peedie bit of advice needed, please!

[tufftie]

There's some sweet violets I noticed as i was coming back from a walk today and i was wanting to take a close up of them - the aim is to send it to a friend to cheer them up - so it needs to be reasonable! - (there's limits to 'it's the thought that counts'!) Any advice for the complete beginner please?

[zan]

they're flowers right?

I've not done much flower-photoing (as you may guess, they're not a subject I'm strong on!), but I suppose your approach would depend partly on where they are...

If it's windy, you'll probably want to get a good fast shutter speed to minimise any motion blur (although you might get a cool abstract with a long shutter speed), so I'd use flash. A wide aperture would reduce your depth of field, but would also speed your shot up a bit if you need to.

Some water droplets often help to make the shot more interesting - if it's not already wet, you could take a small spray bottle? you'll need a dedicated macro to get really close, but you won't need one to get a good shot. Anyway, these are just a few general thoughts, I'm sure other people will be able to provide more specific advice

Zan

[big bill]

Hi Tuffti set your camera settings to the macro mode normally pic of a flower,the camera will set the shutter and aperture for you place the camera on a bean bag and get down low and focus on your flowers if its a bit breezy take some card with you and shield the violets with the card this will cut down the breeze,if you use white card this will throw light back into the flowers which in turn get rid of any deep shadows.
Good luck remember to post your pics

[tufftie]

Thank you Zan and Bill! Will try out your advice tomorrow and see what happens! As for posting them on here.....noooo!!! will be no where near up to standard but might email to a friend or two (apart form the one it''s meant to be cheering up!) to see what they say and advise!

[big bill]

Tufftie the only way to learn and improve is to share your work with the others and take the criticism good or bad if you take it on board and act accordingly you will improve go on be a devil and make the posts when you take them pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeee

[tufftie]

Originally Posted by big bill

Tufftie the only way to learn and improve is to share your work with the others and take the criticism good or bad if you take it on board and act accordingly you will improve go on be a devil and make the posts when you take them pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeee

Heehee - I realise that - the friends i'm thinking about showing the first batch to aren't known for mincing their words! Although i'm laid back in general there are some areas where i'm tough on myself and i fear this maybe one of them - which is likely just as well! When they get to a certain level (one which is beyond ooeoooe!!) I'll put one on..okay?! Thank you again for your advice Bill - will be trying it out tomorrow - have written it all down!

[SteveHL]

Don't forget to take a dustbin liner to lay on and a bean bag to keep the camera steady. Use a macro lens and try and isolate one or two flowers against a solid single color background
Regards
SteveHL

[tufftie]

Thanks - haven't got a bean bag - well i have but it's huge and it's not coming on a walk with me on the Downs! - was going to use a couple of cushions, can't think of anything else. Bin bag to lie on - hee hee - it's mud on wet chalk here..i get a bit muddy anyway! Will take note of everything else though - thank you

[tufftie]

Originally Posted by big bill

Tufftie the only way to learn and improve is to share your work with the others and take the criticism good or bad if you take it on board and act accordingly you will improve go on be a devil and make the posts when you take them pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeee

Okay Bill....
if Julie thinks the first pic's (well no not the first one..!) okayish then i'll put it on...just for you...though you might regret it The first one was just of landscape up on the Downs but errr it's more abstract! I balanced on a fencepost and the wind sent both post and me backwards as i clicked! Should have got a pic of the sheeps faces