeedShutter Speed3.3. ApertureAperture

ISO Sensitivity (Film Speed)ISO Sensitivity (Film Speed)

•• Low ISO Low ISO –– 200200– Sharper image– Daylight and flash

•• MediumMedium –– 400400Medium Medium 400400– Medium sharpness, “noise”– Low light and faster action

•• High ISO High ISO –– 10001000– Low sharpness, “noisy”– Low light and fast action

Shutter SpeedShutter Speed

•• Fast Shutter SpeedFast Shutter Speed– Stops action– Large Aperture

•• Slow Shutter SpeedSlow Shutter SpeedSlow Shutter SpeedSlow Shutter Speed– Blurs motion– Small Aperture

•• Hand Held SpeedsHand Held Speeds– 1/60 sec. and faster– 1/125 sec. typical



Shutter Speed ComparisonShutter Speed Comparison

1/2 sec.

1/125 sec.

ApertureAperture

•• Small Lens OpeningSmall Lens Opening– f/22– Lets in less light

Greater depth of field– Greater depth of field

•• Large Lens OpeningLarge Lens Opening– f/4– Lets in more light– Shallow depth of field

Aperture ComparisonAperture Comparison

1/125 @ f/8

Aperture

1/500 sec @ f/4

1/125 sec @ f/8

Equals

Depth of FieldDepth of Field

•• Range of FocusRange of FocusDepth of field is generally in focus one-third in front of the focus point and up to two-thirds behind it.p

•• Dependent onDependent on– Aperture– Lens– Distance to subject


Focus Point


Normal lens at f/4.5Normal lens at f/4.5Normal lens at f/29Normal lens at f/29




Normal lens at f/18Normal lens at f/18

CloseClose--Up Depth of FieldUp Depth of Field

f/5.6 Aperture f/16 Aperture

Depth of Field to IsolateDepth of Field to Isolate Setting the ExposureSetting the Exposure

•• Auto ExposureAuto Exposure•• Manual ExposureManual Exposure

Which method is best?Which method is best?

ExposureExposure

Neutral GrayNeutral Gray(18% Gray)(18% Gray)

ExposureExposureCamera’s Exposure Actual Brightness

1/640 Sec @ f/13 1/320 Sec @ f/10



ExposureExposureNature’s Gray CardNature’s Gray Card

ExposureExposure

Exposure CompensationExposure Compensation

•• Determine if scene is 18% grayDetermine if scene is 18% gray– If not, use gray card

•• Set camera to manual exposureSet camera to manual exposure

If no gray card:If no gray card:•• Manually set aperture and shutterManually set aperture and shutter

– If scene is more black, decrease exposure– If scene is more white, increase exposure

CompositionComposition

KISSKISS

•• One Main SubjectOne Main Subject•• No DistractionsNo Distractions•• Rule of ThirdsRule of Thirds•• Fill the FrameFill the Frame•• Shoot at Subject’s LevelShoot at Subject’s Level

One Main SubjectOne Main Subject



Isolate the SubjectIsolate the Subject Isolate the SubjectIsolate the Subject

Placing the SubjectPlacing the Subject Rule of ThirdsRule of Thirds

Exception to the RuleException to the Rule



Landscape vs. PortraitLandscape vs. Portrait Landscape vs. PortraitLandscape vs. Portrait

Fill the FrameFill the Frame Diagonal CompositionDiagonal Composition

Shoot at Subject’s LevelShoot at Subject’s Level Shoot at Subject’s LevelShoot at Subject’s Level



LightingLighting

Front LightingFront Lighting

Back LightingBack Lighting Side LightingSide Lighting

Hazy DayHazy Day Individual Individual WildflowerWildflower

Chan Mahanta1st Place & People’s Choice2007



SceneryScenery

Tim Lewis2nd Place 2009

SceneryScenery

Harold Vastag1st Place & People’s Choice 2009

Pollinators, Insects or BugsPollinators, Insects or Bugs

Kim Lowman Vollmer2nd Place 2007

Residential Residential LandscapingLandscaping

Mark Winstead1st Place 2009

Questions?Questions?

photographing wildflowers equipment and gardens · title: microsoft powerpoint -...

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