Photographing White Flowers

[jennyb]

It was a glorious day today so I took the opportunity to try to get some decent photographs of the snowdrops in my garden. I have always struggled with white flowers so I tried experimenting.

It was sunny but among the trees they were not in full sun. I took some at ISO 400 and some at ISO 200. I used Aperture priority with a wide range of apertures and various exposure compensation stops.

I took over 200 photos and frankly most of them are really disappointing. They are very flat and lifeless. I can brighten them up using PSP, but it would be nice to know where I am going wrong.

Any suggestions?

Jenny

[Seajay]

If the sun hits them early in the morning Jenny try then.

Colin

[Ukwildlifeo]

When photographing white ducks I put the exposure right down and keep experimenting till i get a good shot. sometimes i get my (or whoevers with me's shadow) to cast over it and then take a shot. But thats the best I can do. Perhaps someone can help both of us out!

[mh68]

2 more things worth trying are firstly, to wait for a dull day.Flowers arent really my subject but in all the literature i`ve read it suggests that overcast, but bright conditions are best for awkward flower subjects like yours.
Also, turn the contrast right down on your in-camera settings if youre shooting in jpeg, that`ll help prevent blowing the whites and losing detail in the darker areas.Add contrast in editing if need be so you have more control.

Mark H

[jennyb]

Originally Posted by Seajay

If the sun hits them early in the morning Jenny try then.

Colin

I waited till late afternoon when the sun was low. I thought the light would be better. I don't usually take photographs of flowers in the sun, they seem to be much better slightly shaded.

Jenny

[delros1]

for snowdrops i set my camera to spot metering for small groups,and under expose by ev-1.5 to1,7,i also find that my 70 to300mm, when set to the fl,300mm,and set to it closes, focus distance.works really well.

[RichBrew]

jennyb:

It would help us if you could post some examples, so we could see what results you are getting.

RichBrew

[peterjclarke]

An overcast but bright day is what you want for photographing flowers. The tonal range is usually too much with direct sunlight for the camera to record detail in both highlight and shadow areas. I often use diffusers to soften the light and knitting needles are good to stake them into the ground. I often 'bounce' light into the shadows with a reflector and whith digital you can see the results straight away. Can you post some of your results so we can have a look?

[jennyb]

Here are a couple of the best. You will see they really lack vibrance.

With DOF, I was aiming to make one of the flowerheads in focus, which I think I achieved with these two.

This is the best one how it appears straight out of the camera, just resized.



This is the same photo brightened and some blemishes removed.



I was using a 60mm lens, ISO 400, F3.2, 1/250sec and -0.3 compensation for the above.

This is probably the next best, brightened and de-blemished.



This was a 60mm lens, ISO 400, F2.8, 1/1000sec and -0.3 compensation.

Jenny

[RichBrew]

Jenny:

All digital images need some processing: whether in-camera (jpgs), or post processing using software.
Peter's right about the light, and as you point out yourself, the flowers themselves were not in direct light from the sun (preferable). Direct light from the sun will kill colour, increase contrast to unmanageable proportions and destroy any texture. Apart from failing to adjust levels etc. using imaging software, I don't think you are doing anything wrong per se.

RichBrew