We proudly present our next topic for the monthly MBC –feature: SPRING FLOWERS. Now the summer has fully concurred the land, it is time to share some tips and tricks on taking pictures from (spring) flowers.
You all massively voted again this month and we want to thank everyone who voted for our poll and who contributed to this feature. We hope you enjoy this and vote again in our new poll for the topic of next month!

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SilivrenTinu


- How did you start with this kind of pictures? What was your inspiration?

My inspiration for taking all kinds of pictures has always been my love for nature. I love hiking, and photography gives me the opportunity to capture the beauty I see all around me when I'm outside and take it home with me. Spring flowers have always been special to me, however. Spring is my favourite time of the year and I can never wait to see the first signs of new life after winter. It's wonderful to see the friendly faces of snowdrops and crocus peek out from their cover of earth and snow after all the grey and brown colours of winter. It never ceases to amaze me that such delicate flowers can also be so hardy. While I've always liked looking at them, taking photos of them and all kinds of other spring flowers only became a true hobby of mine after I discovered the joys of macro photography.

- Do you prefer to take pictures in the "wild" nature or in a (sort of) studio?

I usually prefer to take my pictures outside, in the "wild" nature or in parks. Nature just makes for the perfect background and photos taken inside often look too artificial for my taste. Early in spring, I sometimes like to buy a pot-pourri of spring flowers and place them on my windowsill, though - my first two crocus pics this year were taken that way.

- How does your setup looks like? camera, lenses, ...

I use a Canon Powershot S5 IS camera, together with a LAH-DC20 lens adapter, which allows me to use various lenses. For my spring flower pics, I've used several macro lenses, mainly the Raynox DCR-150.

- Do you work with a tripod, with flashes, any other special equipment?

When I take pictures inside my apartment, I use a tripod (the Velbon Sherpa 600 R). I seldom carry a tripod with me when I take pictures outside - when I need to stabilize the camera, I tend to improvise by using whatever I can find, be it a shoulder, my own foot, or a stone. I do not use flashes, at least at the moment.

- Which kind of spring flowers do you prefer? When is the best time to take pictures of these nice flowers?

I like all kinds of spring flowers, but spring snowflakes are special to me because they are rare and I especially love the time of cherry blossom. If you want to take photos of spring flowers outside, the best time to take them depends on the weather. If it wasn't a hard winter, snowdrops can already be found in January. I usually go looking for snowdrops, crocus, and spring snowflakes in the second half of February and the first half of March. Tulips, cherry blossom, cowslips, and most others will follow in April, once again depending on the weather.

- Any extra tips?

When you want to take pics of spring flowers, try looking at the world from their perspective. I usually get good and interesting results when I hold my camera very close to the ground when I take a pic of, let's say, a crocus. But I guess the best thing you can do is experiment, take lots of pics, and see what you like best.


Some deviations from SilivrenTinu:

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SilverShootingStar


- How did you start with this kind of pictures? What was your inspiration?

I was inspired by the many flowers in the spring at my school's campus. Many were brightly colored, which definitely drew in my attention, and they were in abundance. This year, I focused in (haha) on the daffodils and a few tulips.

- Do you prefer to take pictures in the "wild" nature or in a (sort of) studio?

I've only worked outdoors with flowers to this date. I plan to try some studio work in the near future, but for now I like roaming the outdoors.


- How does your setup looks like? camera, lenses, ...

The camera I work with is a Canon EOS 10D with a 75-135mm lens.

- Which kind of spring flowers do you prefer? When is the best time to take pictures of these nice flowers?

This year, I really enjoyed working with the tulips and the daffodils. In previous years, I worked with lilies and hydrangea with a film camera. They were a bit sparse this year, but I hope to see them bloom at bit more in the next year. The best time to start taking pictures of these flowers if when they're blooming of course! Most of the flowers I've taken pictures of started blooming around April/May which is a good time because the sun is beginning to come out and there is generally some good lighting.



Some deviations from SilverShootingStar:

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PlumCrazee


- How did you start with this kind of pictures? What was your inspiration?

My inspiration for flower photography stems from my lifelong love of these beauties of nature. As a boy I had a flower garden every year. I also love the woods in the spring when they are alive with wild flowers. As a high school student I became interested in 35mm photography and naturally gravitated toward nature and particularly flower photos.
I attribute my interest in macro photography to my kindergarten teacher. I remember getting handed a piece of paper and crayons and asked to draw a picture. I did so, but was told I needed to fill up the whole page. To this day I find myself compelled to do this and find macro photography to be the best way to accomplish the goal.

- Do you prefer to take pictures in the "wild" nature or in a (sort of) studio?

My preference is to photograph flowers in their natural setting with available light. However, on the Oregon coast, where I currently reside, the wind makes this a very frustrating endeavor. For the sake of my sanity I bring most of the flowers into a studio setting using a light tent and fluorescent lights.

- How does your setup looks like? camera, lenses, ... Do you work with a tripod, with flashes, any other special equipment?

I use a Nikon D80 and Sigma 180mm macro lens. I always use a tripod. Outdoors I prefer natural lighting. Indoors I use two or three light stands with fluorescent bulbs.

- Which kind of spring flowers do you prefer? When is the best time to take pictures of these nice flowers?

As far as a favorite spring flower I would say I like them all. I do find daffodils to be quite photogenic.
The best time on the Oregon coast for spring flowers in a natural setting would be before 9:00 am for the best light and least wind.

- Any extra tips?

Any advice would be to be patient and try lots of angles under various lighting conditions. Don't be afraid to experiment. If you don't like the results you can always hit the delete button.


Some deviations from PlumCrazee:

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Some deviations from other artists:

SassyPants61762




SchwarzWieEbenholZ




little-billie




XxLady-WinterxX




aL-baum




Nariscuss




Blacknewfs




kyokosphotos




Foozma73




3erdbeereis3




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