Flowers - DOF, Point of Focus, & Backgrounds Pt. 3

Depth of field and point of focus are great tools for creative expression in flower photography.  Let's look at a third tool that can be just as powerful - camera position.  Sometimes I think the tripod is connected to the ground and once set it cannot be moved, WRONG!  Even a very small change in camera position can result in a major difference in the appearance of the background and the look and feel of the overall image.

The first trick is to actually see the background.  Attention is always on the main subject but don't let your mind get so focused that you fail to see the background.  The background is a very important part of the total image and can literally make or break the image.

Take a look at these two images for an example of how dramatic a small change in camera position can be.  The first image was shot with a Nikon 105 macro set to f5.6 for 1/8th second.  Even at an open aperture like f5.6 that background is cluttered and distracting.  Opening up probably would not solve the problem so if a less busy background is your goal, the next moves are change the lighting or change the camera position.  Lets focus on changing the camera position.



In the second image I made a very small change in the camera position by moving the camera to the left and slightly up.  I also moved in a little closer to the main subject.  The result is a dramatically different background and because of that, a very different feel for the image.

For an even more subtle background I moved again and selected a different flower that had more space between it and its background and less light on its background.

Once again a very different image in terms of look and feel, all from small changes in camera position and small changes in the relationship of the subject to its background.  This third image was actually shot at f8, a more stopped down aperture offering greater DOF.  The background is softer because it is farther from the subject

So....what do you do when you have moved the camera, tried various apertures, played with focus point, etc....and you still cannot get the look you are after?

I mentioned changing the light earlier, so that could be a possible way to move ahead.  Check out Part 4 of Flowers to see how to use a flash to darken the background.  Is that even possible????  Later....