Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Explosive Fluffy Spring Bouquet

These colors have a shabby chic look to them I think. Classy wildflowers. Some of the shots I've taken are photographed straight on basic but from time to time they need to be mixed up a little by shooting from a different angle. Close up to see the beautiful detail in each bloom right? These are fluffy and classic.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Fabulous Tropical Paradise Floral Arrangement

This fabulous tropical paradise image is one of my first attempts at photographing a floral arrangement. Shot not in a cramped studio setting, but in a greenhouse with tons of natural light flowing in from every direction! Truly a photographers dream studio! The neutral backdrop is a mobile wall with major cracks and holes and flaws everywhere, but with the product several feet away from it, a buttery and creamy blur is created and magic happens. This is an everyday arrangement that is for sale at Mulhall's Nursery in Omaha Nebraska. In fact, anything can be custom made by our talented designers. Truly a tropical delight!

Monday, February 27, 2012

Sparkling Orchid Wedding Reception

A simple arrangement for a wedding. These 'flowers' in water are hot items for weddings these days. This one in particular has a clean, sparkling and fresh look. I can just picture 40 of these dressing up a reception table top! I'm still unsure on the type of orchid used here. Will find out soon!

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Simple Spring Bouquet of Flowers

Crystal clean and fresh spring bouquet of flowers. Gerbera daisies are my second favorite flower (orchid is first!) They are simple and sweet, but never plain Jane. And what a happy arrangement this is with the pussy willows mixed in. Love these colors!

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Floral Photography Studio/Editing Techniques

So I've added another floral arrangement image and in order for me to create the overall diffused natural light on the subject I use a lot of reflectors to bounce the window light. There's only one large window on the left, a white paper back drop and a 5 in 1 reflector to bounce the window light. I use absolutely no flash. This creates a more organic feel in the image. (A tripod is a MUST!) ISO is at 800 which is ideal so I can crank the shutter speed. My camera controls noise pretty darn well at high ISO. I could open the aperture to the max (1.4) but I wanted more razor sharpness-so I stop it down to 2.8. Speaking of focus, I got 8 focus points which is beautiful and I find if I focus on the CLOSEST flower to me, such as the orchid, then you're safe with all the other items in focus. Lastly, the icing on the cake, where I create MORE magic, is in a ridiculously sophisticated software program for photographers I like to call Lightroom 3. Can't live without this program. Basic final edit in CS5 where curves is my favorite. I shoot strictly RAW and the image is very dingy and flat. Curves solves a lot of that. And SAVE SAVE SAVE! 2-3 types of files. This is basic, and I think what I'd like to do next is a before and after post. Lucky to have such a beautiful floral arrangement to start with. Thanks Larry B at Mulhall's!

Friday, February 24, 2012

Floral Photography

Happy New Year. I'm still here and working on projects but seriously lacking in motivation to post anything on my blog. It's one of my babies and I'll do better in the future. I never thought 'studio' photography would be so refreshing. It is. Seriously. If I have natural light I can create anything beautiful. This floral arrangement was created be a ridiculously talented floral designer named Larry Buckley. I've got a heap more to post. This is only the beginning. Simple flowers look stunning right?