Control the light

Use these handy accessories to enhance, shape and filter the ambient light

It’s not easy to take flattering photos of people in the middle of a bright, blue-sky day, and it’s just the same with flowers. Highcontrast light can be employed effectively to backlight translucent petals, but to bring out more detail, it’s better to shoot in the soft light of an overcast day.

There are some ways in which the existing light can be enhanced. A simple reflector can be used to direct light into the nooks and crannies of a flower. A sheet of white material is easy to carry, folded up in the pocket of a camera bag, although a more rigid, fold-out circular reflector is easier to manage if you’re shooting handheld. A burst of fill-in flash can also have a similar effect. A flashgun that you can use remotely is more useful than a built-in flash unit, as you’ll be able to hold it in just the right position. A flashgun that gives you a high-speed sync option means that you’ll be able to use it in bright sunlight, too.

If you’re keen on close-up flower shots, a diffuser can be handy. Hold it over the subject to soften hard light, giving you flattering illumination regardless of the time of day.

Finally, a polarising filter is good to have for those moments where you want to reduce the shine on glossy petals and leaves, and to saturate the colours.

On reflection The subject was illuminated by window light on the right. A sheet of white card, held on the left, helped to lift the shadows, giving the image a lighter feel. Without white card

Shine off As you can see in the inset shot, a polariser can effectively reduce glare. With polariser

With white card

Without polariser