I teach about finding subjects to shoot that have character. A subject that is unique and different from all the others in that species of plant or flower. 

When you find that special character be sure to shoot many different compositions because that subject will only exist for a short time, and you will never be able to reshoot it again.

I found this character of a tulip at the flower department of a grocery store.  I loved how the one petal dropped down and was supported by the green leaf. It was unique and different from the hundreds of other tulips in these pots.

I bought the pot, brought it home and set it up with a green printed background and photographed it as a horizontal composition. Used the natural room light, but the small spotlight was added in post processing. 

As I said that when you find a subject with character make sure you shoot different composition, because this flower is in some landfill rotted away, so you can never reshoot it. I shot a few horizontals and then shot some verticals, and this was my favorite vertical. 

I also like to watch the flower as it goes through its life cycle and shoot again as it starts to wither and die. As it dies the petals will reshape into artistic designs, so don't miss out on that opportunity for some great images.

Booking camera club zoom meetings, need a speaker, let me know, macrogeekmike@yahoo.com

Join my Macro Photo Club online. Over 280 instructional videos. Over 2800 members from 29 countries. 
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MACRO PHOTO CLUB - Mike Moats - Award Winning Macro Photographer

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WORKSHOPS - Mike Moats - Award Winning Macro Photographer

Tips for Effective Cropping

1. Maintain Aspect Ratio:

   • Be mindful of the aspect ratio to ensure your image looks balanced and can be printed or displayed without awkward resizing. Common aspect ratios include 4:3, 16:9, and 1:1 (square).

2. Consider Composition Rules:

   • Apply the rule of thirds, golden ratio, or leading lines when cropping to improve the visual flow of your image.

   • Place the main subject off-center to create more dynamic and interesting compositions.

3. Focus on the Subject:

   • Crop to emphasize the most important part of the flower, such as the petals, stamen, or interesting patterns.

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4. Remove Distractions:

   • Identify and remove any elements that draw attention away from the main subject, such as bright spots, unwanted background elements, or edges of other flowers.

5. Keep the Resolution in Mind:

   • Excessive cropping can reduce the resolution and quality of your image. Ensure that the cropped image remains sharp and detailed.

6. Experiment with Different Crops:

   • Try multiple cropping options to see which one best enhances your image. Vertical, horizontal, and square crops can all offer different perspectives.

Booking camera club zoom meetings, need a speaker, let me know, macrogeekmike@yahoo.com

Join my Macro Photo Club online. Over 280 instructional videos. Over 2800 members from 29 countries. 
Info and to sign up. 

MACRO PHOTO CLUB - Mike Moats - Award Winning Macro Photographer

Also Check out my workshops and zoom programs.

WORKSHOPS - Mike Moats - Award Winning Macro Photographer

Techniques for Creative Flower Photography

1. Macro Photography:

   • Use a macro lens to capture extreme close-ups, revealing details that are not visible to the naked eye.

   • Ensure proper focus and use a small aperture (high f-stop number) to get a greater depth of field.

2. Backlighting:

   • Position the flower with the light source behind it to create a glowing effect and highlight the translucency of the petals.

3. Water Droplets:

   • Spray a fine mist of water on the flower to add interest and create reflections.

   • Capture the droplets in focus to add an extra layer of detail.

4. Abstract Photography:

   • Use intentional camera movement or shallow depth of field to create abstract images that emphasize colors and shapes.

5. Black and White:

   • Convert your flower images to black and white to emphasize textures and contrasts without the distraction of color.

Booking camera club zoom meetings, need a speaker, let me know, macrogeekmike@yahoo.com

Join my Macro Photo Club online. Over 280 instructional videos. Over 2800 members from 29 countries. 
Info and to sign up. 

MACRO PHOTO CLUB - Mike Moats - Award Winning Macro Photographer

Also Check out my workshops and zoom programs.

WORKSHOPS - Mike Moats - Award Winning Macro Photographer

If you are interested in updates on any in person workshops, online zoom workshops, and new events, send me your email, and I'll add you to the email list.

send to macrogeekmike@yahoo.com

Booking camera club zoom meetings, need a speaker, let me know, macrogeekmike@yahoo.com

Join my Macro Photo Club online. Over 280 instructional videos. Over 2800 members from 29 countries. 
Info and to sign up. 

MACRO PHOTO CLUB - Mike Moats - Award Winning Macro Photographer

Also Check out my workshops and zoom programs.

WORKSHOPS - Mike Moats - Award Winning Macro Photographer

I was shooting at the Ankley Family Farm and came across this interesting flower. I learned that this is the seedhead of a Starflower Scabosia flower.  

Shot with my Fuji X-T30 MKll and Tamron 18-300. f/25 @ 1/55sec. ISO 2000.  A printed background was placed behind the seedheads.

I shot a group of these seedheads and processed them in Smart Photo Editor.

Next step I used a SPE filter that mirrored the processed image to create this cool image.

Here is the original out of the camera.

Booking camera club zoom meetings, need a speaker, let me know, macrogeekmike@yahoo.com

Join my Macro Photo Club online. Over 280 instructional videos. Over 2800 members from 29 countries. 
Info and to sign up. 

MACRO PHOTO CLUB - Mike Moats - Award Winning Macro Photographer

Also Check out my workshops and zoom programs.

WORKSHOPS - Mike Moats - Award Winning Macro Photographer