As the buds and flowers begin to pop, spring offers the chance to capture the changing seasons. Phil Waitkus, President of the Urban Ecology Center Photography Club, shares six important tips for making your spring photographs really memorable. And when you are doner reading them, click on the Bog Friends Blog tab at left and plan your entry in our photo contest!

1. Zero In. When you are inspired to take a photo, step back and ask yourself, “What part of that picture really interests me?” This will help you zero in on the central subject of your photo. This simple step is amazingly important.

2. Look at the subject from many angles.  Walk around it; look from above and below, and if possible from behind.  Captivating flower images can be captured from different angles. Try them all! 
3. Get as close as you can.  Fill the frame with your subject, while still keeping everything in focus (or at least the most important parts).  In flowers, this is usually the central stamen. The rule is; when you think you’re close enough, get closer! 

The lilies above get lost in the background, but below, the lilies fill the screen and the focus is on the stamen.  The message of these two shots is, when you think you're close enough, get closer!

Photo credits: Audrey Waitkus

4. The Rule of Thirds.  The most important part of the image is not in the center of your view finder or screen, but at a position 1/3 in from either side and about 1/3 down from the top or bottom. The visual impact of a subject can suffer from center positioning. As a rule, things on the edge of a picture tend to gain visual importance so keep insignificant things away from the edge.
5. Take note of the light.  One would think bright sunlight would be the best for flowers.  However, this is rarely the case.  If your options are limited, pick subjects in the shade.  The best time for flower photography, and most everything else, is in the early morning or evening. Flowers and buds with early morning dew or holding water drops after a rain are magical.
6. Take your time.  Hold your camera steady or use a tripod (if available).  Your pictures’ sharpness and quality will really improve.

yourself, "What part of that picture really interests me?" This will help you zero in on the central subject of your photo. This simple step is amazingly important.