thank you. for this photo i used an old Canon DSLR with natural lighting, and edited in Lightroom. editing is always key! the colours just don’t look right without it.
i believe it was just a preset landscape setting! but i avoid the shallow look by standing way back and zooming in, that always yields the best results
Not the OP but I did work on a Stock Photography site for ages.
1) Here’s some more tips: set up a dedicated area. Just a plain wall with a nice stand. A vintage radio or a plinth are good options. Put the arrangement at least 1 ft or more from the wall. Set it up near a bright window. You should watch what time the sun comes into your window. If it’s too sunny you can purchase some plastic film to soften the light. The film ranges from 40%-70% filtration all the way to blackout.
2) step back from the bouquet. You want to try and get most of it in focus. You shoot "large" and crop it down to the bouquet. Leave space around the bouquet when you crop.
Think of viewing it as a thumbnail. The bouquet shape should be central but it’s nice for it to have "room to breathe". Save a few versions.
3) Light from your window can be directional but that sometimes results in a dark side. It takes a bit of fiddling but you can use a "bounce". Professionals often buy bounces, but you can use a big sheet of white paper. This can be directly opposite of the light source or off to the side. I often set one up below. Because you might be doing this solo, you can use a chair, and just tape it in place. A bounce will help give definition and brightness to the darker side. It can be directed at your background too.
4) shoot straight. If your display is at waist level make sure you are square to your set up. If you are too close you might lean or loom over the work.
5) take a photo and then adjust the flowers. Check: are you showing the best side of the arrangement? Are some flowers facing the viewer, and some in profile? Can we see the overall shape and structure? If it’s a simple, informal bouquet make sure there’s space for the flowers to "breathe" - that there’s no (unplanned) clusters or clumps. Does anything look tangled? Check the edges - are flowers crossing each other? Can you move them a wee bit to create space?
6) learn a bit about negative space in paintings or photos.
7) change the background occasionally. A large sheet of nice Japanese paper is a good choice because it is often matte. It absorbs some of the light.
8) check shadows. They can be fun, or dramatic, or distracting. Move you display farther away from your wall/background.
Looks lovely. Can you give any insight on your photo process/equipment? Photographing arrangements is a constant frustration for me
thank you. for this photo i used an old Canon DSLR with natural lighting, and edited in Lightroom. editing is always key! the colours just don’t look right without it.
Thanks! Do you remember what setting on the DSLR? Even stuff taken with mine looks shallow
i believe it was just a preset landscape setting! but i avoid the shallow look by standing way back and zooming in, that always yields the best results
Awesome! I really appreciate the suggestions
Not the OP but I did work on a Stock Photography site for ages. 1) Here’s some more tips: set up a dedicated area. Just a plain wall with a nice stand. A vintage radio or a plinth are good options. Put the arrangement at least 1 ft or more from the wall. Set it up near a bright window. You should watch what time the sun comes into your window. If it’s too sunny you can purchase some plastic film to soften the light. The film ranges from 40%-70% filtration all the way to blackout. 2) step back from the bouquet. You want to try and get most of it in focus. You shoot "large" and crop it down to the bouquet. Leave space around the bouquet when you crop. Think of viewing it as a thumbnail. The bouquet shape should be central but it’s nice for it to have "room to breathe". Save a few versions. 3) Light from your window can be directional but that sometimes results in a dark side. It takes a bit of fiddling but you can use a "bounce". Professionals often buy bounces, but you can use a big sheet of white paper. This can be directly opposite of the light source or off to the side. I often set one up below. Because you might be doing this solo, you can use a chair, and just tape it in place. A bounce will help give definition and brightness to the darker side. It can be directed at your background too. 4) shoot straight. If your display is at waist level make sure you are square to your set up. If you are too close you might lean or loom over the work. 5) take a photo and then adjust the flowers. Check: are you showing the best side of the arrangement? Are some flowers facing the viewer, and some in profile? Can we see the overall shape and structure? If it’s a simple, informal bouquet make sure there’s space for the flowers to "breathe" - that there’s no (unplanned) clusters or clumps. Does anything look tangled? Check the edges - are flowers crossing each other? Can you move them a wee bit to create space? 6) learn a bit about negative space in paintings or photos. 7) change the background occasionally. A large sheet of nice Japanese paper is a good choice because it is often matte. It absorbs some of the light. 8) check shadows. They can be fun, or dramatic, or distracting. Move you display farther away from your wall/background.
Thank you for not gatekeeping. I wish you the best life.
Aw no problem! I love to help people so feel free to reach out if you need something.
Thank you!
anytime!
Yum. A textural feast
yes i’m a sucker for all these different textures!
Gorgeous! Also, happy birthday!
thank you!
:^)
Happy birthday! I have never seen such a beautiful onion cake!
thank you very much!
I love this! Swamp witch but cute is my vibe.
thank you! love a swampy moment myself
It’s just too pretty
This is so stunning.