Sometimes I do use the on-camera flash (as I did in this one), but mostly to fill in the shadowy parts of the subject and only a slight amount (flash compensation of -2.0).
It’s a combination of things, primarily using spot metering and single-point focus. The flower must be at least a little distance from the background. Takes some experimentation.
That’s a wonderful use of flash. It really brings out the color of the flower, without making it look unnatural. I just learned about the aspect ratios that are lurking in my camera’s menu, hidden away. Now I’m going to have to figure out how to adjust my flash. I’ve used it a couple of times, but it was a little too bright.
It has taken a lot of experimentation to get the exposure that I want, and about every camera control available. I don’t use full manual, but let the camera basically set the exposure, over riding it by using negative exposure compensation to slightly under expose the shot and often just a touch of flash to fill in darker areas on the subject. I enjoy trying, and often really like the result. The downside for me is that once I get the camera set for a close-up I have to make quite a few changes for the next shot which is frequently a landscape and a completely different light situation. It also takes about a kazillion shots before you get used to what the review screen is actually showing you. But it’s always a fun challenge and I’m always anxious to download to the computer and see what I got after a day of hiking and perhaps a hundred pictures.
Do you use a flash to make the flowers stand out and keep the background dark? Looks great.
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Comment by Malcolm R. Campbell — June 17, 2017 @ 10:38 pm
Sometimes I do use the on-camera flash (as I did in this one), but mostly to fill in the shadowy parts of the subject and only a slight amount (flash compensation of -2.0).
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Comment by montucky — June 17, 2017 @ 10:55 pm
I wondered about that too – how you got the background to be so dark.
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Comment by wordsfromanneli — June 17, 2017 @ 11:22 pm
It’s a combination of things, primarily using spot metering and single-point focus. The flower must be at least a little distance from the background. Takes some experimentation.
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Comment by montucky — June 18, 2017 @ 7:24 am
I think you’ve mastered that technique.
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Comment by wordsfromanneli — June 18, 2017 @ 11:56 am
Thanks! At least on some days.
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Comment by montucky — June 18, 2017 @ 4:19 pm
As sweet as HONEY! Thanks.
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Comment by nvsubbaraman — June 18, 2017 @ 1:18 am
These blossoms contain a lot of nectar, so they are popular with insects and hummingbirds.
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Comment by montucky — June 18, 2017 @ 7:25 am
That’s a wonderful use of flash. It really brings out the color of the flower, without making it look unnatural. I just learned about the aspect ratios that are lurking in my camera’s menu, hidden away. Now I’m going to have to figure out how to adjust my flash. I’ve used it a couple of times, but it was a little too bright.
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Comment by shoreacres — June 18, 2017 @ 5:34 am
It has taken a lot of experimentation to get the exposure that I want, and about every camera control available. I don’t use full manual, but let the camera basically set the exposure, over riding it by using negative exposure compensation to slightly under expose the shot and often just a touch of flash to fill in darker areas on the subject. I enjoy trying, and often really like the result. The downside for me is that once I get the camera set for a close-up I have to make quite a few changes for the next shot which is frequently a landscape and a completely different light situation. It also takes about a kazillion shots before you get used to what the review screen is actually showing you. But it’s always a fun challenge and I’m always anxious to download to the computer and see what I got after a day of hiking and perhaps a hundred pictures.
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Comment by montucky — June 18, 2017 @ 7:34 am
That’s one we don’t have here. I’ll bet it’s a hummingbird magnet!
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Comment by New Hampshire Garden Solutions — June 18, 2017 @ 2:16 pm
At the moment they seem to be blooming everywhere. Lots of happy hummers!
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Comment by montucky — June 18, 2017 @ 4:19 pm
What a beauty.
I was wondering about the dark backgrounds also 🙂
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Comment by Vicki — June 18, 2017 @ 4:51 pm
Attaining that background is not an exact science, but when I do it makes me happy because I think it shows off the flowers so well.
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Comment by montucky — June 18, 2017 @ 6:11 pm
Sweet nectar for the little creatures and heavenly scent. I too wondered how you attained the dark background, so thanks for explaining that.
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Comment by Mama's Empty Nest — June 19, 2017 @ 7:27 am
It is a very pretty and beneficial plant. At the moment the blossoms are widespread through the more open forests and the color is so friendly to see.
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Comment by montucky — June 19, 2017 @ 8:12 am
That is something we have here! Pretty.
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Comment by Candace — June 21, 2017 @ 3:27 pm
It’s a friendly and hardy plant and can be grown from clippings. I love to see it along the roads and trails.
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Comment by montucky — June 21, 2017 @ 4:45 pm