This past weekend I pulled off beside the road to shoot some wild flowers. The funny thing about photographing nature is that sometimes nature has a way ruining a very good picture. A lot of times nature provides things that you might enjoy seeing, such as the worm above, a butterfly, or a bee. However, sometimes it can also provide things that you might not want. Things such as spider’s web or the stuff left over from the unlucky captured insects are examples.
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This is an example of a photograph taken by a photographer who is over forty and didn’t bring his glasses along. Why is it that so many of us seem to throw our eyesight into the trash along with the gift wrapping on our fortieth birthday. The photographer, who will remain nameless, ended up using Snap Art 3 in an attempt to paint the insect dander away. I think it did a fairly good job of hiding the problem.
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Afterwards I returned, and using a make-up brush and a bulb lens cleaner, I tried cleaning the plant.
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Some plants were easy to clean. Other provided more of a challenge. Now you shouldn’t have to hold the plant down with one foot on top of it while scrubbing it with with both hands. This might do slightly more damage than you planned. However, you still might have to play a little rough with some of them.
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Another little trick that I did was using my 24 inch reflector to light the dark side of several plants. In addition, I also softened this one using Snap Art 3.
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Although, I didn’t bring along my water bottle this time, I have also tried spraying flowers with water to get those images with water droplets.
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Speaking of tips, what have you tried?
22 Comments
Nice series of images Phillip.
Thanks Len I appreciate it.
LOL… Brushing stuff off, removing branches, grass etc..before taking the shot is what i call
Photoshopping
Love the 6th image.
Thanks Jan. I guess that you could call it Pre-Photoshopping, but then so is combing one’s hair. I’m also kinda partial to the 6th image too.
It’s been very interesting to get this “behind the scenes” view of this aspect of your craft, Phillip. Don’t forget the glasses next time!
Thank you Andrew. You always have great comments. I admire the work that you do as well. At least with this type of photography, I’ve never had to think about getting a wavier signed. LOL
Thank you, Phillip.
You’d be waiting a very long time if you asked these subjects for a waiver, I’m sure!!!
I think so. They are definitely the quiet type!
Nice collection Phillip. Floral photography is not something I’ve tried much of….yet!
Thanks Marc. I enjoy photographing many different subjects. I had never considered myself a “floral” type of guy before. However, I liked shooting nature and one thing lead to the next. Give it a try.
Excellent series of images Phillip and thanks for sharing these tips.
Thank you Edith, I appreciate it!
Wow, beautiful photos!
I appreciate it Victoria!
Nice work Phil. Neat to see how you cleaned the flowers, never thought of doing that!
Thanks Adam!
Beautiful series of images, Phillip. You did a great job capturing these. The prep work in the field paid off.
Thank you Jimi. I really learned a lot too!
Phillip, Great tips and ideas! I like the Queen Anne Lace ball
Thanks Denise. I was using my reflector and to watch it light up was really cool.
Lovely images, Phillip. LOL, modifying the environment. What about water droplets?
Thanks Rob. That would have made a great title. I have used a spray bottle before. In fact be sure to see my next post! If I keep carrying all this stuff around, before long I’ll need a little cart. LOL