BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Macro Photography Tip

Photography Question 

Cathy Barrows
 

Help with Flower Photography


I am looking for helpful hints with holding flowers and shaping them for photography ... other than placing them in a vase, which usually puts them in a position that is not very complimentary for the purpose of photographing them. Thanks in advance!


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January 30, 2005

 

Bob Cammarata
  Cathy,
I've had success positioning flowers, plants ... even mushrooms for close-ups by using those thin metal rods that florists use to position bouquet arrangements. They can be found at any flower shop or craft store.
You can carry some with you in the field along with a small chunk of styrofoam. The rods will slide up into the stem of most plants, allowing them to be bent and positioned at any angle. (Flowers with tender stems can be secured to the rod with twist-ties.)

Another method that works is plastic drinking straws. The flower stem goes inside the straw and you can stick it into soft soil (or styrofoam) for positioning. The standard size works well for plants and flowers with thick stems and for the thin, delicate ones ... use round coffee stirrers or sip-sticks.
During "flower season", I carry a few of each kind in my photo backpack, along with scissors to cut them to size.


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January 30, 2005

 

Cathy Barrows
  Thanks Bob: Those are wonderful ideas ... I will go gather those ingredients this week


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January 30, 2005

 
- Robert Mann

BetterPhoto Member
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  Hi Cathy! Bob has great suggestions. I think I will try them as well. I also use twist ties or even rubber bands to arrange a small group of flowers, usually the same type and any where from 2 to 5...haven't tried more yet.


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February 01, 2005

 
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