Level: Beginner
LESSON 2Give a Soft Touch to Flower Shots
Focal length: 100 mm / F-number: 2.8 / Shutter speed: 1/400 sec.
To give a gentle feel and soft touch to flower shots, backgrounds and their level of defocus are important.
To increase the defocus level, set the camera to the A-mode and open the aperture as much as possible.
Creating background defocus
To capture the softness and beautiful colors of flowers, the rendering of the background is important. Following the instructions on Factors of Defocus, get close to the subject, and shoot on the telephoto side (with longer focal lengths) of the lens. This simple process increases the amount of defocus and highlights the flowers, allowing you to shoot photographs that are different than usual.
A longer focal length creates greater background defocus
The below photographs were shot with different focal lengths: 55 mm for [1] and 210 mm for [2]. You can see that the shot with the longer focal length creates greater background defocus and emphasizes the freshness of the flower. If you have a telephoto lens, use it to render backgrounds more effectively.
Also, photograph [2] is more creative with the background colors. Because the entire background consists of the green colors contrasting with the red, the vividness of the flower is enhanced.
Try shooting from different angles with different backgrounds, and find your favorite shot.
[1] Focal length: 55 mm
[2] Focal length: 210 mm
Creativity with background colors
Try being creative with the background colors. For example, by choosing contrasting colors, such as a red flower against a green background, the vividness of the flower is enhanced. Try shooting from different angles with different backgrounds, and find your favorite shot.
Setting a wide-open aperture using the A-mode
The A-mode is Aperture Priority mode. By changing the F-number (aperture value) in the A-mode, you can control the amount of defocus. Set a smaller F-number to open up the aperture and capture more light. By doing so, the area of focus also narrows, creating greater background defocus which emphasizes the subject flower and gives an overall softer atmosphere.
Shooting with F3.2
Focal length: 90 mm / F-number: 3.2 / Shutter speed: 1/800 sec. / ISO: 100
Shooting with F20.0
Focal length: 90 mm / F-number: 20.0 / Shutter speed: 1/100 sec. / ISO: 500
For details on each term, please refer to the following pages:
Adjusting the brightness
Adjusting the brightness with exposure compensation
Slightly brightening the image will enhance the softness of the flowers. In the example below, photograph [1] was shot with exposure automatically adjusted by the camera. Because the background is bright, the flowers are rendered relatively dark. This photograph manages to convey the color and shape of the flowers, but the pink looks a little dull. Slightly brightened by exposure compensation, photograph [2] has a softer and gentler atmosphere.
[1] Exposure compensation: 0
[2] Exposure compensation: +1.3
Considering the angle of light
When shooting at home or in other places where you can control the angle of light, try to place the flowers so that they can be illuminated by back light. If possible, use light coming through a curtain instead of direct sunlight, or shoot on a cloudy day. These are the best shooting conditions to create soft lighting.
When the flower you want to shoot is illuminated from behind by back light, making the front to be in shadow and appear dark, using a commercially available board reflector can help brighten it up and eliminate unwanted shadows. Place the board reflector between the flower and the camera, and adjust its position and angle so that the reflected light hits the flower.
With a board reflector
Focal length: 90 mm / F-number: 3.5 / Shutter speed: 1/400 sec. / ISO: 1250
Without a board reflector
Focal length: 90 mm / F-number: 3.5 / Shutter speed: 1/400 sec. / ISO: 1250
You can use white paper or similar items as a substitute for a board reflector. In the examples above, the photographs were shot with a setup like that illustrated below, using a white styrene board instead of a board reflector. Using a smartphone stand or other tool that can adjust the angle is convenient as it helps stabilize the styrene board.
For details on each term, please refer to the following pages:
Trying Creative Look
The Creative Look function allows you to easily apply preset camera settings, which serve as the basis for "image creation," to specific themes. Creative Look settings such as [FL] and [PT] combine various elements like color, brightness, contrast, and sharpness. From these base settings, further adjustments can be made to elements such as saturation and contrast.
We recommend Creative Look: [SH]
Using Creative Look: [SH] creates a bright atmosphere with a translucent, soft, and vivid feel, so we especially recommend it when you want to give a soft touch to flower shots. Try using [SH] as the base and adjusting the saturation, contrast, and other elements to get closer to the image that you want to capture.
Creative Lookː [SH]
Creative Lookː [ST]
We recommend Creative Style: [Portrait]
Some cameras are equipped with Creative Style. If your camera has Creative Style, try using [Portrait]. [Portrait] is a style suitable for photographing people, but we also recommend it for expressing the soft atmosphere of flowers.
Refer to the Instruction Manual or Help Guide for your camera to check whether it has Creative Style or Creative Look.
Creative Styleː [Portrait]
Creative Styleː [Standard]
For details on each term, please refer to the following pages:
Trying macro lenses
If you are shooting flowers or small items, you may feel like getting closer to the subject and shooting the close-up details. However, a lens has a minimum focusing distance which limits how close you can get to the subject. “Macro lenses” are dedicated lenses for such scenes, allowing you to get extremely close to the subject and take close-up shots.
For details on minimum focusing distance, please refer to the following pages:
Both APS-C and full frame cameras and lenses are offered, but as long as the same E-mount is used, compatibility is ensured. See the following page for notes on use.
Are APS-C and full-frame cameras and lenses interchangeable? (α E-mount)
Note: There are models that are not sold in certain countries and regions.
Focal length: 50 mm / F-number: 2.8 / Shutter speed: 1/640 sec.
SEL50M28
This versatile 50 mm "normal" macro prime lens for full-frame sensors is ideal for everyday photography as well as capturing impressive 1:1 macro images. You can get as close as 6.3" from the subject while the normal angle of view makes it possible to include background elements for added creative freedom. Controls and operation are optimized for easy, efficient close-up shooting.
F-number: 5.6 / Shutter speed: 1/15 sec.
SEL90M28G
The first E-mount medium telephoto macro lens with built-in image stabilization delivers outstanding G Lens quality: Stunning resolution at up to 1:1 magnification, plus gorgeous background bokeh when required, even when shooting handheld. A floating focus mechanism ensures that consistently superior optical performance is achieved at all focusing distances.
Focal length: 30 mm / F-number: 3.5 / Shutter speed: 1/500 sec.
SEL30M35
This lens offers versatile, high-performance macro capabilities in a compact, lightweight body. It is a true 1:1 macro lens with a 2.4 cm minimum working distance that allows tiny subjects and details to be rendered with excellent resolution and contrast.