GIVE US YOUR SUGGESTIONS & FEEDBACK ABOUT THE SITE
We will send you an E-mail every time there is a new article in your favorite section. Sign-Up For ALERTS.

Photo Tips & Techniques

How to Shoot Cherry Blossoms by Bob Kozlarek Cherry Blossoms are beautiful to photograph each Spring.  Follow these tips to make sure you get the best results possible. Article rating: 8.35

Unknown to many, Branch Brook Park in Belleville, NJ offers yearly cherry blossoms, probably only second to Washington DC. These photos are from week of April 17, 2008.

• The first step to taking a good photo is teaching yourself to "see" in the same aspect ration you are shooting.

© Bob Kozlarek

• Try composing shots using your cameras LCD view finder. Over time you can learn to "see" in the same aspect ratio you are shooting in.
  
  

  

  © Bob Kozlarek
   
    
  © Bob Kozlarek
   
• Learn to use manual mode and adjust the exposure using the camera's real time histogram. The auto exposure light meter in your camera is generally designed to calculate the exposure using a standard 18% gray reference card as your mid tone. In most cases this design will produce a good exposure, but there is some room for improvement. Using "auto" modes can be a compromise, especially when you are shooting subjects that aren't evenly lighted.  
  
  
  
  © Bob Kozlarek
   
  
  © Bob Kozlarek
   
• These shots were taken using the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10's "dynamic color" mode. I find it can make certain subject "pop"
    
  
  
  © Bob Kozlarek
   
  
  © Bob Kozlarek
   
• Further enhancement was achieved using a polarizer to deepen the blue sky and selectively remove some glare off the water.
    
  
  
  © Bob Kozlarek
   
  
  © Bob Kozlarek
     
• When water is part of your photo, consider using slower shutter speeds. This tends to soften the water giving more of a glassy look.
    
  
  
  © Bob Kozlarek
    
  
  © Bob Kozlarek
     
• To allow shooting at slower shutter speeds, use an "ND" (Neutral Density) filter. Use a small aperture and manually adjust the exposure so the data is centered in your real time histogram display.
    
  
  
  © Bob Kozlarek
   
  
  © Bob Kozlarek
   
• And finally, don't be afraid to take several shots. Unlike film, you aren't paying for processing and printing. Keep the good shots and delete the bad ones!

^ Back to top

	The pictures look like they will be real good. But the resolution seems lousy. I cannot enlarge them. please explain. Gord Posted by: Gord Jun 3, 2008 @ 6:15 PM EST
	I loved this article. Very informative and very much appreciated. Thank you, Nathan Purde Posted by: Nathan Purdee Jun 6, 2008 @ 12:55 PM EST
	Thank you. I enjoyed this article.It was very informative Posted by: Alloysia Haynes Jun 6, 2008 @ 1:25 PM EST
	My correct email address Posted by: Alloysia Haynes Jun 6, 2008 @ 1:26 PM EST
	Good photography with the Panasonic LC 10, a four third system like Olympus. Posted by: Fred Tan Jun 6, 2008 @ 6:39 PM EST
	FANTASTIC!!! Posted by: Michael C. Jun 6, 2008 @ 10:43 PM EST
	I loved this article. which was very informative. http://www.flickr.com/photos/kombizz/ Posted by: kombizz Jun 10, 2008 @ 12:0 AM EST
	Very Nice work....very pleasing to the eye. Posted by: Domenick Jun 27, 2008 @ 5:11 PM EST

* Your Name:
* Email address:
	(Enter the code shown)
	(Your e-mail address will not show on the site and is used so that we can contact you back if needed)
* Your Comment about this article::
	Include me in the TGP Monthly Newsletter