Which lens for flowers

Goneforagasper

Goneforagasper

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Peter
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I have been asked to shoot flower arrangements for the portfolio of a florist.

The lenses I have available are Nikon 17-55 2.8 or 50mm 1.8
Any suggestions please also with or without flash (shoot will be in florists shop so shady daylight conditions)

Never done this kind of project before so any advice would be appreciated.
 
I think it really depends on how much light you have in the shop and how much depth of field you need. Will it be individual flowers or bunches?
I would try and avoid using flash, I find it doesn't show the true colours of well at all. I would take both and just try them out and see which works best.

Andy
 
Goneforagasper said:
I have been asked to shoot flower arrangements for the portfolio of a florist.

The lenses I have available are Nikon 17-55 2.8 or 50mm 1.8
Any suggestions please also with or without flash (shoot will be in florists shop so shady daylight conditions)

Never done this kind of project before so any advice would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

All depends what style your looking for, wide bunchs? Individual flowers? You goign for an arty look or simply "look at these flowers" :)

5367312233_42363b290f_z.jpg


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There are 2 of mine from a BTEC submission, no flash shallow depth of field and a light tent with 1 or 2 external lights.
 
You want something around the 30mm mark (similar to what you see on a crop camera).

So the 17-55 will do what you want... flash gun pointing to the ceiling or put a soft box type adapter... If my signature comes up check it as I think I listed the soft box that you can velcro to the flash gun. Makes it huge but softens the light. Pretty cheap too.

If you want more bokeh in the background, try hanging a sheet behind the subject, but pull the subject as far from the sheet as possible.

f4 to f8 to get the whole bouquet.

If you use a tripod you can use less DOF and stack the pictures (search online and on the forum in macro section on stacking).

Only other thing is to carefully check all the flowers and make sure that they are good fresh with no bugs, dirt on.

Oh and take as many as you can from different angles as well as a few close ups.


Good luck ... enjoy it :)
 
17-55mm should be more than adequate, I think your main area for concern is lighting- Flash can be harsh, better to use natural light if you can, place the flowers close to a window, Take as many shots as you can using different F Nos f8 to say f16 , so a tripod may be needed

If the light is poor - you can always UP the ISO

good luck

Les ;)
 
Thank you all for your advice, it is really helpful. I have been practicing so feel quite confident, just hoping the shop is not too dark with the poor weather at the moment.
Thanks again :thumbs:

Peter
 
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