Garden & Plant Photography

With Photographer Mike Sleigh from Polypodphoto

Garden and plant photography can be especially challenging as you are dealing with natural subjects, usually under difficult conditions.

Actually seeing what you are shooting is as important as knowing how to take the

photograph - it’s all down to the eye of the photographer. Having expensive equipment

may not always help!

Are you happy with the quality of your photos? Quality can be dependent on the camera, how

it’s been set up by the photographer and then how the camera is actually used.

What can the photographer do to get better photographs? It’s down to the ability of the photographer and also the capability of the

camera equipment used

Picture Composition

Good subject composition and framing can turn an ordinary picture into a

great photograph

Points to consider before taking the photoLook at the subject and see what’s in the shot –

can the shot be better composed or framed?

Is the light right? Does the photo/subject require good lighting?

With Garden and Plant Photography shooting in the RIGHT LIGHT is paramount

Can the camera be focused on the part of the photo that needs to be in focus?

If a ‘creative’ photo is required can it be taken with a compact camera?

Camera shake leading to a blurred photo can be a problem - more likely when using the

telephoto end of a zoom lens

The Camera Has it got manual settings controlling Aperture

and Shutter Speed (and ISO)?or has it got ‘creative zone’ settings?

To get better images it’s usually necessary to have some control over the shutter speed and

aperture settingsPlants can move in the wind, light can change

ISO - change the ISO to suit the situationAutomatic Shooting - select pictograms/symbols

for the type of target subjectAdvanced Shooting - selection of ‘modes’ to

suit the situation or setting the aperture and shutter speed independently

Shutter Speed & Aperture

Focusing

Depth of Field

Focal Length of Lenses

Types of Lenses

Camera Settings ISO

Image Recording QualityRAW

White Balance Flash on/flash off

Image Processing

Output Resolution, image size and quality

Printing

Photographic Equipment& Accessories

Lenses – wide angle, telephoto/zoom & macro Extension tubes and supplementary lenses

Filters – correction & polarizingTripods, Monopods, Camera bags

Flash guns, Reflectors

Some extra kit useful for Garden and Plant Photography:

Background paper. Grey Card.Misc. Pegs, clamps, wire and tape.

Waterproof bag/plastic sack.Small stepladder.

Notebook & pen. Tablet computer. Mobile phone.And don’t forget your waterproofs & boots!

www.polypodphoto.co.uk