View Full Version : Tried taking a pic of a flower
degrassi
03-04-2004, 9:52 PM
I tried taking a pic of this flower we had in a bouquet. Any tips on how i can make it better? It seems a bit dark. It is taken without a flash(as all the ones i tried with the flash turned out horrible) and i dont' remember what settings it used(i jsut used auto).
What can i do to take a better pic next time? One of my orchids is going ot be blooming in a few weeks and would like to know how to take pics of flowers.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4dd25b3127cceb993b0bf33ea0000001610
ccplim
03-05-2004, 5:14 AM
Would you be able to get the settings from the original pic itself? There should have some EXIF data if this is a digital pic.
From what I see, you might have focus too near. The rose do appear a little out of focus for me.
It would be useful if you are able to provide more information.
degrassi
03-05-2004, 10:46 AM
Where would i look for this EXIF data? I took this pic a while ago.
BUt really i'm mmore interested in tips on taking pics of flowers/plants in general. What settings do other people use. Better to use low ISO/high ISO? Stuff like that.
Molino
03-05-2004, 11:11 AM
If your Canon came with Zoombrowser, like mine, select the original image file in zoombrowser (don't open image) and then click on properties and it should pull up all the shooting specs.
ccplim
03-05-2004, 11:17 AM
Where would i look for this EXIF data? I took this pic a while ago.
BUt really i'm mmore interested in tips on taking pics of flowers/plants in general. What settings do other people use. Better to use low ISO/high ISO? Stuff like that.
What program did you use to download your pics from the DC? You should be able to get the EXIF data from there.
I am not really fimilar with flower/plant photography but if I were to choose, I will definately use a lower ISO. Higher ISO will produce lots of unwanted noise.
degrassi
03-05-2004, 4:05 PM
I used canon zoom something.
I will keep practicing
meriadoc
03-10-2004, 12:16 PM
OK...
I'm noticing a little bit of camera shake - which comes from you holding the camera and the camera using a somewhat slow shutter speed - enough to make even the slightest hand movements cause the pic to blur. Happens all the time with me too - especially when I don't want the hassle of having the tripod or monopod set up.
So, what i would do is find either a way to lower the pic to your height when you sit backwards on a chair, rest really close to it and rest your arms on the back of the chair - this should steady your hands, and should get a clearer pic.
Also, you could invest in a cheap tripod (you can get ones for something like $20 from walmart). Most cameras have a tripod mount in the bottom of them (look on the bottom for something that looks like a screw/bolt could go into it). - This would be even sturdier than using the hand/chair method.
For a lighter image - you could possibly add some light from an artificial source, or move the flowers to an area where there is more light - my favourite place to take pics is on a window sill for all my vased and potted plants. I wouldn't recommend the flash, as you will get too much light from the flash, thus 'washing out' the entire plant and getting no detail.
Or, you could see if the camera has an auto iso function - that will allow you to use a higher iso (like 400iso - thats probably the highest i would go although I prefer using a lower iso when i can.
Hope that helps somewhat. I don't have the digital that you have, so I'm not sure of the settings.
-- Lisa
degrassi
03-10-2004, 2:28 PM
Thanks so much.I will have to try all that out. I do have a tripod so i will use it next time.
meriadoc
03-10-2004, 2:34 PM
it also helps if you have a close up mode (most new digital cameras do have those these days), put your camera on the close up mode... it may surprise you that this may help with focusing [smilie=biggrin.gif]
degrassi
03-10-2004, 3:45 PM
Thanks, my camera does have macro mode. I believe it was on macro in the photo. I will have to try again next time one o fmy flowers is blooming. WHen i took this photo i didn't really have everythign together i jstu took it using auto mode. Next time i will set up my tripod and try to use different camera settings to find the right one.
EXIF data is the camera information that most digital cameras save when you take the pic. it's readable by most Image Manipulation software packages, like Photoshop or paintshop pro. It's the basica stuff like ISO, Shutter speed, Exposure, Aperature, distance, ...... Very useful to try and replicate a shot.
Degrassi - You definitely should use a tripod for maximum sharpness!
MIKEZILLA
03-28-2004, 11:50 AM
EXIF data is the camera information that most digital cameras save when you take the pic. it's readable by most Image Manipulation software packages, like Photoshop or paintshop pro. It's the basica stuff like ISO, Shutter speed, Exposure, Aperature, distance, ...... Very useful to try and replicate a shot.
ok.......so in photoshop or paintshoppro, how do you veiw this information?
thanks.
In photoshop, open the file browser, select a photo and look in the lower left corner of the browser window. There should be a file properties box with a scroll bar to let you scroll through the metedata associated with that picture.