Flowers are very warm and beautiful subjects that are always ready to welcome photographers of all skill levels to the wonderful world of flower photography. Thinking of snapping photos of flowers? Then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll cover some of the biggest challenges people experience while taking photos of flowers, share great tips and flower photography ideas, then show you how to edit your flower photos for a more professional look. Let’s get started!
What Are the Biggest Challenges of Flower Photography?
Photographing flowers can be fun, but like anything else worthwhile, the process doesn’t come without its unique challenges.
Environmental Changes: As with any outdoor photography, you may want to plan ahead to avoid things like rain, wind, or lighting challenges. Weather can drastically affect your lighting and windy days with a macro lens can cause camera shake and make it a little harder to keep your focal point looking sharp if either you or the flowers are moving.
Perfecting Depth of Field (DoF): It can feel challenging to find the right camera settings for the job when you’re first starting out shooting macro photos. Because flowers are almost always moving to some degree, macro lenses can struggle to stay focused. It might feel a little frustrating at first, but taking the time to experiment with different aperture settings and learning techniques like focus stacking can really pay off in the end.
Busy Backgrounds: Finding the perfect frame to avoid a cluttered background can be challenging at first. But don’t worry — we’ll show you how you can use flower isolation techniques and tools (such as plant clamp) to help separate your chosen focal point from the rest of the plants, as well as cover how to use aperture settings to create the perfect depth of field for your goals.
Standing Out: When you’re first starting out learning how to photograph flowers, you may find it hard to make your images unique from all the other flower photos out there. After all, how many different angles can you truly reinvent, right? To be different, you’ll have to think differently than everyone else. But don’t fret, creative flower photography opens the doors to a whole new world of endless possibilities — once you learn some photography basics and explore our favorite tips and ideas, you’ll have a hard time ever blending in with the crowd again!
11 Flower Photography Tips
Now that you’re aware of the challenges that come with flower photography, let’s talk about how to handle them like a pro and make your photos stand out using some of our favorite technical and creative photography tips. Don’t have a DSLR camera? No problem. Most smartphone cameras can be a great start for a beginning photographer.
1) Stay Focused With the Proper Depth of Field
via PicsArtEver wonder how photographers manage to get just the flower petals or stamen of a single flower to focus while the rest of the image is blurred? A wide aperture setting is your best friend when it comes to this style of macro flower photography.
Aperture is the main element of the “exposure triangle” made up of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. It works like the pupil of an eye to control how much light hits the sensor. Knowing how to work with aperture is key to standing out in the world of creative flower photography.
A wide aperture has a large “f-number” or “f-stop” (f/1.4, f/2.8, etc.) which creates a narrow or shallow depth of field. This creates mostly blurred macro shots with one sharp focal point. Conversely, a narrow aperture has a small f-number (f/16, f/22, etc.) which creates a wide depth of focus. In this case, most of your image will be in focus, which is more useful in landscape photography or for photographing a field of flowers. A medium aperture (f/5.6, f/8, f/11) can help you achieve a more balanced depth of focus so that most or all of the flower will be in focus while still keeping the background blurred.
2) Don’t Have a Macro Lens? Try These Hacks
via PicsArtMacro lenses are ideal for taking photos of flowers that are all dolled up and ready for their close-up. But if you don’t have a macro lens, both Nikon and Canon DSLR cameras offer a built-in macro mode (aptly indicated by the flower icon on the mode dial!) that can be the perfect way to get started learning how to take photos of flowers.
You can also try low-cost lens attachments, such as extension tubes or reversing rings, to focus and magnify your images. Extension tubes work by creating a light-proof tunnel between the camera’s lens and body, while reversing rings work by attaching onto a DSLR camera lens’ filter thread to allow an inverted lens to attach to a forward-facing lens.
If you’re on a tight budget, smartphone cameras such as the iPhone 11 Pro or iPhone 11 Pro Max will also do a great job. They come with three lenses — a wide angle (f/1.8), an ultra-wide angle (f/2.4) and a telephoto (f/2.0) lens. Have one of these tiny miracle cameras? Then you’re all set!
3) Shake Off That Camera Shake
via PicsArtCamera shake is just another part of the job when it comes to outdoor photography. A tripod or monopod can help reduce camera shake, especially when paired with a remote or cable release to control shutter speed without touching the camera and risking a shaky image.
On a sunny and still day, you can generally use a higher shutter speed (1/2000 to 1/125s) without a tripod (even if some parts of the flower are moving a little bit) and still produce a sharp image. You can also block the wind around your main subject using a reflector, diffuser, umbrella, cardboard, or a friend! A white or reflective surface is ideal to use as a barricade as it can double as an extra lighting source.
Pro tip: Always press your shutter button halfway down first to focus before pressing it all the way down. You can also explore different breathing techniques to better control camera shake.
4) Put the “Lights” In “Lights, Camera, Action!”
via PicsArtLight is a key element of photography — in fact, you can’t do much without it. The best times for flower photography tend to be early morning (just before and after sunrise) and late evening (just before and after sunset).
Sunny day outside? Backlighting creates a natural glow effect. Create a backlight effect by positioning yourself so that the main subject (the flower) is between you and the main light source (the sun). Because flower petals are translucent, light can filter through them from behind in varying amounts depending on the type of flower. For very bright days or mid-day shoots that create harsh contrast, a fill-in flash can help lighten up the shadowy areas to balance the foreground and background.
Overcast days are wonderful for flower or landscape photography because the clouds act as a natural soft light or diffuser. Widen your aperture, lower your shutter speed slightly, and set your ISO to 400 or 800 to capture more light (use ISO as a last resort as it may add grain.) A reflector or umbrella can also help bounce light onto more parts of the flower.
Pro tip: Use a white or silver reflective surface for cooler light tones and use gold foil or a gold reflector to create extra warmth! No reflector? No problem. Photo-editing apps like PicsArt will do the trick during post-processing.
5) Use The Rule of Thirds to Compose Images
via PicsArtNot sure how to best compose your image? Just follow the rule of thirds and you can’t go wrong!
To use the rule of thirds, first divide your frame into nine equal rectangles (either visually or using the grid on your camera.) Then, find different angles and compositions where the most interesting points in the image fall along one or more of the lines or intersections of the grid. For example, if you’re photographing a single flower, try lining the flower stem along a grid line and the stamen at an intersection. For multiple foci, use multiple lines and intersections of the grid to draw the eye towards the most interesting elements.
Pro tip: Think of each flower as a person — the flower as the head and the stem as the body. Where would you position them if they were people? Flowers are always ready for their close-up!
6) Shift Your Perspective to Find Different Angles
via PicsArtFlowers are always beautiful on their own, but playing with perspective can add interest, tell a story, and take your photography to the next level.
With all the little critters that call these plants home, there are endless stories to tell! What does life look like from the perspective of an ant making its way through the endless forest of giant “trees” (or stems)? Or a snail, making its vertical journey up a stem? How about a bee or a butterfly landing on a beautiful flower like a helicopter on a launch pad?
Pro tip: Have fun discovering different angles and fully embrace the dirt! If you really want your photos to stand out, you may need to bring a yoga mat or wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty so that you can lay in the fields worry-free and let your imagination run as wild as the wildflowers. Sometimes it pays to go where no one else is willing to go!
7) Find or Create an Interesting Background
via PicsArtOne of the coolest things about macro flower photography is how much fun you can have with backgrounds without worrying about it taking away from the focus on your main subject. This is where understanding depth of field comes in handy — simply choose an interesting background and blur it to your liking by adjusting your aperture setting or edit in a bokeh effect. Bokeh refers to the quality (rather than the width, depth, or amount) of the blur and is a very popular way to create a magical, glistening backdrop.
So what’s the secret formula to creating a beautiful bokeh?
- Use a lens with an aperture of at least f/2.8
- Use a longer focal length or telephoto lens for a more extreme bokeh
- Create distance between the foreground and background
- Move closer to your subject
- Shine or pass light across a reflective surface, such as glitter, or through water droplets or mist
Unfortunately, many entry-level cameras can only go as low as f/4.5 or f/3.5, but if you’re as committed to that bokeh life as we are, a 50mm macro lens is a perfect entry point. It’s affordable and opens up to f/1.8 or f/1.4 for extra shallow depth of field. On a tighter budget? No problem — create an instant bokeh effect in post-processing using photo editing tools like PicsArt!
Pro tip: Want a break from the typical floral or wooden fence background? Create your own background by placing a glittery paper, cardboard, or fabric behind a flower. Set a narrow depth of field (wide aperture) to blur it out and position the background so that light hits it at just the right angle to create a gorgeous bokeh background effect. If you don’t have glitter, use a water bottle to spray mist into the frame to capture the light or simply use a photo editing app to add the effect later.
8) Don’t Let Nature Bug You or Rain on Your Parade — Use It Instead!
via PicsArt
One of the most magical things about macro flower photography is how up close and personal we can get to the cute and interesting little critters in our backyard. We’ve all been captivated by images of flowers with a hard-working honey bee buzzing around a flower’s stamen, foraging and pollinating as it goes, or a vibrant butterfly gently landing on a velvety rose, or an impressive hummingbird sucking nectar from a petunia while mid-flight. Have a little extra time on your hands? You’ll be amazed at what you can learn by following a snail’s curiosity for a day or documenting an ant’s journey as it cuts and carries a leaf back to its colony.
Just rained? Perfect. Grab your camera and capture the gorgeous rain droplets as they rest upon colorful, freshly cleaned flower petals. The opportunities in nature are endless, so cash in that rain check and get outside — the wild awaits your creativity!
9) Need a Hand? Grab a Plamp!
Meet your new best friend in creative flower photography: the plamp. Think of a “plamp” (also called a “plant clamp” or “helping hand”), as your very own personal assistant. It has bendable arms and acts as an extra set of mini hands that can hold flowers or reflectors in specific positions so that you can get your best shot.
Need to isolate a single flower from the rest? Drape a paper towel over a flower stem and use the helping hands to pinch the edges of the paper towel down or away to move the main stem away from the others. Wish you had someone to help you hold a mini reflector in place so you get just the right angle with your lighting? A plamp is always standing by ready at your service!
Pro tip: Want to make the most of a windy day? Use a plamp to hold your main subject steady while allowing the surrounding flowers to blow in the wind to create an extra dreamy look.
10) Create a Mini Indoor Studio
via PicsArt
At the end of the day, outdoor macro photography takes a little bit of practice, but don’t let that stop you. Creating a mini indoor studio is a fun and easy way to practice without having to worry about outdoor challenges. Use indoor house plants or invite a wildflower inside your home for the day. You can even buy artificial flowers from an art supply store and spray them with water or glitter spray to make them extra interesting. Many artificial flowers are coated in a shiny wax layer that can look very realistic in macro shots, especially when you add water droplets!
Use glitter paper, fabric, or any type of wall or surface (wood, tile, brick, etc.) as backdrops. Explore lighting effects by combining lamps, natural light, or string lights to get your unique look just right.
11) Get Creative to Stand Out In a Field of Talent
via PicsArt
So you’ve tried everything there is to try with camera settings, backgrounds, locations, and lighting. But with millions of pictures of flowers on the internet, how do you stand out from the crowd?
It’s time to get resourceful. Check out sites like Pinterest or the PicsArt Explore page for inspiration, then experiment with different props and techniques to add your own unique twist to your favorite ideas. Photo editing tools make it super easy to transform your image in minutes. You can use Effects to apply filters that instantly transform the style and texture of an image, Stickers to add visual elements and props, and the Bokeh or Solar Flare features to step up your background game.
For more ideas, check out these fabulous floral ideas for spring — the possibilities in creative flower photography are endless!
6 Flower Photography Ideas
Need a few more quick flower photography ideas to get inspired?
- You’ve heard of trumpet flowers, but have you ever seen a colorful bouquet of spring flowers popping out of the brassy horn of a trumpet? Create a jazzy feel with this look and use PicsArt’s Sticker tool to make music notes stream out of the bouquet.
- Love sunflower photography? Dress your puppy, baby, or favorite stuffed animal in a sunflower costume and do a photoshoot with sunflowers. Sunflower photography makes it easy to brighten someone’s day and spread joy.
- Have you ever been called a “free spirit”, or a “wildflower”? Take it as a compliment and show the world that they were right! Treat yourself to a wildflower photography session by wearing your favorite carefree outfit and a floral crown of freshly-picked wildflowers. Toss a handful of wildflowers into the air and use a timer to snap a photo as you jump through it. It’s time to own who you are and let your personality shine.
- Is black and white flower photography more your thing? Make powerful images by choosing one focal point of an image pop with color while keeping the rest of the photo black and white. Use photo-editing apps like PicsArt to achieve this effect.
- Including unique and intriguing props into your photo is a great way to spark a viewer’s attention and curiosity. Do you have any quirky pottery or cool vases lying around the house? If not, many thrift shops and nurseries certainly do! Don’t be afraid to dare a little and let go of the pressure to be perfect — even broken pots can serve as very interesting subjects.
- Play with scale by posing miniature figurines of people or critters in a seemingly giant “forest” of “trees” and “mountains.” Cover your miniature studio with a dark cloth and shine harsh lighting through the plants to create a dramatic night time forest scene with tall, scary-looking shadows. On a macro scale, this can look very convincing. Now here’s the kicker — have a friend take a photo of you from the outside perspective to reveal your little secret. Your friends will be shocked when they find out the “giant scary forest” was just a tiny house plant with some even tinier toys placed inside of it.
via PicsArtHow to Edit Flower Photos Like a Professional
Now, this is when things start happening — it’s time to sharpen your editing chops!
1) Open Picsart and Start a Project
Start by opening up PicsArt. If using the Picsart app on your phone, and tap the purple + button to start a project.
2) Select a Photo
Click the Upload button and select a photo from your computer to start your project. You can also use the Shutterstock search feature to find a high quality image provided by Picsart. Just search a keyword, such as “flower” or “rose”, in the Find Your Design search bar at the top of the page, then use the Shutterstock and Free To Edit searches on the left menu to find photos.
In the PicsArt app, tap Add Photo from the main menu bar to access your camera and import a specific photo.
3) Add or Remove Objects
To Remove Objects: Use the Remove Objects or Background Remover tools to take unwanted objects out of your image.
To Add Objects: Use Stickers to search for any additional elements you may want to add into your photo, then tap the sticker to see its menu bar to make edits using features such as the Opacity, Shadow, and Border tools. Tap Apply to save your selections.
4) Transform Your Image with Effects
Select Effects from the main navigation bar to pull up a menu of effects categories. Explore the Color Toning, FX, and Style Transfer features, and apply filters like Magic, Artistic, or Pop Art to instantly transform the image right before your eyes. You can even apply the Change Sky effect to completely swap out the background for something more magical!
Change the lighting usings Light Filters and blur your background using the Blur effect. To create instant bokeh, select Bokeh from the Mask menu.
Check out this quick article for more tips on how to edit photos like a pro.
5) Sprinkle in Extra Magic with Brushes
Use the Brushes tool to decorate your image with elegant patterns, such as a delicate garland of flowers or glowing firefly lights. If using the Picsart app, just pick a brush and swipe your finger across the canvas!
6) Add Text
To add text, tap Text in the main menu bar of the web editor, scroll down to Font Collections and tap More. Browse the collections or use the search bar to type keywords such as “calligraphy” to see all relevant fonts.
If using the PicsArt app, tap Text on the menu bar, type the words you want to add to your image, and tap the Apply checkmark to save changes. Now tap your text, tap Font, then tap the pink circle with the upward arrow to pull up the font menu where you can type in “calligraphy” or any other font style you’re looking for.
Not sure where to start? Check out this great article on how to choose a font.
After adding your text, use the Text Editor menu to adjust custom effects. Tap Apply if applicable to save changes.
7) Download Your Edit
Once you’re happy with your image, tap Apply to save all changes if applicable, then save the image to your device or share it with the PicsArt community.
Congratulations, you are now a master of flower photography!
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