Let the sunshine in: 10 ways to photograph flowers like a pro

• Type of day

  Try to take flower photos on bright overcast days to avoid shadows spoiling the image.

  Photo: Astrantia Roma, flowers between June to September and is fast-growing, preferring full sun or partial shade

  Sue Bishop is a MyPhotoSchool tutor, a world renowned photographer and founder of Light & Land, a company which takes photographic tours to destinations all over the world. In addition to contributing to photographic magazines she has sold prints for use in travel brochures, calendars and books. Flower photography is a particular passion, and Sue has written two books on the subject, Photographing Flowers and Digital Flower Photography. A selection of Sue’s images can be seen on her website: http://www.suebishop.co.uk/

• Bright sunlight = shadows

  In bright sunlight other flowers or blades of grass can cast shadows on your subject.

  Photo: Violet Phlox

• Beware high contrast

  Bright sunlight can lead to high contrast giving dark shadows and bright highlights which can sometime be too much for the camera to record.

  Photo: tree with mixed flowers

• Don't rely on front light

  Front light - i.e. light coming directly over your shoulder as you take the photo - can give a very flat, unflattering dusty look.

  Photo: Dahlia

• Angle yourself

  Following on from the last tip... turn 90 degrees and the same flower is transformed into something three dimensional with petals that seem to glow.

  Photo: Scarlet dahlia from previous slide, from an improved angle

• Tired tulips

  Another example of front lighting is this shot of tulips. It shows all their blemishes and imperfections and makes them look tired.

  Photo: a patch of red tulips

• Backlit tulips

  These same tulips are transformed when I change my position to face the sun and they are now back lit. They glow in the sunlight and look vibrant and refreshed.

  Photo: tulips from previous slide, backlit

• Choose simple shapes for backlighting

  Back lighting works better with some flowers than others. Flowers with simple shapes and strong colours such as crocuses and tulips can work well.

  Photo: Crocuses are one of the first blooms of the year

• Avoid sun spots

  When using back light be careful to avoid 'flare', ie sun spots reflecting off your lens. Use a lens hood if you have one or a piece of card to shield the lens.

  Photo: close-up of crocuses, taken using a diffuser

• You can still experiment

  ... the last tip doesn't mean you should never take flower photos in full sun, but the best shots are usually taken in bright overcast conditions with no shadows so the flowers are shown off to their best effect.

  Photo: Galanthus - also known as snowdrops - flower in early spring

  Sue Bishop is a MyPhotoSchool tutor, a world renowned photographer and founder of Light & Land, a company which takes photographic tours to destinations all over the world. In addition to contributing to photographic magazines she has sold prints for use in travel brochures, calendars and books. Flower photography is a particular passion, and Sue has written two books on the subject, Photographing Flowers and Digital Flower Photography. A selection of Sue’s images can be seen on her website: http://www.suebishop.co.uk/

• Next Up: 30 ways to display spring flowers

  Whether you live amongst rural meadows, suburban hedgerows, or rooftop gardens and window boxes, bring the bursting colours of floral first bloom i

See also:

• 30 ways to display spring flowers
• Groundwork: spring gardening jobs
• Stunning spring gardens near you