This year I am having a bash at photographing Orchids as there are several good locations near to me in the North Wiltshire area.
This evening we had great weather, nice and warm, some good light and the wind has finally died down. I headed off to Clattinger Farm which is a Wiltshire Wildlife Trust Nature reserve, an old hay meadow/grassland area which is rich in wildflowers during May and June.
Several orchid species are present, although it is still a bit early for many of them some orchids where just starting to come into flower as shown in this shot.
Canon 20D, 70-200 F4 L @ 200mm + 25mm extension tube, tripod, MLU. ISO 400, f5.6, 1/125th.
Difficultly with this type of photography is finding a good specimen in an accessible and well lit location and not obscured by other plants and grass.
Hopefully the weather will hold out and I can make some return visits over the next few weeks.
John, the common spotted's are only just coming into flower around here so hopefully I will have some opportunities for flowers in full bloom over the next few weeks. I have thought about using some additional lighting for these types of shot, I might experiment with some twin flash and diffusers to get a soft light effect. Good idea.
Mike, yes I would have liked to have been at about f8 or f11 for more DOF, and maybe I could have got the plane of the camera a bit more parallel to the flower head as well. This shot was taken in partial shade, and it was also a bit breezy, so I was trying to avoid blurring due to wind shake. Focusing and depth of field is critical in these types of shot, I agree.
I like it, the central composition works well with the symmetric shape of the spike. Build yourself a box open both ends that is covered in diffusion material, works a treat and extra light can be added by bouncing flash inside, also helps keep the breeze from disturbing your subject.
Since you were aiming for diffuse background - I think I would use the healing brush to smooth out a dark triangular area two thirds up on the LHS. Only a photog would notice - being very picky.
Dave, yes I will be trying for some full flower shots as well but these are more tricky to do well as often the base of the flower is obscured by grass etc.
John, well spotted, I think I could tidy up the background slightly as you suggest for a final image version.
Discussion
12 repliesThis year I am having a bash at photographing Orchids as there are several good locations near to me in the North Wiltshire area.
This evening we had great weather, nice and warm, some good light and the wind has finally died down. I headed off to Clattinger Farm which is a Wiltshire Wildlife Trust Nature reserve, an old hay meadow/grassland area which is rich in wildflowers during May and June.
Several orchid species are present, although it is still a bit early for many of them some orchids where just starting to come into flower as shown in this shot.
Canon 20D, 70-200 F4 L @ 200mm + 25mm extension tube, tripod, MLU. ISO 400, f5.6, 1/125th.
Difficultly with this type of photography is finding a good specimen in an accessible and well lit location and not obscured by other plants and grass.
Hopefully the weather will hold out and I can make some return visits over the next few weeks.
cheers
Sean
Wish it had more blooms out on it though.
Ever used a softbox for these Sean? Gives lovely even light all the way through.
John
Thanks for the comments.
John, the common spotted's are only just coming into flower around here so hopefully I will have some opportunities for flowers in full bloom over the next few weeks. I have thought about using some additional lighting for these types of shot, I might experiment with some twin flash and diffusers to get a soft light effect. Good idea.
Mike, yes I would have liked to have been at about f8 or f11 for more DOF, and maybe I could have got the plane of the camera a bit more parallel to the flower head as well. This shot was taken in partial shade, and it was also a bit breezy, so I was trying to avoid blurring due to wind shake. Focusing and depth of field is critical in these types of shot, I agree.
cheers
Sean
I like it, the central composition works well with the symmetric shape of the spike. Build yourself a box open both ends that is covered in diffusion material, works a treat and extra light can be added by bouncing flash inside, also helps keep the breeze from disturbing your subject.
a nice picture and I agree with some of the comments.
John
Aberdeen
Barrie
Since you were aiming for diffuse background - I think I would use the healing brush to smooth out a dark triangular area two thirds up on the LHS. Only a photog would notice - being very picky.
John
Thanks again for the comments.
Dave, yes I will be trying for some full flower shots as well but these are more tricky to do well as often the base of the flower is obscured by grass etc.
John, well spotted, I think I could tidy up the background slightly as you suggest for a final image version.
cheers
Sean