Shooting Wild Flowers
Apr 6, 2017 08:34:25 #
I am up in the Blue Ridge mountains and the flowers are starting to bloom. Thinking about a series - dogwood, azalea,redbut and rhododendron. All I have with me are four small prime lenses - 18, 25, 50 and 85.
Do I need a macro lens? Weather is stormy and light is flat (similar weather to Augusta). Think maybe the dogwood would make a good high tone image.
And it is windy so will need to shoot rather fast. DoF will be difficult with the 85mm.
Am I trying to do the impossible?
Do I need a macro lens? Weather is stormy and light is flat (similar weather to Augusta). Think maybe the dogwood would make a good high tone image.
And it is windy so will need to shoot rather fast. DoF will be difficult with the 85mm.
Am I trying to do the impossible?
Apr 6, 2017 08:44:29 #
I have photographed wild flowers in N. Miss. I think your lenses are a good choice & should do the job. BB
Apr 6, 2017 08:57:28 #
A macro would help but you can do with what you have and if you need to get closer just crop in. If I were in that position I would probably use the 85 the most depending on the light and the speed of your lens.
Apr 6, 2017 09:08:34 #
Tom47
Loc: Gettysburg, PA
An 85 should do the job in most cases. I used an 85 in the film days and got great results. Now I use a 100 not much difference.
Apr 6, 2017 09:37:43 #
John Howard wrote:
...All I have with me are four small prime lenses - 18, 25, 50 and 85. Do I need a macro lens? ...
And it is windy so will need to shoot rather fast. ... ...
And it is windy so will need to shoot rather fast. ... ...
Add a set of no lens, auto extension tubes.
You don't need infinity focus and you will be covered for anything else.
Apr 7, 2017 06:40:29 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
John Howard wrote:
I am up in the Blue Ridge mountains and the flower... (show quote)
I would shoot wide open on the 85. Especially is shooting a group of flowers, then your prime flower will be in focus and the others behind in go out of focus but mute the same color as the one in front.
Apr 7, 2017 07:10:38 #
When it is windy and I am trying to shoot flowers, I use a large reflector to block the wind or something to prop to block the wind. They are very bendy. The reflector also helps with the light.
Apr 7, 2017 07:16:36 #
muggins88 wrote:
When it is windy and I am trying to shoot flowers, I use a large reflector to block the wind or something to prop to block the wind. They are very bendy. The reflector also helps with the light.
I second the reflector. I use it principally for light reflection but it can also be a great help in a breeze. I have one with a bendy wire frame too. With a couple of twists, a 24" reflector folds down to a manageable 8" for storage.
Apr 7, 2017 07:38:28 #
There is nothing wrong with you lenses except you have too many and have not learned which one to use. You will find if you try using a 50mm it will be good for most all you needs.
Apr 7, 2017 07:39:32 #
John Howard wrote:
I am up in the Blue Ridge mountains and the flower... (show quote)
If you want closeups of individual or a small cluster of flowers, use the 85mm. Get as close as you can to frame the shot and use a shallow DOF to get good background bokeh. I actually prefer to use a longer lens for this, but what you have ought to work just fine.
When shooting a wider view of the wildflower landscape, any of the lenses could work depending on how wide-angle you want to go and on how close or far away is the subject.
Apr 7, 2017 07:47:57 #
cthahn wrote:
There is nothing wrong with you lenses except you have too many and have not learned which one to use. You will find if you try using a 50mm it will be good for most all you needs.
One cannot have too many lenses---especially primes.
The OP has a decision to make: which macro to buy.
Apr 7, 2017 08:06:45 #
Depends on the size of the flowers-- and if you are going for several blooms or looking to isolate a single flower. Locally, wild flowers can be 1/4 size of a dime. On a cropped sensor DSLR, The 85 will give you .12x magnification so for single fill-the-viewfinder shots, it won't happen with that lens. (Nikon makes an 85 macro--not sure what you have). Of course you can crop, but if you are critical, you won't be satisfied. A lens that focuses to 1:1 is the best answer. Even then, you may wish to add hollow extension tubes,
So really it depends: size of flower, single or bunch view, standards/expectations.
So really it depends: size of flower, single or bunch view, standards/expectations.
Apr 7, 2017 09:44:30 #
Like Oldtigger said "use tubes" One tube is all you need but different lengths would be ideal. Have fun!
Apr 7, 2017 09:58:22 #
Apr 7, 2017 10:16:05 #
The folks here are much more experienced with digital photography than I am - I'm an old film guy, new to this world - so I avoid giving advice, I just give info.
You have the equipment that you have, so pray for "good" light and make it work.
When using macro, depth of field becomes critical with 3-dimensional subjects, it may be better to zoom in with a longer lens.
And I have an issue with "manipulating" the subject (ie, picking off bugs, dead petals/leaves or small bits of debris), I try to take things as they're presented - but that's just me.........
The exception I make to that personal guideline is that I'll generally carry a spritzer bottle of water with me - water makes any shot look better.
There's an old saying which expresses the thought that a pretty girl plus water equals a good shot - same goes for flowers, a pretty girl is like a flower, except that girls generally talk more (hope that doesn't come off as misogynistic).
I have a few flower shots posted here - they're pretty decent and nearly all were made with a simple point&shoot camera.
You have the equipment that you have, so pray for "good" light and make it work.
When using macro, depth of field becomes critical with 3-dimensional subjects, it may be better to zoom in with a longer lens.
And I have an issue with "manipulating" the subject (ie, picking off bugs, dead petals/leaves or small bits of debris), I try to take things as they're presented - but that's just me.........
The exception I make to that personal guideline is that I'll generally carry a spritzer bottle of water with me - water makes any shot look better.
There's an old saying which expresses the thought that a pretty girl plus water equals a good shot - same goes for flowers, a pretty girl is like a flower, except that girls generally talk more (hope that doesn't come off as misogynistic).
I have a few flower shots posted here - they're pretty decent and nearly all were made with a simple point&shoot camera.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.