You may say why use the word “making”, it’s all about having fun and using the ingredients to make a picture. No two pictures are every the same, its capturing that moment in time never to be repeated.
Ingredients
1 x person – you
1 x camera – doesn’t matter the make and model, could be a camera phone
1 x Light
1-2 x Subject matter
The one element that will greatly affect your pictures is light. A walk in the woods early morning or late evening gives you the best type of light. The sun is not so harsh giving a softer look to your pictures. It’s possible to photograph at any time of day, just watch where the sun is coming from.
Try to give the picture a focal point, something that draws the viewer’s eye. Why not include a family member or the dog in the picture to provide a focal point and give the scene personal interest. Try a different angle, sitting or knelling to take the picture will give you a different perspective.
Try taking a single flower. First investigate if your camera has a macro setting allowing you to get closer to your subject. If your camera doesn’t have a macro or close up setting a bit of experimentation before setting out will give you an idea of what is achievable with your camera. But don’t pick or move wildflowers, please remember the country code. Photograph them and leave them there for others to enjoy. Leave only footprints, take only pictures.
Don’t rush to photograph the first specimen you see. Always chose the best example. Try to pick a flower that is perfect, as every blemish shows in the final picture. Remove any odd leaf or branch, to give you a clear background. Be careful when moving leaves, etc., that they are not growing or attached to another plant. If something in your way is growing then try gently bending it so you can take your photograph. If moving anything would cause damage however small then move onto another plant.
When composing your picture, try to imagine your viewfinder split in threes, resembling a noughts and crosses board.
Image showing rule of thirds
Placing your subject matter, bird, plant, person on one of the two lines that run vertically, (as shown in the picture above). This drawers the viewer into the picture and makes the brain ask, “What is happening hear”. If you have no option but to place the subject into the centre, try putting the main point of the flower, etc. on the top most horizontally line to make the picture more pleasing to the eye.
Where to find all these spring flowers? Try your local nature reserve. You can find out all about the woods in your area from the Woodland Trust, http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/
With warmer days we should be getting outside and enjoying our countryside. April and May are great months for spring flowers. Our woods are adorned with a variety of different colours. Get out and enjoy the countryside. If you have any questions or need advice, please leave a comment.
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