My Backyard: Wildflower Photography Tips

As the wildflowers bloom in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, I find myself using my camera more and more for scenery and landscape shots. Wildflowers are one of my favorite subjects, and taking pictures of them is a great way to support the Leave No Trace principle, Leave What You Find. Considering some of the following tips will help you make the most of your next outdoor excursion.

• Consider using a tripod to steady the shot and produce a sharp image.
• Get up early and shoot the sunrise in the best location. Scout the area the day before or during the dead time during the high noon sun.
• Wait until sunset to shoot large fields of flowers, the light is golden and will render your subject much better than the harsh light of the day.
• Take plenty of batteries for your camera — or make sure your batteries are charged.
• Take more than enough film — or a sufficient memory card - you may just use it all.
• Fill your frame! It’s okay to not have the entire flower in photo. Just like shooting a portrait of a person, all we need is a head and shoulder, not a full length body shot. Consider portraits and landscapes for your shots.
• Shoot from a low level, just as you shoot at portrait on the same level as the subject (you don’t shoot down on the top of the head) flowers should be shot with the camera at the same level as the flower.